Parham Perspective: Holiday Preview Pt 1
In this article:
** Written by Steve Parham With most of the early season shootouts over this week we now get prepared for a bevy of Holiday Tournaments across the state. I breakdown some of the top Chicagoland tournaments, teams, and players to catch…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading** Written by Steve Parham
With most of the early season shootouts over this week we now get prepared for a bevy of Holiday Tournaments across the state. I breakdown some of the top Chicagoland tournaments, teams, and players to catch next week. We look at Proviso West, The Big Dipper, and Pontiac in Parham’s Perspective: Holiday Preview Part 1!
Proviso West
Top Team
Kenwood is by far the most talented team in this event. They are gifted 1 through 5 with talent and has the deepest bench in the state. Darrin Ames Darrin Ames 6'1" | PG Kenwood | 2023 State #99 Nation IL leads this squad with help from Tyler Smith Tyler Smith 6'2" | SG Wheaton Academy | 2025 State IL in the back court. The front court of Calvin Robins Jr Calvin Robins Jr 6'5" | PF Kenwood | 2024 State IL , Jaden Smith Jaden Smith 6'10" | C Kenwood | 2024 State IL , and Aleks Alston Aleks Alston 6'9" | PF Kenwood | 2025 State #170 Nation IL could probably start for some college programs in the state.
Dark Horse
Proviso East is a team that can come out of this and shock some of the top teams in the area. They have balanced scoring and toughness at multiple positions. Could be tough to beat with a heavy East crowd making every game a home game for the Pirates.
Best Player
Ames is the best player on a very talented team. He can either score 30 points or dish 15+ assists in any game.
Player to Watch
James Brown James Brown 6'9" | C Link Academy (from Chicago) | 2024 #66 Nation MO ’24 (St. Rita) If anyone should have a breakout performance it would be him. The top player in the junior class has had a rocky start to the season with some early foul trouble in games. Brown has the skill and size to change the outcome of games anytime he steps foot on the court.
Top Unsigned Senior
Bryce Coleman Bryce Coleman 6'6" | SF Proviso East | 2023 State IL Proviso East. Since making the transfer to East Coleman has been very assertive in games. Showing his versatility inside and on the perimeter. He has been very aggressive on both ends.
Big Dipper
Top Team
Hilcrest has been playing very well at the start of the season behind Akron commit Darrion Baker Darrion Baker 6'8" | PF St Rita | 2023 State #227 Nation IL . Bryce Tillery Bryce Tillery 5'7" | PG Hillcrest | 2023 State IL has shown that he is able to lead this team and the additional help of Quentin Heady Quentin Heady 6'5" | SF Hillcrest | 2023 State IL has stepped up in big games.
Dark Horse
Perspectives Leadership
Deep guard squad who can catch fire at any moment in tournament settings like this. Gianni Cobb Gianni Cobb 6'0" | PG Homewood Flossmoor | 2024 State IL and Jakeem Cole Jakeem Cole 6'0" | PG Perspectives | 2023 State IL are a tough backcourt duo. And wing Tim Handy Tim Handy 6'3" | SG Perspectives | 2024 State IL is tough player to guard.
Best Player
Darrion Baker Darrion Baker 6'8" | PF St Rita | 2023 State #227 Nation IL (Hilcrest) is the biggest threat to any team in this event. At his height Baker can make teams pay from inside paint or out on the perimeter. Can also change the game defensively.
Player to Watch
Jakeem Cole Jakeem Cole 6'0" | PG Perspectives | 2023 State IL (Perspectives) is the reigning Catholic League Player of the Year. He has recently just been cleared to play for Perspectives. He only had a few games so naturally he’s easing into the situation. He will have enough time to become the gamechanger his team needs.
Best Unsigned Senior
Evan Jackson Evan Jackson 6'6" | SF St Rita Chicago | 2023 State IL (DelaSalle) smooth 6’5 wing player that can make shots and is crafty enough to make plays at the rim. His length on defense can be a factor in most games.
Pontiac
Best Team
Simeon is easily one of the most talented teams in the state. They have a legitimate 5 D1 starters lead by the twins. Miles Rubin Miles Rubin 6'7" | PF Homewood Flossmoor | 2023 State #243 Nation IL and Wesley Rubin Wesley Rubin 6'7" | PF Homewood Flossmoor | 2023 State IL . Sam Lewis Sam Lewis 6'5" | SF Oak Park River Forest | 2023 State IL brings versatility on the wing and a tough backcourt of Kaiden Space Kaiden Space 6'2" | SG St.Rita | 2023 State IL and Jalen Griffith Jalen Griffith 5'9" | PG Simeon | 2023 State IL rounds out how tough this team will be.
Dark Horse
Joliet West I’m not sure we should say they are dark horse, but this team does have the best backcourt in the event with Jeremy Fears Jeremy Fears 6'1" | PG Joliet West | 2023 State #31 Nation IL , Jeremiah Fears Jeremiah Fears 6'1" | PG AZ Compass Prep | 2025 State #31 Nation AZ , and Justus McNair Justus McNair 6'3" | SG Joliet West | 2024 State IL . With a strong presence from forward Matt Moore West has the tools to beat any team in this event.
Best Player
Jeremy Fears Jeremy Fears 6'1" | PG Joliet West | 2023 State #31 Nation IL (Joliet West). The Sparty commit has played in some big events and Pontiac tournament is no different. Will be fun to watch him battle in some intense holiday games.
Player to Watch
Carlos Harris
Carlos
Harris
6'1" | SG
Curie | 2024
State
#283
Nation
IL
(Curie) has been ready to breakout this season what better way to do that with a string of games at Pontiac. He is a junior that can score in bunches and will be called upon this week.
Top Unsigned Senior
Jalen Griffith Jalen Griffith 5'9" | PG Simeon | 2023 State IL (Simeon) is by far the top unsigned player in the state at the event. Jalen is a floor leader and can change the pace of games in multiple ways. Should be interesting to see how things shake up for him after a good showing.