Previewing and predicting the IHSA Class 4A regional finals

The ramped up intensity was immediately felt for anyone who took in a regional game earlier this week. That’s what happens in win-or-go-home situations.

But Friday night is when it really starts to heat up.

Here are previews and picks for a few of the best regional title games around the Chicago area, along with a quick rundown of every other 4A regional championship across the state.

No. 10 St. Patrick (26-4) vs. No. 12 New Trier (25-7)

This shapes up as potentially the game of the night. It’s one of those marquee 4 vs. 5 regional championship game matchups featuring two highly-ranked teams. Add in what should be a fantastic tournament atmosphere and it could be quite a night in Winnetka.

How the two got here this week looked different on Wednesday night.

Following a walk-in-the-park win over rival Notre Dame in the regional semis, St. Pat’s is sky high heading into the title game. The Shamrocks, blessed with size and underestimated guard play, rolled the Dons.

Maybe it got caught looking ahead, but New Trier didn’t exactly cruise in its opening regional win over big underdog Payton.

Thought to be competitive, though probably not a Champaign-bound contender in the preseason, St. Patrick has greatly exceeded expectations. The Shamrocks have been pretty much sizzling since early January losses to Curie (in overtime) and Benet, going 12-1 down the stretch behind RJ McPartlin (16 ppg, 9 rpg).

But the Trevians get to play at home and have three key pluses: a bonafide difference-maker in Christopher Kirkpatrick (16 ppg), shot-makers on the perimeter, including 6-4 guard Danny Houlihan (17 ppg), and very good positional length and size.

That should all help in navigating a pretty staunch St. Pat’s 1-3-1 zone defense, because all of the options for New Trier can leave opposing coaches vexed.

The pick: New Trier 50, St. Patrick 46

No. 1 Curie (27-1) vs. No. 22 Lyons (23-6)

It’s not too often you get two ranked teams playing in the regional final, particularly when one is the No. 9 seed in the sectional. But a red-hot Lyons gets an early shot at taking out the top-seeded team in the sectional.

Curie has been so steady and consistent, going about its business beating just about everyone. It’s one of those teams where the name on the back doesn’t matter. This Condors team is connected and blessed with a go-to player in guard Justin Oliver who blends in so nicely with his teammates.

Kendall Holliday is the overlooked contributor. The 6-4 senior does so much dirty work for the Condors. And while opponents must account for all that Holliday does, particularly on the glass and defensively, the emergence of 6-8 Keith Collins late in the season can’t be overlooked.

But Lyons has turned around a season that at one point seemed to be spiraling a bit. Coach Tom Sloan’s group has won 14 of its last 15, including 12 in a row after a December/January stretch where they went a combined 5-6.

The Lions are still relatively young, but the nucleus of sophomore Grant Smith (17 ppg) and juniors Nate Woods (10 ppg) and Timmy Sloan do have experience. And senior Owen Carroll is a senior in the backcourt.

The pick: Curie 62, Lyons 56

No. 9 Loyola (26-6) vs. No. 20 Lincoln Park (21-8)

Lincoln Park made the most of a wide-open city playoffs the past two weeks, making its first city title game appearance in over a century. Now the terrain gets a little steeper in a loaded sectional. Can the talented and promising Lions break through and beat a highly-ranked team when it really matters?

A pair of senior guards have led the way for these two teams: Lincoln Park’s Ahmad Lee and Loyola’s Trey Williams. They are two lead guards with size, length and are stat-sheet stuffers.

The always-promising Lee has put it together as a senior, averaging 14 points, six rebounds and six assists a game. Added production from senior Jaylin Dickerson and sophomore Alvin Robinson will be needed.

Williams, a 6-3 point guard headed to Cornell, has put together an outstanding but somewhat underappreciated senior season. He’s produced in a big way with multiple triple-doubles and is putting up 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists a game.

Although Loyola still tries to maximize the number of possessions it gets in a game, this is a more offensive-centered Loyola team this year. But there will still be enough defense to squeeze by Lincoln Park and get a crack at playing on its home floor in the sectional.

The pick: Loyola 54, Lincoln Park 49

Mount Carmel (19-11) vs. St. Laurence (26-6)

While currently unranked, these are two teams that have been in rankings for quite a bit of the season.

It’s a 4 vs. 5 sectional seed game. Thus, this has all the makings of a guaranteed close game, featuring two talented teams full of youth.

Mount Carmel’s talented freshmen, Ronald Johnson and DK Heard, along with junior Logan Wessel (12 ppg), form a nice trio for the present and especially the future. Although the Caravan have skidded in the tail end of the season, going just 4-6 in their last 10 games, those losses have come to ranked heavyweights. Even with its youth, this is a team that will surprise you with its physicality.

Markese Peoples has had a breakout season for St. Laurence. The big, versatile junior guard fills the stat sheet with 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals a game. Junior Reggie Stevens and sophomore Noah Corro are a pair of guards who also must be accounted for after solid seasons.

There is plenty of familiarity with one another. And it’s a Catholic League rematch from January when Mount Carmel came away with a 46-45 overtime win. Another tight one is expected.

The pick: St. Laurence 50, Mount Carmel 48

No. 11 Marist (27-5) vs. No. 25 Rich (18-12)

The RedHawks are hoping to avoid a deja vu moment. It was Rich, after all, that ended their season last year in the same gym in heartbreaking fashion.

Now it’s Rich, a team that’s much better than any other 12-loss team in the state, as the underdog. But it’s an extremely dangerous No. 9 seed. Coach Lou Adams’ team is a real threat to make some noise in the postseason.

They were also tested in that regional semifinal win over solid Thornwood, so there are no first week postseason cobwebs. So the Raptors will be ready for highly-ranked Marist.

Rich has been sparked by the return of senior Jamson Coulter. After a dynamic junior season, Coulter missed the majority of his senior season. But since his return he’s averaged 17 points in the last six games. Senior Kavon Ammons adds 16 a game.

The Raptors do apply disruptive pressure. But despite their balance, their offense just isn’t as potent or pack as much punch as a year ago.

Marist has put together a terrific season with Charles Barnes playing like an all-state caliber player. Now it’s an opportunity to exact some revenge on a team that ended its season a year ago.

The pick: Marist 64, Rich 60

Here is a pick for every regional title game in the state’s largest class.

Glenbard East 62, Lake Park 48

A couple of teams headed in different directions. It’s back-to-back regional titles for the top-seeded Rams and star shooting guard Michael Nee.

Batavia 45, Wheaton-Warrenville South 42

The two DuKane Conference teams split this season. This will inevitably go down to the wire and likely be a final-possession game. Defense travels and in case of a likely slugfest, that will help Batavia. The Bulldogs’ stingy defense gets the last stop.

York 52, Glenbard West 44

York, one of the season’s really nice surprises and storylines, keeps it going. But on the road having to beat a conference team for the third time won’t be easy.

Glenbard North 55, Wheaton North 51

You won’t find two more evenly matched teams on Friday night –– at least not when looking at the two regular-season battles. The two DuKane Conference teams just met last week in the regular-season finale. Wheaton North won that one 63-60. Glenbard North won the first matchup 53-51. Can there be a third straight one-possession game? Not quite. But it will be close.

St. Ignatius 60, Kenwood 54

All of Ignatius’ different weapons around its rock, senior Chris Bolte (17 ppg, 9 rpg) — and the home floor — are too much for the Broncos.

Young 64, Simeon 58

This isn’t Jahlil Okafor vs. Jabari Parker just a little over a decade ago. But it’s still Young and Simeon, two of the proudest, most successful programs in state history. But in this one the best player in the city and on the floor matters. Young’s Tennessee-bound guard Marquis Clark, who can humiliate defenses with dribble-drives, leads the way for the Dolphins.

Homewood-Flossmoor 57, Lincoln-Way East 48

It’s a 1 vs. 10 seed but Lincoln Way East played H-F relatively well in two regular-season losses. But the overwhelming talent, highlighted by sophomore point guard Darrius Hawkins, pushes the Vikings to their third straight regional title.

Brother Rice 54, Lincoln-Way Central 50

This is one that could be up for grabs. Lincoln-Way Central is at home and has put together a sneaky solid season, but Brother Rice has played well down the stretch, winning nine of its last 11 games.

Lockport 64, Joliet West 59

This is what a regional championship is supposed to look like, both from a geographical perspective and fan base familiarity standpoint. Lockport gets it done on its home floor behind the Venckus twins.

Alton 60, Belleville East 50

Belleville East upset Belleville West on Wednesday. Now it gets a third shot at Alton after losing two regular-season games by double digits, including one that was played just last week. Alton is blessed with quite a pair in senior scoring guard Semaj Stampley and 6-4 junior Ryan Howard.

Edwardsville 48, Collinsville 42

Collinsville might be only 14-16, but the Kahoks have played the top seed well in two losses, falling 47-40 and 43-41. Edwardsville has one of the underrated seniors in the state in 6-4 Miccah Butler.

Rock Island 68, Peoria Richwoods 64

An entertaining game is set to be played in Minooka between two teams from outside the area. They’ve combined 52 wins between them. Plus, a couple of dynamic young guards in sophomore Amarion Smith-Holley of Richwoods and junior Deven Marshall of Rock Island will be on display.

Normal 65, United 60

Normal must take the long trek to East Moline. The Ironmen beat United 67-57 in early January. Aside from the shortened Covid season, Normal has won five straight regional titles. This will make six in a row.

Fremd 62, Lake Zurich 57

Even as the No. 1 seed, this is a troublesome spot for Fremd. Lake Zurich might be under the .500 mark and the No. 9 seed, but the record is deceiving considering the schedule the Bears have faced.

Stevenson 58, Buffalo Grove 50

Buffalo Grove took out fifth-seeded Hoffman Estates in the regional opener. But the 1-2 punch of Rocco Pagliocca (19 ppg) and Donny Williams (20 ppg) propel the Patriots here.

Palatine 55, Barrington 47

Palatine, the No. 2 seed, must slow down high-scoring Oliver Gray of Barrington. This won’t be quite as tight as the regular-season matchup in January, where Palatine edged Barrington 52-51.

Hersey 50, Rolling Meadows 47

A pair of teams that know each other well in an old fashioned Mid-Suburban League battle. These two split during the regular season. The combined score of the two games: Rolling Meadows 96, Hersey 92. It will be another barnburner, but the edge goes to Hersey with Charlie Pomis (15 ppg).

DePaul Prep 58, Maine East 42

There will be a lot of tight regional championship games across the state. This shouldn’t be one of them.

Evanston 70, Niles North 61

Evanston has beaten Niles North twice already. When the Wildkits are rolling, it can look like a pretty elite offense with scoring and shooting capability. There is too much firepower for Evanston not to complete the three-game sweep.

Benet 60, West Aurora 42

West Aurora will have the home floor. But it won’t have much else going for it against the state’s top team.

Downers Grove South 60, Yorkville 51

At No. 13, Yorkville is the lowest seeded team remaining in 4A, thanks to sophomore Joey Jakstys’ performance in an upset win over No. 4 seed Naperville North. But Adam Flowers and DGS get it done and move on to play top-ranked Benet.

Neuqua Valley 66, Oswego East 52

It’s always better to have two stars (Neuqua’s Cole Kelly and Mason Martin) than one (Oswego East’s Mason Lockett).

Bolingbrook 72, Plainfield East 58

Plainfield East pulled off a minor upset over Oswego in double overtime to get its shot at Bolingbrook.

Warren 71, Libertyville 52

Jaxson Davis and Company rolled past its North Suburban Conference foe twice this season — once by 17 points and most recently by 23 points. The stakes are raised but the results are the same.

Rockford Auburn 74, Rockford Jefferson 52

This is a mismatch any way you look at it after Auburn beat Jefferson by a combined 61 points in two regular-season matchups.

Waukegan 65, McHenry 52

While Waukegan rolled to a 39-point regional win on Wednesday, McHenry squeezed out a 53-50 win over Jacobs.