Mounds Meridian and Benton will play Saturday for their respective State Tournament titles after semifinal wins yesterday at the State Farm Center.
The Bobcats won their 1a semifinal over Chicago Hope Academy 68-60. 18-year-old freshman Antonio Flenoid Jr was the difference. He shot 10-of-15 from the field on his way to 24 points to go along with 12 rebounds, including 8 on the offensive end. Jai’Deon Reed added 15 and Will Thurston 11. Hope was led by Tyjuan Hunter with 18 and Josh Dillon 12. The Bobcats will play for the 1a state title Saturday morning at 11am against West Central who knocked off Aurora Christian 70-65. The 3rd place game last night saw Hope Academy nip Aurora 44-43.
The Benton Rangers will play for the 2a state title after their 50-42 win over Byron. Isaac Billington led the Rangers with 18 points, Docker Tedeschi added 14 points and 10 rebounds to go along with 6 blocked shots and 4 assists. Carson Buser led Byron with 16 and Ryan Tucker added 10. Benton will play at 1pm tomorrow for the 2a state title against Chicago Phillips who beat Williamsville 60-56. In the 3rd place game last night Byron beat Williamsville 62-48.
