Scouting 3A/4A state supersectionals

By Marty Maciaszek

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com

Class 4A

At ISU Redbird Arena, Normal, 7:30 p.m.

Edwardsville (24-5) vs. Bloom (27-3): The present and future are bright for Edwardsville with 6-5 junior all-state candidates Tre Harris (18 ppg, 10 rpg) and Garrett Covington (18.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg) leading the way to 17 wins in the last 18 games. Bloom emerged as the best 4A team in the south suburbs behind 6-0 senior G Donald Moore (13.9 ppg, 3 apg), the MVP of the prestigious McDipper Tourney.

At Chicago State Jones Convocation Center, 7:30 p.m.

Evanston (21-10) vs. Simeon (30-1): Simeon continues its drive for a three-peat and fifth state title in seven years behind one of the country’s top players in 6-9 junior Jabari Parker (26 ppg, 9 rpg), 6-7 Marquette-bound Steve Taylor (17 ppg) and 6-2 junior Kendrick Nunn. Evanston has made a nice run behind Leonard Garron and Josh Irving and can second-year coach Mike Ellis pull off what he nearly did in 2006 at Peoria Richwoods when it lost the title game on an OT buzzer-beater by Derrick Rose?

Class 3A

At Springfield Prairie Capitol Convention Center, 7:30 p.m.

East St. Louis (24-8) vs. Springfield Lanphier (27-3): East St. Louis opted to stay down in 3A this year and has a powerful 6-4 duo of all-state candidates in senior Brandon Johnson (16 ppg) and junior Deshawn Munson (19.3 ppg, 7 apg). Lanphier finished the season atop the 3A state poll and looks for its first title since 1983 behind guard Everett Clemons (18.8 ppg) and sophomore D-I prospect Larry Austin Jr.

At Hoffman Estates High School, 7:30 p.m.

Marshall (24-7) vs. North Chicago (23-6): The return of 6-4 Milton Doyle (19 ppg, 8 rpg), a Florida International recruit who missed last year with a broken wrist, and 6-1 Korbin McClain (14 ppg) has Marshall looking for a second trip to state in the last three years. Illinois State-bound Aaron Simpson (26 ppg), who is North Chicago’s career scoring leader, looks for a return to Peoria after last year’s fourth-place finish.

At Joliet Central High School, 7:30 p.m.

DuSable (16-9) vs. Hillcrest (25-5): DuSable’s surprising run to its first sectional title rekindled memories of the Public League school’s memorable and controversial 1954 title-game loss to Mount Vernon. Hillcrest and coach Don Houston are chasing a second state title in three years with 6-2 junior G Jovan Mooring (18 ppg) leading a balanced attack.

At NIU Convocation Center, DeKalb, 6 p.m.

Peoria Central (25-3) vs. Rockford East (20-10): Central, which beat Lanphier by 11 on Feb. 18, emerged from the rugged Peoria sectional and has size and quickness led by 6-7 Trey Kellum (16 ppg, 9 rpg), who has offers from Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois, and 6-10 Kevin Jordan. Rockford East won its first sectional since 1984, reached 20 wins for the first time in 12 years and beat Boylan for the first time in 17 years behind Steve McNease (14.6 ppg, 10.3 rpg) and Darshawn Pumphrey-King (12 ppg).