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Scouting DuPage County's regional final boys basketball games

By Kevin Schmit and Dave Oberhelman

kschmit@dailyherald.com

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

No. 2 Benet (22-7) vs. No. 7 York (17-12) Class 4A Glenbard West regional final

Outlook: Benet beat the Dukes 39-31 in December but did so with York missing leading scorer Jayvon Thomas, who averages 19 points a game. The Redwings have one of DuPage County's top defenses - 14 times they've allowed 45 or fewer points - but Thomas' ability to drive and finish or kick to an open teammate presents a challenge as Benet chases its fifth regional title in six years. York, regional champions the last two years, also looks to continue its streak of postseason success. The Dukes need to keep Benet's perimeter game in check, specifically with junior Dan Sobolewski. Leading scorer Colin Bonnett was quiet in the regional semifinals, but he can be an offensive terror.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner of the West Aurora regional final between Wheaton North and West Aurora in Wednesday's East Aurora sectional semifinals.

No. 3 Wheaton North (20-5) vs. No. 6 West Aurora (19-8) Class 4A West Aurora regional final

Outlook: It's definitely not the ideal matchup for the Falcons, who must beat the Blackhawks on their home court. If that's not bad enough, the Blackhawks have the talent to win the sectional championship regardless of where the game is with 6-foot-6 Illinois State-bound forward Roland Griffin, averaging 17 points. Guard Marquis Howard adds another 14 points and has knocked down 74 3-pointers. Wheaton North counters with a balanced lineup led by point guard Nick Jordan and wing Nick Traversa, each averaging about 14 points. Traversa's one of the many players capable of knocking down 3s. The Falcons also have a threat in the post with 6-6 Jake Heggeland.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner of the Glenbard West regional final between Benet and York in Wednesday's East Aurora sectional semifinals.

No. 4 Hinsdale Central (21-6) vs. No. 12 Downers Grove North (17-11) Class 4A Downers Grove South regional final

Outlook: Hinsdale Central won both West Suburban Silver games by a total of only 7 points. One was with 6-foot-7 Red Devils center Matt Rafferty, averaging 19.6 points and 10 rebounds, but the Furman recruit missed the second game with a broken hand. Hinsdale Central has tremendous depth and balance with 6-6 George Kiernan, experienced guard Thomas Ives and others. The Trojans have built to this moment all season. They knocked out No. 5 Willowbrook on Wednesday behind a flurry of double-digit scorers. Point guard Jordon Kedrowski led with 19 points, but the Trojans also can match the Red Devils inside with 6-6 Matt Mahlke, 6-7 David Edwards and 6-5 Devin Blake.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner of the Proviso West regional final between Lyons Twp. and Metea Valley in Tuesday's East Aurora sectional semifinals.

No. 1 Lyons Twp. (23-5) vs. No. 8 Metea Valley (17-12) Class 4A Proviso West regional final

Outlook: Metea Valley seeks its first regional title since its sole title in 2012. The Mustangs challenge former seven-year Montini coach Tom Sloan. His star senior guard Harrison Niego will get the Nick Dodson treatment as Metea will try to force someone else - 6-3 Jaquan Phipps perhaps - to beat them. During its nine-game winning streak Metea is outscoring teams 66-49 on average. The Mustangs' breakneck guard trio of Ron Edwards, Bryson Oliver and Dei'Ron DeLaRosa will kickstart the transition game, and look for 6-6 Mark Konkle to literally rebound after Addison Trail held him in check. Averaging 14 points and 7 rebounds Konkle's been the Mustangs' anchor all season.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner of the Downers Grove South regional final between Hinsdale Central and Downers Grove North in Tuesday's East Aurora sectional semifinals.

No. 2 Lake Park (22-6) vs. No. 10 Grayslake North (18-10) Class 4A Fremd regional final

Outlook: At least Lake Park doesn't have to worry about beating No. 7 Fremd on its home court. That's the scenario the Lancers probably expected, but Grayslake North made the issue irrelevant by upsetting the Vikings. Third-year starter Aidan Einloth powered the come-from-behind victory with 21 points and 10 rebounds. He'll be the focal point of Lake Park's defensive effort, but DuPage Valley Conference player of the year Marcus McDaniel and the Lancers have a way of frustrating entire teams with their stingy group. Lake Park, which beat Hoffman Estates in the semis, has allowed 45 or fewer points 19 times. Stefan Meccia and Connor Vance also anchor the senior-heavy lineup.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner of the Cary-Grove regional final between Palatine and Hersey in Wednesday's Barrington sectional semifinals.

No. 1 Neuqua Valley (25-4) vs. No. 8 Minooka (15-15) Class 4A Joliet West regional final

Outlook: One sectional coach mentioned Minooka as a darkhorse candidate. That makes sense considering Indians coach Scott Tanaka was a four-year assistant to Neuqua coach Todd Sutton before taking over at Minooka. Like his mentor Tanaka adheres to defensive fundamentals. The Bugle reported 6-3 junior Joe Butler scored 32 points with 11 rebounds in Minooka's 61-45 win over Joliet West. Minooka starts freshman Keegan Graebner at point guard, which has got to play into Neuqua senior point guard Demond George's wheelhouse. With Neuqua seeking a second straight regional title and eighth overall, Connor Raridon led five double-figure scorers in the Wildcats' 89-43 win over Oswego East.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner of the Yorkville regional final between Providence and Oswego in Tuesday's Bolingbrook sectional semifinals.

No. 3 North Lawndale (17-10) vs. No. 11 Timothy Christian (15-11) Class 3A Timothy Christian regional final

Outlook: With one upset victory in the bag over sixth-seeded Westinghouse, the Trojans try for another against the third seed. Timothy Christian took full advantage of its homecourt edge on Wednesday, topping the Warriors 52-44 after trailing by a point heading to the fourth quarter. Behind sophomore Joe Davidson's team-high 22 points the Trojans' fourth-quarter output nearly matched the first three quarters combined. Riley Chapman added 12 points while 6-foot-6 Robert McGivney grabbed 10 rebounds. McGivney will be asked to help slow 6-9 Phoenix post Kenneth Perkins. The bigger issue, though, will be dealing with North Lawndale's Fred Sims-led pressure defense.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner of the Marshall regional final between Marshall and Urban Prep West in Wednesday's Westinghouse sectional semifinals.

No. 3 Glenbard South (16-12) vs. No. 4 Aurora Central Catholic (14-14) Class 3A IMSA regional final

Outlook: In Metro Suburban West play Glenbard South initially beat ACC 73-53. The second game was a tight 46-44 Raiders win headed by 6-foot-5 center Billy Bair's 22 points. Bair opened Glenbard South's try for a first regional title since 2009 with 21 points against IMSA, 23 against St. Francis. Wade Hardtke's club isn't all Billy Bair. Four others average between 7.5-8.3 points, not including guard Tim Marks, who hit St. Francis with 14. ACC is a tough out, as coach Nathan Drye routinely plays a Class 4A-peppered schedule to gear for the playoffs. The Chargers avenged a regular-season loss to Marmion with 21 points from guard Brett Czerak, averaging 23 in his last five games.

Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner of the Marengo regional final between Marengo and Woodstock in Tuesday's Rochelle sectional semifinals.

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