Riverside-Brookfield: Teddy’s Friday Takeaways (Part 2)

Levine, Waltz Power York Past Loyola

York had quite the start against Loyola and got off to a 14-3 spurt. AJ Levine and Kyle Waltz Kyle Waltz 6'6" | SG York | 2024 State IL were controlling the tempo early. Levine was making play after play for his teammates and knocked down a deep triple. Waltz found scoring chances from all three levels and converted a big-time dunk. Defensively, York seemed flawless. Almost everyone on the team made defensive plays, and the length exposed by Kyle Waltz Kyle Waltz 6'6" | SG York | 2024 State IL and Max Burnison created nightmares on the glass. Burnison also showed some range with a three in the first half. Later in the game, Levine showed off his defensive abilities with several forced turnovers leading to easy transition points. His playmaking and ball-handling abilities were the focal point of York’s offensive attack. Max Burnison even threw down another big-time dunk in transition. A late spurt from Loyola wasn’t enough, as York held on for a comfortable win.

New Trier Has Retooled

The Trevians have retooled after a third-place finish this winter in 4A. 2025 Combo-Guard Colby Smith Colby Smith 6'3" | PG New Trier | 2025 State IL is the player to watch and showed three-level scoring capabilities early on. He hit two threes and had ten first-half points. He continued to show range in the second half 6’4″ Guard Logan Feller also had a solid start to the contest. The 2024 SG showed plenty of promise attacking the hoop and had several inside scores early on. By the second half of 2024, Ian Brown was making it rain with a pair of threes in the corner to make it a double-digit contest. There are also two 2026 players I like. PG Christopher Kirkpatrick Christopher Kirkpatrick 6'2" | PG New Trier | 2026 State IL lit it up from deep with five three-pointers in the game. While big man Maks Depalo showed plenty of upside at 6’8″ and should be the Trevian’s big man to watch in the future. Colby Smith Colby Smith 6'3" | PG New Trier | 2025 State IL finished with 17 points. Logan Feller scored 15 and Ian Brown had 13.

New Era at Simeon

The post-Robert Smith era has begun for Simeon. A handful of new players, including Dekwon Brown Dekwon Brown 6'3" | PG Simeon | 2024 State IL and Andre Taylor, have transferred in. They got off to a hot start against Marist with several key contributors. RJ McKinnie RJ McKinnie 6'2" | SG Simeon | 2024 State IL was everywhere early. He got on the floor for a loose ball and converted some difficult inside shots early on. Forward Ameer Morrow showed off a nice athletic build and had a big-time poster in the second half. He won almost everything down low with his physicality and toughness. Dekwon Brown Dekwon Brown 6'3" | PG Simeon | 2024 State IL finally made some plays in transition and got to the line to help push Simeon ahead. The Wolverines held on for a 42-39 win with Rashad McKennie scoring 11 pts. In their second game, they lost in OT to Romeoville.

Marist Has 2026’s to Look Out For.

Marist revolved heavily on freshmen last season, and they’re doing the same here. They had a slow start against Simeon but picked it up towards the end of the first half. 2026 PG Adoni Vasilakis shot the ball well and displayed smooth creativity to get to the hoop. He was the anchor to Marist’s offensive attack against the Wolverines . 6’8 F Dekwon Brown Dekwon Brown 6'3" | PG Simeon | 2024 State IL has so much potential with a long wingspan and the ability to shoot and defend from all over the floor. He was sensational in their second game against St Pats. His presence was really felt down low in that contest. He found lots of separation and converted several easy buckets down low. He even got up for several athletic finishes at the rim and hit a corner three in the second half.

Benet vs Mt. Carmel an Exciting Matchup

I really love this matchup because both teams have plenty of promise and are pretty even on paper. Cameron Thomas Cameron Thomas 6'3" | PG Mount Carmel | 2025 State IL opened the game for Mt Carmel with a pair of threes and made plays on the glass with some tough rebounds. Lee Marks Lee Marks 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL is a versatile wing who got buckets from all three levels and showed off a smooth shooting stroke for seven quick points. After an injury in the state semifinal, leading scorer Parker Sulaver Parker Sulaver 6'6" | PF Benet Academy | 2024 State IL displayed sensational strength in the low block for a pair of buckets. But almost everyone was contributing and making plays for Benet. I was really intrigued by Gabe Sularksi. The 2026 Wing hit an outside shot early and converted on a tough drive to the hoop. 

Benet held a 28-26 halftime lead, with Daniel Pauliukonis Daniel Pauliukonis 6'8" | SF Benet Academy | 2025 State IL scoring 8 points to lead the Redwings. The second half was just as intense as Benet and Mt. Carmel continued exchanging leads. Sularski started drawing fouls and converting inside buckets, while Angelo Ciravino began to make plays both inside and out. He opened the second half with a three and snagged some tough rebounds. The biggest thing I noticed from him is his ability to create separation offensively, both with and without the ball. Towards the latter half of 2026, Point Guard Jayden Wright Jayden Wright 5'11" | PG Benet | 2026 State IL made a handful of key passes and took charge defensively. Down 3, Mt. Carmel’s Cameron Thomas Cameron Thomas 6'3" | PG Mount Carmel | 2025 State IL hit a shot, but his foot was on the line. After Benet made two free throws, Angelo Ciaravino Angelo Ciaravino 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL banked home a three at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. Daniel Pauliukonis Daniel Pauliukonis 6'8" | SF Benet Academy | 2025 State IL ended the game there with a three to give Benet the 63-60 win.