When Sides Collide Preview

Scott Burgess January 19, 2024 @ 03:00 PM

The first game of the day features a pair of state title contenders, which can be said for most of the teams in this event. Normal Community is loaded with senior talent and battled tested with massive wins already. Wright State commit Jaheem Webber Jaheem Webber 6'9" | C Normal Community | 2024 State #300 Nation IL is their star. Low-post scorer that can rebound and score. Also a pair of other potential D1 big men in Noah Cleveland Noah Cleveland 6'8" | C Normal Community | 2024 State IL and Kobe Walker Kobe Walker 6'9" | C Normal Community | 2025 State IL . On the perimeter they have two of the best uncommitted wings in the senior class in Braylon Roman Braylon Roman 6'3" | SG Normal Community | 2024 State IL and Niko Newsome Niko Newsome 6'6" | SG Normal Community | 2024 State IL . DePaul Prep is coming off a 2A state crown a year ago and look primed to make a run in 3A this year. Jaylan McElroy Jaylan McElroy 6'7" | PF DePaul Prep | 2024 State #262 Nation IL is the top available big man on the board in Illinois with his length, activity, and mobility inside. 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 are also highly ranked posts. Robert Walls Robert Walls 6'2" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL , Makai Kvamme Makai Kvamme 6'0" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL , and PJ Chambers PJ Chambers 6'2" | SG DePaul Prep | 2024 State IL bring scoring and playmaking on the perimeter.

2:30 PM Downers Grove North vs Homewood Flossmoor

Top 10 senior and Princeton commit Jack Stanton Jack Stanton 6'2" | SG Downers Grove North | 2024 State #222 Nation IL is an elite shot maker and one of the top scorers in Illinois for DGN. Their senior laden group also gets a boost at the point from Owen Thulin Owen Thulin 6'0" | PG Downers Grove North | 2024 State IL , sharp shooter Alex Miller Alex Miller 6'5" | SF Downers Grove North | 2024 State IL , and big man Jake Reimer. HF is absolutely stacked with talent. Their star is top 3 junior Bryce Heard Bryce Heard 6'6" | SG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 #86 Nation IL who brings major scoring pop from multiple levels. Columbia commit Gianni Cobb Gianni Cobb 6'0" | PG Homewood Flossmoor | 2024 State IL and junior Jayden Tyler Jayden Tyler 6'0" | PG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 State IL form an athletic backcourt and Carson Brownfield Carson Brownfield 6'5" | SF Homewood Flosmoor | 2024 State IL brings a physical scoring presence on the wing.

4:00 PM Whitney Young vs Yorkville

Whitney Young is set up well for the future with the best 2026 group in the state. That group of sophomores is led by top point guard Marquis Clark Marquis Clark 6'1" | PG Whitney Young | 2026 State #136 Nation IL . Nasir Rankin Nasir Rankin 6'2" | SG Morgan Park | 2026 State IL has come on strong as the season has gone along. Bouncy forward Antonio Munoz Antonio Munoz 6'6" | PF Whitney Young | 2025 State #194 Nation IL is among the best juniors in the state with his ability to impact on both ends. The x-factor is elite freshman Howard Williams Howard Williams 6'5" | SF Oak Hill Academy | 2027 #31 Nation IL who flashes high-major upside. Yorkville has one of the best seniors in the state in center Jason Jakstys Jason Jakstys 6'10" | C Yorkville | 2024 State #141 Nation IL . The five man has committed to play his college hoops at Illinois. Skilled inside/outside threat that can knock in jumpers while also score on the block with touch and is an elite shot blocker. Jory Boley Jory Boley 6'3" | SG Yorkville | 2024 State IL is a really good small college prospect that can score for Yorkville.

6:00 PM Kenwood vs Mt Carmel

Kenwood has as much talent as anyone in the state. They haven't been able to put it together consistently throughout the first half of the season. This would be a massive win heading toward the city and state playoffs. Freshman Devin Cleveland Devin Cleveland 6'2" | PG La Lumiere | 2027 State #33 Nation IN has quickly become their best player which is crazy for a team that has multiple high-major guys on their team. He is that special. When Chris Riddle Chris Riddle 6'5" | SF Kenwood | 2024 State #204 Nation IL (DePaul), Jaden Smith Jaden Smith 6'10" | C Kenwood | 2024 State IL (Arizona State), and top 5 junior Aleks Alston Aleks Alston 6'10" | PF Kenwood | 2025 State #170 Nation IL are all clicking this team is lethal. Mt. Carmel features a top 6 that have proven early in the season they play together well and everyone knows their roles. Northwestern commit Angelo Ciaravino Angelo Ciaravino 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State #160 Nation IL is the superstar. Athletic wing that can drain threes and dunk on your head. Lee Marks Lee Marks 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL and Christian Uremovich Christian Uremovich 6'5" | PF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL next to him on their frontline provide versatility and do all the little things well. Their three headed backcourt of Noah Mister Noah Mister 6'2" | PG Mt. Carmel | 2026 FL , 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 have been steady and consistent all year.

7:30 PM Benet vs Thornton

This game features the top senior in the state in Thornton's Morez Johnson Morez Johnson 6'9" | PF Thornton | 2024 State #33 Nation IL against the best sophomore in Benet's Gabriel Sularski Gabriel Sularski 6'6" | SF Lemont | 2026 #148 Nation UT . Thornton has racked up big wins all season behind their player of the year favorite in Johnson. High-motor post that impacts scoring, rebounding, and on the defensive end. The Illini commit is surrounded by three senior guards who have all stepped up this season in Isaiah Green Isaiah Green 6'1" | PG Thornton | 2024 State IL , Chase Abraham Chase Abraham 6'0" | SG Thornton | 2024 State IL , and Meyoh Swansey Meyoh Swansey 6'3" | SG Thornton | 2024 State IL . All of them are top 40 seniors and currently uncommitted. Sularksi is the star for Benet already. At his size he brings so much to the table as a versatile scorer, high level passer, and quality defender. Benet is the future of Illinois hoops with their younger classes. In 2026 alone they have D1 prospects Sularski, Jayden Wright Jayden Wright 5'11" | PG Benet | 2026 State IL , and Colin Stack Colin Stack 7'0" | C Benet | 2026 State IL . Don't forget about junior Daniel Pauliukonis Daniel Pauliukonis 6'9" | PF Benet | 2025 State IL either as this skilled four is primed to breakout along with pass first point guard Blake Fagbemi Blake Fagbemi 5'10" | PG Benet | 2025 State IL ! They came within one play of winning Pontiac in December and are looking to prove their time is now.