Byron’s 4A State Semifinal Matchup Picks

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Monday is the day a new 4A state champion will be crowned. Three of the eight teams still in the mix for CEFCU Arena have been there in the past five years, so this stage will not be too big for them. Earlier this week, I put out my picks for the sectional semifinal winners and went 1-4 (picks and analysis below). That alone tells you what this class is about. 4A has always been home to some of the best programs and top players in the state, and when you combine depth, coaching, and high level talent, it truly can be anyone's night. Below are my picks for the matchups and the four teams that will be in Bloomington this week.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CARMEL VS LOYOLA ACADEMY</strong> - Carmel is being led by the best freshman prospect in the state, let alone one of the top in the country. However, this team plays as one, and players like [player_tooltip player_id='461884' first='Josie' last='Hartman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='743619' first='Maliyah' last='Mays'] provide another layer of impact that covers both sides of the ball. Loyola, on the other hand, has continued its deep playoff runs over the past couple of seasons and has proven that winning as a unit can happen when everyone is on the same page. [player_tooltip player_id='758055' first='Emily' last='Naraky'], Claire Weasler, and [player_tooltip player_id='741838' first='Marycait' last='Mackie'] make up a majority of the push that has brought in the wins, but their X factor, [player_tooltip player_id='914260' first='Maddie' last='Locke'], will be another key piece in helping them advance to the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HOMEWOOD FLOSSMOOR VS NAZARETH</strong> - The guard play on Flossmoor is some of the best we've seen this season. From [player_tooltip player_id='813581' first='Laila' last='Williams'] and Auynai Deere, and their wings and bigs like Ihuoma Ozoh and Shi'lyn Jordan. This team has been on a roll since the end of January, and theyre looking to continue that. Nazareth has history and familiarity on their side, and both of those truly matter when it comes to these high pressure games. This program has made a trip downstate almost every year for the past couple of seasons, and when the roster is as filled as theres its hard to root against them. Any given night, there's a minimum of 3 players that can put up 20+, but their X factor is [player_tooltip player_id='728005' first='Samantha' last='Austin'], and her ability to help with extra possessions could be the swing in this game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|primary"}}}},"textColor":"primary"} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color"><strong>MY PICKS:</strong> <strong>NAZARETH ACADEMY VS LOYOLA ACADEMY FOR THE 4A STATE TITLE.</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">ORIGINAL PICKS FROM 2/21</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waubonsie Valley vs Naperville Central </strong>- <em>This could very well end up as the game of the day, with two of the best players in the state going head-to-head, as well as the other solid matchups and players around them. Waubonsie might not have an individual player to slow down Trinity, but as a group, this team can figure it out. On the other hand, the ball movement and the chemistry that WV has built over these past couple of deep postseason runs could very well help them win this game.</em> <strong>My Pick: Naperville Central </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Glenbard West vs. St. Charles North</strong> - <em>This is a matchup that's happening for a second time this season, and regardless of the outcome of the first game, both teams are evenly matched. On both sides, they have players at all positions who can impact the scoreboard and take advantage of possession. Both teams also have a standout player that will be utilized on both ends of the floor. This game could go into overtime.</em> <strong>My Pick: Glenbard West </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hersey vs. Fremd </strong>- <em>Both of these programs have a storied past when it comes to winning, and also being the home of some of the best talent in Illinois. This season, each side is more well rounded than star studded, and that sometimes makes a team even more dangerous. In my opinion, this is one of those games that can be won in the first half, with both sides having even rosters, early mistakes will be hard to come back from. There is no one star that can be utilized as a bailout, so the small details early can end up deciding the game.</em> <strong>My Pick: Fremd</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Loyola vs Evanston</strong> - <em>Evanston has always remained a competitive program, and outside of the talent that's on this roster, the coaching has been a huge reason behind the success. Loyola can say the same, especially with coming off a state title some years back, and with a team full of egoless players, they have managed to still be one of the best teams even without a "superstar". This will certainly not be a one-sided matchup, and could be another game of the night.</em> <strong>My Pick: Loyola Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mother McAuley vs Homewood Flossmoor</strong> - <em>Personally, this will be one of my favorite sectional semifinal games. Both teams are driven by their guards, and the guards in these programs are high-scoring, quick, and can lock in on the defensive side of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='813581' first='Laila' last='Williams'] (Homewood-Flossmoor) and [player_tooltip player_id='514898' first='Quinn' last='Arundel'] (Mother McAuley) will be fun to watch.. however im giving the edge to Mother McAuley, their size and presence in the paint will be hard to guard</em>. <strong>My Pick: Mother McAuley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->