It's beginning to feel like the postseason on an all-new High School Lites. We check in with highlights of all four Public League Playoff quarterfinals while also getting an update on the semifinals on Friday night.
And girls basketball begins the IHSA state playoffs at the Class 2A level with our Viewers' Choice Game of the Week. We'll also feature some good conference matchups in the Catholic League Blue, Metro Suburban Blue and DuPage Valley.
High School Lites airs on Friday night at 11 p.m. on NBC Sports Chicago with replays on Saturday morning at 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.
No. 12 Morgan Park vs. No. 2 Bogan, 5:00 p.m. -- Conference rivals play in the first Public League Playoff semifinal. These two teams played on Nov. 3 with the Bengals taking a 71-68 decision over the Mustangs. Morgan Park (18-8, 6-2) is coming off of a massive road win in the quarterfinals over Whitney Young as Adam Miller stepped up with his play. Junior Brandon Weston and senior guard Marcus Watson (Wake Forest) are two more key players to watch for the Mustangs. Bogan (23-2, 8-1) counters with red-hot senior guard Antoine Bloxton as he had 41 in the quarterfinals. Guard Kyndall Davis is another major threat on the wing as the Bengals have options all over the floor.
No. 1 Curie vs. No. 9 Simeon, 7:00 p.m. -- The second matchup in the Public League Playoff semifinals is another conference rematch. The Condors (24-1, 8-0) escaped with a 67-66 in on Dec. 19. Senior Ramean Hinton is the most talented offensive player on a balanced group. But can Curie overcome the rematch without head coach Mike Oliver on the sidelines? The defending city champions have been strong so far. Simeon (20-8, 7-2) has an eight-game winning streak as they've turned things around after a sluggish start. Senior Jeremiah Williams is taking over games and junior Ahmad Bynum is a major scoring threat. The Wolverines also have numerous role players who have stepped up lately.
Oswego at Oswego East, 6:30 p.m. -- A rivalry showdown in the SouthWest Prairie West. Oswego East (17-9, 10-3) is led by senior Sam Schultz and guard Will Wolfe as they dropped a tough one to York last week. Oswego (18-6, 8-4) is trying to stop a two-game losing streak while also avenging a loss at home to Oswego East on Dec. 10.
DeKalb at Waubonsie Valley, 7:00 p.m. -- Two of the DuPage Valley's best teams battle in this one. DeKalb (21-6, 7-0) has quietly put together an unbeaten start in a tough league as they won the first matchup at home on Dec. 20. Waubonsie Valley (22-4, 4-3) recently fell out of the Power Rankings by losing two out of three, including a buzzer-beating loss to Neuqua Valley. Marcus Skeete and Ben Schwieger are a strong duo for the Warriors.
No. 19 Fenwick at No. 10 DePaul Prep, 7:00 p.m. -- The Catholic League Blue is a tight race as we see two of the league's three best teams here. Fenwick (20-6, 10-2) is powered by junior forward Bryce Hopkins. The Louisville commit is a high-level scorer who can take over a game. DePaul Prep (21-3, 11-1) counters with junior guard TY Johnson as they try to stay tied with Loyola atop the conference standings.
Chicago Christian at Aurora Christian, 7:30 p.m. -- Metro Suburban Blue action gives us one to watch here. Chicago Christian (19-7, 7-3) has won five straight games to stay in the conference race. Aurora Christian (18-5, 7-2) has won three straight games by double digits as senior guard Taaj Davis is putting up some big numbers. The last time these two teams played on Jan. 11, Davis had 54 points in a double OT win for Aurora Christian.
VIEWERS' CHOICE GAME OF THE WEEK
DePaul Prep vs. Orr, 7:00 p.m. -- We take in some IHSA girls basketball state playoff action here. DePaul Prep is the No. 2 seed in the Orr Sectional with a blowout win over Josephinum in the regional semifinals. Orr won by double digits over Disney as the No. 3 seed Spartans hope to return home in sectional play with a win.