PEORIA — Nick Rakocevic walked away from a high-school court for the final time Saturday with an arm around St. Joseph coach Gene Pingatore.
The 6-foot-11 Rakocevic completed his fourth varsity season with one of his best games, with 26 points, 13 rebounds, six blocked shots and four steals in the Chargers’ 56-55 overtime loss against Peoria Manual in the Class 3A third-place game at Carver Arena.
“I knew I had to do everything, offensively and defensively, to help us win today,” said Rakocevic, who also made 2 of 3 3-pointers. “I really wanted this game. We competed until the end.
“I’m sad we lost because Coach Ping taught me a lot about basketball and life.”
The Chargers won the 3A title last year but were unable to win a game this weekend. Even with Rakocevic leaving, though, the St. Joseph’s future is bright. Rakocevic made a point to state that he’s the only Charger not returning next season.
St. Joseph, just like 3A champion Belleville Althoff, will compete in Class 4A next season due to the IHSA “success factor” rule.
“I know [I’m] a big piece and big loss in scoring and blocks, but I think they are going to be good,” Rakocevic said. “They are moving up to 4A, so it’s going to be tougher for them, but if they stick together, they will be really good next year.”
Junior guard Jason Towers added 13 points for the Chargers, who shot 6-for-12 on 3-pointers and tallied 11 steals.
Simeon takes third: After a crushing 49-48 loss to Benet in Friday’s semifinals, Simeon finished its season with an 83-55 rout of Rockford Auburn in the 4A third-place game.
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Zack Norvell led the way with 22 points in 25 minutes. Ben Coupet added 14 points in 14 minutes.
“We always come out with our hard hat on,” Norvell said. “This team is a state-championship team, and to not be playing for the championship hurts. But we didn’t want to come home empty-handed.”
The Wolverines (30-4) shot 21-for-34 on free throws a night after going 2-for-4 against Benet.
“These young men showed a lot of heart and character to play like that,” Simeon coach Robert Smith said. “When you lose a tough game, it’s hard to get these young men back the next day.”
College decision? Rakocevic, the state’s top unsigned senior, can now turn his full attention toward his college selection.
Rakocevic said he has yet to set any specific dates, but he plans to visit USC, Miami, Memphis, Arizona State and possibly North Carolina. He already made an official visit to West Virginia, but said he already ruled out the Mountaineers.
“I’m going to start taking my official visits after enjoying a couple of weeks off,” Rakocevic said. “I’m going to relax and celebrate all the success that I had and then back to business, getting in the gym, working out and taking my official visits. I think I’m planning on taking the rest of my four (visits).”
Frankie’s son: Manual junior Da’Monte Williams, a 6-4 guard, atoned for Friday’s four-point effort with 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists against St. Joseph.
His father is former Manual and Illinois point guard Frank Williams.
Da’Monte Williams committed to Illinois during an unofficial visit on Feb. 28. Illinois coach John Groce watched both of Manual’s games at state this weekend. Groce was joined by Belleville East grad and current Illini Malcolm Hill to watch Illinois target Jordan Goodwin win the 3A title with Belleville Althoff.
“It feels good to make it downstate and I didn’t come as many years as (Frank Williams) did, but I’m going to try and get down here two years in a row,” Williams said. “(My dad) said to just go out there and have fun and play hard for the team. I just try and go out there and be myself.”
Williams helped Manual end a six-year state drought, and he hopes to follow a similar path at Illinois.
“I didn’t know where I was going to college until I went (to Illinois) and it felt like home,” he said. “I’m very excited for my career (in college) and hopefully to get them back to the NCAA Tournament.”
Double the pleasure: Lincoln-Way West starting senior guard Cameron Gavin scored 10 points with six rebounds and four assists in Saturday’s 62-37 loss to Belleville Althoff in the Class 3A state championship game. Green made all four of his shots and both of his free throws.
Gavin also was a starting safety in Lincoln-Way West’s 42-21 loss to Nazareth in the 5A football title game in November. Even though both games ended in big losses for the Warriors, Gavin is proud of his state final double dip.
“It’s incredible to say that I can I’ve been to state twice in my career, let alone twice in the same season,” Gavin said. “Basketball is different because it’s on more of a big stage, and everybody in the whole town comes to support that. Both were fun, though.”
Boys and girls: Benet attempted to become the fourth team in Illinois to win state titles in boys and girls basketball in the same season.
Young accomplished the feat Class 4A in 2014, as did Marshall in 3A in 2008. Teutopolis was the only school to do it during the two-class era, winning in Class A in 1986.
Four first-timers: For the first time since the tournament expanded to four classes in 2008, first-time champions — LeRoy in 1A, St. Joseph-Ogden in 2A, Belleville Althoff in 3A and Benet or Curie in 4A — won all four boys tournaments.
The last time first-timers won both titles in the two-class system was 2000, when Pleasant Plains and West Aurora won. That year capped a three-season run of first-time winners, including Rock Falls and St. Joseph in 1999 and Nauvoo-Colusa and Young in 1998.