High School Lites preview: Week 15

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This week's edition of High School Lites is filled with boys basketball playoff highlights as we're scheduled to bring you highlights of 14 games from across Illinois. CSN and CSNChicago.com will be airing the Class 1A and Class 2A state semifinals and finals on Friday and Saturday and highlights of those state semifinal games will be featured on High School Lites.
 
Tons of Class 3A and Class 4A sectional final games are also on the docket, including rematches between Morgan Park and Bogan, Fenwick and St. Joseph, Benet and York and Kenwood and Curie. Plus, we'll also have a Getting to Know feature on Fenwick senior point guard Mike Smith and our Team of the Week is the Benet girls basketball team after claiming back-to-back Class 4A state championships. You can catch High School Lites live at 11 p.m. this Friday night on CSN and streaming on CSNChicago.com. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @CSNPreps for IHSA updates from all over the state.
 
CLASS 3A

Morgan Park vs. Bogan, St. Laurence Sectional, 7:00 p.m. — It will be the third time these two Red-South rivals meet this season when the Mustangs (25-3) take on the Bengals (20-7). Morgan Park won, 79-58, on the road on Dec. 17 while also winning at home, 77-67, on Jan. 21. Although the Mustangs swept the season series, this rivalry means this could be close. The Mustangs will rely on Player of the Year frontrunner Charlie Moore while Bogan counters with senior James Jones.

Fenwick vs. St. Joseph, Westinghouse Sectional, 7:00 p.m. — Another rematch as Fenwick (28-2) takes on St. Joseph (23-8) for the third time. The Friars won at home on Jan. 28 with a 54-42 win while also winning the Catholic League Tournament title over the Chargers with a 73-51 win on Feb. 20. Senior Mike Smith is right in there for the Player of the Year race while senior Nick Rakocevic has been an All-Area threat for St. Joseph. 
 
Ridgewood vs. St. Patrick, Ridgewood Sectional, 7:00 p.m. — Ridgewood (17-12) is hoping its late-season surge continues at home as they host St. Patrick (16-14). The Shamrocks made nine 3-pointers in a sectional semifinal win over Antioch on Wednesday night while Ridgewood took down top-seed North Chicago.  
 
Glenbard South vs. Boylan, Woodstock North Sectional, 7:00 p.m. — Boylan (30-2) will be the heavy favorite when they face Glenbard South (20-9) on Friday night. The Titans are led by talented junior guard Zach Couper, who is a threat to score from all over the floor. Glenbard South hasn't been to a sectional final since 2000 as they try to pull off a big upset here.
 
Class 4A
 
Benet vs. York, East Aurora Sectional, 7:00 p.m. — Another rematch in this one as Benet (28-3) knocked off York (20-12), 51-46, on Dec. 8. The Redwings have been one of the area's most consistent teams this season but York's defense has been impressive as they've earned quality wins over Naperville North and Glenbard West the last two games. 
 
Simeon vs. Thornton, Bloom Sectional, 7:00 p.m. — The Wolverines (27-3) will be the favorite in this one when they face Thornton. Simeon already bounced the south suburbs' other best team, Marian Catholic, earlier in the week as Zach Norvell, Evan Gilyard, Josh Thomas and company face the Wildcats. Thornton (25-3) is led by strong guard play in Patrick Rucker and Sam Taylor as they try to keep their strong season alive. 
 
Notre Dame vs. Deerfield, Glenbrook South Sectional, 7:00 p.m. — Two of the north suburbs' best teams go at it when Notre Dame plays Deerfield. The Dons (24-6) have won eight consecutive games as they beat Evanston in the sectional semifinals. Deerfield (28-3) has been one of the most fun teams to watch this season as they're led by senior Jordan Baum. 
 
Conant vs. Lake Zurich, Fremd Sectional, 7:00 p.m. — Top seed Conant tries to close out a sectional title as they battle Lake Zurich. The Cougars (22-6) have a talented junior guard in Jimmy Sotos and plenty of size inside as they play in their first sectional final since 2007. Lake Zurich (24-9) has never played in a sectional final as they held off Fremd in a thriller in the sectional semifinal. 
 
Curie vs. Kenwood, Riverside-Brookfield Sectional, 7:00 p.m. — These two Red-Central rivals meet for the fourth time this season when Curie and Kenwood battle. The Broncos (22-4) have won two of the three meetings, including a win in the Public League Playoff semifinals a few weeks ago. Senior Nick Robinson and Zion Morgan will be key players for Kenwood in this one. Curie (24-5) counters with senior Devin Gage, a DePaul commit, and junior Elijah Joiner. 
 
Auburn vs. St. Charles East, Rock Valley Sectional, 7:00 p.m. — St. Charles East tries to continue its unlikely run when they play Rockford Auburn. The Saints (18-12) have won five straight games as they're coming off blowout wins over Batavia and Prairie Ridge. Auburn (23-6) picked up a blowout win over Jacobs in the sectional semifinals as they've won all three playoff games by double figures.

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