There were some shocking losses since my last update, lot's of movement and my top team played a close game that almost caused me to drop them out of the top spot. I am going to list what Class each team plays in at the end of the postings for the teams. Here we go:
1) Evanston Township(16-0): They beat Niles North(Skokie), Niles West(Skokie), and had an unexpected close game vs Mather(Chicago) in their three game home stand. The Wildkits are getting contributions from a lot of sources. Junior guard Elijah Bull has started playing aggressive like the coaches want him to on the offensive end. He's also become possibly their best defender. Junior center Kyle Wilson is slowly coming up to speed as the rim protector for the Wildkits. This will lighten some of the interior defending load for junior guard Jaylin Gibson. Evanston is at Glenbrook North(Glenview) on Friday to start the second half of conference play and plays Hillcrest(Country Club Hills) in the War On The Shore at New Trier(Winnetka) on Saturday. (Class 4A)
2) Curie(Chicago)(14-1): Lost at Mustang Madness in Paducah,Ky to Callaway(Jackson,MS) a team they had beaten already. They picked up a big win over previous number three Bogan(Chicago) at home because of a big game from senior forward Saivion Williams as wing Ramean Hintomn had an off game offensively. Junior point guard Nick Owens has been big controlling the offense for the Condors. The crashing of the glass by multiple players has helped them control the rebounding in most of their games. Curie is at Hyde Park(Chicago) on Tuesday and hosts Vocational(Chicago)for a couple of Red South/Central conference games, then Hammond(IN) on MLK Day at Marshall(Chicago). (Class 4A)
3) Thornton(Harvey)(16-0): Beat Rich East(Forest Park) and Thornridge(Dolton) last week. Senior guard Brandon Hall has had an outstanding season as has senior guard Demarco Minor. I plan on checking them out on Tuesday vs Homewood Flossmoor. I was going to check them out vs Morgan Park(Chicago) this weekend at the Bob Hambric Shootout but it was cancelled. Tai Streets is doing an outstanding coaching job with these young men. Thornton is at home Tuesday vs #6 Homewood Flossmoor in big non conference game, then Thornwood(South Holland) on Friday a conference game. (Class 4A)
4) Notre Dame College Prep(Niles)(17-2): Wins this week over Fenwick(Oak Park) and St Viator(Arlington Heights) and handled both teams with ease. It seems like this team is really finding it's legs right now. Junior point guard Anthony Sayles is finding his way back after his knee injury, junior wing Louis Lesmond has really turned up his game. Junior forward Troy D'Amico and senior forward Joe Bergstrom is more ageressive with hunting their shots. Senior point guard Jimmy Murphy has been solid all year. They go road tripping at Fremd(Palatine) on Tuesday in an non conference game, at Marist(Chicago) on Friday, and Morgan Park(Chicago) on MLK Day at Fenwick. (Class 3A)
5) Bogan(Chicago)(16-2): Lost to #2 Curie on the road by three points. They could meet them again in the Chicago Public League Playoffs. Beat Brooks(Chicago) and Maine South(Park Ridge) this week. Junior point guard Darrion Jones keeps playing at a high level penetrating to the basket, and hitting mid range pull ups, senior guard Antoine Bloxton continues to be a top scorer in the Chicago Public League. Senior wing Kyndal Davis has to give them consistent production on the offensive end. If the Bengals can keep getting solid play from their Bigs senior Tremear Fraley and Ideary Mooney they could win the Chicago Public League Title. Bogan is at Kenwood(Chicago) on Tuesday, has Linbloom at home for conference games. (Class 3A)
6) Homewood Flossmoor(13-1): They have been on a roll winning 11 straight games since a loss to Marian Catholic(Chicago Heights) in the third game of the season. Senior forward RJ Ogom has been having a great season as has senior guard Josiah Palmer. Ogom has had help on the boards from junior forward Chad Readey. They are quietly showing people they are one of the top teams in the Chicago Area. They have a big road non conference game at #3 Thornton(Harvey) on Tuesday, then at Lockport on Friday a conference game then #8 Loyola Academy(Wilmette) on Saturday at the War On The Shore. (Class 4A)
7) Bloom(Chicago Heights)(16-4): Lost two games at the Sugar Bowl Classic then came home and won games vs Crete Monee and Rich East(Park Forest). This team is coming back together getting senior point guard Donovan Newby back into the mix. They are getting a lot from senior guard Dante Maddox Jr and senior forward Christian Shumate. They will need senior guard Keshawn Williams to get back to his athletic ways on the court, and more from senior forward Martice Mitchell. This team has the talent to put it together and dominate, which could come when they see that light at the end of the tunnel, the postseason. Bloom are at Rich Central(Richton Park) on Tuesday, home to Rich South(Richton Park) on Friday both conference games. (Class 4A)
8) Loyola Academy(Wilmette)(17-1): The Ramblers don't play basketball that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. This is the team that would cause most to howl about a shot clock(including me). The style of play is though very effective as they have not lost to an Illinois team this season. Senior forward Bennet Kwiecinski has stepped it up in the scoring column as of late. Senior point guard Billy Palmer has been effective running the offense, which is about 10 passes before they shoot. Very deliberate playing team that can frustrate the opponent and they play very good physical defense to boot. The Ramblers are at Mt Carmel on Tuesday, St Frances De Sales on Friday at home both conference games, then #6 Homewood Flossmoor on Saturday at War On The Shore at New Trier. (Class 4A)
9) DePaul Prep(Chicago)(15-2): This team has been solid all year with the inside/outside duo of junior center Brian Matthews and junior point guard Ty Johnson. Senior guard Lance Moseley provides timely three point shooting as they took apart Deerfield at the Steve Pappas Shootout which they hosted. They have won three games since their loss in the title game at the Hinsdale Central Holiday Tournament. They are at St Frances De Sales on Tuesday, at home vs Montini Catholic(Lombard) on Friday both conference games. Saturday they have a non conference home game vs Manual(Peoria). (Class 3A)
10) Whitney Young(Chicago)(9-6): Won at the Highland Shootout vs Christian Brothers College Prep(St Louis) with senior guard DJ Steward scoring 40 points. It looks like senior guard Tyler Beard has stepped up his game alongside Steward. Junior forward Grant Newell is doing the scoring and rebounding to help the Dolphins. They finally come back home to the Dolphin Pool for a couple of games, Uplift(Chicago) on Wednesday, North Lawndale(Chicago) on Friday for conference games. They travel to Springfield Massachusetts for a game Sunday vs Mount Vernon(NY). (Class 4A)
11) Fenwick(Oak Park)(13-4): Junior forward Bryce Hopkins is still putting up big numbers and sophomore point guard Trey Pettigrew has his groove back from three point range. Friars play at Montini Catholic(Lombard) on Tuesday, at home vs Marmion(Aurora) on Friday both conference games, then Simeon(Chicago) on Monday at MLK Classic at Fenwick. (Class 3A)
12) Waubonsie Valley(Aurora)(16-1): They have not played the greatest schedule but took apart Marian Catholic in Moline Shootout. Senior guard Marcus Skeete and junior guard Ben Schwieger have been the mainstays for this team. It might be time for other folks in the area to notice(including me). They debut in my poll right here. Their only loss is to DeKalb who leads the DuPage Valley right now. They play in the MLK Classic at Burlington Central Friday, Saturday and Monday. (Class 4A)
13) Marian Catholic(Chicago Heights)(13-4): Big win on Saturday at the Steve Pappas Shootout over Morgan Park(Chicago) as senior point guard Ahron Ulis had 34, and senior Joe Green had 21. When both these guys get going the Spartans can be hard to deal with. They will need consistent play from senior wing Elijah Jones. Bolingbrook comes in to visit on Tuesday for non conference game, then Saturday at St Laurence(Burbank) for conference game. (Class 4A)
14) Lincoln Park(Chicago)(14-3): They are trying to play through Coach Pat Gordon's suspension. The Lions are leaning on their junior guard tandem of Ismail Habib and Julio Montes until the situation gets resolved. They play at Marshall(Chicago) on Wednesday and Farragut at home on Friday both conference games. (Class 4A), then Monday at MLK Classic at Hyde Park(Chicago) vs #15 West(Joliet). (Class 4A)
15) Mundelein(14-2): Lost to Stevenson(Lincolnshire) on the road in a tough one. Junior guard and Stevenson transfer Trey Baker was very aggressive offensively in that game. Juniors Connor Enright and Scottie Ebube are keys to this team doing damage in the State Playoffs. (Class 4A)
16) West(Joliet): Senior guard Jamere Hill received his first scholarship offer this week from Toledo. Freshman point guard Jeremy Fears Jr is starting to come on and get comfortable at the varsity level with a couple of double figure games. They are at Yorkville on Tuesday for a conference crossover game, then another crossover as Plainfield North comes in, Monday they are at the MLK Classic at Hyde Park(Chicago) vs #13 Lincoln Park(Chicago). (Class 4A)
17) Kankakee(13-1): Only loss is to Bloom(Chicago Heights). They have won two tournaments and have only 4 seniors on the roster. Time to get out and see these guys. They play at Crete Monee on Tuesday, and at home vs Rich Central(Richton Park) both conference games. (Class 3A)
18) Morgan Park(Chicago)(9-6): Will tough schedule pay off in the post season? The Marian Catholic loss at the Steve Pappas Shootout was not a good one. (Class 3A)
19) Glenbrook South(Glenview)(15-2): Dom Martinelli stil putting up big numbers and sophomore point guard Cooper Noard has been helping out as a second scorer. Hosts Nrew Trier on Friday, plays #14 Mundelein on Saturday at the MLK Classic at Lake Zurich, then Monday TBD at MLK Classic at Lake Zurich. (Class 4A)
20) Stevenson(Lincolnshire)(12-3): Got their groove back with a big win at home over #15 Mundelein. Senior guard Matt Ambrose shooting the three is key for this team as is handling the press. Tuesday at Libertyville, at Waukegan on Friday both conference games, then at Geneva on Monday for MLK Classic vs Aurora(West). (Class 4A)
21) York(14-2): Senior guard Nate Shockley is the unquestioned leader. Tuesday Glenbard West, Friday Oak Park River Forest both home conference games. Saturday and Monday at MLK Classic at Wheaton Warrenville South. (Class 4A)
22) Oak Forest(15-1): Senior guard Jayson Kent should have more division one offers. Brothers Juan(senior guard) and Robbie(sophomore forward) Avila are great supporting Kent. They are in Morgan Park's sectional so we will see. They have Sandburg on Tuesday at home, then at Thornton Fractional South(Lansing). New to the poll. (Class 3A)
23) Schaumburg(15-3): Took care of business twice last week. They are in first place in Mid Suburban West. Monday at Prospect in conference crossover and Barrington at home conference game. (Class 4A)
24) Hinsdale South(Darien)(13-2): Won both their games last week. They are at Willowbrook on Tuesday, at Proviso East(Maywood) on Friday. Saturday and Monday MLK Tournament at Sterling. (Class 3A)
25) St Charles North(12-3): Back in the poll. Senior center Connor Linke is a load under the basket. Monday at home vs Batavia conference game, then next Monday vs Libertyville at the MLK Classic at Geneva. (Class 4A)
Lake Park, Morton(Morton Cicero), Bolingbrook, and Niles North drop out.
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