High School Lites has a fun show this week as we feature a lot of unique conference battles throughout Chicagoland.
We'll check in with the boys basketball regular season as we have games from the Catholic League Blue, MSL West and CSL South to name a few. On the girls side, our Viewers' Choice checks in on a Class 3A matchup.
High School Lites airs at 11 p.m. on Friday night on NBC Sports Chicago.
Oswego East at Plainfield North, 6:30 p.m. -- This could be a fascinating game in the Southwest Prairie West. Oswego East (18-10, 11-3) currently leads the league behind seniors Sam Schultz and Will Wolfe. But the Wolves lost to Plainfield North at home on Dec. 13 as they try to avenge that earlier loss. Plainfield North (19-7, 10-4) comes in as one of the area's hottest teams. Winners of 11 straight games -- including two in OT -- the Tigers are playing great ball down the stretch.
Andrew at Lincoln-Way Central, 6:30 p.m. -- We check out a SouthWest Suburban Red matchup here. Lincoln-Way Central (22-7, 6-0) is riding a seven-game winning streak, including a close win over Southland earlier this week. Andrew (15-10, 5-2) has three straight wins of their own as they knocked off Bradley-Bourbonnais during the week. Lincoln-Way Central won the first matchup between these two teams on Feb. 4.
No. 13 Glenbrook South at No. 7 Evanston, 7:00 p.m. -- The top two teams in the CSL South play for the conference's top spot. Glenbrook South (26-3, 9-0) established a school record for wins with its victory over Conant on Tuesday night. The Titans are led by likely All-Area forward Dom Martinelli as they won the first matchup of these teams in the Titan Dome on January 30. Evanston (24-4, 8-1) lost a tough non-conference game to Kenwood earlier this week. But the Wildkits have a chance to bounce back and claim a share of the conference title with a win.
Naperville Central at Waubonsie Valley, 7:00 p.m. -- High School Lites gets a glimpse of two talented DuPage Valley Conference teams in this one. Waubonsie Valley (25-4, 5-3) has won three straight games and appears to be finding its stride after dropping out of the Preps Power Rankings. Senior Marcus Skeete continues to lead the charge as the Warriors have recent strong wins over DeKalb and on the road at Oswego East. Naperville Central (19-9, 5-3) is led by seniors Chris Conway (Oakland) and Cameron Dougherty.
Marengo at Woodstock North, 7:00 p.m. -- The two best teams in the Kishwaukee River play here. Woodstock North (17-11, 7-2) earned a win over Richmond-Burton earlier this week for a new school record. The Thunder kept it close the last time these two teams played with a 51-48 loss on Feb. 4. Marengo (25-3, 9-0) has quietly dominated that area this season, amassing a huge win total and unbeaten mark in the conference. With six straight wins, Marengo is rolling into the playoffs on a high note.
No. 20 Loyola at No. 19 Fenwick, 7:00 p.m. -- The Catholic League Blue division title is decided in this one. The Ramblers (25-4, 13-1) have already clinched at least a share of the conference title following an impressive win over DePaul Prep earlier this week. Loyola remains one of the top defensive teams in the area led by a balanced group that includes Bennett and Jordan Kwicinski. Fenwick (23-6, 12-2) beat the Rams last Friday to stay in the conference race as they need a win to tie Loyola here. The Friars are led by junior forward Bryce Hopkins (Louisville) and sophomore guard Trey Pettigrew.
East Aurora at Streamwood, 7:00 p.m. -- Some action from the Upstate Eight here. East Aurora (20-9, 14-2) has won six of its last seven as they're in the conference title mix with Glenbard South. Streamwood (15-12, 10-6) has won three of four as they fell to the Tomcats by two points in late Janury.
Riverside-Brookfield at Aurora Christian, 7:30 p.m. -- We see two top teams in the Metro Suburban Blue as the Bulldogs try to clinch the conference title. Riverside-Brookfield (19-8, 9-2) has run off eight straight wins as the Bulldogs are getting hot at the right time. Senior Paul Zilinskas is one to watch for R-B in this one. Aurora Christian (19-6, 8-3) is trying to keep pace with R-B in the standings after a solid win over IC Catholic on Tuesday. The Eagles are led by senior guard Taaj Davis, as he just committed to junior college powerhouse Vincennes last week. R-B won the first matchup between these two teams with a tight 63-59 win on Feb. 4.
Palatine at Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. -- The MSL West could get decided in this one. Palatine (18-11, 7-2) has won three of their last four as the Pirates are led by junior center Julian Campbell. Schaumburg (22-6, 7-2) will attempt to match Campbell on the inside with junior big man Chris Hodges as the Wisconsin commit is having a strong season. The Saxons claimed the first game between these two teams on the road on Jan. 10 with a 69-60 road win. But Schaumburg will have to shake off a loss to Cary-Grove from earlier this week.
VIEWERS CHOICE GAME OF THE WEEK
GIRLS: Noble ITW/Speer at Trinity, 7:00 p.m. -- The No. 4 and No. 5 seed in the Class 3A Fenwick Sectional battle for a regional title here. Noble ITW earned a regional quarterfinal victory with a decisive 30-point win over Lake View. Trinity won by forfeit over Senn to advance as they get homecourt advantage.