1A/2A IHSA State Championship Preview: Players To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are down to just 2 teams in both class 1A and 2A. Mt. Pulaski and Deer Creek Mackinaw in 1A then Byron and Breese Central. Only one team can cut down the net in each class, and we are in for a fun Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 1A state championship is Deer Creek Mackinaw vs. Mt Pulaski. Dee Mack won their semi-final game 48-35 behind an amazing 31 point 10 rebound night from star Dalia De Jesus. Mt. Pulaski won their semi final 47-40 in an overtime classic vs Brown County. This should be a fast paced, overall exciting matchup to watch. Can Mt. Pulaski slow down number 1 Dee Mack? Only time will tell. Some players to watch are [player_tooltip player_id='1796685' first='Alyson' last='Murphy'] from Mt. Pulaski, and Dalia De Jesus from Dee Mack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My Pick; Deer Creek Mackinaw </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1796685"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ab2fb827edb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clutch, would be one word to describe [player_tooltip player_id='1796685' first='Alyson' last='Murphy'] in Thursday's semi-final game. In the closing seconds of the 4th quarter, Murphy drained the biggest shot of the game to send Mt. Pulaski to an overtime victory. Alyson is a very fun player to watch, she plays with an intensity and grace in her game. Murphy can hurt you with a three or fight through contact for the and 1. After 18 points in the semi-finals, I'm excited to see what she can do in the championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["627163"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ab2fb827fb0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What a game! That one be one phrase that comes to mind when talking about Dalia's performance in the semi-finals. She showcased her ability to find her shots, and knock them down. Dejesus is an all around star, that doesn't stop at scoring. She always crashes the boards hard, creating extra chances for her team. Dalia took over every single facet of this game, and will look to do it all over again in the state championship. Quincy University is getting a good one here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2A state championship features Byron vs. Breese Central. Byron fought for a 49-43 win over Elgin St. Edward, after dominating everyone on their road to state. Breese central knocked off Pleasant Plains 48-40, as they have made quite a run to this point picking up big win, after big win. This game has the potential to be a classic, with two teams that will not be scared of the moment. Some players to watch are [player_tooltip player_id='514037' first='Macy' last='Groharing'] for Byron, and Lexy Santel for Breese Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My Pick; Byron</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514037"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ab2fb82804e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How can you affect the game when shots won't go down? [player_tooltip player_id='514037' first='Macy' last='Groharing'], Byron's 2000 point scorer was faced with this question in Thursday's semi-final. She found the answer quickly, as her 6 steals and 4 assists came up huge in the win. Macy still finished with 9 points as well, and showed that even on an off night, she will find a way. Groharing is an exceptional ball player and is going to make a college coach very happy next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Lexy Santel","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12120","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Breese Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ab2fb828175"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lexy Santel will be crucial to a Breese Central win on Saturday. Santel finished their semi-final matchup with 11 points. She can create a steal on the defensive end or drain a shot on the offensive side. She has multiple games this year with over 2 three pointers, and features a smooth jumper. Lexy, is someone to keep an eye on tomorrow at Noon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->