In the IHSA Class 3A Antioch Sectional Complex, the clear top 4 teams are North Chicago, Grayslake Central, Chicago Senn, and Lakes – probably in that order.
The four regionals will be played at Vernon Hills, Grayslake North, Fenton in faraway Bensenville, and Guerin High in even farther away River Grove.
North Chicago surely would like to play its regional at either Grayslake North or Vernon Hills for many reasons -- familiarity with the gyms and fan accessibility being two of them.
However, the Grayslake North site won’t happen for the Hawks as Grayslake Central will be sent there for sure unless the No. 7 seed happens to be Vernon Hills, Fenton or Guerin.
That’s because the IHSA sends the Nos. 1-8, 2-7, 3-6 and 4-5 seeds to the same regional site, unless it’s impossible because of who is hosting.
So, Grayslake Central, as the No. 2, will go to Grayslake North unless either Vernon Hills, Fenton, or Guerin turns out to be the No. 7. Then, the Rams will go there.
But, if Grayslake Central doesn’t go to Grayslake North, then surely Lakes High will as it is right up the road from Grayslake North. If Lakes goes to Grayslake North as the No. 4 seed, it will take the No. 5 seed with it, leaving North Chicago to play in a regional at either Fenton or Guerin.
To keep that from happening, North Chicago needs Vernon Hills to be no higher than a No. 8 seed in the sectional. If Vernon Hills is a No. 8, it takes the No. 1 (North Chicago) with it to the regional automatically. If Vernon Hills is a No. 9-21 seed, North Chicago will go to Vernon Hills because it’s the closest gym to the No. 1 seed.
Complicated? Sure. But the general rule is this: When North Chicago seeds the 20 other teams for the Antioch Sectional Complex a week from Wednesday, it would be smart to seed Vernon Hills as LOW as possible … like maybe a No. 20 … even though the team’s .500 record this season doesn’t warrant it.
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