The 3A Illinois State Championship matched up East St. Louis up against Deerfield at the State Farm Center in Champaign. This game featured a high-level matchup in the front court with East St. Louis’ Jamsion White, a Penn State commit versus Deerfield’s Jake Pollack, a Dartmouth commit.

East St. Louis had an early 9-0 run in the game behind Alex Johnson and used that to have a majority of the game. Deerfield was able to take a 1-point lead in the second quarter, but East St. Louis quickly retook the lead and had it the rest of the way. While Deerfield was able to get it all the way down to 1 late in regulation, they could never get it any closer as East St. Louis always had an answer. They finished it off 52-46 to win the Illinois 3A state championship.

Alex Johnson – 2026 – SG – East St. Louis

The stellar play of Johnson in Champaign continued in this one as he was key in both the semifinals and this championship game wins. He got off to a big start being a key part of his teams early 9-0 run. This included a pair of steals which he turned into transition baskets of his as well as a tip in. This helped he finish the game with 14 points. Which also included a pair of threes made in the second quarter. Much more than just a scorer, the energetic 6’3” guard is an extremely tough on ball defender.

Evan Nagler – 2026 – G – Deerfield

After scoring just 2 points in the first half Nagler put together a big second half where he scored 11 points even under a ton of defensive pressure. While he was not his normal effectiveness from three, he did shoot a perfect 5-5 from inside the arc. The skilled guard heated up in the third quarter where he hit a step back jumper. Then he had back-to-back buckets which included an and one play in transition off his own steal followed by a driving basket to cut the deficit all the way down to 1.

Jake Pollack – 2026 – PF – Deerfield

Pollack put together another standout game leading Deerfield with 15 points also adding in 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. The Dartmouth commit has continued to show his high skill level even at 6’8” which included in this one including hitting a deep three, multiple good passes, and drives to the basket. This included a driving dunk in the final minutes to cut the lead to 2. He also hit a pair free throws in the final minute to cut the lead down to 1.

Jamison White – 2026 – F – East St. Louis

White did it all in the championship victory. The Penn State commit had a double-double with 19 points and 17 rebounds along with 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. This was in addition to his defensive play where not only he was a true rim protector but uses his athleticism to defend on the perimeter where he forced multiple turnovers. While he hit a three in the game, he did the bulk of his scoring inside. At 6’8” with his motor, quick second jump, and physicality, White scored on several put backs. He also came up big scoring with just 30 seconds left in the game when he got fouled. He hit the first free throw, missed the second but got the rebound and scored on a put back to push the lead up to 4 and seal the win.