Class 3A semifinal | North Lawndale (29-4) vs. Champaign Centennial (30-1)
Noon Friday at Carver Arena in Peoria
Probable starters
North Lawndale (29-4)
No., Player, Cl., Pos., Ht., PPG
4 Jonathan Mills, Sr, F, 6-5, 13.3
10 Terry Johnson, Sr, G, 6-0, 13.2
23 John Taylor, Sr, G, 5-11, 15.0
24 Zilijan Jones, Sr, G, 5-9, 5.1
44 Jermaine Winfield, Jr, F, 6-4, 12.3
Champaign Centennial (30-1)
No., Player, Cl., Pos., Ht., PPG
22 Bryson Davis-Johnson, Sr, G, 5-9, 4.5
23 James Kinney, Sr, G, 6-1, 17.4
24 Rayvonte Rice, Jr, F, 6-3, 16.5
32 Jordan Johnson, Sr, G, 6-1, 6.7
42 Jeff Johnson, Jr, C, 6-8, 13.5
Frontcourt: It should be quite a battle between Lawndale’s Jonathan Mills (13.3 points, 14.3 rebounds) and Jermaine Winfield (12.3 points, 6.5 rebounds) versus Jeff Johnson (13.5 points, 7.3 rebounds) and Rayvonte Rice (16.5 points, 7.3 rebounds). EDGE: North Lawndale
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Backcourt: Lawndale’s John Taylor, Terry Johnson and Zilijan Jones have more overall balance than Centennial’s guard trio, headed by James Kinney (17.4 points, 6.9 assists). EDGE: North Lawndale
Bench: The Phoenix utilize five players averaging a combined 28.3 points, led by 6-11 Paul Bunch, 6-6 Javonny Austin and 6-4 Miles Mayfield. EDGE: North Lawndale
Coaching: Lewis Thorpe guided North Lawndale to the 2A title last year and second in Class A two years ago. EDGE: North Lawndale
Intangibles: The Phoenix know how to go about their business in Peoria. Centennial hasn’t been to the state finals since 1984. EDGE: North Lawndale
Bob Sakamoto’s pick: North Lawndale
Saturday’s schedule
3A third-place game, 11 a.m.
3A championship game, 12:45 p.m.
Title-game prediction: North Lawndale over Leo