Kenwood was the best team in the state all season. As long as Al Brooks Jr. wasn’t on the court.
Rich’s long and athletic senior had 27 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and two blocks as the Raptors upset No. 1 Kenwood 70-65 in overtime in the Class 4A UIC supersectional on Monday.
“I’m just a dog,” Seals said. “I’m on attack mode. If someone can’t guard me I’m going to keep attacking and I didn’t think they could guard me so I kept attacking.”
Kenwood’s only other loss this season was in late December to Rich.
“Al Brooks,” Broncos coach Joseph Mason said. “He showed why he is one of the better seniors in the state. He dominated the game, which we didn’t want him to do. Best of luck to them at state. I hope they win it all.”
Rich (25-8), which is the combined team of the two high schools in the Rich Township district, last had a team advance to state in 1986. That was Kendall Gill’s Rich Central, which lost in the championship game to King.
“We are going to enjoy it,” Raptors coach Lou Adams said. “The community is on fire.”
Junior Jayden Williams stepped up and scored five points in overtime. He finished with 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.
“Jayden Williams is special,” Adams said. “People don’t know how good he is. Probably one of the best players in the state. He’s 63-64 and athletic, can handle the ball.”
Junior guard Jamson Coulter chipped in with 17 points for Rich, which out-rebounded Kenwood 35-30.
Kenwood (31-2) led 61-59 in the final minute of regulation but missed three free throws in the final 23 seconds. Brooks’ rebound and basket just before the buzzer sent the game to overtime.
“Defense was the key in overtime,” Williams said. “We contained their best players. It was the toughness at the end. Nobody can outrun us. That’s why we are the only team in the state that can beat Kenwood.”
Senior Amari Edwards led Kenwood with 23 points. Junior Damari Stephens added 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench and sophomore Devin Cleveland finished with 14 points.
“It’s always the little things,” Mason said. “We missed a lot of free throws down the stretch. Gave up a lot of offensive rebounds.”
Kenwood won its first city championship this season. The Broncos have never advanced to the state finals. Mason stepped in as interim coach shortly before the season began.
“It was truly a great experience,” Mason said. “I’m blessed and humbled to be able to coach these guys.”
Rich will face Warren, a 60-48 winner against Rolling Meadows, in the state semifinals on Friday in Champaign.
“We knew we had the team to do this,” Adams said. “We ran into some problems but we always knew we had the team. It’s go time now.”