Boys basketball sectional scouting, Tri-Cities
Class 3A Sycamore sectional final
Rockford East (19-10) vs.
Aurora Central Catholic (12-17)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Outlook: Here we have the twosome that played for the 2011 Woodstock North sectional title. Aurora Central Catholic won that overtime thriller, 85-82, propelled by Joe Medgyesi’s 3 from the top of the key for the Chargers’ first sectional title since 1991. Most of the principals (save ACC graduates Ryan Harreld and Tim Fernandez) from last year’s slugfest, which saw 14 lead changes. Rockford East’s Andrew Lantz, Darshawn Pumphrey-King, C’Vontez Johnson, Javon Henderson and 6-6 post Steve McNease all were on hand both in last year’s sectional final and in Tuesday’s 66-54 semifinal win over Kaneland. “I remember Steve being a very talented player,” said ACC’s own star, post player Robert DeMyers, who faced McNease in AAU ball last summer. “I remember they attack the glass.” Headed by McNease’s 11 boards a game, he’s among five E-Rabs who have grabbed more than 90 rebounds on the season. That compares to three for the Chargers — DeMyers, who scored 16 points in the 58-46 semifinal win over Johnsburg, the multitalented Joey McEachern, and Phil Schuetz, who went way over his average of 3.9 points to lead ACC in scoring with team highs of 17 points and 11 boards against Johnsburg. McEachern and DeMyers each registered double-doubles in last year’s game against Rockford East, which was led by McNease’s 21. E-Rabs coach Roy Sackmaster, who’s engineered a turnaround that included beating Rockford Boylan for the first time in 17 years, called McEachern the “X-factor” of last year’s victory. He also said a key, along with denying ACC points in the paint, is to contain Chargers point guard Anthony Andujar. Sackmaster figured these two teams would see each other again. As far as ACC coach Nathan Drye, his midseason opinion that “we’ll be all right” has borne fruit. “We could be playing the little sisters of the poor in the sectional finals and I’d have a huge smile on my face,” he said after the Johnsburg win. “Actually I’d probably prefer to play the little sisters of the poor to Rockford East.”
Class 3A Glenbard South sectional final
No. 8 St. Francis (20-7) vs.
No. 2 Marshall (23-7)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Outlook: Surprising St. Francis and its Blue Crew student section will be all riled up for the opportunity to beat a third straight Chicago Public League power. First beating regional host Wheaton Academy then the top sectional seed in Orr. On Tuesday the Spartans used 26 points and 11 rebounds by 6-6 Ryan Coyle — “a warrior,” coach Bob Ward called him — to defeat No. 5 Crane, 64-51. Marshall overcame a 12-point third-quarter deficit to rally past No. 6 St. Joseph on Wednesday, 58-52. The Chicago Tribune reported that forward Korbin McClain led Marshall with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while 6-4, Florida International-bound guard Milton Doyle scored 16 points with 10 rebounds. Thus sets up a meeting between the Spartans, who come off their fifth regional title, and the Commandos, who have three state titles under their belt including in 2008 when Marshall beat St. Francis 71-58 in the 3A Riverside-Brookfield sectional final. Brian McMahon was St. Francis’ warrior that season, and Coyle — who may still feel lingering affects from a high-ankle sprain in the 39-36 win over Orr — is this year’s, but the Spartans will again need all hands on deck. The 6-7 Zach Roswold helping Coyle clear the boards will be essential, as well as 6-3 Brian Spahn, who scored 12 points against Crane. Defensive whiz Nick Donati, Tim Zettinger and Jason Pisarski all helped the Spartans hold Orr to 10 second-half points. Every player must contribute, and this would be a good time for Andrew Kimball to deposit a couple 3-pointers. Fundamentally sound and extremely well-coached in the veteran Ward’s renaissance as a head coach, St. Francis of course won’t be favored to advance to the Hoffman Estates supersectional against either Lakes or North Chicago at the Grayslake Central sectional. But that appears to be just how the Spartans like it.
Class 4A East Aurora sectional final
No. 4 West Aurora (24-5) vs.
No. 3 Metea Valley (25-4)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Outlook: What a study in contrasts. The legendary West Aurora Blackhawks are headed by 1990 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association inductee Gordie Kerkman, who in 36 seasons as a head coach has amassed 734 victories and 21 regional titles. Metea Valley is a two-year varsity program that just won its first regional under second-year head coach Bob Vozza — though 11 years at Neuqua Valley, eight as Todd Sutton’s top assistant, is a great way to learn. It could be seen as a David vs. Goliath matchup. “I don’t know who’s David and who’s Goliath,” Kerkman said. “They’ve got a better record.” There are many similarities as well. West on Tuesday topped the sectional’s No. 1 seed, Plainfield East, 58-53 in overtime; Metea knocked off No. 2 seed Downers Grove South on Wednesday, 60-51. Both teams used second-half comebacks. Friday’s combatants each offer the respective honorary captains of their All-Area teams, the Mustangs’ Kenny Obendorf in DuPage and West Aurora’s Juwan Starks in the Tri-Cities. Each senior averages a little more than 17 points and makes better than 45 percent of his 3-point shots from his wing guard-forward position but is also able to slash to the hoop. Both teams have All-Area guards who led their teams in scoring in the sectional semis, Ryan Solomon (who should defend Starks, Vozza said) at Metea’s off-guard spot and West’s Jontrel Walker at the point. Then there are the complementary players such as Metea’s steady forward Milan Bojanic, a 10-point scorer; and West’s Spencer Thomas, who hit Plainfield East with 12 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. (His brother Chandler will probably defend Obendorf, Kerkman said.) Metea offers impact players LaShawn Cargo and Raysean Parker off its bench. The post offers an interesting collision of Metea’s 6-2 Sean Davis against West Aurora’s 6-6 Josh McAuley. Either team could see an advantage, given McAuley’s height and defense and Davis’ athleticism and bulk. Of importance is the health of Blackhawks starting guard Jayquan Lee, who suffered a back injury Tuesday and is questionable. Metea Valley held Downers South to 34.5 percent shooting, and shot selection concerned Kerkman after the Blackhawks made about the same percentage against Plainfield East. “I think it all comes down to offensive execution, defense and rebounding,” Kerkman said.