LIVE! 2023 Class 3A/4A boys' basketball state semifinals, third-place games
Mar. 10—FINAL — New Trier 53, Downers Grove North 34. The Trevians place third in Class 1A, and the Trojans take fourth.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 11, 2023
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DGN getting some good vibes as this third period winds down. Miller has a three-pointer swirl around the rim a few times before ultimately falling.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 11, 2023
Through three quarters, New Trier leads Downers Grove North 49-22.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 11, 2023
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A Feller steal-and-score has New Trier up by more than 30, 46-15 with 6:15 left in Q3.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 11, 2023
49-17 New Trier with 4:21 to play in Q3. Fiegen with 15 points, Smith with 14 points for the Trevians.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 11, 2023
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Six different players with a field goal for New Trier with more than six minutes left in Q2. Smith (8 points) and Fiegen (6 points) leading the way.
Haack's 5 points leading DGN.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 11, 2023
26-15 New Trier over DGN with 3:40 left in Q2.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 11, 2023
Both of these teams are doing a nice job getting to the rim, taking advantage of some tired legs from the defenders.
New Trier is finishing its looks. DGN is not. It's 30-15 Trevians.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 11, 2023
Brown swishes a far-corner three at the buzzer to send New Trier into the halftime locker room leading Downers Grove North 38-15.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 11, 2023
Brown swishes a far-corner three at the buzzer to send New Trier into the halftime locker room leading Downers Grove North 38-15.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 11, 2023
* * *
Three three-pointers to start this game. Two for New Trier (Fiegen, Smith) and one for DGN (Wollow).
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 11, 2023
I feel like these teams came to a pregame agreement to just jack up three-pointers and put on a show.
That's pretty much all we're getting through four minutes, save for a couple DGN layup attempts.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 11, 2023
New Trier leads DGN 12-5 with 3:33 left in Q1. All of the Trevians' points are courtesy makes from beyond the arc.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 11, 2023
After a sprint of a first quarter, New Trier leads DGN 20-10.
New Trier 7 of 14 from the field, including 5 of 11 from three.
DGN 4 of 14 from the field, including 2 of 9 from three.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 11, 2023
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9:15 p.m. — Pregame for Class 4A third-place game between New Trier and Downers Grove North
We've reached the final game of the IHSA boys' basketball tournament's second day.
It's the Trevians of New Trier (31-5) versus the Trojans of Downers Grove North (32-4) to determine who wins the Class 4A third-place trophy.
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East St. Louis hangs on to win on a last second block from Dainen Rucker. Flyers finish in third place in Class 3A. 50-48 final. pic.twitter.com/RO2nsRal1H
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
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Gill might have had a bit of a limp a moment ago, but apparently no huge concern as he buries a corner three to cut the deficit to 46-39 with 2:24 to play.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
***
Gill might have had a bit of a limp a moment ago, but apparently no huge concern as he buries a corner three to cut the deficit to 46-39 with 2:24 to play.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
East St. Louis is pulling away. Rich is up to 22 points, D'Necco Rucker is up to eight points and the Flyers' lead is 45-36.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
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Clavadetscher and Barron with late-quarter layups for St. Ignatius and the Wolfpack cut it to 39-34 with eight minutes to play.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
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East St. Louis leads 36-30 with 1:30 left in the third quarter. Wolfpack are having a hard time stopping Rich, who is up to 19 points.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
5:28 in the third quarter. East St. Louis has taken a 28-25 lead thanks to a strong start to the half from Rich, who has five points this quarter alone.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
***
That's a wrap on the first half. St. Ignatius leads 25-20 on the strength of 11 points from Gill and six points from Sean Clavadetscher. Rich has eight points for East St. Louis.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
***
St. Ignatius 21, East St. Louis 13 at the halfway mark of the second quarter. Close one so far as the Flyers start heat up; Rich still has six points while Robert McCline has three points, all from free throws. Gill has 11 points to lead St. Ignatius.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
***
After a quarter: Wolfpack 17, Flyers 10. St. Ignatius is doing a good job of feeding Gill, who I think is somewhat familiar with this venue. He has nine points while Macaleab Rich is up to six points to lead ESL.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
***
Five minutes into the first quarter and St. Ignatius leads 12-6. Phoenix Gill is leading the Wolfpack with seven points.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
Time to settle third place in Class 3A as St. Ignatius and East St. Louis return to the floor for the second time today. Updates to come for @ngpreps. pic.twitter.com/6RxS8XSYps
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
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7:35 p.m. — Pregame for Class 3A third-place game between East St. Louis and St. Ignatius
The Flyers and Wolfpack are back on the court after losing to Metamora and Simeon earlier today.
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FINAL: Moline 50, Downers Grove North 36. Maroons will play Benet for a Class 4A state title on Saturday night. Brock Harding leads the way for the Maroons with 21 points and Owen Freeman chips in nine points. Jack Stanton leads the Trojans with 19 points.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
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DGN is still close-ish but they might be too far back with too much time left. 43-36 Maroons with 1:16 left in the game. Moline takes a timeout after Stanton's most recent layup. He has 19 to lead all scorers.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
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Moline's Jasper Ogburn knocks down two free throws but Stanton responds with a jumper. Then Ogburn gets fouled and goes back to the line for two more makes. Stanton responds with a three. Timeout Moline as the Maroons lead 38-32 with 2:52 left.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
***
Downers Grove North is attacking — Finn Kramper hit two free throws a few moments ago to cut Moline's lead to 30-27 — but a two-handed slam from Freeman lifts the Maroons back ahead by five points shortly before the buzzer sounds on the third quarter. To the fourth we go. 32-17.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
***
Downers Grove North is attacking — Finn Kramper hit two free throws a few moments ago to cut Moline's lead to 30-27 — but a two-handed slam from Freeman lifts the Maroons back ahead by five points shortly before the buzzer sounds on the third quarter. To the fourth we go. 32-17.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 11, 2023
***
Taylor hits a pair of free throws to open the scoring in the half and put Moline up 30-22. Before that sentence was fully typed out, the Trojans raced down and Reimer popped a three. Moline's lead is 30-25 with 3:47 left in the quarter.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
***
Still 28-22 Moline three minutes into the third frame.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
Moline picks up three points on a free throw from Taylor and two free throws from Harding and the Maroons lead 28-22 at the halftime break. 18 points from Harding and 10 points from Stanton lead their respective teams.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
***
Media timeout at 3:48, no change in the most recent score. Still early, of course, but Moline is shooting 60 percent from the field compared to Downers Grove North's mark of 28 percent. Maroons also winning on the glass with 12 rebounds to the Trojans' five.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
Owen Freeman has made all four of his free throws in the second quarter so far and Harding has a two-point field goal. They've helped the Maroons maintain a 23-14 lead with 4:50 left in the frame despite a three from Stanton.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
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Neither of these teams has lost since January. Downers Grove North (32-3) last fell to Hinsdale Central on Jan. 7 and Moline (33-3) stumbled most recently against Simeon on Jan. 21.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
***
It's the Brock Harding show in Champaign. No player has taken over a game this weekend quite like the Iowa signee has in the first four and a half minutes. He's 4-4 from the field including 3-3 from beyond the arc. He has all but two of Moline's 13 points, they lead 13-5.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
***
Neither of these teams has lost since January. Downers Grove North (32-3) last fell to Hinsdale Central on Jan. 7 and Moline (33-3) stumbled most recently against Simeon on Jan. 21.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
***
Up next: Downers Grove North and Moline square off in a Class 4A semifinal. The winner will face Benet for the championship on Saturday night.
I'll have updates throughout for @ngpreps. pic.twitter.com/Lqqw7VLSxQ
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
***
4:45 p.m. — Pregame for Class 4A semifinal between Downers Grove North and Moline
The second half of the day kicks off with a Class 4A semifinal between Downers Grove North (32-3) and Moline (33-3). Neither of these teams has lost since January: the Trojans' last loss was on Jan. 7 while the Maroons' last loss was on Jan. 21.
The winner will face Benet in the Class 4A state championship game on Saturday.
FINAL: Benet 64, New Trier 49. Redwings will play for the Class 4A state championship on Friday night. pic.twitter.com/V86j7wU0IQ
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
***
Sulavar misses the front end of a one-and-one, but Benet gets the offensive rebound and is able to run even more clock.
Redwings have 13 offensive rebounds, including five from Driscoll. It's 56-39 Benet with 2:25 left.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
New Trier trying to pull off a crazy comeback, but still a ton of work left. Fiegen hits three FTs, the Trevians force a turnover and Feller converts a layup.
Even then, it's 56-44 Benet with 1:59 left in Q4.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
Benet has four players in double figures scoring with 3 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
New Trier has one player with 23 points and its next highest at five.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
Fiegen trying to drag New Trier back into this one. He's got 20 points after hitting the free throw from an and-one play.
Benet just has far more balance in its offense. Hence the 44-36 lead ... which now is 46-36 after a Driscoll putback layup.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
New Trier with the steal ... but Abusara takes it back from Smith and lays it in. Followed by another defensive steal from Abusara.
His stat line: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals.
Benet leads 51-39 with 5:04 left in Q4.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
Fiegen is starting to heat up again for New Trier. Back-to-back buckets for him helps the Trevians within 41-33.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
But Benet's Fagbemi lofts up a buzzer-beating three-pointer to put momentum back in the Redwings' corner.
It's 44-33 Benet through three quarters.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
Neither team with a made basket in the first 90 seconds of Q3. Fiegen gets whistled for a charge just now, his third foul.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Both teams getting a little loose with the ball over the last few possessions. It's 37-25 Benet with 4:48 left in Q3.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Abusara and Kanellos trade close-range buckets. Benet maintains its double-digit advantage, 39-27 with 3:54 left in Q3.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
Another four points from Benet after New Trier misses two FTs. The first quarter was even, but the Redwings have found another gear at both ends of the floor in Q2.
35-20 with 1:36 left.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
At halftime, Benet leads New Trier 35-23. Really good response from the Redwings to Kunka going down. He's on crutches back to the locker room, so more of the same will be required from Benet in H2.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Driscoll with a trio of three-pointers after stepping in for Kunka, also four rebounds. Fagbemi, Sulaver and Abusara each with seven points for Benet; Abusara with three assists.
Fiegen with 13 points for New Trier. Van Gorp with three points and four rebounds.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
Abusara converts the fastbreak layup and gets the free throw. Benet finding a little bit of separation at 24-18, with about 5 1/2 to play in Q2.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
The 6-foot-10 Van Gorp has proven tough for Benet to get over top of from a flat-footed position beneath the net. But when the Redwings get moving downhill or pull up, they're finding more success.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Driscoll corrals a loose ball in the offensive end and buries a corner three to give Benet its largest lead of the day, at 31-20 with 2:33 left in Q2.
New Trier needs someone besides Fiegen (13 points) to get going offensively.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
Benet has five guys who have scored at least two points already. New Trier, meanwhile, is largely being held up by Fiegen (nine points).
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
The Redwings respond well to Kunka's initial absence, though, pulling ahead 12-11 on two Abusara free throws as a Fagbemi layup.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Driscoll sinks an off-balance three-pointer to put Benet ahead of New Trier 18-16 after one quarter. A hot-shooting period for both sides.
Kunka is behind Benet's bench with a towel on his head. The Redwings may have to battle on without their captain.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
Fiegen and Sulaver strike the first blows for their respective teams, both after grabbing an offensive rebound.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
New Trier pounding the glass hard, has four buckets in the paint on four shot attempts.
Game remains tied, though, at 8 following a Sulaver three for Benet.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Brady Kunka is down on the defensive end. Was clutching his ankle, and eventually limps off under his own power. That'd be a significant loss for Benet, if he can't return.
It's 11-8 New Trier with 3:56 left in Q1. Fiegen with 7 points for the Trevians.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
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2:20 p.m. — Pregame for Class 4A semifinal between Benet and New Trier
We return to action with the Class 4A state semifinals, led off this afternoon by the Benet Redwings (34-1) and the New Trier Trevians (31-4).
Benet's only loss this season is to a Simeon team that earlier today qualified for the Class 3A state championship game. New Trier is making its first state tournament appearance since 2005 (first quarterfinal berth since 2002).
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Redbirds close it out, 50-43 over the Flyers in arguably the most exciting game so far across both days. pic.twitter.com/lrt0taNW0x
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
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East St. Louis is holding the ball down 38-37 with 2:30 left. Drama building at State Farm Center. And Amori Johnson lifts them ahead 41-39. Now Kizer drains a three to put Metamora up 41-39. 1:38 left.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
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Tyler Mason's layup gives Metamora its first lead since it led 5-3 with 2:35 left in the first quarter. Redbirds lead is 38-36, 4:53 left. Timeout Flyers. pic.twitter.com/bsXqWjtPBh
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
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Tucker back to the line to start the fourth quarter. Hits both free throws. Tied up at 36.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
* * *
Here come the Redbirds. Here's the end of a long possession that ended the third quarter. Drew Tucker hit the first free throw but missed the second. Flyers up 36-34 at the start of the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/CjAZXJQzfT
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
* * *
Both teams have settled in and are trading buckets now. Three players per side have scored in the third quarter and the scoring is knotted up at 9-9 so far. Flyers up 36-28 with 3:15 left in the quarter. Rich has 15 points, Kizer has 10 points.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
* * *
Metamora takes a 30-second timeout trailing 30-21 with 6:00 left in the third quarter. Rich is up to 13 points and four boards.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
* * *
Rich leads all scorers with 11 points while Kizer claims the Metamora lead after an eight point first half.
The Flyers are shooting better from the field so far: 11-22 compared to the Redbirds' mark of 7-20. Rebounds favor the Flyers by a 14-10 margin, as do assists (5-2).
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
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No dice for the Redbirds at the first half buzzer and halftime arrives with the Flyers leading 27-19. pic.twitter.com/nAukc679Bw
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
It's been a good game so far. Metamora trims the deficit to 20-17 at the media break at 3:47. Kizer leads the Redbirds with eight points — including two triples — and Mason has also added a three as part of his five-point effort.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
* * *
Rich is continuing to be a problem for the Redbirds on the defensive end, but Metamora has been resourceful enough to respond well so far. Two buckets from Rich in the last few minutes have him at 5-7 from the field with a game-high 11 points. Flyers up 20-15, 4:05 left in Q2.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
Rich is continuing to be a problem for the Redbirds on the defensive end, but Metamora has been resourceful enough to respond well so far. Two buckets from Rich in the last few minutes have him at 5-7 from the field with a game-high 11 points. Flyers up 20-15, 4:05 left in Q2.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
* * *
Ethan Kizer beats the buzzer with a floater to trim East St. Louis' lead to 14-10 at the end of the first frame. Redbirds are having a hard time stopping Rich, who now has seven points are hitting his first three.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
* * *
Media timeout after Rich's latest bucket gives him a quick four points. He's tied with Dainen Rucker (not Danien, sorry for the misspelling) and the Flyers are looking good early on. 8-5 ESL at 1:50.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
East St. Louis recaptured the lead with a Rich bucket but Kizer drained a three to give Metamora a 5-3 lead. And as I type this, Danien Rucker hits a three to give the Flyers a three to put the Flyers back out in front. 6-5 with 2:10 left in the first.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
* * *
5:30 left in the first quarter and now both teams are on the board. It was 1-0 Flyers after a Danien Rucker free throw but Tyler Mason's layup has lifted the Redbirds to a slim lead.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
* * *
East St. Louis (25-8) lines up with Macaleab Rich, D'Necco Rucker, Danien Rucker, Antwan Robinson and Cameron Boone.
Metamora (32-2) will go with Tyler Mason, Luke Hopp, Ethan Kizer, Tyson Swanson and Drew Tucker.
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
Metamora and East St. Louis are minutes away from a Class 3A semifinal. It's the second consecutive trip to state for the Redbirds while the Flyers boast plenty of talent, headlined by Kansas State signed Macaleab Rich.
Updates to come for @ngpreps. pic.twitter.com/eY2fEfWwGj
— Joey Wright (@JoeyWright2000) March 10, 2023
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12:15 p.m. — Pregame for Class 3A semifinal between East St. Louis and Metamora
Good morning from State Farm Center, where the IHSA boys' basketball state tournament resumes with the Class 3A semifinals.
Up next: East St. Louis (25-8) battles Metamora (32-2) for a chance to face Simeon in Saturday's 5:30 p.m. title game.
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FINAL: Simeon 60, St. Ignatius 42. Wolverines will vie for their eighth IHSA state championship in coach Robert Smith's final game. pic.twitter.com/z1YtYO0mgf
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
Griffith's ninth assist feeds a Miles Rubin two-handed slam. And then Griffith turns a St. Ignatius turnover into an uncontested three-pointer. Simeon up by double figures for the first time today.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Simeon genuinely is threatening to finish this game with a better than 70 percent conversion rate from the field.
And the Wolverines also might finish worse than 50 percent from the free throw line. Wild.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Wes Rubin with a nice spin move in the post for his first two points of the day.
Simeon has used a few turnovers forced early in Q4 to abruptly pull away. It's now 53-37 over St. Ignatius with 5:14 to play.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
Griffith has had a really good passing day for Simeon, racking up 7 assists. But his latest try was just a toss straight to Gill, who takes it the other way for an uncontested two.
Despite Miles Rubin coming back with a bucket, coach Robert Smith wants a timeout.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Miles Rubin just swatted a Kemp three-point try straight over St. Ignatius' bench, sending a cup of water flying to the ground.
He's been credited with 5 blocked shots today.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
I've probably undersold in my tweets how good Miles Rubin has been defensively. Though Gill has been able to get downhill and make some things happen inside, that's more so been the exception than the norm. Rubin making it hard for the Wolfpack to operate down low.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Griffith does the thing himself after dishing out eight assists so far, getting his own runner to drop in the last 5 seconds of Q3.
Simeon leads 44-37 over St. Ignatius as a result.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
Pretty interesting that Simeon is shooting a robust and (you'd assume) unsustainable 68.4 percent from the field, yet the Wolverines also are at 40 percent from the free throw line.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
We hit the under-4 timeout with Simeon leading St. Ignatius 38-34, 3:16 left in Q3.
Wolfpack's Gill up to 16 points on 5-of-7 from the field plus 5 of 6 from the FT line. Miles Rubin with 10 on 5 of 6 from the field for Simeon.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
Owen Kyhl might not be the guy Simeon primarily is focused upon defensively, but leaving the St. Ignatius senior as open as he just was at the top of the arc can't be part of the game plan. He's got a couple threes today.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Gill showing some good finishing ability at the rim. He's got a game-high 9 points after an and-one conversion. St. Ignatius back within 1 again.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Simeon has had six different players tally at least 2 points already, after McKinnie drills a corner three. Only guy who's played who doesn't have a point is Wes Rubin, and he has four assists.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
These two teams are turning the State Farm Center hoops into splash pads. Ignatius shooting 48 percent from the field; Simeon at a wild 67 percent.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
At half, Simeon leads St. Ignatius 31-28. Barron has a buzzer-beating three rim out for the Wolfpack.
That was a fun half of basketball.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Five Wolverines have between 5 and 8 points, led by Miles Rubin with 8 points plus a team-high 4 rebounds. Jalen Griffith with 5 points and 6 (!) assists.
Gill with 12 points for the Wolfpack. Barron has been limited to 3 points on 1-of-7 shooting from the field; also 2 assists.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
St. Ignatius' Gill with an ugly look to start Q2, but he has a couple of buckets since and is making good things happen off the dribble.
Griffith fakes a behind the back pass in transition for Simeon and takes it straight to the bucket to make it 21-18 Wolverines.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Miles Rubin throws down a big one-handed slam, and Simeon is back up by 5 after St. Ignatius had cut it to 1.
23-18 with 3:50 left in Q2.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
The Wolfpack big man Scott (6-5, 310) has a nice midrange jumper. And he swats away a Simeon pass on the next defensive possession.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Simeon an early 0 of 4 from the free throw line. St. Ignatius has taken advantage, pulling back to within 13-12 late in Q1.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Simeon leads St. Ignatius 14-12 through one quarter. Wolfpack did well to slow things down after the Wolverines saw quite a bit of success getting downhill early.
Ratliff with 5 points to lead Simeon. Barron with 3 points to pace St. Ignatius.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
Ratliff with the putback bucket for Simeon to start the scoring in this game. Phoenix Gill, the son of former Illini Kendall, responds by hitting 2 of 3 FTs after being fouled behind the arc.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Now another one for Miles Rubin, this time swerving around the 310-pound Justin Scott. Simeon on a 7-0 run to take a 9-2 lead, 4:48 Q1.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Simeon looks really comfortable taking it to the rim, especially Ratliff. He just forced Gill into his second foul of the game.
Simeon leads 11-5 with 3:49 left in Q1.
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
Just like last year, St. Ignatius brought a healthy student crowd. pic.twitter.com/m1vCoyg2Og
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 10, 2023
* * *
9:45 a.m. — Pregame for Class 3A semifinal between St. Ignatius and Simeon
Good morning from State Farm Center, where the IHSA boys' basketball state tournament resumes with the Class 3A semifinals.
A pair of Chicago teams kick things off today, as St. Ignatius (24-11) battles Simeon (30-3) for the right to play in Saturday's 5:30 p.m. championship.
The Wolfpack and Wolverines met during last year's Class 3A state tournament, with St. Ignatius picking off Simeon 61-59 in the third-place contest.
This time around, the prevailing storyline is the impending retirement of longtime Simeon coach Robert Smith. He's trying to lead the Wolverines to their eighth state championship, including the seventh of his tenure.
