Shaun Livingston made eleven of 16 from the field and four of six from the free throw line. He added six assists and four rebounds. Livingston, who is considered a top ten junior, transferred from Peoria Richwoods. He is one of two top transfers for the Lions. Brandon Lee, who switched schools after his dad, Fred Lee, resigned as an assistant coach at Manual last spring, just became eligible after missing the first three games of the season. Lee finished with 15 on five of seven shooting from the field and he was five of six from the stripe. 5-10 senior guard Daniel Ruffin added eleven points.
Peoria Central is the oldest high school in Illinois and was the first ever state basketball champion in 1908. They finished 19-9 and improved to 4-1 with the win.
DeSmet Jesuit was led by 6-6 junior David Ward, who scored 24 points on 11 of 16 shooting. He also grabbed eleven boards. 6-2 guard Blake Ahearn, who signed with Southwest Missouri State, finished with 18 points after scoring only three in the first half. He made three three-pointers and dished five assists. Mike Kalicak, who made two free throws to tie the score at 58-58 in regulation with 58 seconds left, added eleven points and eight boards.
DeSmet Jesuit, who returns four starters, was 26-5 last season and lost to St. Louis Vashon in the state finals.