Michael O’Brien’s notebook: March 12, 2019

The new Welsh-Ryan is really nice. I’d heard some high praise but didn’t figure it would feel so entirely different from the old one. I’m ready to bring the state finals to Evanston!

Senior-led Evanston survives Stevenson in OT: For five months, as his Wildkits rolled through the regular season, then the Regionals, then the Sectionals, Ryan Bost’s mind has been focused on a town 170 miles southwest of Evanston.

Tuesday night, Bost booked his trip back. Read the story.

Trevon Hamilton’s clutch three beats Simeon, sends Curie to Peoria: Curie guard Trevon Hamilton took the game’s crucial shot with 20 seconds left and the Condors trailing Simeon by two points. It was a three and he was wide open. The ball hit the rim and then just rested on the flat part that connects to the backboard. The ball waited, the crowd and both teams held their breath. And then it went in, a full three seconds after Hamilton let it fly. Read the story.

Tuesday’s games

Rockford East 70, Geneva 62: Wins against Benet and York during the regular season certainly proved that Rockford East could handle a disciplined team. Geneva has more firepower than those teams, but it still wasn’t enough. Sincere Parker scored 27. Mitch Mascari led the Vikings with 21.

Belleville West 72, Bolingbrook 60: EJ Liddell scored 17 and the Maroons take care of business. Half of the Class 4A field in Peoria is the same as last year. Kam Leonard led Bolingbrook with 13 points. Curie is up next for Belleville West. What a showdown that will be in the semis.

Peoria Manual 69, Glenbard South 52: Anyone that saw the Rams at Pontiac would not have expected them to advance to the state semifinals. But Class 3A is wild! Rolando Brown dropped 33 points and eight rebounds. Tommy Powers led Glenbard South with 15 points.

East St. Louis 56, Springfield Southeast: The Flyers gave Curie all it could handle back in November, so no surprise they will be in Peoria this weekend. Terrence Hargrove scored 22 points. I’ve been waiting three years to watch him play, it might be the thing I’m most looking forward to this weekend.

Bogan 68, Normal U-High 53: The Bengals finally get to state. Jordan Booker scored 23.