Fourth annual and it's been fun. It was tough to get a Top 25 as there are a lot of deserving teams, I picked about 40 but not enough spots. There will be lots of movement during the season. I think this is one of the most open years in a long time and look for a ton of shuffling all season long. After the ranking of team I will put what Class they are in (1A,2A,3A,4A). Here we go:
1) Kenwood Academy (Chicago) (4A): https://www.bigtimshsbballrevue.com/post/introducing-the-1-team-in-chicago-area-kenwood-academy-chicago. Favored to win City and contender for State Title.
2) North (Downers Grove) (4A): Experienced team looking to run it back and build on first State Finals appearance. Did lose a couple of players. Returnees are Princeton commit Jack Stanton (6'2" senior combo guard) back to score in a number of ways. Point guard Owen Thulin (6'0" senior) is coming in late off football but shouldn't miss a beat. Look for Alex Miller (6'5" senior guard) to have an expanded role, he's a knockdown shooter from three. Look for Bobby Grganto (6'6" junior wing) to knock down some shots and hit the glass.
3) Homewood Flossmoor (4A): Have a lot of transfers including Columbia commit Gianni Cobb (6'0" point guard) who's a two way terror for opponents. Top 75 national player Bryce Heard (6'5" wing) is back from Montverde Academy (FL). Lewis commit Donald "Mac" Hagemaster (6'8" forward) comes over from Lincoln Way East (Frankfort). Jayden Tyler (5'10" junior point guard) is a division one prospect. Can't forget strong bodied Carson Brownfield (6'3" senior combo guard), and Dominic Pangallo (6'5" senior combo guard).
4) Brother Rice (Chicago) (4A): Recliner boys are replacing an all time player Ahmad Henderson II who's tearing it up at Niagara. They had a preview in last season's sectional final when Lewis commit Cale Cosme (5'8"senior point guard) went off for about 25 points in second half in the loss. Cosme is one of the best inch for inch in America. He has some assistance in Zavier Fitch (6'7" senior wing), Thornwood transfer Ty Wooten (6'5" combo guard), Marcos Gonzalez (6'3" junior point guard), Jay Adebayo (6'4" senior wing), and Caden Workman (6'4" junior wing). All can shoot from three, slash to the basket, and finish at the rim.
5) Thornton Township (Harvey) (3A): Transfers are bolstering the Wildcats. Illinois commit Morez Johnson Jr (6'9" senior forward) is the top player in the state comes from St Rita. Meyoh Sawnsey (6'3" senior combo guard) comes over from Romeoville. Isaiah Green (6'0" senior point guard) comes from Kenwood Academy, and Chase Abraham (6'2" senior combo guard) comes from Thornton Fractional North.
6) Bolingbrook (4A):Not a lot of size but a ton of experienced guards. Start with Josh Aniceto (6'0" senior point guard), KJ Cathey (6'0" senior point guard), DJ Strong (5'10" combo guard). They have some size in Fenwick transfer JT Pettigrew (6'7" junior wing), and Jason Lawani (6'5" senior forward). Look for two young guards to push their way into the deep rotation in Trey Brost (6'0" sophomore combo guard) (coaches son), and big time freshman Davion Thompson (6'2" combo guard).
7) Mount Carmel (Chicago) (3A): Leader is Northwestern commit Angelo Ciaravino (6'6" senior wing). He'll get some help from Lee Marks III (6'6" senior wing) and Stevenson transfer Christian Uremovich (6'7"senior wing). Other top players are Cameron Thomas (6'3" junior combo guard) and Grant Best (6'2" junior guard). Late addition is Noah Mister (6'1" sophomore point guard) from Kenwood Academy.
8) Benet Academy (Lisle) (4A): Lost in State Title game last year and lost 4 starters but have a nice young nucleus. Senior Parker Sulaver (6'6" senior forward) is the only returning starter. Brent Nolan (6'2" senior) will provide leadership. Look for Daniel Pauliukonis (6'8" wing) to take a huge step forward. Blake Fagbemi (5'11" junior point guard) is in the rotation. Talented young players will play a lot. Gabe Sukarski (6'6" sophomore combo guard) is considered the best player in the state in his class. Jayden Wright (5'11" sophomore point guard) will share duties with Fagbemi. Colin Stack (6'10" sophomore) has a nice future. Inside/out force and cousin of former Benet great Frank Kaminsky. Another sophomore is Ryan Walsh (6'3" combo guard).
9) DePaul College Prep (Chicago) (3A): Class 2A State Champ moves up a class because of success formula. They did not lose much either and could run it back in higher class. Leader is PJ Chambers (6'2" senior combo guard) along with Jaylan McElroy (6'6" senior forward). Robert Walls (6'0" junior point guard), Makai Kvamme (6'0" junior point guard), and Jonas Johnson (6'5" junior wing) all have state championship rings. Rashaun Porter (6'6" sophomore forward) leads a talented sophomore class.
10) Whitney Young (Chicago) (4A): Dolphins are young (no pun intended) but talented and could make a run at city and state. Most got their feet wet last year on varsity. Leader will be Damarjay Richardson (5'11" senior point guard). Antonio Munoz (6'7" junior wing) is experienced. Talented sophomore class starts with Marquis Clark (6'2" combo guard), along with Ryan Woo (6'0" point guard), two sport stars Nasir Rankin (6'1" combo guard), and RicoAntonio Alessandro (6'4" wing).We have another sophomore Patrick Irvin (6'5" wing). Add in big time freshman Howard Williams (6'5" wing) and a lot of talent in the pool.
11) Glenbrook North (Northbrook) (4A): Is Josh Fridman healthy? I'm going to say he is and put the Spartans here in my poll. He's coming off a torn ACL in February. The talented 6'0" point guard is the engine that runs this team. Veteran experienced team still got to the sectional final without Fridman. Owen Giannoulias (6'0" senior point guard) took over and they did not miss a beat. Sam Lappin (5'10" senior combo guard) is a great third option. All can shoot the three, pass, and penetrate. Northwestern football commit Patrick Schaller (6'6" forward) is an experienced hand in the paint.
12) St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago) (4A): Lost a lot of talent but have enough returning to contend in Class 4A. They moved up after consecutive appearances in State Final Four in Class 3A. Success formula. Top gun is Phoenix Gill (6'4" junior combo guard) son of former NBA'er Kendall Gill. Reggie Ray (6'2" senior wing) finally looks back from injury plagued junior year. Sam Horenkamp (5'10" senior point guard) will run the show. Ohio State football recruit Justin Scott (6'5" senior forward) gives them size in the paint. Max Heidkamp (6'6" forward) is another inside force. Alex Anaya (5'10" junior point guard) adds depth and Chris Bolte (6'5" sophomore forward) is up and comer.
13) Simeon Career Academy (Chicago) (4A): Moves up to Class 4A and has a new coach. Simeon legend Tim Flowers takes over for the GOAT of high school coaching in Illinois Robert Smith. Now the team which is guard heavy. Dek'won Brown (6'3" point guard ) comes in from Peoria. Old reliable RJ McKinnie (6'2" senior combo guard) gives them toughness. Andre Tyler (6'4" sophomore combo guard) is a talented three level scorer over from St Rita. Lorenzo Shields (6'3" junior combo guard) accentuates the guard depth. Ameer Morrow (6'6" combo guard) gives them some size.
14) Warren Township (Gurnee) (4A): Hot name is Jaxson Davis (6'1" freshman point guard) who has a great case for best player in the incoming freshman class. They do have some returnees who will have them contend for Champaign. Backcourt mate Braylon Walker (6'0" sophomore combo guard) played a lot as a freshman. Alex Daniels (6'6" senior forward) and Immanuel Brown (6'4" forward) gives them size on the interior. Javarion Banks (6'0" combo guard) gives them an athletic slashing wing. Drew Stacy (6'4" senior wing) is a knockdown three point shooter giving Davis plenty of scoring options to pass to.
15) New Trier (Winnetka) (4A): Looking to run it back to the State Finals, they have just enough back to have a legit shot. They have three point shooters all over the court at every position on the floor. Starts with returnee Carnegie Mellon commit Ian Brown (6'5" senior wing), Johns Hopkins commit Logan Feller (6'4" combo guard) will do inside/outside work). Will Leemaster (6'4" senior forward) gives rebounding and defense. Trevians have two excellent point guards in Colby Smith (6'3" junior point guard), and Chris Kirkpatrick (6'2" sophomore point guard). Both can also shoot it from three and get to the mid range and score.Danny Houlihan (6'2" sophomore combo guard) is a lefty sniper from three. Maks Depalo (6'8" sophomore forward) gives them more size.
16) Marist (Chicago) (4A): Young players that already have varsity experience. Leader will be Fenwick transfer Darshan Thomas (6'6" senior wing) who also gives them size on the interior. He'll have help from Stephen Brown (6'7" sophomore wing) and Achilles Anderson (6'4" junior forward). Guards Adoni Vassilakis (6'1" sophomore point guard), TJ Tate (5'11" sophomore point guard). Another guard who could get rotation minutes is Jayden Bullock (5'11" freshman point guard).
17) Romeoville (4A): Lots of talent that can give the school a lot of "firsts" in their basketball history. St Laurence transfer EJ Mosley (6'0" junior point guard) is a start. Fenwick transfer Damion Porter Jr (6'4" combo guard)give versatility. TJ Lee (6'2" senior guard) is a steady hand in the backcourt. Mickeis Johnson (6'3" sophomore combo guard) is a future star. Adam Walker (6'9" junior forward) gives them size and rim protection. Another big is Jayden Madden (6'9" sophomore forward).
18) East (Oswego) (4A): They were ahead of eventual state champ Moline in the Supersectional with 2 minutes to go That close to their first state title berth. Lost a lot of talent but look to reload. Wyoming commit Jehvion Starwood (6'4" senior point guard) will be the leader. Starwood can hit threes or go in and dunk on you. Braydon Murphy (6'5" senior forward) can knock down three point shots. Noah Mason (6'4" senior guard) is another knockdown shooter. Aiden Sims (6'2" senior guard) and Austin Caraci (6'2" senior guard) add depth. Two youngsters will play a lot Mason Lockett IV (6'3" sophomore combo guard), and Michael Rembert (6'2" sophomore combo guard).
19) Stevenson (Lincolnshire) (4A): New Coach looks like same system. This means they will contend, Oh they have some talent too. Atticus Richmond (6'8" junior wing) is back from prep school. Leader will be Jack Dabbs (6'6" senior wing). Young backcourt of Aidan Bardic (6'3" junior combo guard), and Rocco Pagliocca (6'1" sophomore point guard). Donovan Williams (5'11" sophomore point guard) is quick and aggressive attacking the basket.
20) St Patrick (Chicago)(3A): This will be a good outside shooting team. Leaders are EJ Breland (6'0" junior point guard) who's a three year starter, and AJ Brown (6'4" senior wing). Harper Krolak (6'2" senior guard), Anthony Favia (6'1" junior combo guard), and Nathan Nano (5'9" junior point guard) gives depth. Size comes from Neveah Hawkins (6'7" junior forward). Maurice Neely (5'10" sophomore guard) is another guard in rotation as is Anthony Anderson (6'1" junior guard).
21) Lincoln Way East (Frankfort) (4A): Young and talented team that will have to play fast. BJ Powell (6'0" sophomore point guard) started as a freshman last year. Brent Taylor (6'4" junior wing) is a slasher and scorer. Brenden Sanders (6'4" junior wing) will have to get rebounds inside. Karsen Thomas (6'3" sophomore combo guard) is an explosive player who can dunk on you or hit a three.
22) Lane Tech College Prep (Chicago) (4A): Experienced team. Start with underrated Shaheed Solebo (6'5" senior combo guard) is the leader. Partner is Jackson Labkon (6'2" senior point guard) is a sniper from three. Parker Williams (6'2" senior guard) and Drew Bartolai (6'3" combo guard) are returnees. Daniel Scantlebury (6'9" junior forward) handles the paint. Zack Mazanowski (6'7" junior wing) is a tall knockdown three point shooter.
23) Yorkville (4A): Leader is Illinois commit Jason Jakstys (6'9" senior wing) is a versatile inside/out big man. Help comes from athletic Bryce Salek (6'4" senior wing), and Kaevian Johnson (6'0" senior point guard), Jory Boley (6'3" senior forward). Backcourt of Mike Dunn (6'0" senior point guard), and Dayvion Johnson (6'0" senior point guard) will have to feed Jakstys.
24) Bloom Township (Chicago Heights) (4A): Elijah Lovemore (6'3" junior point guard) will run the show. Santana Flowers (6'5" senior wing) is a jumping jack. Lincoln Park transfer Vincent Kelly (5'10" point guard) will pressure opposing guards. Marian Catholic transfer Marcus Everhart (6'5" forward) give inside presence. Payton Edwards (6'4" junior combo guard) is another talent along with Jadon Clark (6'5" senior wing).
25) Metea Valley (Aurora) (4A): Look for a big season as they have a Big Three aka three headed monster. Start with Will Ashford (6'6" senior wing) along with James Parker (5'10" senior point guard), and Jake Nosek (6'8" junior wing). Ashford is a do it all wing, Parker is quick on quick who can get where he wants and can hit the three. Nosek is a big time three point sniper coming back from injury. Another returnee is Dominic Smith (6'2" junior wing). Alex Danehl (6'2" senior wing) is a knockdown three point shooter.
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