Scouting St. Francis vs. Riverside-Brookfield

Class 3A Wheaton Academy regional final

No. 14 St. Francis (14-13) vs. No. 5 Riverside-Brookfield (21-5)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Outlook: Whoever felt St. Francis couldn't beat 24-win, 4-seed Wheaton Academy - as it did 48-45 on Tuesday - can talk to St. Joseph coach Gene Pingatore about the Spartans. Wheaton Academy is not the first heavy favorite St. Francis has upset over the years. St. Francis has the coaching savvy and defensive intensity to knock off just about anybody. Former Montini coach Tom McCloskey's Bulldogs will be tricky, however. Seeking their first regional title since 2002, 13 players - led by Brown commit Sean McGonagill, Ryan Jackson and Billy VandeMerkt - helped beat No. 12 Manley 82-35. The Bulldogs have scored at least 80 points seven times, but Timothy Christian beat them, and St. Francis can play with Timothy Christian. In fact after a 3-9 start the Spartans finally made it over the .500 mark with their seventh straight win Tuesday. Coach Shawn Healy's rugged group is led by super-soph Ryan Coyle, who averages close to a double-double; athletic senior Larry Murison; and 6-foot-3 senior banger Joe Pfeiffer. The defense is keyed by 6-3 Dave Spahn and all-state football player Tony Vargyas. Guard Mark Schmitt doesn't get the notice but always seems to score 11 points, as on Tuesday. "These kids have been doing a really good job of pressuring and going after people," Healy said after Tuesday's game.