10 Key Storylines Heading into Season

The high school basketball season is almost here!  Time to break it all down with 10 Key Storylines for the upcoming year.

Simeon New Coach, New Team

Legendary coach Robert Smith retired at the end of the season last year after leading Simeon to the state championship game.  He won 6 state championships and produced countless D1 prospects.  Now he has handed over the reins to one of them in Tim Flowers who was Derrick Rose's running mate back in the day.  Flowers has a strong schedule as always and will play in high profile matchups.  They added a huge transfer in Dekwon Brown Dekwon Brown 6'4" | PG Simeon | 2024 #273 Nation IL as the state's top combo guard in 2024 will bring scoring pop from day one.  Rashad McKinnie and Lorenzo Shields Lorenzo Shields 6'2" | PG Simeon | 2025 State IL in the backcourt will bring the defense and a spark offensively.  The x-factor will be how fast Andre Tyler Andre Tyler 6'5" | SG/SF Higley | 2026 State AZ can impact in the CPS as one of the top sophomores in the state.

Year for Central Illinois

This year central Illinois is stacked with teams with chances to win a state championship.  Defending 3A state champs Metamora added the state's #2 prospect Cooper Koch Cooper Koch 6'8" | PF Metamora | 2024 State #81 Nation IL to go along with a strong core that includes Tyler Mason Tyler Mason 6'2" | SG Metamora | 2024 State IL .  Normal Community is loaded with 4 of the top 32 seniors in Illinois in Jaheem Webber Jaheem Webber 6'9" | C Normal Community | 2024 State #300 Nation IL , Braylon Roman Braylon Roman 6'3" | SG Normal Community | 2024 State IL , Niko Newsome Niko Newsome 6'6" | SG Normal Community | 2024 State IL , and Noah Cleveland Noah Cleveland 6'8" | C Normal Community | 2024 State IL .  Peoria Richwoods got a huge lift when #3 overall prospect Lathan Sommerville moved back and the Rutgers commit will be joined by Tavie Smith Tavie Smith 6'1" | PG Peoria Richwoods | 2024 State IL and Jared Jackson Jared Jackson 6'3" | SG Peoria Richwoods | 2024 State IL in the backcourt to form a dynamic trio.  Quincy has a stacked 2025 class led by top 10 junior Bradley Longcor Bradley Longcor 6'3" | PG Quincy | 2025 State #337 Nation IL .  They also feature Dominique Clay Dominique Clay 6'4" | SF Quincy | 2025 State IL and Keshaun Thomas Keshaun Thomas 6'6" | C Quincy | 2025 State IL who have scholarship abilities.  Those juniors join talented senior Camden Brown Camden Brown 6'5" | SF Quincy | 2024 State IL for a big time squad.  Those are the four headliners but plenty of others to watch including Peoria Notre Dame led by Belmont commit Eoin Dillon Eoin Dillon 6'8" | C Peoria Notre Dame | 2024 State #294 Nation IL , Springfield Lanphier with their junior duo of Shaunassey Hatchett Shaunassey Hatchett 6'4" | SF Springfield Lanphier | 2025 State IL along with Jaiquan Holman, and don't count out Moline who has reloaded with 2025 and 2026 prospects led by Braden Freeman Braden Freeman 6'6" | SF Moline | 2025 State IL .

South Suburbs Transfer Teams

It is going to be a fun year in the south suburbs of Chicago with the new talent coming in!  First you have to start with Thornton who went from an after thought this season to a potential state title team with four key transfers led by Illini commit and top senior Morez Johnson Morez Johnson 6'9" | PF Thornton | 2024 State #33 Nation IL .  Their perimeter trio of Isaiah Green Isaiah Green 6'1" | PG Thornton | 2024 State IL , Meyoh Swansey Meyoh Swansey 6'3" | SG Thornton | 2024 State IL , and Chase Abraham Chase Abraham 6'0" | SG Thornton | 2024 State IL should impact on both ends.  Homewood Flossmoor loaded up too in the portal.  They got one of the best combos in the state in senior Gianni Cobb Gianni Cobb 6'0" | PG Homewood Flossmoor | 2024 State IL and followed that up with nationally ranked junior Bryce Heard Bryce Heard 6'6" | SG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 #86 Nation IL who is a high-major recruit.  Combine that with all the talent they already have and this is a stacked team!  Bloom added Marcus Everhart Marcus Everhart 6'5" | PF Bloom Township | 2024 State IL to go with a core of Elijah Lovemore Elijah Lovemore 6'2" | PG Bloom | 2025 State #344 Nation IL , Jaden Clark Jaden Clark 6'5" | SF Bloom | 2024 State IL , and Santana Flowers Santana Flowers 6'4" | SF Bloom | 2024 State IL . 

Transfers Galore

We continue the theme above with transfers being the talk of the offseason.  The top 3 seniors in the state are all at new homes Morez Johnson Morez Johnson 6'9" | PF Thornton | 2024 State #33 Nation IL (Thornton), Cooper Koch Cooper Koch 6'8" | PF Metamora | 2024 State #81 Nation IL (Metamora), and Lathan Sommerville (Peoria Richwoods).  That is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the major transfers both in and out of the state.  The state lost top 3 ranked prospects in their respective classes James Brown (St. Rita to Link Year), Nojus Indrusaitis (St. Rita/St. Laurence to Brewster), Melvin Bell (St. Rita to La Lumiere), and Jeremiah Fears (Joliet West to AZ Compass) in the span of weeks. 

Freshman Phenoms

The class of 2027 in Illinois is already creating some buzz!  Early in the process it is centered around five names.  Warren point guard Jaxson Davis Jaxson Davis 6'1" | PG Warren | 2027 State #49 Nation IL who we saw score 40+ points in a 17U game in the spring.  Kenwood guard Devin Cleveland Devin Cleveland 6'2" | PG La Lumiere | 2027 State #33 Nation IN who looked like he could be the leading scorer on perhaps the best team in the state as a freshman. Howard Williams Howard Williams 6'5" | SF Oak Hill Academy | 2027 #31 Nation IL of Whitney Young who is a physically imposing wing that will get tick as a freshman for the Dolphins.  Bolingbrook's Davion Thompson Davion Thompson 6'2" | SG Link Academy | 2027 #21 Nation MO is a high scoring wing that impacts the game on both ends.  Camron Dunson-Riggs Camron Dunson-Riggs 6'5" | SF Bloomington | 2027 State IL is the top prospect from central Illinois as an explosive wing that plays well above the rim for Normal West. 

Year of the Big Man

This year could also be the year of the big man.  The top of 2024 class features four post players that are all committed to Big 10 schools in Morez Johnson Morez Johnson 6'9" | PF Thornton | 2024 State #33 Nation IL (Thornton – Illinois), Cooper Koch Cooper Koch 6'8" | PF Metamora | 2024 State #81 Nation IL (Metamora – Iowa), Lathan Sommerville (Peoria Richwoods – Rutgers), and Jason Jakstys Jason Jakstys 6'10" | C Yorkville | 2024 State #141 Nation IL (Yorkville – Illinois).  Ton of depth behind that in the senior class with Jaylan McElroy Jaylan McElroy 6'7" | PF DePaul Prep | 2024 State #262 Nation IL , Calvin Robins Jr Calvin Robins Jr 6'5" | PF Kenwood | 2024 State IL , Eoin Dillon Eoin Dillon 6'8" | C Peoria Notre Dame | 2024 State #294 Nation IL , Jaheem Webber Jaheem Webber 6'9" | C Normal Community | 2024 State #300 Nation IL , Jaden Smith Jaden Smith 6'10" | C Kenwood | 2024 State IL , and Stefan Cicic Stefan Cicic 7'0" | C Riverside Brookfield | 2024 State IL all primed to have impactful seasons.

Who is the Top Team?

There is definitely not a clear number one heading into the season, but several top contenders.  Kenwood is absolutely stacked with talent across the board led by a deep senior class along with potential stars in Aleks Alston Aleks Alston 6'10" | PF Kenwood | 2025 State #170 Nation IL and sophomore Rajan Roberts Rajan Roberts 6'2" | PG AZ Compass Prep EYBL | 2026 State AZ .  The team that knocked Kenwood out last year Downers Grove North returns the reason they were bounced in Princeton commit Jack Stanton Jack Stanton 6'2" | SG Downers Grove North | 2024 State #222 Nation IL along with a senior laden squad.  Defending 3A state champs Metamora return a ton including Tyler Mason Tyler Mason 6'2" | SG Metamora | 2024 State IL and Luke Hopp Luke Hopp 6'8" | C Metamora | 2024 State IL not to mention the addition of the best player in central Illinois Cooper Koch Cooper Koch 6'8" | PF Metamora | 2024 State #81 Nation IL .  Three other central Illinois squads are primed for monster years in Quincy, Normal Community, and Peoria Richwoods.  We can't forget about the two south suburbs squads mentioned above in Thornton and Homewood Flossmoor.  Mt. Carmel has an outstanding starting five along with a star in Northwestern commit Angelo Ciaravino Angelo Ciaravino 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State #160 Nation IL .  Everyone of these teams could make a case for the top team in the state this season.

Chicago Catholic League Deepest in Years

Something that caught my attention during the summer was the depth that was emerging in the Chicago Catholic League.  They have quite a group of teams this year after last year where the story was all about St. Rita.  Mt. Carmel will probably be the preseason team to beat with Ciaravino and Lee Marks Lee Marks 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL leading the way.  They also have Stevenson transfer Christian Uremovich Christian Uremovich 6'5" | PF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL up front and junior duo Grant Best Grant Best 6'3" | SG Mt. Carmel | 2025 State IL and Cameron Thomas Cameron Thomas 6'3" | PG Mount Carmel | 2025 State IL in the backcourt.  DePaul Prep has a strong group returning from a 2A state championship team led by top 10 senior Jaylan McElroy Jaylan McElroy 6'7" | PF DePaul Prep | 2024 State #262 Nation IL up front.  PJ Chambers PJ Chambers 6'2" | SG DePaul Prep | 2024 State IL , Robert Walls Robert Walls 6'2" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL , and Makai Kvamme Makai Kvamme 6'0" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL will be a great backcourt.  Along with McElroy the Rams have size in Jonas Johnson Jonas Johnson 6'6" | PF DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL and Rashaun Porter Rashaun Porter 6'6" | PF DePaul Prep | 2026 State IL .  St. Laurence was the talk of the CCL in transfer season as they added Josh Pickett Josh Pickett 6'5" | SG St. Laurence | 2024 State #277 Nation IL from West Aurora and during June also had then #2 senior Nojus Indrusaitis before he bolted for prep school power Brewster.  Pickett will team up in the backcourt with Zerrick Johnson Zerrick Johnson 6'2" | PG St. Laurence | 2025 State IL who had a strong summer.  They also have a strong junior class and a pair of freshman primed to make impacts.  De La Salle is ready.  They took their lumps a couple years ago, last year were close to making a run, and this year their senior quartet of Tavariyaun Williams, Richard Lindsey Richard Lindsey 6'5" | SF De La Salle | 2024 State IL , Alioune Mbaye Alioune Mbaye 6'7" | PF De La Salle | 2024 State IL , and Bryant Hedrick Bryant Hedrick 6'1" | PG De La Salle | 2024 State IL have all they need to make a run in conference and the post season.  Brother Rice is always a tough out.  Despite losing Ahmad Henderson they return Lewis commit Cale Cosme Cale Cosme 5'7" | PG Brother Rice | 2024 State IL and junior standout Marcos Gonzales Marcos Gonzales 6'3" | SG Brother Rice | 2025 State IL in the backcourt along with bouncy Zavier Fitch Zavier Fitch 6'7" | PF Brother Rice | 2024 State IL up front.  We haven't even mentioned the team with the best prospect in the conference which is St. Ignatius and #1 junior Phoenix Gill Phoenix Gill 6'3" | SG St. Ignatius | 2025 State #72 Nation IL .  He will have to take on a huge load this year, but will get some help from Reggie Ray Reggie Ray 6'2" | PG St. Ignatius | 2024 State IL and Phillip Erickson Phillip Erickson 6'2" | PG St. Ignatius | 2024 State IL .

Which Team in Metro East Will Emerge?

The metro east area is wide open heading into the 2023-2024 season.  There are a lot of quality teams, but at this point doesn't appear to be one head and shoulders above everyone else.  You always have to start with East St. Louis who lost a star but have a lot of rangy wings and forwards including Davis Bynum Davis Bynum 6'7" | PF East St. Louis | 2024 State IL and Arlandis Brown Arlandis Brown 6'4" | SF East St. Louis | 2025 State IL that impact on both ends.  Southwestern conference champs O'Fallon return seniors Rini Harris Rini Harris 6'3" | SG O'Fallon | 2024 State IL and Jaeden Rush Jaeden Rush 6'0" | PG O'Fallon | 2024 State IL to a team looking to go back to back.  Intriguing teams at all of the Belleville schools.  Belleville East has good guard play with Tallis Lowery Tallis Lowery 6'2" | PG Belleville East | 2024 State IL and Christian Jenkins Christian Jenkins 6'0" | PG Belleville East | 2024 State IL to go with junior wing Nathaniel Smith Nathaniel Smith 6'5" | SF/SG O'Fallon | 2025 State IL and big Savion Mitchell Savion Mitchell 6'6" | PF Belleville East | 2025 State IL .  Belleville West has a senior trio we are excited to see in high flying Jordan Lacey Jordan Lacey 6'0" | SG Belleville West | 2024 State IL , scorer David Marshall David Marshall 6'3" | SG Belleville West | 2024 State IL , and big man Bryce Newsome Bryce Newsome 6'7" | C Belleville West | 2024 State IL .  Belleville Althoff got a big transfer in two sport star Dierre Hill Dierre Hill 6'0" | SG Belleville Althoff | 2025 State IL who is an elite defender and big time spot up shooter.  Breese Central led by Mason Shubert Mason Shubert 6'2" | SG Breese Central | 2024 State IL , Highland with Jake Ottensmeier Jake Ottensmeier 6'1" | SG Highland | 2024 State IL , and Columbia with Sam Donald Sam Donald 6'8" | PF Columbia | 2025 State IL are all programs to keep an eye on.

Shot Clock Getting Closer?

One thing to always keep an eye on is the shot clock.  It seems at this point more of a when not if the state will adopt a shot clock in Illinois.  There has been a big response around adding one for the last several year by some of the most powerful coaches and it was implemented last year in certified tournaments and shootouts.  In all of those events it seemed well received.