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The IHSA will be hoping this weekend's Class 3A and 4A boys basketball state tournaments are devoid of the controversy that has marred last Saturday's 2A title-game win by Harrisburg over Seton Academy.
An opportunity for history to be made could bring some welcome attention back to the Peoria Civic Center when the big schools are finished late Saturday night. Simeon and Duke-bound star Jabari Parker are trying to match the state record of four straight titles set by Peoria Manual and Sergio McClain from 1994-97.
But, as always, there are plenty of other intriguing storylines as we enter the sixth year of four-class basketball. So, let's get on with our sixth year of tourney predictions, starting with Class 4A.
Class 4A
Proviso East (29-3) vs. Simeon (28-3), 6:30 p.m. Friday: It would have been fun to see these two battle again for a state title after Simeon held on for a 50-48 victory to hand Proviso East its only loss last year. These are two of the top programs in state history as Simeon looks to add to its state record title total of six and Proviso East has won four.
Proviso East also rolls into the rematch with 19 straight wins since an 82-57 loss to 3A finalist Morgan Park in the Proviso West Holiday Tournament. Second-year coach Donnie Boyce would like to bring back the title he won as a player in 1991 as part of the "Three Amigos" with Michael Finley and assistant coach Sherrel Ford.
The balanced Pirates are led by 6-foot-5 Southern Methodist recruit Sterling Brown (12.7 ppg, 11 rpg, 5 apg) and Illinois State-bound guard Paris Lee (10.4 ppg, 5.5 apg). Junior guard Jevon Carter (13.1 ppg, 56 3-pointers) and Branden Jenkins (10.8 ppg) are also dangerous.
But the scary part for the Pirates is Simeon and the 6-8 Parker, who had to work his way back into shape after suffering a fractured right foot, have been playing some of their best basketball the last month. Parker (18.3 ppg, 11 rpg) has displayed his Mr. Basketball form of a year ago and when he does that, there's little chance of stopping him and his teammates.
Illinois fans are encouraged about the guard duo of Kendrick Nunn (15 ppg)...