High School Lites Preview: Week 14

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High School Lites has a packed postseason show this week as we feature highlights from both the boys and girls basketball IHSA State Playoffs. The girls basketball state playoffs will be featured live on NBC Sports Chicago and NBC Sports Chicago + on Friday and Saturday while all four classes of the boys basketball state playoffs are still going on.

The Class 2A sectional finals will get some love on the show while Class 3A and 4A regional finals will also be in the spotlight. High School Lites airs at 11 p.m. on Friday night on NBC Sports Chicago.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

CLASS 3A 

Morton vs. Nazareth, 11 a.m., NBC Sports Chicago -- The first Class 3A semifinal features a pair of 30-win teams who have both recently made it to state. Morton (31-3) has been a state champion three times in the past four years as senior guard Tenley Dowell is averaging 15.4 points per game. Nazareth (31-3) is led by senior guard and Harvard commit Annie Stritzel as they placed second in Class 3A last season.

Sacred Heart-Griffin vs. Glenbard South, 1 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago -- The second semifinal in Class 3A features another strong matchup. Sacred Heart-Griffin (29-6) is making its first appearance at state as senior guard Payton Vorreyer is having a standout season. Glenbard South (26-7) placed third in Class 3A last season as they are led by senior forward Maggie Blair. 

CLASS 4A

Benet vs. Mother McAuley, 5:30 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago+ -- The Class 4A semifinals kick off with two Chicagoland teams facing off. Benet (28-5) is perhaps the most balanced team left in the Class 4A field as junior guard Kendall Holmes' is the team's leading scorer. Mother McAuley (33-2) knocked off Benet by double-digits earlier this season as junior Jenna Badali is having a strong season. 

Maine West vs Hononegah, 7:15 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago+ -- The second semifinal in Class 4A features a rematch from a game earlier this season. Maine West (33-0) is attempting to go undefeated as senior Rachel Kent leads a balanced team. Hononegah (32-4) lost to Maine West earlier this season as senior Jordan King is putting up 21.2 points per game on the season. 

BOYS BASKETBALL

CLASS 2A

Leo vs. Dunbar -- Two city programs compete in this one with a spot in the Elite Eight on the line. Leo (23-8) has been ranked in our Preps Power Rankings during most of the season as they're led by All-Area candidate and point guard Fred Cleveland Jr. Dunbar (21-5) was one of the White Division's best teams in the Public League this season as they've won nine of their last 10 games. 

CLASS 3A 

Hillcrest vs. Rich East -- This matchup takes us to Thornridge for an intriguing South Suburban battle. Hillcrest (20-9) had a monster season in the South Suburban Blue as they're led by senior forward Dylan West and sophomore guard Markiese Irving. Rich East (11-14) pulled of a small road upset of host Thornridge in the regional semifinals as they're looking to pull a shocker in this one.

CLASS 4A

EISENHOWER SECTIONAL


Bloom vs. Thornwood -- This battle of No. 1 seed vs. No. 9 seed should be more intriguing than the seeds would tell you. Bloom (25-3) has been one of the state's top teams this season as they're a junior-laden team led by guards Keshawn Williams, Donovan Newby and Dante Maddox Jr. Thornwood (22-7) counters with a red-hot team that has won 14 of 15 games as they only lost to the Blazing Trojans by two points back in November.

St. Rita vs. Homewood-Flossmoor -- This matchup has the potential to be the best regional final played on Friday night as two ranked teams play early in the state playoffs. St. Rita (24-8) was hot to end the season as they were the best team in the Catholic League during conference season. Senior Jeremiah Oden has been a standout while junior guard Joel Watts could be the difference maker. Homewood-Flossmoor (21-7) is playing without senior standout Isaac Stanbeck but they still feature plenty of length and athleticism. Junior R.J. Ogom is a talented presence in the Vikings lineup as H-F has also been solid down the stretch.  

Simeon vs. Brother Rice -- It'll be hard to top the Brother Rice buzzer-beating win from Wednesday night but this game has a chance to be a great one. Simeon (17-14) is a No. 3 seed despite an up-and-down season as senior guard Antonio Reeves has looked like an All-Area player down the stretch. The young Wolverines are peaking at the right time as they've emerged as a major threat once again. Brother Rice (22-8) pulled off a close win over T.F. South on Wednesday as senior guard and Loyola commit Marquise Kennedy knocked in the game-winning three. The Crusaders are the No. 6 seed but they'll have the homecourt advantage in this one. 

PROVISO WEST SECTIONAL

Whitney Young vs. Lane Tech -- A matchup of Public League Red/North-West conference rivals takes place in this one. Whitney Young (23-7) won the first matchup on Jan. 23 with a 78-69 final as the trio of D.J. Steward, Tyler Beard and Myles Baker is one of the best in the state. Lane Tech (18-10) counters with a senior-laden team led by Johnny Colombo, Michael Molloy and big man Vuk Djuric as they knocked off Proviso East in the first round.

NILES NORTH SECTIONAL

Maine South vs. Loyola -- This matchup should be a close one between No. 3 and No. 6 seeds. Maine South (23-9) is one of the hottest teams in the area as they've won 10 consecutive games entering this one. Loyola (20-12) has struggled a bit late in the season but they have senior guard Connor Barrett back in the lineup as he made a big impact in the win over Rolling Meadows. 

New Trier vs. Schaumburg -- Two teams going in opposite directions heading into the postseason meet here. New Trier (23-6) is battling through some injuries as Sam Silverstein is out for the season while Ciaran Brayboy just came back from a concussion. Spencer Boehm and Brayboy form one of the area's best inside presences, however, as the Trevians should have an interior advantage. Schaumburg (22-6) has been surging of late as seniors Michael Hodges and Heze Trotter are playing well. Sophomore Chris Hodges could be a key in this one as his size (6-8) could help contain the New Trier big men.

BARTLETT SECTIONAL

Lyons vs. Glenbard West -- Two 20-win teams from the West Suburban Silver clash in this one. Lyons (22-9) has won seven straight games as they've quietly been playing very well down the stretch -- including a win at Glenbard West on Feb. 12. The Hilltoppers (20-9) won the first matchup between these two teams at Lyons as senior Evan Taylor, a Southern Illinois commit, became the school's all-time leading scorer in the regional final win over Naperville North. 

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