Five regional final boys basketball games to watch
Most of you know what’s up Friday night.
The boys basketball team you’ve been following all season — the team that won on Wednesday — is playing in the regional final. And you’ll be there, like you’ve been there since November.
But what about the rest of you, the ones who may not have an attachment to a certain team but still want to head to a game?
We’ve got you covered. Here are five area regional title games (all in Class 4A) worth checking out.
No. 4 Hersey (22-6) vs. No. 5 Barrington (19-7)
Hersey may have the higher seed but Barrington has the home-court advantage.
The Huskies won the January meeting 57-50 behind a balanced attack featuring Charlie Pomis, Brody Variano and Jackson Hupp. They combined for 44 points in Wednesday’s semifinal win over Buffalo Grove.
Oliver Gray, who scored 20 points in the first meeting, averages 22 points for Barrington, which beat Dundee-Crown on Wednesday.
The winner advances to next week’s Schaumburg sectional.
No. 2 Rolling Meadows (27-4) vs. No. 7 Palatine (19-13)
The Mustangs’ record speaks for itself. Same with their five straight appearances in the Mid-Suburban League title game.
Then there’s 6-foot-7 Ian Miletic, who is committed to Marquette. It’s a lot to overcome for Palatine, especially playing at Rolling Meadows.
But Tony Balanganayi, one of the area’s top football recruits, is in full basketball shape. He had 18 points and 12 points in the semifinal win over Lake Zurich.
Palatine’s won five straight games and is a long way from December’s 53-30 loss to Rolling Meadows. Friday’s winner also advances to Schaumburg.
No. 3 Stevenson (21-10) vs. No. 6 Schaumburg (22-10)
Noticing a pattern? The Schaumburg sectional is loaded with top matchups.
Despite a two-game skid to end the regular season, Stevenson remains a team I don’t want to play right now — especially at home. Everyone seems to pitch in for the Patriots, including 6-foot-8 Atticus Richmond, who had 20 points and 6 rebounds in the semifinal win over Wheeling.
Schaumburg survived a semifinal scare, using an 8-2 run to close a 63-57 win over Prospect. Cam Anderson stepped up with 22 points.
No. 2 Waubonsie Valley (30-2) vs. No. 7 Neuqua Valley (20-12)
This will be another memorable chapter in the District 204 rivalry.
Wildcats freshman Cole Kelly had 25 points and 11 rebounds in their first matchup, which ended with Illinois State-bound Tyreek Coleman making a free throw with no time remaining to give Waubonsie a 49-48 win. The Warriors won the second matchup 53-37 earlier this month, and have the benefit of the home court for this round.
If you’re looking for some fun viewing, visit @WVTV on X and check out the off-the-backboard, alley-oop, reverse dunk from Coleman to Moses Wilson in Wednesday’s win over Oswego.
The winner heads to the Benet sectional semifinals.
No. 4 Downers Grove North (24-8) vs. No. 5 West Aurora (21-8)
Saving the best for last?
With Iowa football commit Terrence Smith back in the fold, West Aurora is smoking hot. The Blackhawks notched their 16th straight win by beating Downers South on Wednesday behind Travis Brown’s 20 points.
Downers North somehow just keeps trucking along. The Trojans — seeking their third straight sectional title next week at Benet — thrive behind all-West Suburban Silver picks Jack Crowley, Nolan Hurter and Bobby Grganto.