Public vs Private. Heard it all weekend at the State Football Finals. Well here's one to start the basketball season. Here we go:
#1 DePaul College Prep (Chicago): They have young men with two state title rings (Makai Kvamme and Robert Walls II to name two). They have championship experience. They have great guard play that has won their first three games of the season (all at home) by an average of 17 points a game. Kvamme (Western Illinois commit) and Walls II are 6'2" senior guards who can play either poistion. Did I say guard play is a strength? Let's add Whitney Young transfer Rykan Woo (6'2" junior combo guard) who's had a great start to the season. Oh and let's not forget AJ Chambers (6'0" junior combo guard), and you have a great four guard line. You have 6'6" senior wing Jonas Johnson (preferred walk-on commit to DePaul) who's another knock down shooter. All the afromentioned guards can pass, shoot ,dribble, penetrate and play defense. They are a little light on the interior as they have 6'7" junior forward Rashaun Porter, and Gus Donohue who can also fill it up from outside.
#25 Kenwood Academy (Chicago): A new coach. A new point guard in 6'5" senior TJ Seals from Johnson College Prep (Chicago). Another transfer in 5'11" combo guard Amari Edwards from state champion Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago). Add returnees Aleks Alston (6'10" wing) who can break open a game with his three point shooting. Top 15 nationally ranked sophomore 6'3" combo guard Devin Cleveland, along with another talented classmates 6'4" combo guard Damari Stephens who is a big bodied young man who can attack downhill. Yet another sophomore 6'2" point guard Osiris Bell who adds depth as will junior 6'7" wing Prince McCord.
CONCLUSION: Experienced guard depth will rule the day and I have DePaul College Prep coming out with the win in this one. Contrasting styles will make this fun to watch. A team with multiple inside power could punish the lack of inside depth DePaul College Prep has. I don't see anyone on Kenwood Academy that can take advantage of that. See ya tomorrow and get your popcorn ready.
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