Romeoville Live Review!!!!! Second June Live Period!!!!!!

I'd like to thank Coach Marc Howard of Romeoville high School, his staff, security, and the hospitality room for the great food, and welcoming atmosphere. Easy access to the gyms in Romeoville Athletic Complex, and easy access to Romeoville High School. Senior (Class of 2026), junior (Class of 2027), sophomore (Class of 2028), and freshman (Class of 2029). Here we go:

DEPAUL COLLEGE PREP (CHICAGO) IS IN LINE FOR POSSIBLE FOURTH STRAIGHT TITLE:

This would be in the third different classification. Won Class 2A in 2023, then two straight Class 3A titles in 2024, and 2025. They move up to Class 4A for next season. Other teams have won four straight titles (Manual (Peoria) (1994-1997 in Class 2A), and Simeon Career Academy (Chicago) (2010-2013 in Class 4A). They have three starters back, all seniors. Backcourt of Rykan Woo (6'1") and AJ Chambers (6'1") are experienced. Chambers has three state titles. Senior Rashaun Porter (6'7" forward) also has three titles. If that wasn't enough they get a senior transfer from Sacred Heart Griffin (Springifield) in Zion Lee (6'5" wing). Newcomers are junior (Class of 2027) Gus Johnson (6'7"forward) and sophomore Blake Choice (6'3" guard). They to me are favorites along with defending Class 4A State Champ Benet Academy (Lisle) which was talked about in Riverside Brookfield and DeKalb writeup.

LOOK OUT FOR LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP BUT COULD THEY BE A YEAR EARLY?:

Reason for the question is their Big 3 are all juniors. The Venckus twins (Nojus, Nedas) are 6'3" combo guards who are three point snipers as welll as good ball handlers. Nojus went absolutely nuts from three in win over highly regarded MacArthur (Decatur). Hit seven consecutive threes in the game. His brother is just as capable. The floor general is Nathan Munson (6'0"), who gets the ball to the shooters, can hit threes himself, and gets downhill on drives and finishes through contact at the rim. Junior laden teams usually can do pretty well in regular season, but falter in the playoffs. Jury is out for how far the team gets next season.

ONE MORE YEAR WITHOUT THE SHOT CLOCK:

It goes into effect in Illinois for 2026-2027 season. Most fans I talked to this weekend can't wait for it to go in. The changes to the game and it's quality will be good ones with it in play. Certain shootouts and holiday tournaments will use it as they have been the last few seasons. Early results have shown it to be a good thing and changes how the game is played late.

SOME BIG TIME INDIVIDUAL MATCHUPS IN THE EVENT:

Here are a few:

JORDAN WILLIAMS, FREMD (PALATINE) (6'6) VS JAMES JOHNSON, WASHINGTON (6'4"):

Both are seniors and wing players. Johnson outscored Williams 20-12 but Fremd won the game. Williams came alive in the second half. They guarded each other which was good to see.

JAXSON DAVIS, WARREN TOWNSHIP (GURNEE) VS BRADY PETTIGREW, BOLINGBROOK:

Davis (6'1" point guard), a junior is reigning Mr Basketball made a bunch of key plays as usual. Scored, passed for assists, made steals, all clutch plays when needed. Guarded Pettigrew on the other end. Pettigrew (6'4" combo guard), a sophomore scored on Davis a couple of times in the post rising over him and using his size to do so. Warren Township (Gurnee) got the win.

TOREY BASKIN, HOFFMAN ESTATES (6'3") VS MARSHAWN COCROFT, KANELAND (6'0"):

Both are seniors and cerifited buckets. Both had 26 points (Cocroft his team's first 9 points). More about Baskin in a bit. Cocroft is the size of a point guard, but he does most of his damage in three level scoring. Does it on or off the ball, and his team got the win.

OLIVER GRAY, BARRINGTON (6'6") VS CAMERON MERCER, RIVERSIDE BROOKFIELD (6'2"):

Two more certified buckets. Gray had three of his 30 points on a double pump 50 foot shot at overtime buzzer for the win. Mercer was all over him and played good enough defense to cause the double pump shot. Mercer is a two end monster that defends and gets delfections for steals. He had 20 points scoring from all over the court.

TOREY BASKIN OF HOFFMAN ESTATES IS AN ABSOLUTE RIDICULOUS SCORER:

He's a straight bucket once he gets off the bus. He has scored over 20 a game consistently from the Spring playing with Greater Purpose Athletics to now with his high school team. Efficient three level scorer with a nice economic stroke with no waste of motion. Makes it look easy and every game in both live periods he scored over 20. Great teammate makes nice passes to set up open shots, and cheers his team on when he's rarely on the bench. He plays defense on or off the ball. Two sport athlete as he plays football as well. College coaches tap in especially the mid major division one coaches.

J'DYN LLOYD OF WEST (BELLVILLE) CONTINUES TO SHINE:

Junior point guard at 6'5" can also play multiple positions. Saw him also in DeKalb Live and he's in that writeup too. Defends multiple positions and is an explosive King of Bounce. Made a nice post up move on the block, did a dream shake, and hit a turnaround fadeaway jumper. That's a pro move folks!!!!!!!!!! Might be the second best player in the state in the class. Runs with SW Jets Illinois.

DAMARI STEPHENS OF KENWOOD ACADEMY (CHICAGO) IS READY TO COME ALIVE:

He's a 6'4" junior point guard and it's his time to shine for defending Chicago Public League Red Tournament Champs. Big bodied floor general can get where he wants to on the court. Ball is on a string and get to any spot on the court. Uses spin moves, or his strong body to power to the basket and finish. Improving mid range and three point shot. Kenwood looks like they will be in the mix to repeat next February.

CENTRAL (PEORIA) IS A YOUNG TEAM READY FOR THE FUTURE (OR COULD IT BE NOW?):

They will start four sophomores and a senior. Guards Nigel Moore (5'9") and Orlando Edwards Jr (5'10") received a lot of playing time as freshman. Both can score from three, attack the rim and finish, or kickout to shooters. Jacob Duffin Jr (6'4" wing) is a King of Bounce who also played a lot as a freshman. Kayden Turner (6'4" combo guard) is one of the best shooters in the state from three or mid range. Transfers over from Metamora where he had an injury plagued freshman year. Looks good so far with the Lions. Lone senior in lineup is energizer bunny and King of Bounce Fenix Foy (6'5" forward). He hits the glass on both ends, does the dirty work, and is a double/double threat.

DENYM WALLACE OF NEW TRIER (WINNETKA) MAY CONTRIBUTE THE MOST OF ANY INCOMING FRESHMAN:

Young man is a 6'7" 230 pound forward who has started every game in the live period. He hits the glass, but can step out and hit threes. Look for him to get a lot of minutes, maybe more than any other incoming freshman in the state. He already has Power 4 Division One offers for football.

LOOK FOR A HUGE JUMP FOR BEN OJALA OF EVANSTON TOWNSHIP:

Evanston Township lost a lot of seniors for the Class 4A third place finisher. The 6'2" sophomore has the keys to the point guard position. He'll have to run the team as well as get shots for his big time three point shooting. Could still lead the team in scoring as his shooting is still a big weapon for the Wildkits.

WHO'S THE BEST RIM PROTECTOR IN THE STATE? BRAD BLACKMAN OF CRANE MEDICAL (CHICAGO)? JEFFREY HASSAN OF KANELAND? SOMEONE ELSE?:

I've been saying it's Blackman (6'6" senior forward) and he has a gift and timing to be a great one at this. Hassan (6'9" junior) showed this weekend he has an argument for the title. There might be others, one that comes to mind is Cedrick Carter (6'8" wing) of Instinsic Downtown (Chicago) who didn't play at Romeoville.

ETHAN VAHL OF OSWEGO EXPLODES FOR 40 (HIGH FOR THE WEEKEND) VS MOUNT VERNON:

The 6'3" sophomore point guard went off in a game I didn't see, but I did see the highlights. He was hitting shots all over the court in a number of ways. I did see him score 27 of his teams' 39 points vs Marist (Chicago).

TWO IMPRESSIVE POSTER DUNKS I SAW:

Young men, guys get dunked on. It happens and people will talk about it. Both young men that got dunked on recovered well to have big games for their teams.

JUSTIN OLIVER OF CURIE (CHICAGO) OVER RASHAUN PORTER OF DEPAUL COLLEGE PREP (CHICAGO):

This one surprised all who saw it. Oliver (5'11" senior point guard) cocked the ball back and slammed hard one handed over Porter (6'7" senior forward). Gym went wild. Porter then proceeded to dunk EVERYTHING in the second half. I counted five of them in the win, and Curie players did not come near him on those.

JAALI "RICO" LOVE OF WAUKEGAN OVER COLIN STACK OF BENET ACADEMY (LISLE):

Love (6'7" senior wing) went baseline from three point line and dunk it two handed over Stack (7'0" senior). HARD!!!!!!! Stack though had a couple of dunks of his own and went on to score 19 points in win.

SLEEPER ALERT: ADAM FLOWERS, SOUTH (DOWNERS GROVE) IS A BALLER:

Flowers (6'4" senior point guard) is another certified bucket. Three level scorer who's not afraid to attack the rim and finish through contact. He can hit threes off the dribble as well as the catch. Uses a nice mid range floater to accentuate his attacks to the rim and three point shooting. Gets after it defensively. College coaches tap in especially division one.

SOUTH (DOWNERS GROVE) COULD BE A THREAT IN WIDE OPEN WEST SUBURBAN SILVER:

Team could have a big four in Flowers, lefty tall shooter Sean Day (6'5" senior combo guard), Erik Vagonis (6'7" forward) scoring inside and out , and Dimitri Letsos (6'0" guard). West Suburban Silver is one of the toughest divisions in the state. Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn), Hinsdale Central, North (Downers Grove) all look like they are taking a step back next season. Lyons Township (LaGrange) is talented but junior laden. It's open for Mustangs to make some noise.

TWO MORE SLEEPERS TO GO CHECK OUT. ARNEZ JONES OF NORTH LAWNDALE COLLEGE PREP (CHICAGO) AND TRISTAN GARNER OF SOUTLAND COLLEGE PREP (MATTESON):

Jones (6'5" senior wing) is an explosive King of Bounce who plays hard all the time. Defends, rebounds, passes, can score on the block, or from three. Garner (6'1"sophomore combo guard) is another talented Class of 2028 performer. He hits threes like they are layups and showed a two dribble mid range pull-up jumper.