Great wins for Pretz, Commandos, Knights. Springfield advances

So, the Final Four is set.

Freeport's girls basketball team (last year's runner up), along with defending state champs Marshall and Richwoods advance to the state tournament along with Springfield — which earned its first-ever state tournament bid in program history.

Talk about interesting.

Freeport and Springfield were both tied No. 6 in the state at one point, according to Associated Press polls.
Freeport ranked seventh in the last published poll and Springfield ranked No. 6.
Shouldn't it only be fair that these two meet in the state semifinal?

And Marshall will play a team very capable of beating them and even taking the state crown if Freeport doesn't. Peoria Richwoods was just a layup away from going into overtime against Freeport in the DeKalb (NIU) Supersectional.

Their length will be just as tough to counter for the Commandos as the Knights will be just as flustered with Marshall's press D that's on a 24-hour clock.

It never stops.

Should Freeport advance, the storylines lead to even more intrigue.

The Pretzels have what has become a great rivalry with Richwoods. Every time Freeport beats the Knights, it's on a game-winning shot. When Peoria wins, though, it's a blowout.

And it's a no-brainer why Marshall and Freeport would be intriguing.

How many times have we seen a state championship rematch?