First time doing this for statewide here we go:
1) Sacred Heart Griffin (Springfield): Defending Class 3A Champ. Most players returning. Senior point guard Air Force football commit KeShon Singleton, who hit the game winner in overtime for the title. Senior forward Zack Hawkinson is a double/double machine. Senior guard Quincy commit Jake Hamilton and senior Will Hamilton are back.
2) Moline: Top team in Class 4A. Iowa commit Owen Freeman who came in from Bradley Bourbonnais with his sophomore brother Braeden along with Iowa commit senior point guard Brock Harding.
3) Metamora: Another team with most players back from team that lost a overtime heartbreaker to Sacred Heart Griffin last Spring. Title game rematch? Senior South Alabama commit Ethan Kizer leads the way.
3) Simeon Career Academy (Chicago): Coach Robert Smith's last season is loaded with experienced returnees. Simeon might have something to say about Class 3A. Senior point guard Jalen Griffith along with senior forwards Loyola Chicago commit Miles Rubin and Northen Iowa commit Wes Rubin looking to finish the job in State Finals this year.
4) St Rita (Chicago): Time is now with top three juniors in the state and some transfers. Junior Illinois comit Morez Johnson Jr, junior James Brown, and junior Lemont transfer Nojus Industraitis. Junior transfer point guard Jezzy White will be key for Class 4A contender.
5) Whitney Young (Chicago): City Champ and Class 4A runners-up will look to go one step further with a title this time around. Senior point guard Princeton commit Dalen Davis is the engine for them. He'll get assistance from senior wing Daniel Johnson.
6) Kenwood Academy (Chicago): Lots of talent mostly young and inexperienced. Senior point guard Kansas State commit Darrin Ames will have to be a leader for this talented club. Class 4A contender. Look out for junior wing Craig Robins and sophomore wing Aleks Alston.
7) Bolingbrook: Class 4A Semifinalist last season has some experience coming back with senior point guard Miami (OH) commit Mekhi Cooper and senior forward Donoven Younger. Lots of size for this team.
8) West (Joliet): Fears brothers might be the most feared (no pun intended) backcourt in the state. Senior point guard Michigan State commit Jeremy Fears Jr transferred back.
9) Brother Rice (Chicago): Just about the entire team back but with a new coach veteran Conte Stamos. Senior point guard Niagara commit Ahmad Henderson II is the engine. Looking for Catholic League title and deep run in Class 4A playoffs.
10) Rolling Meadows: Could be one of their best teams in years. Experienced with size, at all positions. Senior point guard Minnesota commit Cameron Christie will make another jump on production. A favorite to get to Champaign in Class 4A.
11) Curie (Chicago): Another team with a lot of experience though junior point guard Carlos Harris will be the key to how far they go in City playoffs and Class 4A.
12) Evanston Township: A record six transfers into the powerhouse program. All are seniors and all will contribute though key will be explosive senior point guard Hunter Duncan to keep everyone on the same page. Could class with Rolling Meadows twice, in regular season and Class 4A playoffs.
13) Mount Carmel (Chicago): Experienced returnees include senior point guard Denver commit DeAndre Craig who will try to make a run for Catholic League title and deep run in Class 4A.
14) East St Louis: Southern Illinois powerhouse will look to make a dent in the Class 3A stranglehold of Sacred Heart Griffin, Metamora, and Simeon Career Academy (Chicago). Look out for senior jumping jack wing Kansas State commit Macaleab Rich along with underrated senior guard Cal State Fullerton commit Antwan Robinson.
15) Perspectives Leadership(Chicago):Some players back from team that won the Chicago Public League White South and have moved up to the Red. Cobb brothers, senior KJ and junior Gianni are huge additions. Could be the best team in the state in Class 2A.
16) St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago): Made Class 3A State Finals last year and have some experienced returnees. Senior wing George Mason commit Richard Barron III and senior forward Miami (OH) commit Jackson Kotecki. Look out for sophomore point guard Phoenix Gill.
17) North( Downers Grove): Experienced team that has a chance to win the West Suburban Silver. Look for junior forward Jake Reimer to have a big year. Class 4A.
18) Glenbrook North (Northbrook): Most of the players returning led by senior sharpshooter Ryan Cohen. Will spread the floor and shoot a bunch of threes. Class 4A.
19) Benet Academy (Lisle): Coach Gene Heidkamp always manages to put together solid teams that contend and this year is no different. Understand senior wing Niko Abusara, along with underrated point guard John Hopkins commit Brayden Fagbemi. Class 4A.
20) Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights): This team has one of the most underrated players in the state in senior guard Cal Poly commit Quentin Jones. Class 4A
21) Hillcrest (Country Club Hills): Was slated to be higher but lost some talent to transfers. Leaders will be senior point guard Bryce "Diggy" Tillery and senior wing Akron commit Darrion Baker. Class 3A.
22) New Trier (Winnetka): Lost some key personnel but have the best shooter in the state back in senior guard Cornell commit Jake Fiegen and improving big man senior Tyler Van Gorp. Class 4A.
23) Hinsdale Central: Experienced team coming back will you put with shooters in at least four spots on the court. Rebounding will be key. Class 4A.
24) DePaul College Prep (Chicago): Made Class 2A State Finals last year with a slow deliberate pace. They have some kids to speed it up a little this season. Junior wings Jaylen McElroy and Payton Kamin will be leaders this year.
25) Quincy: Old time powerhouse is back amongst the state contenders as they are in Class 4A. A good mix of youth and experience on the roster. Sophomore guard Bradley Longoor is one of the young stars.
There you have it. I'll try to do a weekly poll for everyone. Hope all teams have a nice and fruitful season.
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