CSN Chicago will have cameras covering the biggest high school basketball games across Chicagoland for another basketball edition of High School Lites. Catch the show live at 11 p.m. Friday on CSN and streaming at CSNChicago.com.
We'll have highlights from all four classes of the boys basketball state playoffs while we also have the state semifinal games from Class 3A and Class 4A girls basketball.
Boys Basketball
Class 4A Regional Championships
Oak Park-River Forest vs. St. Patrick, 7:00 p.m. at Fenton -- An intriguing clash of teams who are very close to each other as Oak Park-River Forest takes on the Shamrocks. The Huskies (22-6) have won eight consecutive games as they look like one of the hottest teams in the Proviso East Sectional. St. Patrick (20-8) lost six of seven games entering the Class 4A playoffs as they try to get back on track.
Marist vs. T.F. North, 7:00 p.m. at T.F. South -- The East Suburban Catholic Champion takes on the South Suburban Blue champion in this great battle of top-25 teams in the Thornwood Sectional. Marist (26-3) has won five straight as they've piled up wins all season. T.F. North (23-3) has won 14 consecutive games as they have yet to lose a game in 2017. These two team both played in the Centralia Holiday Tournament in December as Marist won by beating two teams that beat T.F. North -- O'Fallon and Belleville West.
Bloom vs. Thornton, 7:00 p.m. at Richards -- Another matchup of top-25 teams in this one as these two teams played each other on Valentine's Day. The Blazing Trojans (21-6) have won eight straight as they won that matchup against Thornton by six points. Thornton (21-5) is led by senior and Player of the Year candidate Alonzo Verge as he's perhaps the Class 4A tournament's most dangerous player.
Joliet Central vs. Lincoln-Way East, 7:00 p.m. at Joliet Central -- Joliet Central has put together a strong season as they hope to take down Lincoln-Way East. The Steelmen (22-5) have taken some tough losses to elite teams this season as they're hoping to make a run and potentially get another crack at Joliet West in the sectional semifinals. Lincoln-Way East (20-10) is confident heading into the state playoffs after stopping former No. 1 Bolingbrook from going unbeaten.
Class 3A Regional Championships
Ridgewood vs. Foreman, 7:00 p.m. at Ridgewood -- Ridgewood is the heavy favorite in this one as the No. 2 seed in the Antioch Sectional. The Rebels (17-10) are a dangerous team in Class 3A as they have a talented senior in Zach Rzewnicki. Foreman (9-17) didn't have a great season in the White-North but they managed to beat Elmwood Park for an upset win in the regional semifinals.
Class 2A Sectional Championships
Orr vs. DePaul Prep, 7:00 p.m. at Guerin -- This should be a really good game in Class 2A as the Spartans take on DePaul Prep. Both of these teams have spent time in the CSN Preps Power Rankings this season as Orr (19-5) is the favorite after a strong season in the Red-West. DePaul Prep (21-9) also had a strong season in the Catholic North as they have plenty of talent. This matchup could be the start of a rivalry with so much returning talent as the Spartans have juniors like Raekwon Drake and Dannie Smith while DePaul Prep has sophomore Perry Cowan and freshman Elliott Sieger.
Class 1A Sectional Championships
John Hope vs. Hope Academy, 7:00 p.m. at Quest Multisport -- Hope Academy (26-3) hosts this one as they are the big favorite as one of the No. 1 seeds in the this sectional. A state title contender, Hope Academy has to hold off upstart John Hope (10-14). After a controversial buzzer-beating win over Luther North earlier this week, the No. 8 regional seed will see if they can continue its cinderella run.
Girls Basketball
Class 3A Girls State Semifinals (CSN+ & NBC Sports App)
Morton vs. Simeon, 11:00 a.m. -- The first matchup features one Public League powerhouse facing a 30-win power from downstate. Morton (32-2) has won 13 consecutive games as they're led by sophomore guard Tenley Dowell (13.1 ppg). Simeon (23-6) is led by senior forward Jamyra McChristine as she is averaging 14.2 points per game.
Marshall vs. Rochester, 12:45 p.m. -- The second semifinal features two 30-win teams -- including unbeaten Public League power Marshall. The Commandos (32-0) are led by Tekia Mack as the senior forward puts up 14.6 points per game. Rochester (31-3) has yet to lose in 2017 as they're led by senior forward Angela Perry (15.6 ppg).
Class 4A Girls State Semifinals (CSN+ & NBC Sports App)
Edwardsville vs. Montini, 5:30 p.m. -- One loss between both of these 30-win schools as Edwardsville takes on Montini. The Tigers (31-0) are led by senior Makenzie Silvey as she averages 15.9 points per game. The Lady Broncos (32-1) have not lost to an Illinois opponent this season as senior guard Kaylee Bambule is putting up 13.6 points per game.
Geneva vs. Fremd, 7:15 p.m. -- Two Chicagoland teams clash in the other Class 4A semifinal. Geneva (27-4) has won 13 straight games as Margaret Whitley (14.2 ppg) and Grace Loberg (14.0 ppg) are the team's leading scorers. Fremd is led by senior Grace Tworek as the Harvard commit is averaging 16.0 points per game.