Unsung Oden leads way for Hillcrest Senior Nick Oden came up with a big defensive rebound and knocked down two free throws with 8.2 seconds left to help Hillcrest secure a 58-55 win over Peoria Richwoods on Saturday in the Class 3A state championship game at Carver Arena.

Richmond, Waukegan finish with style Jereme Richmond rounded out his Waukegan career in fashion as the Bulldogs cruised to an 85-78 win over O'Fallon the Class 4A consolation game Saturday night at Carver Arena. The senior forward had a season-high 36 points and 16 rebounds.

Marshall rallies for third place Vincent Garrett regained his stride on Saturday afternoon by scoring a team-best 19 points and ripping down 13 rebounds as Marshall used its depth and two dominant second-half runs to blitz Champaign Centennial 73-59 in the Class 3A third-place game at Carver Arena.

Michael O'Brien
Sun-Times

It's no secret: Hawks can really play

Hillcrest coach Don Houston was oddly confident before the Hawks’ Class 3A state semifinal game against Champaign Centennial. He said his team would win. And said it like someone who knew a secret.

Pat Disabato
SouthtownStar

Hillcrest rebounds with win

I wish I could tell you exactly what was running through the minds of Champaign Centennial coach Tim Lavin and his players before Friday’s Class 3A semifinal showdown against Hillcrest.

Michael O'Brien
Sun-Times

Jump-start ignites Simeon

Not many coaches would refer to an 18-9 regular season as ‘‘my worst year.’’ But that’s exactly what Simeon coach Robert Smith called this season just a couple of weeks ago. His opinion has changed — and that’s primarily because of a miraculous, buzzer-beating three-pointer from Brandon Spearman, his Dayton-bound senior.

Tony Baranek
SouthtownStar

Athletes feeling cash crunch

This was supposed to be a really interesting — and exciting — summer for Morgan Park freshman Andre Newell. Coming off a football season in which he was the starting quarterback for the sophomore team, he was hoping to go into summer camp with a shot at making the varsity and possibly inheriting the spot vacated by the graduated DaRon Brown.