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.
This week's show has some quality rivalry games as we get to see some great highlights.
We'll have highlights from the Public League Playoffs semifinals, Catholic League Tournament title games, Fox Valley, East Suburban Catholic Conference and West Suburban Silver.
And this week's Wintrust Athlete of the Week is Shepard senior Caleb Washington. The track and field athlete has made multiple appearances at state meets as a runner and he'll head to West Point next year.
Public League Semifinals at Chicago State
No. 6 Whitney Young vs. No. 4 Simeon, 5:00 p.m. -- This game is a rematch of one we saw at the UIC Pavilion on Dec. 21 as the Wolverines won 59-52. Since then, the Dolphins (20-6, 8-2) have improved going through the very tough Red-West while the Wolverines (22-2, 8-2) dropped to second in the Red-South. The rematch between these two rivals should still be a classic though. The key could be the matchup at point guard between Simeon's Evan Gilyard and Whitney Young's Xavier Castaneda.
No. 2 Curie vs. No. 3 Morgan Park, 7:00 p.m. -- The other semifinal is extremely intriguing as the Red-Central champion Condors (23-2, 10-0) face the Red-South champion Mustangs (18-4, 9-1). The Condors will rely on its experienced backcourt of Allante Pickens, Elijah Joiner and Terry Smith while the Mustangs have junior Ayo Dosunmu leading its perimeter attack. The Morgan Park front court of Lenell Henry and Melo Burrell could be key in this one.
Catholic League Tournament at Loyola Academy
De La Salle vs. St. Rita, 4:30 p.m. (Consolation Championship) -- Two dangerous teams compete for the consolation prize in this one. St. Rita (14-10, 4-3) is a tough team when they knock down perimeter shots as they're going to be a tough out in Class 4A. De La Salle (15-9, 5-4) has looked better lately since hitting a rough patch in the middle of the season.
Loyola vs. No. 16 Brother Rice, 6:00 p.m. (Third Place Game) -- Loyola (18-8, 7-2) will look to pick up another good win before the playoffs with as they face the Crusaders (22-4, 7-0) for third place. The Ramblers lost a tight one to Fenwick earlier this week while Brother Rice saw their winning streak get snapped by St. Joseph.
No. 12 Fenwick vs. St. Joseph, 8:00 p.m. (Championship) -- Surging St. Joseph (15-10, 5-4) will try to dethrone Fenwick (22-4, 9-0) in this one. The Friars haven't lost in the Catholic League in two years as they're hoping to win this tournament once again. St. Joseph has played significantly better recently after a sluggish start. Senior Jason Towers and sophomore Marquise Walker are still one of the more talented backcourts in the area.
Conference Games
No. 25 Jacobs at Prairie Ridge, 7:00 p.m. -- These Fox Valley co-leaders meet for the third time in a battle to decide the leader. The Golden Eagles (23-1, 12-1) won the first matchup for the championship of the Hinkle Holiday Classic in December but lost the second matchup at home in conference play. The Wolves (18-6, 12-1) are hoping to win despite not having Kyle Loeding (knee) this time around after he had a team-high 18 in the win on Jan. 14.
Marian Central at Marian Catholic, 7:00 p.m. -- It is a special night at Marian Catholic as former point guard Tyler Ulis is getting his number retired. The Phoenix Suns rookie can see his former team in an ESCC clash as the Spartans (14-10, 5-2) will be favored here. Junior point guard Chase Adams leads Marian Catholic in this one. The Hurricanes (10-13, 2-5) have lost five consecutive games as they're led by 6-foot-8 senior Sam Olrich.
Hinsdale Central at Downers North, 7:30 p.m. -- Two of the better teams in the West Suburban Silver clash in this one. The Red Devils (14-10, 8-3) won the first meeting on Jan. 20 as they've dropped three straight games. Downers North (16-7, 7-4) had won five straight games before dropping one to Oak Park-River Forest.