ROMEOVILLE, ILLINOIS: Romeoville High School hosted their first live summer event. It was held at the Romeoville Athletic And Event Center. Coach Marc Howard and staff should be commended for the great job they did. No games started late. ZERO!!!!!! The hospitality room food and refreshments were off the chains, media, officials did not have to worry about going hungry. The staff and security were very hospitable to everyone, and ran a first class event. I'll talk about certain teams that impressed, a couple of big time matchups, potential contenders for regular season honors, top performers and performances. Here we go:
TOP TEAMS:
NORMAL COMMUNITY: This team is going to be a PROBLEM!!!! They did lose by 1 on last second shot to Glenbrook North (Northbrook), but they've only been together for two weeks. They have a ton of size starting with Class of 2024 players Jaheem Webber (6'10"), Noah Cleveland (6'9") returning after a year off, and Class of 2025 Kobe Walker (6'9"). Add in two transfers from Bloomington: Class of 2024 talents Braylon Roman (6'5" point guard) and Niko Newsome (6'6" wing) adds up to big issues for other teams. Once they put the chemistry together, you're looking at a major contender for the Class 4A State Title. Oh and these young men are not big and slow, they can all move up and down the court. Other starter is Class of 2025 Marcus Russell (5'10").
KENWOOD ACADEMY (CHICAGO): No Class of 2025 Davion Hannah (not sure he's transferring in), and Class of 2024 (6'6" wing) Calvin Robins Jr, they still have a lot of talent on display. They still have Class of 2024 much improved Jaden Smith (6'11"), Calvin Riddle (6'6" wing), Class of 2025 Alecks Alston (6'9" wing), and Class of 2027 Devin Cleveland (6'1" point guard). Been to two consecutive Super Sectionals, can they get over the hump next season?
NORTH (DOWNERS GROVE): They lost some pieces from Class 4A Final Four team, but have some big time pieces back. Class of 2024 Jack Stanton (6'2" combo guard), Jake Riemer (6'6" forward) who bent a couple of backboards in one game (they just pushed them back up), Owen Thulin (5'9" point guard), Alex Miller (6'4" wing) can all shoot the lights out from three. Good chance to run it back.
BENET ACADEMY (LISLE): Class 4A runners up lost 4 senior starters but could run it back. Why? They have a ton of talent in the Class of 2026 that looks like they are ready to step in at the varsity level. Gabe Sularski (6'6"wing) looks like the next star at Benet. Add Jayden Wright (5'11" point guard), and Colin Stack (6'10") (NBA'er Frank Kaminsky's cousin), protecting the rim and can step out to hit threes. Also have Class of 2025 Blake Fagbemi (5'10" point guard), Daniel Pauliukonis (6'8" wing) and this team is DEEP!!!!!! Can't forget Class of 2024 returning starter Parker Sulaver (6'6" forward), and Patrick Walsh (6'2" guard) and you have a group that could bring long time coach Gene Heidkamp his first state title. He's one of the top coaches in the state.
DEPAUL COLLEGE PREP (CHICAGO): Class 2A State Champ moves up to 3A but will contend for the title as they have a ton of veterans returning. Start with Class of 2024 Jaylan McElroy (6'7" wing), Peter (PJ) Chambers (6'2" guard). Other veterans are Class of 2025 guard tandem of Makai Kvamme (6'2") and Robert Walls (6'2"), and Class of 2025 Jonas Johnson didn't play during either live period. Class of 2026 RaShaun Porter (6'6" wing) is a huge addition.
BOLINGBROOK: Lost a lot of size but have a group of veteran quick guards to go with a few youngsters. Class of 2024 guards Josh Aniceto (5'9"), DJ Strong (5'11"), KJ Cathey (6'0") and Jason Lawani (6'4" forward). Newcomers Class of 2025 Fenwick (Oak Park) transfer JT Pettigrew (6'7" forward) and Class of 2027 Davion Thompson, and they should be back contending in Class 4A.
ST LAURENCE (BURBANK): Will be a Class 3A power the next two seasons with a good and experienced Class of 2025 group. Start with Jacob Rice (6'5" wing), along with EJ Mosley (5'11" point guard), Zerrick Johnson (6'2" wing), Caleb Lindsey (6'5" wing), Khalil Jones (6'0" guard). If that is not enough add Class of 2024 transfers Iowa State commit Nojus Industraitis (6'6" wing) from St Rita (Chicago), and Josh Pickett (6'5" guard) from West (Aurora). Oh can't forget Class of 2027 Markese Peoples (6'1" guard).
RICHWOODS (PEORIA): Class 3A contender you have to start with Class of 2024 Rutgers commit Lathan Sommerville (6'10" forward), along with Tavie Smith (6'2" guard), Jernell Etherly (6'4" forward), Nicholas Louderman (6'0" guard), a three point sniper, and Tyrese Carter (6'0" guard). Senior laden team with 4 guards around Sommerville.
WHITNEY YOUNG (CHICAGO): Another team with a ton of young talent. Start though with Class of 2024 Sean Brown (6'1" guard), Cole Pruitt (6'3" guard). Best player on team is Class of 2025 Antonio Munoz (6'7" forward), with fellow classmate Damajay Richardson (5'10" point guard). If Class of 2026 is ready you have a Class 4A contender. These players would be Marquis Clark (6'2" point guard), Rykan Woo (6'0" point guard), Patrick Irvin Jr (6'5" forward), RicoAntonio D'Alessandro (6'4" forward), Nasir Rankin (6'1" guard). Add Class of 2027 Howard Williams (6'5" wing) and talent is there.
YORK (ELMHURST): Did not lose in the two live periods. Class of 2024 AJ Levine (6'1" point guard) has always been productive, but looks like he's taken a bigger step forward. Senior laden team as classmates Brendan Molis (6'4" wing), Braden Richardson (6'4" forward), and Kyle Waltz (6'4" guard) give team great chemistry. Class 4A contender.
METEA VALLEY (AURORA): Look out for this team flying under the radar in Class 4A. They have a big three in Class of 2024 Will Ashford Jr (6'6" wing), James Parker (5'10" point guard) , and Class of 2025 Jake Nosek (6'8" wing). They have only lost once which was at the Hoop Mountain Shootout.
EAST (OSWEGO): They lost a lot from their first Class 4A Sectional title team. They came real close to beating eventual champ Moline in the Supersectional. They've won two tournaments this summer. Class of 2025 Jehvion Starwood (6'3" point guard) has established himself as the undisputed leader. His classmates include Braydon Murphy (6'5" forward), and Noah Mason (6'4" guard). They have some youth in Class of 2026 talents Mason Lockett IV (6'3" point guard) and Michael Rembert (6'2" guard).
MOUNT CARMEL (CHICAGO): They have a big three and all are Class of 2024 players. They are Angelo Ciaravino (6'6" wing), Lee Marks III (6'5" wing), and Christian Uremovich (6'7" forward). Look out for Class of 2025 Cameron Thomas (6'2" guard). Class 3A contender.
TOP GAMES:
YORK (ELMHURST) vs GUILFORD (ROCKFORD); Big time matchup between Class of 2024 point guards AJ Levine of York and Malachi Johnson of Guilford. Game went into overtime before York took it. These guys went at each other, guarded each other sometimes and made things hard for each other. Levine had 17 points and Johnson had 13 points.
NILES NORTH (SKOKIE) vs SOUTHEAST (SPRINGFIELD): Class of 2025 6'0"point guard Yaris Irby of Niles North hit the game winning free throw with one second on the clock to win the game for Niles North.
TWO SPORT FOOTBALL/BASKETBALL:
Class of 2024 6'2" combo guard, LUKE WILLIAMS, NORTH (NAPERVILLE) is a Purdue commit and 4 star wide receiver in football.
Class of 2024 6'6" forward, PATRICK SCHALLER, GLENBROOK NORTH (NORTHBROOK) is a Northwestern commit and tight end.
Class of 2025 6'5" combo guard TERRENCE SMITH, AURORA (WEST) is a 5 star wide receiver. He'll have a huge decision to make as he has division one offers in both sports.
Class of 2027 6'2" combo guard Davion Thompson, Bolingbrook is a quarterback.
BEST OFFER OF WEEKEND:
CALE COSME, BROTHER RICE (CHICAGO): Class of 2024 5'8" point guard may not look the part but he's a killer on the court. He has been for the last 3 years on the high school level. He received an offer from Division 2 Lewis University. Congrats. This young man plays well every time I watch him play.
UPDATE ON JOSH FRIDMAN OF GLENBROOK NORTH (NORTHBROOK): Class of 2024 6'0" point guard All-Central Suburban Confrence player tore his ACL in February in made for TV game against Rolling Meadows. He said he's thinking he'll be back in November. He misses being out there, I'm not surprised as he's such a competitor on the court. He also said " WE WILL GO DOWNSTATE". Put out the gauntlet to the rest of the Central Suburban South and all the teams in the Sectional and ones that feed into that Supersectional. We all want to see him back, keep up the recovery young man and don't get discouraged, you'll be back, healthy, and your old self.
TOP PERFORMANCES:
Class of 2024 6'0" point guard, AJ LEVINE of York (Elmhurst) scores 39 of his teams 49 points on 5 threes in win over Warren (Gurnee). He was just medieval ridiculous that game. Totally unstoppable.
Class of 2027 6'1" point guard, DEVIN CLEVELAND of Kenwood Academy (Chicago)....well not sure how much he scored against Brother Rice (Chicago). It was reported to be 40 points and 9 threes, but it was more like 31 points and 8 threes. Anyway a huge big time performance by the incoming freshman.
Class of 2027 6'2" point guard, DAVION THOMPSON of Bolingbrook had 29 points including the game winning three point play at buzzer to beat Benet Academy (Lisle). Big time performance.
Class of 2025 6'7" wing AL BROOKS JR of Hansberry College Prep (Chicago) had a double/double of 25 points, a bunch of rebounds, 5 blocks in win over Warren (Gurnee). Reported have a 35 point game over the weekend.
Class of 2024 Owen Giannoulias, Glenbrook North (Northbrook) game winning three with 2.7 seconds left against Normal Community. Ended with 17 points.
Class of 2027 Jaxson Davis, Warren Township (Gurnee) had multiple 20 point games and asked his coach for a defensive assignment on a player with the hot hand.
OTHER TOP PERFORMERS:
Some are mentioned in team write-ups
Class of 2024 unless otherwise noted *(2025) **(2026) ***(2027)
Sam Lappin, Glenbrook North (Northbrook)
Cam Cerese, Lake Park (Roselle)
Stephen Brown, Marist (Chicago) **
Adoni Vasilakis, Marist (Chicago) **
Jurrell Baldwin, Hyde Park Academy (Chicago)
Atticus Richmond, Stevenson (Lincolnshire) *
Rocco Pagliocca, Stevenson (Lincolnshire) **
Ikee Brooks, Hansberry College Prep (Chicago) *
Ian Brown, New Trier (Winnekta)
Logan Feller, New Trier (Winnetka)
Christopher Kirkpatrick, New Trier (Winnetka) **
Aaron Cook, St Francis (Wheaton)
Phoenix Gill, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago) *
Justus McNair, West (Joliet)
Rajan Roberts, West (Joliet) **
Liam Taylor, Lyons Township (LaGrange)
Brady Chambers, Lyons Township (LaGrange)
Noah Sexton, Evergreen Park
Tre Dowdell, Evergreen Park
Jonathan Calmese, Phillips (Chicago)
Armani Edwards, Phillips (Chicago) **
Brady Selhorst, Notre Dame College Prep (Niles) *
Cameron Mercer, Riverside Brookfield **
Stefan Cicic, Riverside Brookfield
Ameer Morrow, Simeon Career Academy (Chicago)
Dekwon Brown, Simeon Career Academy (Chicago)
RJ McKinnie, Simeon Career Academy (Chicago)
Karsen Thomas, Lincoln Way East (Frankfort) ***
Brent Taylor, Lincoln Way East (Frankfort) *
Ian Militec, Rolling Meadows *
Leshawn Stowers, Peoria *
Rakim Chaney, Auburn (Rockford)
Champ Parker, Auburn (Rockford) **
Amir Danforth, Auburn (Rockford) **
James Bullock Jr, Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights)
Zack Sharkey, Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights) *
Anestis Hadjistamoulou, Glenbrook South (Glenview) *
Nate Kasher, Glenbrook South (Glenview)
Nick Taylor, Glenbrook South (Glenview)
CJ Worsham, Christ The King (Chicago)
Aaron McGuire, Christ The King (Chicago) *
Sean Reynolds, DeKalb *
Davon Grant, DeKalb *
Braden Freeman, Moline *
Trey Taylor, Moline *
Jason Jakastys, Yorkville
Bryce Salek, Yorkville
CJ Savage, Aurora (West)
Jordan Brooks, Aurora (West)
Zavier Fitch, Brother Rice (Chicago)
Jayden Tyler, Homewood Flossmoor *
Carson Brownfield, Homewood Flossmoor
Gianni Cobb, Homewood Flossmoor
Justin Bowen Jr, Oak Park River Forest *
Alexander Gossett, Oak Park River Forest *
Josh Abushanab, Glenbard North (Lombard) **
Jalen Crues, Glenbard North (Lombard)
JJ Hernandez, Glenbard North (Lombard)
Treshawn Blissett, Waubonsie Valley (Aurora)
Moses Wilson, Waubonsie Valley (Aurora)
Richard Lindsey, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago)
Tavariyuan WIlliams, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago)
Alioune Mbaye, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago)
Shaheed Solebo, Lane Tech (Chicago)
Jackson Labkon, Lane Tech (Chicago)
Zach Mazanowski, Lane Tech (Chicago)
Kenric Mosby Jr, Perspectives Leadership (Chicago)
Yaris Irby, Niles North (Skokie)
Reid Olson, Niles North (Skokie)
Hunter Gawron, Niles North (Skokie)
Jayden Webster, Guilford (Rockford)
Mickeis Johnson, Romeoville **
Adam Walker, Romeoville *
Meyoh Swansey, Romeoville
Davee Flowers, Niles West (Skokie)
Joey Pantazis, Niles West (Skokie)
Great coverage