Preps 24/7: Dinks and dunks from Carver Arena

Here are a few more senior moments from Kaneland's Dave Dudzinski and Geneva's David Tucholski at Carver Arena in Peoria on Thursday. 

Dudzinski advanced to Friday’s 1:30 p.m. finals of the IHSA Class 3A state slam dunk competition with a preliminary score of 40. Tucholski's 6-of-15 effort in the 4A three-point state prelims fell short of qualifying for the finals.

• Dudzinski's dunks included one that incorporated heading the ball off the backboard and finishing, and another that involved grabbing a ball lodged between the back of the rim and backboard and stuffing it home.

"I can't really rely solely on athleticism when I go up against some of the guys who are down here," Dudzinski said.

Ranked second in his class at Kaneland, Dudzinski cited spontaneous creativity for his success. A fellow competitor from downstate actually suggested the head-ball maneuver.

"Why not try it, you know?" Dudzinski said.

• Tucholski honestly wasn't complaining – teammate Scott Wendt's generous gesture allowed him to compete, after all – but left the arena wondering if more experience in a bigger setting wouldn't have helped.

Shooters warmed up in a side gym at Carver that more closely resembled the cozier surroundings found at most high school courts.

"When you got out there, you only had three minutes to shoot at the arena rim," Tucholski said. "I think the depth perception threw a lot of people off, not just me."

• Both athletes stayed overnight but had different plans for Friday.

Dudzinski, of course, is staying to dunk for the state title, but also was given a ticket to the day's Class 3A and 4A state semifinals. Tucholski will have to pass up the same opportunity, however, as he received tickets to Friday's Bulls-Cavaliers game at the United Center this past Christmas.

Tucholski is especially looking forward to watching Cleveland's LeBron James, an elite shooter and dunker in his own right.