Open gym run: Wheaton Academy (West Chicago)!!!!

I made a visit to West Chicago to see Class 3A Wheaton Academy. They were 18-12 last season and made it to a Regional Final. They have a lot of under the radar talent, have a tougher schedule this year to prepare for a long playoff run. They are in the Hinsdale Central Holiday Tournament during the Christmas holidays. Here's some of their top players:

JACKSON SNIDER, Class of 2027 6'4" combo guard is a transfer from Geneva and he just took over the open gym last night. He scored from all three levels of the court, catch and shoot threes, two dribble mid range pull-ups, drives to the rim and finishes. Made some nice passes to cutters and three point shooters. Got on floor for loose balls, and got some steals. Looked all-world last night. Will be a solid contributor to this team.

SAM THOMAS, Class of 2025 6'0" point guard will take over the lead guard duties this year. He showed he could hit the three off the catch and off the bounce. Made some good passes in this open gym. Very complimentary of teammates when they made good plays on the court. Did his damage on the perimeter tonight.

HAYDEN SCHROEDER, Class of 2027 6'7" forward is working on diversifying his game. Stepped out and hit a few threes, whether off the dribble, or off the catch. Made some nice slashing layups on drives from the perimeter. Scored on post ups in the paint even through double teams.

TYLER SMITH, Class of 2025 6'4" wing is an attacker off the bounce. Finished strong at the rim in this open gym. Scored through contact and hit some mid range jump shots. Rim protected with some nasty blocked shots, did goal tend one shot way above the rim. Defended and held his spot against Schroeder in the paint as well as hit the glass.

GRIFFIN SCHLENBECKER, Class of 2026 6'3" wing scored from three and hit some mid range jump shots. A 6'8" high jumper in track and field, he showed some of that leaping ability hitting the glass on both ends of the court. Gets out well on the wing in transition to get some easy baskets.

CHRIS TACHER, Class of 2025 6'4" combo guard is a transfer from Elgin Academy which has closed. He hit some nice mid range jumpers last night, and got to the rim and finished strong. Hit some catch and shoot threes, should be a nice contributor to the teams success.

ALEXANDER ENYEDI, Class of 2027 5'9' point guard showed he could score in this open gym. Hit a lot of mid range pull-up jump shots along with hitting a couple of threes. Used his quickness to get into the lane for driving layups and kick outs to shooters. Gets after it defensively on the perimeter.

DONELL AUSLEY JR, Class of 2026 6'3" combo guard showed some breakdown ability off the dribble to get his shot. Hit some threes, more than a few mid range pull-up jump shots, along with a few layups off rebound opportunities. Showed some good position defense moving his feet and cutting off drivers to the basket.

RAY RIENOW, Class of 2028 6'4" wing is still trying to fit in. He hit a couple of threes off catch and shoot opportunities. Bright future for this young man.

CONCLUSION: The Wheaton Academy Warriors have a lot of young talent mixed in with some nice veterans, but could be a year away from their full potential. They have nice sized, shooters, scorers, a stud in the paint (Schroeder), and could be a high scoring club. They will have to show a defensive presence to go deep into the playoffs. Don't be surprised if they win a regional in Class 3A and maybe a Sectional. They have beefed up the schedule to get ready for a deep playoff run.