Deerfield challenges East St. Louis, but loses 3A state championship
CHAMPAIGN — Every November, it is likely that most players on most high school basketball teams believe that if things break right they could win the state championship. The optimism of youth.
Deerfield certainly believed. Seniors Jake Pollack and Evan Nagler have stated it multiple times. And the Warriors had a much more realistic chance than most teams. Several high-quality teams in the Deerfield's region moved up to Class 4A this season and the path to Champaign was clear. The Warriors were ranked in the preseason Super 25 and most knowledgeable fans understood they would be a significant factor in the 3A.
But no one outside of the team really believed the Warriors could win the state title. Kankakee was too loaded. Kaneland had almost everyone back from last season and was undefeated all the way to Champaign. And mighty East St. Louis, the overwhelming favorite, was always looming.
Deerfield made everyone into believers on Saturday at State Farm Center. Pollack and Nagler and the rest of the Warriors played the Flyers down to the wire before losing 52-46.
Pollack, a Dartmouth recruit, fouled out with 10.6 seconds left. He finished with 15 points and five rebounds. Nagler scored 13 for Deerfield (25-12).
"I have truly been honored to serve this town," Pollack said. "The support has been like no other. We appreciate it so much. It has been a surreal experience to be able to perform and bring so many people together. When you are doing it for so many people that care so much there is nothing like it."
Penn State recruit Jamison White led East St. Louis (33-4) with 19 points and 17 rebounds. White was a major force at the rim with multiple tip ins of Flyers' misses. Alex Johnson added 14 points for the Flyers.
"He is a talented athlete," Pollack said. "I could have done a better job fighting but at the same time if you make it a jumping contest that is not what we are trying to do. I missed a few box outs early. He’s a great player."
East St. Louis came flying out of the gate, overwhelming Deerfield with pressure and turning multiple turnovers into easy baskets. But the Warriors found their footing in the second quarter and trailed 29-22 at halftime.
"They are just so lethal in transition," Nagler said. "We had to slow it down and for three quarters we did a pretty good job of that. But ultimately we still came up short."
Nagler heated up and Deerfield outplayed East St. Louis in the third quarter, cutting the Flyers' lead to 37-36 on a layup from Nagler with 43 seconds left.
White, the son of former NBA player Jahidi White, transferred from St. Louis Chaminade to East St. Louis in June.
"I couldn’t get it done the last two years [in Missouri],” White said. “I decided to come over here. A change, a fresh start. [East St. Louis coach Mark Chambers] was a good fit for me. I needed somebody to get on me. We ran with it and we ended up here."
The Warriors cut the deficit to two points a few times in the fourth quarter, but that was as close as it would get.
"They have a fight in them," Deerfield coach Dan McKendrick said of his team. "They have a heart and they had it the whole year. Some things you can’t coach. You are hoping that they have it. And this group, from our senior leaders to a freshman, they’ve got it. They played with great poise."
This was the first trip to the state finals for Deerfield. East St. Louis won the Class 3A championship in 2019.
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