State-bound! Tuscola punches ticket to State Farm Center

Mar. 6—It's super-sectional Monday around the state as boys' basketball teams try to punch their ticket to State Farm Center.

Preps Editor Colin Likas is in Carbondale for Tuscola's shot in Class 1A.

Meanwhile, staff writer Joey Wright is holding down the fort in Champaign to provide updates from the other sites around the state.

We'll have updates and details through the night.

***

HOT OFF THE PRESS:

Congratulations, @TuscolaAD, @TuscolaCUSD301

Go crazy, Douglas County@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/tlBznbw1LF

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

Class 1A: Tuscola 74, Mounds Meridian 53

CARBONDALE — A strong all-around effort put Tuscola (30-6) in the IHSA state finals for the first time since 1988-89.

Ten fourth-quarter points from Parker James keyed the Warriors in the clutch at the Banterra Center and helped them pull away from a 34-18 halftime lead.

The victory also further added to Warriors' program-record most wins in a season, besting a 28-7 mark from 2021-22.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Congratulations, @AthleticsNTHS, @NewTrierBBB

We'll see you in C-U@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/VlpxedZ40v

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

Class 4A: New Trier 54, Libertyville 48

HOFFMAN ESTATES — A team-high 17 points from Jake Fiegen combined with 15 points from Ian Brown and 11 points from Tyler Van Gorp to lift the Trevians to their first state finals appearance since 2001-02.

New Trier (32-4) built a 27-16 lead at halftime thanks to five first-half threes and never looked back during a strong second half.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Congratulations, @ESTLFlyersbball

We'll see you in C-U@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/NOs7dYqy3m

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

Class 3A: East St. Louis 59, Sacred Heart-Griffin 56 (2OT)

SPRINGFIELD — The third overtime game of the evening favored East St. Louis (25-8) after the Flyers came within seconds of seeing their season end in the first extra period at Bank of Springfield Center.

Down 51-49 in the last 10 seconds of the first extra period, the Flyers' D'Necco Rucker snagged a rebound and floated in a mid-range putback that extended the game an additional four minutes.

Macaleab Rich was the hero in the next period, lifting the Flyers to a 57-56 lead that they wouldn't relinquish with 20 seconds remaining.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Congratulations @shoeshoops, @Unit50Schools

We'll see you in C-U@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/Wsxh35Iw5A

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

Class 2A: Teutopolis 42, Pinckneyville 40

CARBONDALE — An overtime thriller bounced Teutopolis' way as the Wooden Shoes (28-7) clinched their first state finals appearance since 2006-07.

A large crowd at the Banterra Center watched as the two teams finished regulation tied at 34. The Shoes earned a slight edge in the final four minutes of play and can also reach the 30-win mark for the first time since 2007 with two wins in the state finals.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Congratulations, @ESTLFlyersbball

We'll see you in C-U@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/NOs7dYqy3m

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

Class 4A: Downers Grove North 67, Kenwood 47

CHICAGO — The Trojans (30-3) cruised past the Broncos at Credit Union 1 Arena to advance to the state finals for the first time in school history.

Downers Grove North built a 35-22 lead at halftime and carried that momentum throughout thanks to 19 points from Jack Stanton, 15 of which came via makes from beyond the arc.

Class 4A: Benet 67, Rockford Auburn 33

DEKALB — Benet (34-1) cruised past Rockford Auburn to cement its third state finals appearance since 2013-14.

The Redwings mounted a 30-15 lead at halftime and grew their advantage to 53-23 heading into the fourth quarter.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Congratulations, @MolineBoysBball, @moline_high

We'll see you in C-U@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/55Kz3tAnwo

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

Class 4A: Moline 59, Oswego East 55

NORMAL — Moline (33-3) will play at State Farm Center after a narrow victory over Oswego East at CEFCU Arena.

The Maroons captured a 52-51 lead midway through the final frame and didn't trail again thanks to five points in the final four minutes from Brock Harding.

The win clinched Moline's first trip to the state finals since it qualified three out of four seasons between 2000-04, falling short of state only in 2002-03 during that stretch.

Class 2A: DePaul College Prep 50, Chicago Perspectives/Leadership 46

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Congratulations, @DePaulPrepMBB, @DePaulPrepAD

We'll see you in C-U@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/5eI6NTvEy8

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

JOLIET — A 20-10 scoring edge in the final eight minutes of play lifted DePaul College Prep (21-12) to its second straight berth in the Class 2A state finals.

The Rams trailed 36-30 at the end of the third quarter but rallied to extend their season at Joliet West High School. Perspectives received a technical foul for attempting to call a timeout with 15 seconds remaining in regulation when it had none remaining.

The gaffe lifted the Rams to a two-point lead and they never looked back as they wrapped up their third state finals appearance since 2018-19.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Congratulations, @rockridgesports, @Rockridge300

We'll see you in C-U@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/QuZLjC3X4Z

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

Class 2A: Rockridge 60, Rockford Lutheran 59

STERLING — The Rockets (28-4) clinched their 14th consecutive victory and their fourth trip to the Class 2A state finals since 2014-15 with a narrow win at Sterling High School.

Rockridge opened a 31-29 lead at halftime and kept Rockford Lutheran (26-10) at bay throughout the second half despite trailing 50-45 at the end of the third quarter.

Though the game was tied 56-56 with 2:55 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Rockets took a 58-56 lead with 46.1 seconds left and held on for the triumph.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Congratulations @GibaultBBall, @GibaultCatholic

We'll see you in C-U@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/wokXBykqif

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

Class 1A: Gibault Catholic 45, Illini Bluffs 44

JACKSONVILLE — Gibault Catholic (30-7) clinched its berth in the Class 1A semifinals in the most exciting way possible.

The Hawks trailed by eight points in the fourth quarter but whittled the deficit down to two points with 14 seconds remaining.

Thirteen seconds later, Kameron Hanvey buried a triple on the left wing that lifted the Hawks to their first state finals appearance since 1998-99.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Congratulations, @MetamoraBBB, @MTHSAthletics

We'll see you in C-U@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/ztsNhBeT0t

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

Class 3A: Metamora 60, Marmion 48

OTTAWA — Metamora (32-2) will play at State Farm Center for a second consecutive season after a strong final eight minutes lifted it past Marmion at Kingman Gym.

The Redbirds led 37-34 at the end of the third quarter before finishing regulation with a 23-14 scoring edge.

Tyson Swanson paced Metamora with 19 points while Drew Tucker added 12 points and Tyler Mason added 11 points.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Congratulations @SICPWolfpack, @IgnatiusChicago, @SICPBB

We'll see you in C-U@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/2NcyCJrRhO

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

Class 3A: St. Ignatius 67, Grayslake Central 60 (2OT)

HOFFMAN ESTATES — St. Ignatius (24-11) clinched its second consecutive trip to Champaign in a double-overtime thriller against Grayslake Central (29-6) at NOW Arena.

The game was tied at 52 at the end of regulation before four points apiece in the first extra period yielded a 56-56 score at the start of the second overtime.

Richard Barron was the hero for the Wolfpack as he scored eight points in the third quarter to help St. Ignatius limit the damage while trailing. The Wolfpack entered the final frame trailing 47-41.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Congratulations, @SimeonNation

We'll see you in C-U@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/d2XbsDYdke

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

Class 3A: Simeon 67, Hillcrest 46

CHICAGO — Four players found double-digit scoring figures to propel the Wolverines (31-3) to their second consecutive Class 3A final four.

Sam Lewis led the Wolverines' scoring with 17 points, a mark that was followed by Jalen Griffith's 15 points and 13 points apiece from Miles Rubin and Wesley Rubin.

The Wolverines led 24-13 at halftime and pulled away in the second half despite the efforts of Bryce Tillery, who keyed Hillcrest with 18 points.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Congratulations, @SM_Hornets, @E_Kudronowicz

We'll see you in C-U@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/Gbdtt045Ym

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

Class 1A: Scales Mound 60, Chicago Marshall 56

DEKALB — Tuscola's Class 1A semifinal opponent will be Scales Mound (32-5), which defeated Marshall in narrow fashion at NIU Convocation Center.

The Hornets (32-5) were paced by Thomas Hereau's 25-point effort, which was joined by 15 points from Jacob Duerr and 10 points from Charlie Weigel.

Despite 16 points for DaJuan Cozark, the Commandos (17-11) were unable to overcome a 25-17 halftime deficit.

HOT OFF THE PRESS:

Congratulations, @cchsbballsaints, @CCHSinBloom

We'll see you in C-U@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/QxMcPmWtFq

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

Class 2A: Bloomington Central Catholic 67, Pontiac 53

SPRINGFIELD — Cole Certa was a tough player to deny on Monday night.

Bloomington Central Catholic (25-11) has been just as tough to deny all season.

Certa's 27 points lifted BCC past Pontiac in a renewal of an Illini Prairie Conference matchup. The Saints never trailed in a game that they led 17-11 at the end of the first quarter and 29-23 at halftime.

The Saints are two wins away from their first state championship since 2013-14.

HOT OFF THE PRESS:

Congratulations, @cchsbballsaints, @CCHSinBloom

We'll see you in C-U@visitchampaign @IHSAState pic.twitter.com/QxMcPmWtFq

— News-Gazette Preps (@ngpreps) March 7, 2023

Class 1A: Cornerstone Christian 58, St. Francis de Sales 28

NORMAL — A hot start propelled Cornerstone Christian (32-5) to its first-ever berth in the IHSA state finals.

The Cyclones mounted a 20-5 lead after the first quarter and never looked back, building a 39-13 advantage at the halftime break and extending its gap to 52-20 after the third stanza.

Cornerstone has extended a run that began with its first regional title in program history; the Cyclones have long since bested its previous benchmark of 24 wins in a season that was set in 2021-22.

The Warriors have arrived. pic.twitter.com/ftbmFxT1bx

— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) March 6, 2023

Here's who plays Monday night at 16 super-sectional games across the state:

Class 4A

Libertyville (29-5) vs. New Trier (31-4)

Benet (33-1) vs. Rockford Auburn (23-12)

Kenwood (28-6) vs. Downers Grove North

(29-3)

Oswego East (29-5) vs. Moline (32-3), 7:30 p.m.

Class 3A

St. Ignatius (23-11) vs. Grayslake Central (29-5)

Hillcrest (28-3) vs. Simeon (30-3)

Marmion (23-11) vs. Metamora (31-2)

East St. Louis (24-8) vs. Sacred Heart-Griffin (31-3)

Class 2A

Teutopolis (27-7) vs. Pinckneyville (28-6)

DePaul College Prep (20-12) vs. Perspectives/Leadership (24-11)

Rockford Lutheran (26-9) vs. Rockridge (27-4)

Pontiac (27-6) vs. Bloomington Central Catholic (24-11)

Class 1A

Illini Bluffs (32-4) vs. Waterloo Gibault (29-7)

St. Francis de Sales (14-21) vs. Cornerstone (31-5)

Tuscola (29-6) vs. Mounds Meridian (24-12)

Chicago Marshall (17-10) vs. Scales Mound (31-5)