When the IHSA sectional seeds are revealed, there are expectations attached to them.
While the matchup between the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds in any tournament format is often assumed to be as close to a toss-up as possible, the assumption is the top four seeds will advance through regional play and collide in the sectional semis.
But those lower-seeded teams are feeling less pressure in the regionals, typically playing loose and with nothing to lose. Here are the most dangerous teams seeded outside the top five in this week’s regional play.
No. 6 Oswego (22-9)
Be wary: No. 3 Bolingbrook
The Panthers not only finished strong and have a bonafide go-to player in sophomore Ethan Vahl (21.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg 3.2 apg), but they’ll be playing the regional on their home floor.
First up is Plainfield East. Then it’s a tall task: Bolingbrook, which beat the Panthers handily in January, 83-60. But that’s one of just two losses a much-improved Oswego suffered in the final 16 games of the regular season.
No. 6 Riverside-Brookfield (23-7)
Be wary: No. 3 Young
R-B must first take care of a tough No. 11 seed, Simeon, in the regional semis before getting a shot at Young.
The Bulldogs have played well in the second half of the season with the wins piling up while grabbing a share of the Upstate Eight East. They are an impressive 15-2 since late December, including wins over Lyons and Glenbard East.
Senior guard Cameron Mercer (21 ppg) is a seasoned threat at both ends of the floor.
No. 7 St. Francis (13-14)
Be wary: No. 1 Joliet Catholic
After playing a rugged Catholic League schedule, this is an extremely menacing low-seeded team in Class 3A.
The Spartans are laying in the weeds with their 13-14 record. But Tanner Hozian (10 ppg) and Carter Clark (8 ppg) have provided a steady senior hand, and 6-7 junior Ben Whorlow (12 ppg, 8 rpg) has emerged in recent weeks, averaging 16 points in the last 10 games.
No. 9 Lyons (22-6)
Be wary: No. 8 Oak Lawn and No. 1 Curie
This could be the most dangerous low-seed in regional play. Lyons just popped into the Super 25 rankings for the first time this week at No. 21 after winning its 11th straight game.
Led by Grant Smith (17 ppg), Nate Woods (12 ppg), Owen Carroll and Timmy Sloan, they have enough size, shooting and talent to put a scare into anyone. That includes top-seeded Curie in a potential regional final Friday night.
No. 9 Rich (17-12)
Be wary: No. 7 Thornwood and No. 2 Marist
The record is deceiving. And it’s a much scarier team than even a few weeks ago.
The Raptors finished the regular season strong, winning six of their last seven, after playing a grueling schedule that included current ranked teams Benet, H-F, Kenwood, Glenbard East, Lyons and Kankakee twice.
Rich is playing on its home floor, have already beaten regional semifinal foe Thornwood twice and just recently welcomed back senior star guard Jameson Coulter for the first time all season.
Coulter, who has averaged 17 points a game in five games, has provided a boost to a team that’s relied on extreme balance and depth with a host of contributors, led by senior Kavon Ammons (16 ppg), Jahmir Brown (8 ppg), TJ Eaton (8 ppg), Amari Winters, Jonathan Booker and Jeremiah Weatherford.