Riverside-Brookfield: Teddy’s Sunday Notebook (Part 1)

First Look at New Thornton

This was the first time I caught the new-look Thornton Wildcats after the additions of Morez Johnson Morez Johnson 6'9" | PF Thornton | 2024 State #35 Nation IL and Isaiah Green Isaiah Green 6'1" | PG Thornton | 2024 State IL . The two were the focal point early and often connected on scores and assists with one another. Morez was constantly double-teamed on the block, but that didn’t stop him from powering his way to the hoop. He even made a handful of assists out to shooters and buried two three’s in the first half. Isaiah Green Isaiah Green 6'1" | PG Thornton | 2024 State IL did bits of everything. He showed he’s capable of shooting consistently and scoring off the dribble, while also making difficult plays on the other end. Defensively, Johnson took control on the interior and accumulated a handful of blocks in the opening half. The Wildcats led by 15 after Chase Abraham buried a deep three at the and of the first half. He’s another player I was impressed with. The 2024 PG is an outstanding space creator with the ball and showed terrific court awareness up the floor. He also displayed confidence attacking the hoop and scoring through contact. He went on a massive run and accumulated numerous steals and transition buckets up the floor. Thornton won 67-46 over Lemont. Johnson scored 19 and Abraham added 15. Isaiah Green Isaiah Green 6'1" | PG Thornton | 2024 State IL also scored 13 points.

Look out Alanas Castillo

If there was something I liked from Lemont Sunday morning, it was the play from 2025 Guard Alanas Castillo. He had an excellent start to their first matchup with two difficult buckets over Morez Johnson Morez Johnson 6'9" | PF Thornton | 2024 State #35 Nation IL while also burying a three in the opening half. He stayed consistent later in the contest with some more jumpers and another difficult drive to the hoop. The best overall traits about him are is his ability to finish with both hands and get open with some spectacular off-ball movement and cuts towards the hoop. Castillo ended the game with 23 points.

Offense Propels Mt. Carmel Past Hillcrest

Led by Angelo Ciaravino Angelo Ciaravino 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL , Mt. Carmel started this contest hot on a 15-6 run. Ciaravino opened the game with a three and showed some nice bounce with a two-handed dunk down the lane. Lee Marks Lee Marks 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL and Cameron Thomas Cameron Thomas 6'3" | PG Mount Carmel | 2025 State IL also stepped up shorty after with thomas burying a three and Marks converting tough buckets and a one-handed slam inside. It took no-time for Mt. Carmel to go up 20. Ciaravino continued to put on a show. He converted two and-ones before halftime with a quick first step and impressive explosiveness to the rim and opened the second half will a pull-up jumper on the baseline and showed plenty of defensive awareness. 2025 Guard Grant Best Grant Best 6'1" | SG Mt. Carmel | 2025 State IL also had a coming-out performance and a big second half. He started the period with an and-one conversion and then stepped back for a contested three. Towards the end of the game, he displayed a nice floater off a strong baseline cut. He ended with 18 points in a blowout win.   Angelo Ciaravino Angelo Ciaravino 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL also scored 18 while Cameron Thomas Cameron Thomas 6'3" | PG Mount Carmel | 2025 State IL scored 19. 

DePaul Prep Continues to Look Strong, Goes 4-0 This Weekend.

Their final game of the weekend against Proviso East was my first live look at my alma mater since their 2A Championship. They had a hot 12-2 run led by solid guard play from Makai Kvamme Makai Kvamme 6'0" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL . The 2025 PG has superb ball-handling abilities and was responsible for a high volume of points. Rashaun Porter Rashaun Porter 6'6" | PF DePaul Prep | 2026 State IL is a 2026 I really like. He’s got a super athletic build for a sophomore and converted numerous inside buckets. He even stretched out for a three too. PJ Chambers PJ Chambers 6'2" | SG DePaul Prep | 2024 State IL also stepped up early by burying a three, putting back a miss, and taking a charge defensively. He was the first player in double figures after a elbow shot pull-up and another three. He continued to find the net with a breakaway finish and a smooth cut to close out the half. But Chambers wasn’t finished. He converted another difficult and-one and had a step-back three in the corner. He led the way with 22 points as DePaul Prep won 61-28.