All games on WPWR-Ch. 5 0 (TV), at foxhiliteschicago.com (online) and on WJOL-AM 1340 (radio, except third-place game).
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
Marshall (30-4) vs. Washington, Ill. (26-3)
*Tipoff: Noon
*Head coach: Courtney Hargrays
How they got here
*Defeated Collins 105-58
*Def. Wheaton Academy 89-42
*Def. Aurora Central Cath. 74-62
*Defeated St. Francis 71-58
*Defeated North Chicago 84-54
Washington Panthers
*Head coach: Kevin Brown
How they got here
*Defeated Canton 63-57
*Defeated Morton (Ill.) 64-47
*Defeated Peoria 73-57
*Defeated Geneseo 64-46
*Defeated Sterling 56-40
Inside stuff
*Look for Marshall to exploit their height advantage with 6-foot-8-inch Dorian Tyler and 6-6 Eriq Harris as Washington’s tallest starter is 6-3 guard Matt Roth. If Washington can solve Marshall’s array of presses, the Panthers will set up Roth for three-point shots and also look to free up Dyricus Simms-Edwards. Darius Smith, Marshall’s lockdown defender, will cover Indiana signee Roth.
*Bob Sakamoto’s pick: Marshall
Simeon (28-3) vs. Champaign Central (24-7)
*Tipoff: 1:45 p.m.
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*Head coach: Robert Smith
How they got here
*Defeated Hirsch 100-22
*Defeated Harper 65-36
*Defeated Hope 70-37
*Defeated Leo 72-52
*Defeated T.F. North 43-40
Champaign Central Maroons
*Head coach: Scott Davis
How they got here
*Defeated Davnille 88-47
*Def. Chmpgn Centennial 81-69
*Def. Normal Comm. West 64-44
*Defeated Eisenhower 65-63
*Defeated Mt. Vernon 44-37
Inside stuff
*It should be quite a battle in the post between Simeon’s 6-9 Stanley Simpson (above) and Champaign’s 6-6, 250-pound Keith Biggers. Simpson, who has signed with Illinois, is averaging 24 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks. Simeon’s smaller guards may have trouble matching up with 6-4 Central guard Verdell Jones (17.6 points, 6.5 assists) and 6-5 guard Donald Stewart (16.1 points, 6.7 rebounds). Simeon is shooting for its third straight title.
*Bob Sakamoto’s pick: Simeon.
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
*Third-place game, 11 a.m.
*Championship game, 12:45 p.m.