IL High School Basketball

[ILHawk]

Not meant to promote IL or anything, just an update in light of people being critical of Jok losing before state.

In Illinois, the regionals are the first level followed by sectionals and then super sectional to state. There are 4 to 5 teams in a region.

U-High's Diop is a 5 star and 18th rated junior in the nation.. His team lost in round 2 (regional championship) of 3A and there are 2 or 3 other D1 recruits on the team (not major though)

Champaign Centennial lost in the sectional Championship (Finke) and has 1 other D1 recruit. There is 1 over D1 recruit on the team who transferred from Chicago. Finke is the 13th rated power forward as a junior and a 4 star by espn.

I've seen both these kids play this year and will next year. They are pretty good going to OSU and IL and are only in class 3A.

I wouldn't rate Jok on losing before state. Things happen. What struck me about both of them, they've both committed...was that they did what they had to do in the games I saw them and not much more. Playing a lot not to get hurt. Being famous, they have defenders coming at them quite hard. Very hard.

 

[Seth53]

I'll play devil's advocate and state (having lived many years in both states), IL high school BB is far and away better than Iowa.

Demographics and population lend to this opinion.

So, it's not uncommon for super talented IL HS BB players to lose before making the state tourney.

In Iowa, one stud player can take a team all the way to the top. In IL, not so much.

Thus, IMO, Jok's "flop" is more egregious than the ones listed above.

 

[WindsorHawk]

I'll play devil's advocate and state (having lived many years in both states), IL high school BB is far and away better than Iowa.

Demographics and population lend to this opinion.

So, it's not uncommon for super talented IL HS BB players to lose before making the state tourney.

In Iowa, one stud player can take a team all the way to the top. In IL, not so much.

Thus, IMO, Jok's "flop" is more egregious than the ones listed above.

The Jok loss was all about the Jok/Roosevelt history 2 years ago. It was the worst possible scenario for Jok and Roosevelt's ultimate dream.

 

[BrueCrew3]

In western Wisconsin, we have 2 D-I bball players. Bronson Koenig, a Wisconsin recruit from La Crosse Aquinas and Matt Thomas, an ISU recruit from Onalaska. Koenig helped his team get to and win the D-3 state championship. Thomas helped his team get to the state tournament but lost in the semi-finals in D-2. Both are good players.

I'm one who believes that one player can make or break a team in basketball. It's the only sport where that can happen. But just because you have one great player doesn't mean the rest of the team is any good. I watched the Onalaska game and they were relying on Thomas to take over. The problem is, the team they were playing keyed on that and never gave him a chance to take over.

In addition, at the high school level it's possible to have 2 good teams in the same district or region. Only one can advance.

I'm not saying either is what happened in Jok's case. But while one player CAN make a difference, you have to have the other pieces around you stepping up. I don't worry about Jok not getting to state.

GO HAWKS!!!

 

[LawVHawk]

Another side of Illinois high school basketball:

IHSA Class 2A boys basketball state final: Seton leaves upset after upset loss to Harrisburg during which Mark Weeks was ejected - chicagotribune.com

PEORIA — Seton Academy left the arena and declined to accept a second-place trophy after losing to Harrisburg 50-44 in the Class 2A boys basketball state final Saturday night.

"We told them to come out there (on the court), and if they were not out there by the time Harrisburg (was done) they would not receive their trophy, ever," Illinois High School Association executive director Marty Hickman said. "They chose not to come out. We've never had that happen before."

Seton coach Brandon Thomas exchanged words with several fans seated behind the scorer's table after receiving his second-place medal and tossing it to an assistant. The fans were escorted from the arena.

Thomas then disappeared into a tunnel at Carver Arena and did not address the media.

Thomas' frustration stemmed from the South Holland school's loss and the ejection of his team's leading scorer, Mark Weems Jr., in the second quarter after Weems Jr. made contact with an official.

The IHSA issued this statement late Saturday night addressing the actions of both teams:

"The IHSA is disappointed with and embarrassed by the actions of both Harrisburg High School and South Holland (Seton Academy) during Saturday's IHSA Class 2A Boys Basketball State Championship game. While passion and intensity are an integral part of athletic competition, especially at the highest levels, the behaviors of both teams crossed the lines of acceptable sportsmanship.

"The IHSA is in the process of reviewing the events associated with tonight's contest. Both schools will be contacted Monday."

 

[Section136]

Another difference between Illinois and Iowa high school basketball would be the respective student-athletes lust for Chevy Blazers.

 

[Jadedhawk]

A couple years ago Chicago Perspectives Charter went 8-15, and 6-19. Nothing much to write home about, other than it was the junior & senior season of Anthony Davis. Within the next year and half Davis went to Kentucky, was named National Freshman of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Player of the Year, became a National Champion, and was selected first in the 2012 NBA Draft.