4A IHSA State Preview: Who To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4A state semi-finals kick off tomorrow afternoon. These are some great matchups that will not disappoint. Nazareth Academy, Loyola Academy, Belleville East, and Rolling Meadows will all look to raise the trophy on Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first matchup of the afternoon is Nazareth Academy vs. Belleville East. Belleville East enters this one with a 28-5 record fresh off their super-sectional victory over Homewood Flossmoor 54-47. They are an extremely talented, that will be ready for the moment. Nazareth comes in at 33-3 winning their super-sectional game 54-42 over a good Waubonsee Valley squad. Nazareth has been great all season with only 1 loss coming to a team inside the state of Illinois. They will be an extremely tough out in this one. Some players to watch are [player_tooltip player_id='728004' first='Sophia' last='Towne'] from Nazareth, and [player_tooltip player_id='1304142' first='Denaya' last='Bartelheim']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My pick; Nazareth </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["728004"],"_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-69aa69e41e010"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophia is a star for a very good Nazareth team. She is a impressive player that can hurt you in a lot of ways. Towne features a smooth jumper, and will drain it from beyond the arc. She is also a facilitator that will make a play, getting teammates involved. Sophia will be exciting to watch in tomorrows game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1304142"],"_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-69aa69e41e0dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One word to describe Denaya's game is active. On the defensive end, she uses her size to create steals and block shots. It always seems like she is in on a play. Rebounding wise, Denaya gets after it creating extra chances for her team. She also possesses the ability to step out and hit a shot, adding another layer to her game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second semi-final matchup is Loyola Academy vs. Rolling Meadows. Rolling Meadows comes into this at 22-10, winning their super-sectional 41-37. They have came up with big win after big win this postseason and won't be looking to stop now. Loyola enters with a 33-2 record, coming off of their 56-34 super-sectional victory. Loyola came up just short in last years semi-final losing a classic to Fremd. They will look to avenge that loss this year against Rolling Meadows. The ramblers have ran through most of their opponents this season, and don't seem to be slowing down. Rolling Meadows will have their hands full here. Some players to watch are [player_tooltip player_id='741838' first='Marycait' last='Mackie'] for Loyola, and [player_tooltip player_id='523141' first='Dalia' last='Grandberry'] for Rolling Meadows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My pick; Loyola</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["523141"],"_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-69aa69e41e1a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grandberry is an exciting senior. Dalia can flat out score on the offensive end. She uses a nice bag of post moves to not only get to the rim, but fight through contact. Defensively, she uses her length to block shots and be a force in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["741838"],"_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-69aa69e41e284"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mackie excels at all facets of the game. She can nail an outside shot, make a nice cut for a layup, find an open, or steal a ball on defense. There are so many ways for Marycait to impact the game. She is one of those do it all players that are so fun to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the championship round my picks are Loyola to take home the title, and Belleville East to win 3rd place. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->