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Illini West fell 47-43 in the regional semifinals to top seed Williamsville.
The Bullets jumped out to a double-digit lead early in the first quarter. However, Illini West would fight back. Senior forward Stephen Sparks completed a 3-point play to cut the lead down to two early in the 2nd quarter. At halftime, Williamsville led by 6, 25-19.
The Bullets continued to hold onto the lead throughout the 3rd quarter. Senior guard Tre Neiderman hit a 3-pointer, to make it a 4-point game heading into the final quarter.
With five minutes left to play, Junior guard Ethan Carlisle's basket made it a one-point game, but Williamsville managed to push their lead back out to six.
Neiderman hit another 3-pointer, and a bucket by Junior forward Wesley Robertson cut the lead down to one with just 30 seconds on the clock.
Despite the pressure, Williamsville held their nerve and hit their free throws down the stretch, ending the game 8 for 10 from the line to hold off the Chargers, 43-47.
The 5 starters played all 32 minutes. Carlisle and Sparks each scored 5, Neiderman poured in 12 points, Junior Brennan Grotts added 2 points, and Robertson had a game high 19 points.
Williamsville (29-3) went on to defeat Quincy Notre Dame 55-33 to claim the regional title.
Illini West ends the season at 23-9. With the 23 wins the Chargers set a new program record for wins in a season and extend their streak for 20 or more wins in a season to 4. Robertson led the team in scoring averaging 14.9 points a game followed by Neiderman who averaged 10.6.
The Chargers lose Khile Stonger, Stephen Sparks, Tre Neiderman, Diego Melendez, and Roan Jackson to graduation.
Illini West Seniors (L to R) Tre Neiderman, Roan Jackson, Stephen Sparks, Diego Melendez, and Khile Stonger bump the all time win tracker up to 286 following the Chargers win over Pittsfield in the opening round of Regionals