The Richwoods Lady Knights won their own Class 4A girls regional by handling East Moline easily Friday night by the score of 57-42. They will now advance to next week's sectional at Normal West.
In Class 3A, Morton rallied late behind Sarah Livingston and snuck by Normal U-High on Thursday night, 44-42. The Lady Potters advance to the Washington Sectional against Ottawa. Also at Washington will be Limestone, 51-44 winners over Peoria Notre Dame, and Rock Island Alleman.
In boys action, the Chicago Public League semi-finals were played Wednesday night at Chicago State University. In game one, the top ranked 3A team, Morgan Park, ousted the number one ranked Class 4A team, Simeon, by a 54-53 count in overtime. Morgan Park held the lead throughout the game, but Simeon steadily chipped away until a Russell Woods basket tied the score at 49 as regulation ended. A Jaylon Tate steal and drive to the bucket gave Simeon a 53-52 lead with 20 seconds left in the extra period, but the Mustangs'star point guard, Billy Garrett, Jr. made an impressive, driving basket to put Morgan Park back in front, 54-53. A desperation heave by Jabari Parker was no good and Morgan Park was on its way to the final. In game two, Whitney Young, behind a big night from Jahlil Okafor, scored early and often to jump out to a lead they maintained throughout the game over Orr. The final tally was 66-51 in favor of the Dolphins. While Orr hung in there, Young's lead was never threatened.
In a game that lived up to its billing, Friday's title game between Morgan Park and Whitney Young was a dandy. Morgan Park came out of the gate with a fury and owned the first half, 28-21. Young, however, dominated after the break and took a five point lead into the final frame. The Mustangs regained a fourth quarter lead, but Jahlil Okafor blocked a last second shot by Billy Garret, Jr. to send it into overtime tied at 51. Young was too strong in the extra period as they took home the crown, 60-56.
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