After a whirlwind sectional final across the state, 32 teams are still playing basketball in Illinois.

Survive and move forward.

From the likely to the unpredictable, every team still standing is one win away from playing in this weekend’s state final in Champaign.

Here are glimpses of the upper zone supersections.

CLASS 4A

Young (24-9) vs. Kenwood (26-8) at UIC, 7

After splitting two regular season games, which team does the pendulum favor in this win or win matchup?

Kenwood defeated Young 69-64 in the Proviso West holiday tournament title match in December. Young bounced back with a 56-52 win in the City playoffs a month ago.

Kenwood’s backcourt, consisting of Trey Pettigrew and Darrin Ames, is dynamic. Young has a pair of 6-8 big men in AJ Casey and Xavier Amos that is creating lags and forcing Kenwood to play bigger than they want personnel-wise.

The supporting cast for both teams can also be spectacular at times.

Kenwood’s Davius ​​Loury is a versatile 6-7 threat who will be badly needed against Young’s size inside, while senior Darius Robinson is a sniper from the three-point line.

Young’s Marcus Pigram was a monster in a semi-final win over Riverside-Brookfield, while playmaker Dalen Davis’ play often seems to dictate the quality of the Dolphins’ play.

There are superior talents all over the field for both teams. But Young has shown a way to up the defensive intensity a few notches when it comes time to make a point over the past month.

Choice: Young 63, Kenwood 62

Barrington (27-4) v Glenbrook South (33-2) at Forest View, 7

You gotta love the senior combos that these two teams rely on so heavily and their will to win.

Glenbrook South’s Nick Martinelli and Cooper Noard are built for the big times and generate critical time buckets. They are one of the most productive tandems in the state.

Barrington’s unsung duo of Will Grudzinski and Daniel Hong hit the ground running and carried the Broncos to their first section title in 20 years.

But after playing a quality schedule and coming through a tough section, Glenbrook South are the most tried and tested team – and the heavy favorites here.

Pick: Glenbrook South 58, Barrington 49

Glenbard West (34-1) vs. Larkin (31-3) at NIU, 7:30 a.m.

Glenbard West, the best team in the state all season, has yet to be challenged in the playoffs.

And the Hilltoppers were unchallenged the first time these two met in January, claiming a 64-43 win. Glenbard West’s 1-3-1 gave Larkin’s guards all sorts of trouble in that first encounter. At least Larkin’s handsome perimeter trio Damari Wheeler-Thomas heading to North Dakota State, sophomores Jakob Blakley and Fernando Perez have already taken a close look at Glenbard West’s vaunted defense.

Braden Huff and Company Player of the Year, however, will be a daunting task for Larkin who has already set a school record for most wins in a season.

Pick: Glenbard West 68, Larkin 52

CLASS 3A

Simeon (27-5) vs. Lemont (27-7) at UIC, 6

The team with the best post-season history gets a chance to enter the state’s premier program.

The heavy postseason basketball circumstances weren’t too much for a young Lemont team, with the perimeter trio of second Nojus Indrusaitis and junior twin brothers Matas and Rokas Castillo.

Lemont won a tough section as the No. 4 seed, beating successively Marian Catholic, Hillcrest and Thornton to win its first section title since 1975.

Simeon, however, has the pesky defensive guards, including disruptive Aviyon Morris, and a big inside advantage with 6-8 Miles Brothers and Wesley Rubin.

The choice: Simeon 55, Lemont 50

St. Ignatius (22-12) vs. St. Patrick (23-10) at Hoffman Estates, 7

While Saint Ignatius was supposed to be there, Saint Patrick is somewhat of a surprise. But the Shamrocks’ upset 53-52 win over top-seeded Lake Forest has longtime coach Mike Bailey on the cusp of his first-ever trip to the state finals.

In the way stands former St. Ignatius and Bailey’s assistant for eight years, Matt Monroe.

St. Pat’s has won 10 of its last 11 games behind productive veteran Timaris Brown. The 6-4 senior is a big reason St. Patrick looks like a team that could play Champaign this weekend.

Plus, the Shamrocks have that giddy momentum — or charming playoff presence — after a triple overtime win over Carmel in the Divisional Semifinals and a one-point win over Lake Forest in the title game. of section.

The general consensus at the start of the season was that this was exactly where Saint-Ignace would be at this point. There are experienced talents, led by senior guard AJ Redd, and authentic weapons, including 6-4 junior Richard Barron.

Choice: St. Ignatius 51, St. Patrick 48

CLASS 2A

DePaul (25-5) vs. Leo (25-4) at Joliet Central, 7

These two fought for a Catholic League championship. While Leo won a league title, DePaul beat the Lions 48-38 a month ago. The stakes are raised in this rematch with the winner becoming Class 2A favorite this weekend in Champaign.

Led by Catholic League Player of the Year Jakeem Cole and Cam Cleveland, few teams enforce their will more or as consistently as Leo.

DePaul is brave and defensive again with an inside game problem for opponents in 6-9 Dylan Arnett.

Pick: DePaul 44, Leo 42