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Scouting DuPage County's sectional finals

By Dave Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

kschmit@dailyherald.com

No. 5 Downers Grove North (23-11) vs. No. 1 Geneva (31-1)

Class 4A Bartlett sectional final

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

Road to the sectional final: Downers Grove North beat No. 10 Willowbrook 60-46 and beat No. 3 Downers Grove South 65-42 to win the Downers Grove South regional, then beat Lake Park 46-44 in its sectional semifinal. Geneva beat No. 17 Hinsdale Central 66-56 and beat No. 8 Wheaton Warrenville South 45-38 to win the DeKalb regional, then beat No. 4 Lyons Twp. 54-41 in its sectional semifinal.

Outlook: Downers North, inconsistent most of the season, is playing its best basketball. That's especially true on defense. The Trojans haven't allowed more than 46 points in three playoff wins. Much of the credit goes to the on-the-ball defense from guards Sema'j Henderson, Trey Boston and Collin Reed. It'll be crucial that Geneva's backcourt, headed by Jack McDonald, handles the pressure in the half-court. The Vikings are led by McDonald and Mitch Mascari, who average a combined 30 points a game, but the team's massive success comes from the unit as a whole. Josh Preston, the lone junior in the starting five, scored 15 points in the semifinals. Henderson and Boston combined for 34 points on Wednesday. The Trojans would love to see Connor Ilyavi connect on a few 3-pointers to boost the offense. Downers North seeks its first sectional title since 1999. Geneva, which has set the program record for wins in a season, won a sectional in 2015 and finished fourth in 4A.

Advancement: Winner advances to the Class 4A Northern Illinois University supersectional, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, to face the winner of the Rock Valley College sectional between Rockford East and South Elgin.

No. 1 Glenbard South (24-6) vs. No. 2 Burlington Central (26-8)

Class 3A Marengo sectional final

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

Road to the sectional final: Glenbard South beat No. 8 Kaneland 74-55 and No. 5 Montini 60-56 to win the IMSA regional, then beat No. 2 Woodstock North 65-34 in its sectional semifinal. Burlington Central beat No. 7 Sycamore 58-35 and No. 3 Wheaton Academy 57-45 to win the Wheaton Academy regional, then beat No. 1 Johnsburg 77-67 to win its sectional semifinal.

Outlook: It's fitting that these programs should meet to decide the winner. Glenbard South beat Burlington Central to win regional titles in 2016 and 2017, the Raiders reaching the 2016 sectional championship. Burlington Central broke through last season with its own sectional final appearance. The Rockets average 64 points while Glenbard South has allowed 60 or more only twice. Rockets 6-foot-5 senior guard Patrick Mayfield, Kishwaukee River Conference player of the year, averages 26 points. Yet in the win over No. 1 subsectional seed Johnsburg he scored 12 while guards Braden Seyller and Josh Hudgens each scored 22 and 6-3 forward Jake Lenschow added 16 points. Glenbard South's balanced halfcourt-based offense sends forwards Cole Hardtke and Tommy Powers, 6-8 center Ryan Harrington and guards Tavion Keith and Kevin Enright all between 12 and 6 points. A 6-1 defensive stopper, point guard Enright should get the call against Mayfield in a great duel.

Advancement: Winner advances to the Class 3A Northern Illinois University supersectional, 6 p.m. Tuesday, to face the winner of the Bradley University sectional between Peoria Manual and Peoria Notre Dame.

- Dave Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit

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