1) Morgan Park(Chicago)- This team is absolutely loaded with multiple division one prospects and very deep bench. They will be the favorite to win their third Class 3A state title in 4 years. They will also be favored to win the Chicago Public League title, while playing a National schedule. They will be led by national Top 25 player 6'3" senior combo guard Adam Miller, who's a consensus Top 25 player nationally. He has deep three point range, has an improved mid range game and can finish at the rim. He'll have help leading the team with Wake Forest commit 6'0" point guard Marcus Watson Jr. He led the Nike EYBL in assists and is great getting scorers the ball in the right spot. He can penetrate to the basket and finish as well as set up players. He has an improving three point shot and is a 4 year varsity performer.
The big difference maker that takes this team to another level is 6'5" junior wing Brandon Weston. He's an athletic wing, who can hit the three, and slash to the basket, rise over Bigs and dunk on them(WATCH YOUR HEAD!!!!). He sat out last season after transferring from Lake Forest Academy(IL). Veteran performer Isaiah Burrell 6'5" senior forward is a junk yard dog that does the dirty work on the perimeter, and the interior. He has improved his three point shooting, but has to control himself on drives to the basket. Look for 6'5" senior wing Kawheem Brown to be the other starter. He's a very underrated player who can get to the basket and finish, as well as hit three pointers. Deep bench will be led by the best incoming freshman in the State 6'7" wing Javonte "JJ" Taylor who's the most talented player on this loaded team, but he's very young. He's a versatile player who can hit three pointers with ease, drive to the basket and dunk on people(WATCH YOUR HEAD!!!), and do chase down block shots. Aneas Davenport(6'6" junior forward), Wunya Brown(6'1" junior point guard), Darrin "Dae Dae" Ames(6'0" freshman point guard), Liddell Miller(6'6" sophomore forward), and Mike Davis(6'1" freshman guard) puts them over the top to be #1. (Class 3A)
2) Bloom(Chicago Heights)- This team has the most experienced and best starting five in the State. They have 4 division one commits and another player who's a division one talent. It starts with Minnesota commit 6'10"senior forward Martice Mitchell who can hit the three point shot, is a great rim protector, and runs the floor well. He gives this team some semblance of balance on the court. Coach's son California State Fullerton commit 6'3" senior point guard Dante Maddox Jr is the maestro for this powerhouse team. He can hit the three, pass the ball to the shooters and finishers on this team. He along with Mitchell is a four year varsity veteran. Wisconsin Milwaukee commit 6'3" combo guard Donovan Newby is the glue for this team and best three point shooter for the Blazing Trojans. He can also run point. He's another four year varsity veteran as is Tulsa commit 6'3" combo guard Keshawn Williams. This young man can jump out of the gym and will dunk on anyone. Bloom will usually run back door lobs for him. He's an improving three point shooter. The Blazing Trojans picked up a transfer to complete the lineup. He's Plainfield East transfer 6'6" forward Christian Shumate who can also jump out of the gym and will help on the boards. He should have no problem fitting into this lineup. Bench will be a question for this team but may not be needed with this strong starting lineup. (Class 4A)
3) Whitney Young(Chicago)- This team will play a National schedule once again and may be equipped to survive it. Let's start with Duke commit 6'2" combo guard DJ Steward who's a stone cold scorer on all levels of the court. He's my #2 player in the state in the senior class. He's a great three point shooter and has a nice pull up jump shot from mid range. They have 6'2" combo guard Tyler Beard who will probably be running a lot of point guard this year. He can slash to the basket, finish, and set up Steward and other shooters on the team. Grant Newell a 6'7" junior forward will help on the interior as well as slashing to the basket from the wing. Sanjolay Nige a 6'6" senior forward will be another key player on the glass for the Dolphins. Young will have to find a fifth starter out of Robert Postma(6'5" senior forward), Jaeshon Thomas(6'2' junior guard), Dalen Davis(5'10" freshman point guard), Marcus Pigrim(6'0" freshman point guard) and Kanye Smith(6'6" sophomore forward). (Class 4A)
4) Stevenson(Lincolnshire)- This team returns 4 starters from a surprise Class 4A Sectional Champ and took Evanston Township to Overtime in Supersectional before losing. They look to go at least a step further this season. They will be led by Indianapolis commit 6'4" shooting guard Matt Ambrose(Coach's son), who can fill it out from deep three point range. He''s a steal for Division two basketball. He'll get help from 6'2" senior guard John Ittounas another good three point shooter. The point guard position will be manned by 5'10" junior point guard Evan Ambrose(Matt's brother), who will run the offense very well. Cameron Bernard a 6'2" senior does the dirty work for this team, scores, rebounds, plays defense, takes charges, whatever is needed. Robert Holmes 6'5" forward is an underrated rebounder and jumping jack on the offensive glass. He does it all for the Patriots and is a kid who's looking to go to MIT for mechanical engineering. Darius Clemons 6'5" junior wil support Holmes on the interior. This team is greater than the sum of it's parts, a well oiled machine, with a great coach. They may not look the part in warmups, but you look up at the end of the game and they have beaten you by 20. Best team in the North Suburbs. (Class 4A)
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