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 including the sectional finals in Class 3A and Class 4A and state semifinals in Class 1A and Class 2A.
Class 4A Sectional Championships
Oak Park-River Forest vs. Whitney Young, 7:00 p.m. at Proviso East -- Oak Park-River Forest is coming off of the upset win over defending Class 4A champion Curie while Whitney Young took down Kenwood. The Huskies (24-6) won one of the biggest games in program history when they beat the Condors as Cameron Gross is playing very well. The Dolphins (23-7) have a ton of talent as senior Lucas Williamson and junior Javon Freeman have been players to watch this season.
Fremd vs. Conant, 7:00 p.m. at Robert Morris University -- This will be the third meeting between these two teams as unbeaten Fremd won both in the Mid-Suburban West. The Vikings (29-0) were also in this position in 2014 with an unbeaten team in a sectional final before losing to Stevenson and Jalen Brunson. This time, Fremd doesn't have to worry about facing an All-American but Conant will still be tough. Senior Jimmy Sotos is one of the area's best guards and the Cougars won a sectional last season. The third matchup should be a great one.
Bolingbrook vs. Joliet West, 7:00 p.m. at Lincoln-Way East -- Another rematch, this should be great as Bolingbrook (27-1) faces Joliet West (26-3). The Raiders won the earlier matchup, 84-74, as they have not lost when they are fully healthy this season. Senior Nana Akenten has had a strong senior but he has plenty of help. Joliet West is coming off of a huge win over rival Joliet Central as this senior-laden group won a sectional last season. That should make this one a potential classic as both teams have star power, depth and experience.
Naperville North vs. Wheaton North, 7:00 p.m. at Hinsdale Central -- Two DuPage Valley teams play for a third time as Naperville North (24-5) tries to score a third victory. The Huskies won the first two games by a combined total of four points, including a one-point overtime win on the road in December. Wheaton North (24-6) is coming off of a buzzer-beating win over Hinsdale South as senior Rowan McGowen was the hero. The Falcons have a 10-game winning streak since last losing to Naperville North for a second time on Jan. 31.
Simeon vs. Thornton, 7:00 p.m. at Thornwood -- The area's best team goes against the area's best player in this one as the city champion Wolverines battle Alonzo Verge and Thornton. Simeon (27-3) is loaded with experience as senior point guard Evan Gilyard is surrounded by weapons including juniors Kezo Brown and Talen Horton-Tucker. Meanwhile, Verge is a favorite for CSN Preps Player of the Year as he's continually put up dazzling performances. Thornton has a solid team around him as junior big man Orlando Allen Jr. could be key. This game is a rematch of a sectional title game last season that the Wolverines won by 13 but Thornton didn't have Verge last season.
Class 3A Sectional Championships
Fenwick vs. North Lawndale, 7:00 p.m. at Fenwick -- Catholic League champion Fenwick (27-4) tries to capture a sectional title as they take on a tough Red-West opponent in North Lawndale. The Friars have a lot of balance as seniors Jacob Keller and Jamal Nixon have a ton of experience. The Phoenix (23-7) has plenty of talent in players like Carlos Hines and Steven Ross as they have been a fixture in the CSN Preps Power Rankings this season. Fenwick is hoping to capture a sectional title after coming up short last season against St. Joseph.
Sycamore vs. Marengo, 7:00 p.m. at Genoa-Kingston -- Another rematch as these two teams played in December with Marengo winning 49-33. Sycamore (14-15) is the surprise team here as the No. 5 seed is trying to get to .500. Marengo (24-7) finished second in the Kishwaukee Valley as they are seeking their first sectional title since 1998.
Morgan Park vs. St. Rita, 7:00 p.m. at St. Rita -- Morgan Park (22-6) will be the heavy favorite in this matchup as one of the Class 3A juggernauts but they could have their hands full with St. Rita on the road. Nick Irvin's team has loads of talent as junior guard Ayo Dosunmu might be the most talented player in the Class 3A field. Seniors Melo Burrell and Lenell Henry have also played well on the interior while senior Cam Irvin is a valuable floor spacer. St. Rita (19-10) has a lot of young talent but they'll need to hit three-pointers to stay in this game. As the home team, if they hit some early shots they can hang with Morgan Park and make things interesting.
Class 2A State Semifinals in Peoria
Bishop McNamara vs. Mt. Carmel (IL), 5:30 p.m., CSN+ -- The Catholic League South is also represented in Peoria as Bishop McNamara (24-7) takes on Mt. Carmel (IL) (28-4). The Fightin' Irish are led by senior guards Chris Bell (13.3 ppg) and Dylan Post (12.7 ppg). The Golden Aces will go to 6-foot-8 junior Jackson Marcotte as he's averaging 17.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.
Orr vs. Monticello, 7:15 p.m. CSN+ -- Orr is the heavy favorite in this one as the Spartans (21-5) are back in Peoria for the first time since 2014. With four double-figure scorers like Raekwon Drake (15.5 ppg), Dannie Smith (11.1 ppg), Alex Flute (11.0 ppg) and Brian Hernandez (11.1 ppg), Orr has a ton of options to score. Monticello (23-5) has won nine straight games as junior Calvin Fisher (15.7 ppg) is having a good season.
Class 1A State Semifinals in Peoria
Chicago Hope Academy vs. St. Anthony, 11:00 a.m., CSN -- Hope Academy is riding an 18-game winning streak as they take on St. Anthony. Senior Jordan Doss (18.5 ppg) is having a strong season for the Eagles. St. Anthony (28-5) entered the postseason as losers of four of six but as they have gotten hot again at the right time. The Bulldogs are led by senior Drew Gibson as he is averaging 21.2 points per game.
Okawville vs. Newark, 12:45 p.m., CSN -- Newark (28-4) is hoping to continue a solid postseason run after beating No. 1 seed Ridgeview as the Norseman have four double-figure scorers led by senior Will Clausel (15.4 ppg). Okawville (31-3) has won 14 straight games as senior Noah Frederking (21.5 ppg) is having a strong season.
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