5 Must See Chicago Games on Thanksgiving Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the beginning of the season just a week away. I have some opening week must-see games I think high school basketball fans should have on their to-do list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Monday</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kenwood v Hansberry @ Rich Township (Crosstown Classic Holiday Shootout)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An exciting opening contest with the upstart Hansberry Prep featuring the Brooks Brothers ([player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] Jr and [player_tooltip player_id='1766465' first='Ikee' last='Brooks']) taking on a new look Broncos squad that's a heavy contender for state again this season. What a match-up of top 2025 forwards in 6'10 [player_tooltip player_id='1385283' first='Aleks' last='Alston'] (Kenwood) vs 6'7 [player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] Jr. (Hansberry) as a focal point. The Broncos will be heavy favorites with DePaul signee [player_tooltip player_id='1284852' first='Chris' last='Riddle'] and Arizona State commit 6'10 [player_tooltip player_id='1157346' first='Jaden' last='Smith']'s up front along with recent transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1845363' first='Rajan' last='Roberts'] who will be a huge scoring threat. You will also get the highly anticipated debut of freshman phenom [player_tooltip player_id='2125612' first='Devin' last='Cleveland']. Should be a fast-paced game with [player_tooltip player_id='1766465' first='Ikee' last='Brooks'] and Roberts going at each other. Excited to see the return of Calvin Robbins Jr. who missed the travel season with injury.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Young v Lanphier @ Rich Township (Crosstown Classic Holiday Shootout)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>A sneaky first game for both teams. The Dolphins come in with a talented “young” group of players led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='1385300' first='Antonio' last='Munoz'] and a trio of sophomore guards. [player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark'], [player_tooltip player_id='1552476' first='Nasir' last='Rankin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'] look to keep the Dolphins among the elite for years to come as top ranked sophomore guards. This will also be the debut of [player_tooltip player_id='2323647' first='Howard' last='Williams'] who is a 2027 highly touted prospect. Springfield Lanphier has their own athletic workhorse in [player_tooltip player_id='1545135' first='Shaunassey' last='Hatchett']. 6'4 wing player who gets after it on both ends of the court and guard Jaiquan Holman can catch fire with his shooting ability which can make this a tough opening game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Wednesday&nbsp;</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kankakee v Christ The King @ Christ The King&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I consider this a Thanksgiving Eve gift. South suburbs takes a trip to the west side of Chicago for an afternoon game. A very skilled and talented Kay's led by senior guard Lorenz Walters and Damonte May are the savvy veterans in the backcourt but wing 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2105360' first='Lincoln' last='Williams'] is the prospect who will catch a dunk or two and change the whole moment of a game. Christ The King is a 2A favorite this year behind the steady play of 6'6 post [player_tooltip player_id='1978577' first='CJ' last='Worsham']. A physical forward who has guard like handles when it's necessary for him to dribble. Worsham has an inside-out game that's tough to prepare for. The Gladiators also have a very athletic forward in 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2539984' first='Aaron' last='McClure'] who is a bouncy prospect that is a hound on the glass and has great timing on blocking shots. This will be a great early-season game for both teams.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lane Tech v Niles North @ Lane Tech (Battle of the Bridge)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a game that will be a contrast of styles but filled with talent Lane has the four year varsity starter [player_tooltip player_id='1373439' first='Shaheed' last='Solebo'] a 6'4 wing who can also play possessions at guard. Strength inside with the ability to hit shots on the perimeter. He also has size on his side with a formidable front court of 6'8 Jr. Dalton Scantleberry and a very active and bouncy 6'5 [player_tooltip player_id='2211161' first='Nico' last='Wright']. Niles North has a dynamic scoring duo in the backcourt with 2025s [player_tooltip player_id='1385296' first='Yaris' last='Irby'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2105209' first='Reid' last='Olson']. Irby is a quick and stocky guard who can score from three levels. His counterpart Olson is a dead-eye shooter from three. This game has the makings of a good early-season matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marian Catholic - Homewood Flossmoor @ Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights Classic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game is a South Suburbs fixture before Thanksgiving. Pack the house to watch the new improved Vikings. 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1385293' first='Bryce' last='Heard'] and 2024&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1352590' first='Gianni' last='Cobb'] will lead the team in its first competitive game. With help from 6'8 senior Mac Hagemaster and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1774274' first='Jayden' last='Tyler']. Marian Catholic will have a home-court advantage and looks to have a strong performance from 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2321376' first='Zack' last='Sharkey'] the steady guard can do it all and is primed for a big season. Also, look to [player_tooltip player_id='1157221' first='James' last='Bullock'] 6'8 big man who can step out on the perimeter for threes and is a terrific shot blocker on defense. Marian plays stingy defense and can be in any game at their house.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Friday</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Brother Rice v Joliet West @ Riverside Brookfield&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a game to close out the week with both teams having a several college prospects to boast about. Brother Rice led with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1436161' first='Cale' last='Cosme'].  The Lewis commit runs the show better than any guard in the state and he has help with fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='2104840' first='Tyler' last='Wooten'] who transferred in this season He's a terrific shooter who doesn't need much room to knock a shot down. Look for 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1545120' first='Marcos' last='Gonzales'] to be a big factor as a smooth guard who is very savvy around the bucket and has a good touch from mid-range. Also watch for 6'7 froward [player_tooltip player_id='1373444' first='Zavier' last='Fitch'] who has been much improved in the fall league. Joliet West is led by Valpo commit [player_tooltip player_id='1373437' first='Justus' last='McNair'] an athletic scoring guard who gets to become the #1 scoring threat with Fears leaving the state. In addition to Justus, West has 6'10 [player_tooltip player_id='1404027' first='Drew' last='King'] a dependable rim protector and space eater. They were also gifted transfer in 6'4 [player_tooltip player_id='1766497' first='Zion' last='Gross'] an efficient wing player who has a skillset and playmaking ability in the open court. A game this early with so much talent would be a great reason to get outside and burn off some of that holiday food.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->