Ironmen push past Palatine; advance to IHSA State Title Game

Posted on March 8, 2024

*^{Normal Community’s Jaheem Weber and Braylon Roman at the State Farm Center during the IHSA Class 4A State Semifinals. (Neil Doyle)}*

By Jake Fogal

CHAMPAIGN – Normal Community took the court at the State Farm Center in Champaign for the first time Friday under long time head coach Dave Witzig, but the Ironmen are no stranger to this type of success.

Community picked up the victory over Palatine in the IHSA Class 4A State Semifinals, 58-38 Friday, and advanced to the State Finals tomorrow in Champaign.

Both team’s matched each others pace to begin the game, staying tied after the first quarter at 13.

Community was able to stretch out its lead in the second quarter, as Ironmen big man Jaheem Webber had 10 points through the first 16 minutes. Palatine’s Connor May chipped in 9 points in the first half, as the Pirates trailed Normal Community 27-22.

A 19-8 third quarter continued the momentum in the Ironmen’s favor, as Braylon Roman tallied seven points. Community closed out the game in the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 20 points, and defeating the Pirates 58-38.

Roman led the way for NCHS with 19 points, and Weber added 15 points and 12 rebounds in the victory.

The Ironmen keep their season alive, moving on to the State Title game tomorrow night at the State Farm Center, battling the winner of Homewood Flossmoor and New Trier.

We will have the coverage on AM 1230 FM 102.1 WJBC tomorrow beginning at 7:00.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].

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