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After Peoria Manual rallied past Unity to clinch a spot in the Class 2A state championship game on Saturday, the Quincy Notre Dame boys’ basketball team used a strong second half to defeat Farragut in the second 2A state semifinal on Thursday during the IHSA state tournament at State Farm Center. Here is a roundup of the three other state semifinal games that took place on Thursday in Champaign:

Class 2A: Quincy Notre Dame 64, Farragut 45

➜ The top player was … Jace Allensworth. Outside shots weren’t falling for the 6-foot-3 senior guard from Quincy Notre Dame — or for any of his teammates — but that didn’t deter the Raiders. Allensworth paced a balanced offensive approach with a team-high 16 points in just 19 minutes. He was effective from inside the three-point arc (6 of 8) and at the free-throw line (4 of 5). It all added up as the Raiders (32-1) steadily pulled away from Farraugt during an impressive second half. Senior forward Gavin Doellman (11 points, seven rebounds), senior guard Beau Eftink (10 points) and sophomore guard TJ Togarepi (nine points, six rebounds, five assists) also provided valuable contributions for QND. Farragut senior guard Latrell Kelley dropped in a game-high 21 points to help the Admirals (13-15) keep it close in the first half.

➜ The key moment was … Quincy Notre Dame turning defense into offense near the midway point of the third quarter. Farragut only trailed 32-30 with four minutes, 33 seconds left in the third quarter after a three-pointer by Kelly. But a layup by Allensworth off an assist by Togarepi, plus a steal by Togarepi and a pass up to Doellman for another layup, helped propel an eventual 10-0 run during the next two minutes. Just like that, giving QND led 42-30 lead with 2:18 remaining in the quarter, and Farragut never cut its deficit to fewer than nine points the rest of the game.

➜ By the numbers: Adjusting to the bigger background of State Farm Center compared to high school gyms is always worth watching when teams play their first state tournament games. But scoring close to the basket isn’t as difficult. Quincy Notre Dame took advantage, with the Raiders outscoring Farragut 50-16 when it came to points in the paint. Important mainly because QND missed all 11 of its three-point attempts. From inside the arc, QND finished 26 of its 42 shots for an impressive 62 percent.

➜ Coach speak: “A similar game to some we’ve had this season in regard to it being close at half, but being able to come out in the second half, execute and pull away. A tribute to these guys for their continued hard work. I wish we had realized before we missed our first 10 three-pointers that we’d maybe stop taking them and get some better shots, but then we went away from that and started getting better shots by attacking the basket. I thought that was the difference.”

Quincy Notre Dame coach Greg Altmix

➜ Player’s perspective: “It was definitely scouting. We knew (Kelley) was their main player, and we knew if we could shut him down, they’d have a hard time scoring. Whenever he came off screens or went away from us, we doubled him and caused him to pick up the ball.”

QND senior guard Beau Eftink

➜ Coach speak: “I’m so excited because these group of guys have worked hard. A lot of people talked about our record. It was never about our record. I always schedule our games against all top teams. I never try to duck and dodge anybody. This was a great run. Some people say it was a Cinderella run. I don’t think it is. I just think it was hard work and dedication.”

Farragut coach Emmanuel Little

➜ Player’s perspective: “A lot of people didn’t think we were going to make it this far. We had a tough road to get here and a lot of people doubted us. I take a lot of pride in that. We made it here, but ultimately, I wanted the win.”

Farragut senior guard Latrell Kelley

— Compiled by Sports Editor Matt Daniels

Class 1A: Chicago Marshall 66, Eastland 38

➜ The top player was … Quinton Gibson, who scored 20 points to pace the Commandos’ dominant effort. Gibson, a 6-foot-2 senior forward, knocked down 10 of his 15 field goal attempts, with every shot he attempted coming from inside the three-point line. Gibson — who did not attempt a free throw — also grabbed six rebounds and recorded a steal, while junior guard Rayvon Myles added 14 points to help the winning cause. Junior guard Wyatt Carroll and senior guard Braden Anderson led Eastland by scoring 11 points apiece.

➜ The key moment was … Marshall’s strong start. Gibson scored the first basket of the game 39 seconds into the first quarter, and the Commandos never looked back. Eastland never led as Marshall opened a 9-3 lead by the end of the first quarter, then finished the second quarter with a 15-5 scoring advantage to go into halftime ahead 24-8. Marshall’s defense forced the Cougars into seven turnovers during the first half, and the Commandos kept their foot on the gas pedal as they took a 42-23 lead into the start of the fourth quarter.

➜ By the numbers: Marshall led most notable statistical categories in Thursday’s win. The Commandos secured 36 rebounds to the Cougars’ 24 boards and assisted on 18 shots compared to Eastland’s nine assists. Marshall’s defense forced 19 turnovers and created 19 points from turnovers, while the Cougars scored four points from the Commandos’ 14 turnovers. Marshall made 29 of its 57 field-goal attempts — a 50.9 percent clip — while the Cougars made 13 of their 45 field goal attempts.

➜ Coach speak: “These guys finally understand. We talk about discipline and playing for each other. All year, it’s always been defense. We allow our defense to be our offense. And the only thing we struggle with — and we still struggle with it now — is just being disciplined.”

Chicago Marshall coach Darrin Laye

➜ Player’s perspective: “I feel like, because I wasn’t going offensively with the three ball, I was able to create for my teammates so they can make them and I can get going off of them.”

Chicago Marshall junior guard Rayvon Myles

➜ Coach speak: “It was Marshall’s speed, quickness and tenacity on defense. We were never settled. We were sped up the whole time. On the ball, off the ball, just couldn’t settle into anything. And obviously, when you start turning it over and giving the ball away, it kind of snowballs. We took some average shots and weren’t able to work the ball against them.”

Eastland coach Tyler Zumdahl

➜ Player’s perspective: “One thing that carried us this year was our experience. Through the postseason, just being there last year at a big super-sectional game, coming in here and being in the Illini locker room. All things that we’ve already done before, and to come out like that is just, I don’t know.”

Eastland senior guard Parker Krogman

— Compiled by staff writer Joey Wright

Class 1A: Goreville 55, Lawrenceville 47

➜ The top player was … Nick King, who didn’t have any problem adjusting from Class 1A gyms to the expansive stage of State Farm Center. King, a 6-foot-1 junior guard, led the Blackcats with 20 points. King made 6 of 10 shots from the field, including both of his three-point attempts, and finished 6 of 7 at the free-throw line. King was the only Goreville player to end up in double figures, but freshman forward Braden Crompton finished with eight points — all on free throws — to help Goreville maintain a healthy lead. Garrett Church, a senior forward, connected on a trio of three-pointers to account for all nine of his points. Lawrenceville senior guard Jayden Goff paced the Indians with a team-high 16 points.

➜ The key moment was … Goreville’s 9-0 scoring run to open the first quarter, which featured seven points from King and set the tone for the Blackcats to qualify for their first-ever state championship game. The Blackcats’ lead never dipped below five points for the remainder of the game, although the Indians never trailed by more than 12 points. Until Goreville opened its lead to 19 thanks to another 9-0 scoring run that bridged the third and fourth quarters.

➜ By the numbers: Goreville was far more efficient from the field, finishing at 47.1 percent from the field overall and 42.9 percent from three-point range. The Blackcats made 16 field goals, six three-pointers and 17 of their 23 free throws, with nine of those field goals featuring an assist. Lawrenceville, by contrast, shot 34.1 percent from the field and 20 percent from beyond the three-point line. Lawrenceville did claim a 26-25 edge on the boards, but Goreville overcame its rebounding deficit thanks to 11 points from its bench and 12 points off turnovers.

➜ Coach speak: “This is why we do it. This is what you shoot for, and we’ve had many teams that I felt like it were good enough to be here. But this team got it done this year, and I think they’re doing it for all those teams. So, it’s exciting for me and our community, my family. I’m pretty happy.”

Goreville coach Todd Tripp

➜ Player’s perspective: “Our confidence is through the roof. Ever since (a 61-37 win against Casey-Westfield on Feb. 14), when we played defense there, we really just pumped it up from that defense, and we all trust each other. We’re all great friends off the court as well. Our confidence is just skyrocketing. We trust each other with all our hearts, and everyone can play their game.”

Goreville junior guard Nick King

➜ Coach speak: “After the game, it’s tough to play in a third-place game when you’re trying so hard to get in the state championship game and win a state championship trophy. But we were in the same situation at the Effingham and (Teutopolis) Christmas tournament. These kids really wanted to win that title, and we got beat and got shoved into the third-place game. Back at the hotel, I remember talking to my wife (and saying) no one wants to play in a thir-place game. And can we do it? These kids came out against a pretty good Centennial team and played one of the best games they have all year long.”

Lawrenceville coach Tad Shick

➜ Player’s perspective: “We haven’t seen this kind of support from our community in so long. It feels great to have this much support. I don’t know what to say other than I wish we could have won this (semifinal) game.”

Lawrenceville senior guard Noah Wilson

— Compiled by staff writer Joey Wright