The annual Ridgewood Shootout was back in full force as a top basketball event for live period. College coaches were there to scout the talent. I want to thank Coach Chris Mroz, Mr Dan Carden, and the security guy don't know him by name who was very strict about who sits where. I'll talk about intriguing teams I saw and top players. Here we go:
INTRUGING TEAMS:
BLOOM TOWNSHIP (CHICAGO HEIGHTS): They look like a sleeper team who have top scoring options in the backcourt, a floor general to get them the ball. Class of 2025 6'3" point guard Elijah Lovemore is the floor general who's a triple double threat anytime he steps on the court. Classmate 6'3" combo guard Payton Edwards is a stone cold scorer from all over the court. Look for Class of 2026 6'0" combo guard Amare Pryor to make a jump in production. He scored at all three levels throughout the weekend. They will need contributions inside from Class of 2025 6'8" center Ethan Wilson to contend for Class 4A State Title.
MOUNT CARMEL (CHICAGO): This football school is trying to become a consistent basketball power. Class 3A runners up is size challenged themselves, but have a strong backcourt. They showed this in wins over Benet Academy (Lisle) and Simon Career Academy (Chicago). Class of 2025 6'3" combo guard Cameron Thomas was on a big time scoring tangent in both games. Showed three level scoring ability and could not miss. Classmate 6'3" combo guard Grant Best was scoring from everywhere and hitting the glass. Class of 2026 6'2" point guard Noah Mister was orchestrating the offense with nice setups for Thomas and Best. Added his long range three point shooting and penetration into the teeth of the defense. Tallest player is 6'5" and will have a tough Chicago Catholic League slate.
ST PATRICK (CHICAGO): They came oh so close to their first state finals appearence last season losing in double overtime to Mount Carmel in Class 3A Supersectional. This will be an experienced team. Class of 2025 6'0" point guard EJ Breland will be a four year starter, and can break a game open with his long range three point shooting. Classmate 6'6" forward Nevaeh Hawkins shows inside/out scoring, rebounding, and rim protecting. Another Class of 2025 player 6'1" forward Anthony Anderson will be key as will 6'0" guard Anthony Favia. Watch for Class of 2028 5'9" point guard Noah Corro.
SIMEON CAREER ACADEMY (CHICAGO): Young team lost in Class 4A Sectional Final to Curie (Chicago). They did not play well on Sunday, but a lot of potential is there is they can put it together. Another team with not a lot of size on the roster, they have a lot of wings and guards. Class of 2025 6'3" combo guard Lorenzo Shields Jr is a stone cold three level scorer with quickness to get where he wants to score. Classmate 6'5" wing Julian Doyle can score inside and out but will have to hit the glass for them. Class of 2026 6'5" point forward Kassidy Nelson can run point, go to the wing and score, or post up on the block. Jack of all trades player who initiates offense, and can score on threes, drives to the basket, and at the free throw line. Guards the opponents best player, and can do it at all five positions on the high school level. Classmate 6'5" combo guard Andre Tyler is intense chatty player on the court who's becoming a more consistent scorer. He's also a King Of Bounce who can dunk on you at anytime.
WAUKEGAN: They have been fortified by a couple of transfers. One of them played on Friday, but not on Saturday. One did not play at all. Something to watch moving forward. Returnees Class of 2026 6'5" combo guard Simereon Carter and classmate 6'0" point guard Carter Newsome will be third year varsity performers. Carter is a King of Bounce who can dunk on you at any moment, and hit a bunch of threes. Adds slashing to the basket to his repetoire. Newsome hits' threes, uses quickness on both ends of the court. He can penetrate and hit a nice floater, along with in your face defense, and quick hands to get steals. Class of 2025 6'5" combo guard Xavi Granville transferred in from Central (Grayslake) and gives them rebounding, and scoring from 25 feet and in. Class of 2026 6'7" wing Jaali "Rico Suave" Love brings energy, West Side of Chicago toughness to Lake County. He's a versatile triple double threat in points, rebounds, and blocked shots. He's an improving three point shooter, but very dangerous in transition for lobs. Transfer from Manley (Chicago). They got a big time contribution of 25 points from Class of 2026 6'0" wing Jerry Harris against South (Crystal Lake)
WEST (JOLIET): A lot of talent on this team that has been fortified by a couple of transfers. Class of 2025 6'6" wing Zion Gross has turned into a three level scorer, and explosive on dribble drives to the basket. Class of 2026 6'3" wing Aamir Shannon is a King of Bounce who can dunk on you once he gets to the rim. Classmate 6'1" combo guard Luke Grevengoed is a knockdown three point shooter especially from the corners. Class of 2026 6'7" wing Ethan Hillsman transfers in from Brentwood Academy (TN) and offers rebounding, rim protecting, and inside/out scoring. Classmate 6'3" wing Mickeis "The Beast" Johnson offers energy, rebounding, scoring on attacks to the rim, and will hit threes. He'sa King of Bounce too.
WARREN TOWNSHIP (GURNEE): Went 4-0 and 29-0 for the summer. They boast possibly the best guard in the state in Class of 2027 6'1" Jaxson Davis. All state player last year as a freshman, he just controls games and tempo even at his young age. Very advanced on both ends of the court. Scores at all three levels, makes passes up the court in transition, plus defender who makes life miserable for other guards. Has the clutch gene as he hit a game winning layup in sudden death against Bloom Township (Chicago Heights). Class of 2025 6'1" combo guard Javerion Banks has improved his all around game and aggressiveness. Three level scorer, who's a King of Bounce and will dunk on you at any moment. Gets steals in passing lanes to get out in transition. Class of 2026 6'2" combo guard Braylon Walker has gotten more aggressive with his offense and three level scoring. Class of 2025 6'4" wing Jack Wolf is the football quarterback who can knock down threes on the hardwood and hit the glass.
NEW TRIER (WINNETKA): A third straight trip to Champaign in the offing in Class 4A? Class of 2026 6'3" point guard Chris Kirkpatrick is back and he says they plan on getting back and taking the Class 4A title this time. Unfinished business for him and the Trevians. He's back from injury and has been the usual two way force. Scores at every level on offense, pesters opposing point guards forcing steals and getting in transition. He's a good passer often finding classmate 6'3" combo guard Danny Houlihan who has a deadly lefty three point shot. He hits it off the catch but now can go off the bounce and score, or hit a mid range fadeaway jumper. Class of 2025 6'3" point guard Colby Smith can run a team as well as hit shots from three and mid range. Gets out and scores in transition on the break. Class of 2026 6'8" forward Maks Depalo will have to rebound and rim protect to offset a bad shooting night in playoffs.
MAINE SOUTH (PARK RIDGE) is trying to shake the image of a football school. I took a picture of the entire team and may not come up the rear this year in Central Suburban South division.
TOP PLAYERS NOT MENTIONED:
Class of 2026 Trey Williams, Loyola Academy (WIlmette)
Class of 2025 JT Pettigrew, Bolingbrook
Class of 2027 Davion Thompson, Bolingbrook
Class of 2026 Mason Lockett IV, East (Oswego)
Class of 2025 Myles Buchanan, East (Oswego)
Class of 2026 Thaddaeus "TJ" Williams, Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn)
Class of 2025 AJ Demirov, South (Crystal Lake)
Class of 2026 Rico De'Alessandro, Maine South (Park Ridge)
Class of 2026 Panayiotis Sotos, Maine South (Park Ridge)
Class of 2025 Whitman Charboneau, Neuqua Valley (Naperville)
Class of 2026 Marquise Clark, Whitney Young (Chicago)
Class of 2025 Antonio Munoz, Whitney Young (Chicago)
Class of 2025 Kaidan Chatham, Evanston Township
Class of 2025 Theo Rocca, Evanston Township
Class of 2025 Makai Mandley, Fenwick (Oak Park)
Class of 2025 Dominick Ducree, Fenwick (Oak Park)
Class of 2025 Ty Macariola, Fenwick (Oak Park)
Class of 2026 Nasir Rankin, Morgan Park (Chicago)
Class of 2027 Devin Cleveland, Kenwood Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2026 Rajon Roberts, Kenwood Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2025 Tyreek Coleman, Waubonsie Valley (Aurora)
Class of 2025 Moses Wilson, Waubonsie Valley (Aurora)
Class of 2025 Jayden "JD" Tyler, Homewood Flossmoor (Kent State commit)
Class of 2025 Bryce Heard, Homewood Flossmoor
Class of 2025 Dalton Scantlebury, Lane Tech College Prep (Chicago)
Class of 2026 Matt Szafoni, Lane Tech College Prep (Chicago)
Class of 2025 Alanis Castillo, Lemont
Class of 2026 Gabe Sularski, Lemont
Class of 2025 Anton Strelnikov, Lake Zurich
Class of 2026 Colin Stack, Benet Academy (Lisle)
Class of 2025 Daniel Pauliukonis, Benet Academy (Lisle)
Class of 2026 Jayden Wright, Benet Academy (Lisle)
Class of 2025 Jake Nosek, Metea Valley (Aurora)
Class of 2026 Tre Watkins, Metea Valley (Aurora)
Class of 2025 Leshawn Stowers, Peoria
Class of 2025 Ryan Meyer, Rolling Meadows
Class of 2025 Ian Militec, Rolling Meadows (Marquette commit)
Class of 2025 Makai Kvamme, DePaul College Prep (Chicago)
Class of 2026 AJ Chambers, DePaul College Prep (Chicago)
Class of 2025 Robert Walls, DePaul College Prep (Chicago)
Class of 2026 Rykan Woo, DePaul College Prep (Chicago)
Class of 2026 Rashaun Porter, DePaul College Prep (Chicago)
Class of 2025 Gus Donohoe, DePaul College Prep (Chicago)
Class of 2026 Josh Abushanab, Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn)
Class of 2025 Seth Chaney, Providence Catholic (New Lenox)
Class of 2025 Tyler Cucio, Providence Catholic (New Lenox)
Class of 2025 Marcos Gonsales, Brother Rice (Chicago)
Class of 2025 Jack Weigus, Brother Rice (Chicago)
Class of 2025 Al Brooks Jr, Rich Township (Richton Park)
Class of 2026 Jamson Coulter Jr, Rich Township (Richton Park)
Class of 2025 Nyshawn Turner, Rich Township (Richton Park)
Class of 2025 Matthew LeSure, Rich Township (Richton Park)
Class of 2026 Steven Brown, Marist (Chicago)
Class of 2026 Rokas Zilsys, Marist (Chicago)
Class of 2025 Brent Taylor, Lincoln Way East (Frankfort)
Class of 2026 Jordan Williams, Fremd (Palatine)
Class of 2025 Hunter Gawron, Niles North (Skokie)
Class of 2025 Reid Olson, Niles North (Skokie)
Class of 2025 Damion "DJ" Porter Jr, Romeoville
Class of 2025 Donte Montgomery Jr, Oak Lawn
Class of 2026 Ahmad Lee, Lincoln Park (Chicago)
Class of 2025 Phoenix Gill, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago) (Northwestern commit)
Class of 2026 Davon Grant, DeKalb
Class of 2026 Jake Pollack, Deerfield
Class of 2025 Zack Sharkey, Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights)
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