By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

The face of Class 3A continues to shift and change with the IHSA’s multiplier system, which, from a layman’s perspective, seems as arbitrary as a high school umpire’s strike zone. Last year, the field in 3A was as stacked as its big brother.

This year, however, 3A is back to being a top-heavy class with little parity.

There will be no title defense in 3A because the defending champion, Marian Catholic, has moved up to 4A. Marian Catholic defeated LaSalle-Peru, 10-2, in the championship game to win the school’s first state crown. Other perennial powers that have jumped up a class include Normal West and Simeon – two preseason top 10 teams – and Prairie Ridge, to name a few.

As ever-changing as 3A is, there are a few constants in the field that, year in and year out, have the potential to contend for a championship. There is no more prominent program in 3A than Joliet Catholic Academy. The Hilltoppers are the considerable favorites to capture the 3A state championship this year.

Ranked No. 3 preseason, JCA has the experience, pitching and overall talent to collect its fourth state trophy in six years. With that said, the Hilltoppers were the prohibitive favorites heading into the playoffs last season, only to get ousted by Lincoln-Way West in the sectional semifinals.

Nazareth, too, is in position to earn a third straight state trophy after finishing third and fourth, respectively, the last two seasons. The Roadrunners and JCA both compete in the tough East Suburban Catholic Conference.

Few, if any, 3A team has more talent than Clemente. The Wildcats have big-time prospects all over the field, including an extremely exciting outfield that includes senior Jeremiah Figueroa and junior Mizraim Fuentes. Unlike most Chicago Public League teams, however, Clemente also has a deep and talented pitching staff. Not only will the Wildcats give Simeon a run for the city title, they have the all-around ability to represent the Chicago Public League in Joliet, which doesn’t happen very often. 

With a deep pitching staff and talented core, Bloomington has the potential to make a significant run. Buoyed by a pair of LSU recruits, Lemont should be tough to beat. And look for Central State 8 Conference rivals – Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin and Glenwood –to make a push to Joliet’s Silver Cross Field. While SHG is the favorite to come out of that sectional, Glenwood has earned two state trophies in four years.

After finishing in fourth place last year, Triad has the returning talent to make a repeat Final Four trip. Lincoln-Way West, fresh off their surprising run last spring, is another contender, and look for Metamora and Vernon Hills to make runs to Joliet.

Other teams who have potential to appear in Joliet on June 7-8 include: St. Viator, Limestone, Danville, Ottawa, Rock Island, Oak Forest, Mt. Vernon, Glenbard South, Grayslake Central, LaSalle-Peru, Galesburg and Highland. Perennial Class 2A powers Herscher and Illinois Valley Central move up to 3A, along with Rochester.

Preseason Top 10 Class 3A Teams

Rk	Team	Record	Conference	Comment
1	Joliet Catholic Academy	29-8-1	East Suburban Catholic	Hilltoppers have the talent and experienceto earn their fourth state trophy - and second title - in 6 seasons
2	Nazareth	31-10	East Suburban Catholic	After placing third and fourth, respectively, the last 2 years, the Roadrunners should claim third straight trophy
3	Clemente	22-10	Jackie Robinson North	Team features high-end position players and deep pitching staff. Should push Simeon for CPL supremacy.
4	Bloomington	28-7	Big 12	With 5 starters and 5 pitchers back, Bloomington should be team to beat in Central Illinois
5	Sacred Heart-Griffin	27-12	Central State 8	Defending Central State 8 champs have plenty of offense, led by C Mitch Trees and OF David Jacobs
6	Lemont	23-10	South Suburban Blue	Pair of LSU-bound juniors - LHP Jake Latz and C Mike Papierski - lead first-year coach Brian Storako's club
7	Lincoln-Way West	24-15	Southwest Suburban Red	7 starters return from last year's club that ousted JCA in the sectional semifinals. Can they do it again?
8	Metamora	24-11	Mid-Illini	INF Spencer Gaa headlines 7 returning starters on a team that features plenty of speed and athleticism
9	Triad	32-10	Mississippi Valley	Looks to make a repeat trip to Joliet after placing fourth last year. 5 starters and plenty of offense return.
10	Glenwood	28-8	Central State 8	Will need to get through SHG, but the Titans always turn it on in playoffs. Junior RHP Brian Hobbie leads way