When the seedings were announced for the IHSA Class 3A Anticoh Sectional boys basketball tournament, the smile on North Chicago coach “King” Coleman’s face had to be “King” size, so to speak.
The pairings could not have worked out better for the Warhawks, who were the obvious choice as the No. 1 seed in the 21-team sectional.
The key to the whole thing from North Chicago’s point of view was Vernon Hills getting the No. 8 seed.
Since the IHSA always puts the Nos. 1-8 seeds in the same regional, and because Vernon Hills is hosting a regional this year, North Chicago will play its first two tournament games in a nearby gym that the players are familiar with and the fans can get to.
Vernon Hills is an easy drive from North Chicago … especially when there’s no snow on the ground.
The other big bonus for the King was that Chicago Senn got the No. 4 seed, and that Grayslake Central and Lakes drew the Nos. 2-3 spots.
That means, in the Antioch Sectional, Grayslake Central and Lakes will have to play each other in the semifinals while North Chicago draws Senn in a very winnable game.
The Antioch Sectional winner, by the way, will likely play Chicago Marshall at the big new arena in Hoffman Estates in the Round of 8 super-sectional.
Expect the King to have his club playing there that night.
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