I will start by saying I've been wrong about the champ the last two years (and may be wrong again this year). This one seems to always come out with a surprise winner. Here we go:
FAVORITE: Stevenson (Lincolnshire): They have the most talented team in the tournament. Seniiors Winona State commit Aidan Bardic, Atticus Richmond, and Liam Curtin are great starts. Add juniors Rocco Pagliocca and Donovan Williams and a lot of talent there. First year in this tournament after being at Hinsdale Central a few years.
SECOND FAVORITE: Libertyville: They are a North Suburban Conference rival of Stevenson. They've played once already and lost in overtime. If this is a semifinal could be a doozy. Junior Bryce Wegrzyn is a star inside/out forcde. Seniors Liam Hanson and Ryan Thompson are very underrated. Junior Jack Cenar can score as well. Look out for freshman guard Terrence Davis Jr.
DARKHORSES: North (Downers Grove): They were in my rankings for a week then dropped out. Still a very good team. Could be in title game. Seniors Bobby Grganto, Nolan Hurter, Jack Richtman, Jack Crowley, and Aidan Akkawi. They have shooters and Grganto hits the glass. Plays eight to nine people.
Deerfield: They've beaten Evanston and are amongst the leaders in the Central Suburban South. Could have semifinal matchup with North (Downers Grove). Star is junior Jake Pollack and inside/outside force. Junior Evan Nagler is a knockdown three point shooter. Senior Sam Hanus is another kncokdown outside shooter. Senior Quinn Schimanski helps run the show. Senior big man Drew Rodgers is still working back from his ACL knee injury.
UNKNOWN QUANTITY: St Viator (Arlington Heights): They have the shooters and rebounding to make a run to the title game or lose in quarterfinals. Senior MIT commit Henry Marshall is back from injury and can score in a variety of ways. Sophomore Dawson Charles is a King of Bounce with an improved jumper. Seniors Brayden Michaels and Jaylan Szlachetka and Dayvion Ellis (All-State in football) are backcourt contributors.
SLEEPER PLAYERS TO ANNOUNCE THEMSELVES WITH AUTHORITY:
Davion Tate, Maine West (Des Plaines) (sophomore)
Nate Fridman, Glenbrook North (Northbrook) (sophomore)
Brent Collar, Wheeling
Samuel Hirsch, Fremd (Palatine)
Jordan Williams, Fremd (Palatine) (junior)
Alex Sirbu, Buffalo Grove (sophomore)
Ben Schneider, Prospect (Mount Prospect)
Brady Sehlhorst, Notre Dame College Prep (Niles)
Terrence Davis Jr, Libertyville
Nick Ori, Wauconda (junior)
Matt Anderson, Oak Forest
Ryan Prowicz, Hampshire
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