Record-Setting Win Sends Wildkits To First State Final Since 1984

EVANSTON, IL — The boys basketball team at Evanston Township High School advanced to a state championship game for first time since 1984 and the third time in school history with a 92-84 victory over Rockford East on Friday at Carver Arena in Peoria.

The Wildkits (32-4) will face defending IHSA Class 4A state champion Belleville West (33-4) at 7:15 p.m. Saturday.

The semifinal showdown between the 'Kits and the E-Rabs set Class 4A records for the most points in a game, most points in a quarter and most points in a half.

Sophomore guard Blake Peters was named player of the game as the game's top scorer with 27 points, sinking seven of his eight shots from beyond the three-point line and nearing his season high of 30. Senior guard Lance Jones scored 24 points with eight assists and five rebounds, and fellow senior guard Jaheim Holden added 15.

"It just comes down to performing and that’s what we did tonight," Peters told the Evanstonian.

Holden told the Chicago Tribune the Wildkits were ready to face Belleville West despite the team’s shorter stature, saying the championship would come down to toughness.

“I can say that we made a statement,” Holden said. “I think there’s going to be a bigger statement made [in the final.]"

In their second consecutive trip to the Final Four, the Wildkits improved upon last year's nine-point loss to Whitney Young in last year's semifinal.

ETHS has only won the state basketball tournament once, in 1968 under coach Jack Burmaster, according to the Daily Herald.

A viewing party begins at 7 p.m. at Beardsley Gym. There will be free pizza courtesy of student activities, according to the athletic department.

The game will also be broadcast on NBC Sports Chicago, which is also providing a live stream to subscribers.

Internet streams are also available from NFHS Network and WRHL-AM.

2019 #IHSA BOYS #BASKETBALL CLASS 4⃣A SEMIFINAL

Evanston
Rockford East

@ETHSWildkits advances to Saturday's 4A @IHSAState championship (7:15 PM)

@ETHSports Blake Peters (27 pts, 7-8 3s) named @hellocountry #PlayerOfTheGame pic.twitter.com/0g4frbLKYv
— IHSA State (@IHSAState) March 16, 2019