Introducing the #1 team in Chicago Area preseason: DePaul College Prep (Chicago)!!!!!

They begin this year the same as they did last season, #1. For the second year in a row they are at the top of the heap. Ended last season at #2 but won a third consecutive state title, second in a row in Class 3A. The Rams are moving up to Class 4A (largest classification) and will attempt to win in a third class. It was a close call between them and the defending Class 4A champ Benet Academy (Lisle) who finished #1 last season. Some reasons for them being at the top again to start the year:

1) Experience: They have three starters back, two of them going for their fourth state title rings. Senior Toledo commit Rashuan Porter (6'7" forward), and fellow classmate Michigan Tech commit AJ Chambers (6'0" point guard). Porter is a big bodied post player who can score at the rim. Lefty is also a rim protector in the paint and crashes the glass on both backboards. Senior Brown commit Rykan Woo (6'2" combo guard) came over from Whitney Young (Chicago) and made some clutch plays in overtime title win over fellow Catholic League foe Brother Rice (Chicago)

2) Head Coach Tom Kleinschmidt: Former All-Stater and McDonald's All-American at Gordon Tech which is now DePaul College Prep (Chicago). Has been very successful coaching at his alma mater. Played at DePaul University and was all conference and one of the top scorers of all time at the school. Played pro ball for over a decade in Japan. Good at developing players to play hard nosed defense which I'll type about in a bit.

3) Help in the paint for Porter: Junior Gus Johnson (6'7" forward) moves into the other inside spot vacated by older brother Jonas, who's now at DePaul University as a preferred walk-on. He hits the glass on both ends as well as play good defense in their alignment in the paint. Can step out and hit threes.

4) Key transfer: Senior Zion Lee (6'6" forward) transferred in from Sacred Heart Griffin (Springfield) gives them more depth on the interior. Athletic player who can step out and hit threes.

5) Pack line defense: Coach Kleinschimidt always shies away from calling this alginment what it is. Have the size in Porter, Johnson, and Lee to keep offenses out of the paint area. They'll give teams the three point shot, which is a good thing in high school basketball. Contrary to polular belief, most high school teams are not good shooters from three point territory. They box out well and rim protect in the paint. Guards challenge three point shooters and are smart in not fouling the jump shooter.

6) Newcomer: DePaul College Prep (Chicago) always has successful junior varsity and freshman teams and fill in spots they graduate players nicely. Sophomore Blake Choice (6'3" point guard) is next. He can run a team and hit threes at a high level off the bounce or the catch. Good and long defender will get a lot of deflections in the pack line defense. Will start or get a lot of minutes off the bench.

7) History: Team will be attempting to make a fifth straight state finals appearance and to win four straight titles. Two other teams have won four straight Manual (Peoria) (2004-2007) in Class 2A when it was only two classes. Other is Simeon Career Academy (Chicago) (2010-2013) in Class 4A. Difference here is the Rams will be attempting to do it in three different classifications. Was third in 2022, then won Class 2A (2023), Class 3A (2024-2025). Porter, and Chambers will be attempting to join Sergio McClain and Marcus Griffin (Manual), and Jabari Parker and Kendrick Nunn (SImeon Career Academy) in the history books.

WHAT GIVES ME PAUSE:

8) They have survived in this run with a lack of depth as they usually play six to seven player rotation. This is nit picking because they've done just fine with a short bench, also in high school a deep bench is overrated aspect. They have some good shooters in Woo, Chambers, and Choice but not quite as deep in this department as last season. Foul trouble could spell doom deep in the playoffs. It has worked fine the last four seasons.

CONCLUSION:

Will have a lot of competition in a deep Class 4A field. Plays national power LaLumiere (IN) at the Chicago Elite Classic in early December. Other top opponents are Kankakee, defending their title at the prestigious Pontiac Holiday tournament, Bishop O'Connell (VA) from Washington, DC area at their own Steve Pappas Shootout, Marist (Chicago) at the When Sides Collide at Benet Academy (Lisle), at Warren Township (Gurnee), and the usual tough Chicago Catholic League White. As usual should toughened them up for a deep tournament run. They have experience along with some youth and hungry players to get their own rings. Porter and Chambers have never played a year in high school basketball without winning a title. They want to keep it going. It's getting tougher as last year they came back from a seven point deficit with under three minutes left to send game into overtme, then won it in the extra period. Get your popcorn ready.