Weekend Watch: Simeon goes back-to-back

Two nationally-ranked teams pursuing the dream of back-to-back state titles went down Saturday night. A third completed the task and will be a favorite to three-peat in 2011-12.

National No. 11 Simeon (Chicago) limited Warren (Gurnee) to just 11 field goals in 32 minutes on 26.8 percent shooting in a 48-39 win in Illinois' Class 4A state title game. It was the second-straight championship for the alma mater of Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose.

The Wolverines received 12 points and five rebounds from star sophomore Jabari Parker and 10 points from senior Darrien Walker. In addition to Parker, Simeon also returns key contributors Steve Taylor, Kendrick Nunn and Jaleni Neely, which should fuel talk of a three-peat and possibly next year's preseason national No. 1 ranking.

Not one, but two, nationally-ranked teams fell in Indiana's Class 4A semifinals, including defending champion North Central (Indianapolis). The Panthers saw their repeat bid end against Bloomington South, 76-66. Xavier signee Dee Davis poured in 31 points for South.



No. 14 Munster was the other victim in the Hoosier State, falling 47-44 to Kokomo. A late shot by D.J. Balentine ended a magical unbeaten run for the Mustangs.

In California, traditional powers Mater Dei (Santa Ana) and De La Salle (Concord) will meet next weekend in Sacramento for the Division I state title after regional final wins Saturday night. The surprise news in the Golden State, however, was Summit (Fontana) stunning defending champion and national No. 5 Lincoln (San Diego) in the Division II regional finals.

Xcellent 25 state tournament scoreboard

California Division I regional finals
No. 13 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 76, No. 23 Centennial (Corona) 64
De La Salle (Concord) 49, Castro Valley 43
* Mater Dei will face De La Salle in Division I final next Saturday

California Division II regional finals
Summit (Fontana) 74, No. 5 Lincoln (San Diego) 69

Illinois Class 4A championship game
No. 11 Simeon (Chicago) 48, Glenbard East (Lombard) 39

Indiana Class 4A semifinals
Kokomo 47, No. 14 Munster 44
Bloomington South (Bloomington) 76, No. 25 North Central (Indianapolis) 66
* Kokomo will meet Bloomington South in Class 4A final next Saturday



New Jersey Tournament of Champions semifinals
Friday – No. 1 St. Anthony (Jersey City) 55, Central (Newark) 39
Friday – Plainfield 50, St. Augustine Prep (Richland) 40
* St. Anthony faces Plainfield for Tournament of Champions title Monday night