As for upsets at Regionals . . . I guess I'll give some insight bc why not? First off, I wish every team good luck. Note that I have seen upsets happen, and it looks like there will be a few this year. With that being said . . .TheChiScientist wrote: ↑Wed Feb 19, 2020 11:14 am And now the race for state begins...
Any predictions for regional upsets and top 10 at state?
Oakton: I'll be paying close attention to this one. [Division C] New Trier will be the victor here. According to the tournament's website, there are only 3 more bids after that. There could be 5 total bids if they're polite, but it's hard to say with only 12 teams. If there's only 4 bids, then that means we'll have Glenbrook South, Niles West, Niles North, and Loyola once again competing for those 3 spots (the other teams should not be underestimated either **Hinsdale South, British International, St. Ignatius). It's important to note that the only once-public scores for both Niles North and Loyola were from Palatine (which isn't up anymore). So a lot could've happened since then. Glenbrook South seems to be reemerging after state last year. Niles West seems solid as always, but they should not go into Oakton thinking its a done deal. No matter what the outcome is, an upset is bound to happen. Needless to say, this race looks tight. [Division B] This will also be very competitive. Once again, there's a clear front runner. After that, I'm just gonna have to see what happens because it's a fight for the other 5 spots. Looking at the roster, there are way more than just 5 teams that have potential to qualify for state.
Lake: [Division C] This is the other one that's hard to predict. Stevenson is locked. I think Huntley and Lake Forest Academy are next, followed by Warren and Libertyville. the 6th spot is where the upset will be. I haven't seen Grayslake North's score since Conant, a competition I was expecting them to place higher at. Loyola scores aren't up, so I'm not sure how good they are right now. There's potential for specifically Grayslake Central, Prairie Ridge, and Cary Grove to pull an upset (or other teams under the radar). We'll see! [Division B] Daniel Wright and SAA will take the top 2. There's 2 more left after that. This will most likely be Grayslake and Frederick, but Glencoe Central is not a bad team. Sure, they did not qualify past Harper last year, but I think there is potential here for an upset given Frederick and (especially) Grayslake don't seem to be quite as strong as they were last season.
Neuqua Valley: [Division C] Neuqua Valley is the front runner here. Following that are 4 specific teams: IMSA, Metea Valley, Waubonsie Valley, and Naper Valley. I have no idea what the order will be among those teams. I will admit that the margin between Waubonsie Valley and teams such as Oswego East and Joliet West is closing in on them more than I'm comfortable admitting. What follows is the opposite of an upset, because there's a 6th slot that will go to a new team. It's always good to see that! I thought this would easily go to Joliet West based off the scores in the beginning of the season, but Oswego East did place ahead of them at their own invite. I think it'll be between those two teams, and schools such as OPRF could pull this one off as well. [Division B] What the heck? This regional is HUGE! I haven't seen a bigger regional since I was a freshman in high school! I think Hawthorn North will get first, and then it will be South, Kennedy, Quest Academy, and Wilmette/Highcrest (please do not ask me to order those teams, it's nearly impossible). It's here that, once again, we'll see new teams make it! I was at Neuqua Valley's invitation in December, and I was surprised by how well the local teams performed. Look out for Gregory, Scullen, and Granger (you heard it here first). This puts Bednarcik, who placed 3rd in Division A last year, in a very vulnerable position. I think this is a potential upset.
Harper: [Division C] We saw two upsets here last year (which led to an alternate state qualification). There's 6 spots. U of C Lab will qualify, and I think next is Conant, Hersey (*noticeably improved since last year, good job), Crystal Lake Central, and Palatine. The last spot could go to Prospect if they play their cards right, maybe even Crystal Lake South. However, Barrington does tend to improve by Regionals. I'll admit when I'm wrong, and last season I was. I did not think Barrington would qualify last year. But they did! Given New Trier isn't there and there's more bids this time around, I can see this team taking the last spot as well. [Division B] I think Twin Groves, Park View, and Woodland will be the Top 3 here. Like with Neuqua Valley Division C, a new school will fill the 4th spot!
DuPage: [Division C] Lisle is performing very well this season, so I think there's a "safe" top 5 that will take the available bids. Don't underestimate York, Fox Valley, and especially Benet on taking 5th. [Division B] There seems to be 5 teams at first glance that will make it by a safe margin. The 6th slot is open, and I think St. Petronille or Bryan (maybe Gower and Springman) will be the ones who take this.
Rock Valley: You thought I wasn't going to give my opinion on this one! Well I have a couple thoughts. [Division C] Someone has to tell me how this regional shrunk so significantly within just a couple of years. I could recall when there were 6 bids from this regional. Now, there's only 3! The demographics in the past couple of years have made Harlem and Belvidere North at the front of the pack. It's then between Rockford Christian and Rockford Auburn. Auburn had a good run at Joliet West, so I'm going to place my cards here. I do think Rockford Christian and Durand can make it. I also think that an alternate bid could open up at this regional, so be on the look out. [Division B] The only main difference here is that there's one less bid than last season. Rockford Christian looks very strong after placing first in Divison A last season, so they will probably place 1st again and compete in AA at state. Eastview and Abbott are next, and then there are 3 more spots. The middle school teams that qualify here often change every year, so it's a toss-up.
As for the Regionals at IIT, Parkland, Southern IL, and Western IL, I don't see much changing. I am interested to see how well Walter Payton, Whitney Young, and Northside will perform. Additionally, I'll be looking specifically at University Lab and Mahomet Seymour, as I think they underperformed last year at state and thus could reemerge - I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Edwardsville easily placed 1st last year at Southern IL, and I'm curious to see if they're able to build more off of that. Again, I don't see any potential upsets among these 4.
So that was a lot more than I anticipated, congrats if you read the whole thing! I think I have mentioned every potential regional upset, but please let me know if I missed any other scenario. I can't think of any others, but I'm interested in what you guys think. With that being said, if you don't mind, I think I'm going to take a break from typing. Catch me once regional scores start rolling in.
