Good Morning, Illini Nation: Prep postseason update
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Welcome to "Good Morning, Illini Nation," your daily dose of college basketball news from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey. He'll offer up insights every morning on Brad Underwood's team and college basketball at large:
Illinois fans with an open Friday night might be interested in making the trip to Calumet City to see future Illini Morez Johnson Jr. try and lead Thornton to a Class 3A regional title. The Wildcats (26-4) are set to face Crete-Monee at 7 p.m. at T.F. North with the regional championship on the line. Thornton crushed Bremen 77-28 on Wednesday in semifinal action behind nine points, 15 rebounds, five assists and two blocks from Johnson.
Thornton beat Crete-Monee twice during the regular season in Southland Athletic Conference action, including a 20-point win just 10 days ago. Johnson had 10 points, 15 rebounds, seven blocks, three assists and two steals in that game. The consensus four-star recruit is averaging 17.5 points, 14.3 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 3.5 assists and 2.7 steals so far this season.
Fellow future Illini big man Jason Jakstys saw his senior season end Wednesday in a 64-53 loss to West Aurora in a Class 4A regional semifinal. Jakstys finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and two assists.
The third member of Illinois' 2024 recruiting class, The Branson School (Calif.) guard Jase Butler, is set to play Saturday in the third-place game of the North Coast Section Open Division. The Bulls lost 62-54 in the semifinals Wednesday to De La Salle (Calif.), with Butler leading the way with 14 points.
The Branson School won the North Coast Section D-III title the past two seasons and was promoted to the higher-level Open Division for this season's playoffs. The Bulls beat Clayton Valley Charter in the quarterfinals behind 20 points from Butler.
