Michael O’Brien’s notebook: March 7, 2018

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Terrence Shannon fouls out late in the fourth quarter against Young. |Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

It actually seemed like Lincoln Park was going to pull off the upset again tonight and beat Young. The Lions clearly came in confident, having beaten the Dolphins earlier in the year.

Their hopes just slipped away when star senior Terrence Shannon fouled out with three minutes to play. Who knows what happens if Shannon finishes the game?

Lincoln Park coach Pat Gordon was pretty sure his team would have won.

Read all about Young vs. Lincoln Park.

A big two days coming up. Tomorrow afternoon I’ll reveal the 2018 Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year and the All-Area Team.

Then Friday is my favorite night of the year. Huge playoff games and the last night of the season in high school gyms. The full schedule follows tonight’s games.

Tonight’s top games

CLASS 4A

Rockford Jefferson 77, Dundee-Crown 48: The Fox Valley Cinderella squad had a nice run. Jack Orndahl led the Chargers with 20 points. That sets up a sectional final of Jefferson vs. Larkin. The two teams played way back in the first week of the season, Jefferson won 69-58.

Marist 61, Homewood-Flossmoor 47: The RedHawks took care of business nicely in this one. Morgan Taylor scored 23. Simeon is next. Great playoff run for the young Vikings, this experience will be huge for them next season.

West Aurora 70, Lincoln-Way East 58: Cam Donatlan and Jared Crutcher were in some foul trouble early but battled through it. The Blackhawks take on Bolingbrook in the sectional final. Not quite sure where I’m going yet but that should be a really great game.

New Trier 77, Niles North 72 2 OT: Well this game was something. Hearing the Vikings looked unbeatable in the first half and then it all slowly fell apart. This sets up a massive New Trier vs. Evanston rivalry sectional final game. Oh boy.

CLASS 3A

North Lawndale 58, Crane 38: The Phoenix roll into the sectional final against Farragut. That should be an excellent game on Friday at Little Village.

North Chicago 73, Carmel 61: I’ve been kinda high on the Warhawks’ chances in Class 3A all season and they are living up to that. Can’t say I expected them to pull this win out though. Tyrek Cooper, one of the area’s best shooters, scored 23. Next up is DePaul Prep.

Rockford Boylan 51, St. Francis 47: A really great run for St. Francis ends.

Kankakee 72, Rich East 71: Chris Pickett has done a heck of a job down in Kankakee this season. TJ Wicks, the junior big man, can really influence a game. Corey Tharpe led the way with 23 points. I have a feeling the Kays can give Marian Catholic a battle on Friday.

Friday’s schedule

CLASS 4A

Sectional finals in bracket order

PEKIN

Belleville West vs. Moline, 7

ROMEOVILLE

Bolingbrook vs. West Aurora, 7

JACOBS

Larkin vs. Rockford Jefferson, 7

GLENBARD EAST

Willowbrook vs. Benet, 7

LAKE ZURICH

Lake Zurich vs. Barrington, 7

MAINE EAST

Evanston vs. New Trier, 7

THORNTON

Simeon vs. Marist, 7

RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD

Curie vs. Young, 7

CLASS 3A

ST. LAURENCE

Morgan Park vs. Bogan, 7

LITTLE VILLAGE

Farragut vs. North Lawndale, 6

LASALLE-PERU

Sterling vs. Metamora, 7

PONTIAC

Marian Catholic vs. Kankakee, 7

CENTRALIA

Marion vs. East St. Louis, 7

DECATUR EISENHOWER

Springfield Lanphier vs. Springfield Southeast, 7

NORTH CHICAGO

DePaul Prep vs. North Chicago, 7

WOODSTOCK NORTH

Burlington Central vs. Rockford Boylan, 7

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