When Sides Collide: Top Performers

When Sides Collide has become an annual weekend staple for most of the HS basketball enthusiasts in the Chicagoland area. This year we had 5 games with 10 of the top teams the state could offer. Here is a recap of each game's top players.    Normal Community 59 DePaul Prep 58   This was a contest where DePaul was in control for most of the game. I believe the previous night's overtime game impacted them down the stretch.  Turnovers and bad shot selections hurt the Rams.    [player_tooltip player_id='1285481' first='Noah' last='Cleveland'] 28 pts 10 rebounds (Normal Community) 2024   In what was maybe Noah's best game of the season he was very effective in scoring around the paint area. When that was cluttered he moved out to the perimeter and connected on a couple of high-low plays but also knocked down two three-pointers to keep the defense honest. During key points of the game Cleveland went and high-pointed several rebounds to help seal the victory. As one of the top seniors still on the board Noah should have D2 to low-majors knocking at his door    [player_tooltip player_id='1545133' first='Makai' last='Kvamme'] 15 pts (DePaul Prep) 2025   Makai is a consistent scoring threat who made plays on the perimeter and got downhill in a very crowded paint area. Kvamme seemed to always stop Normal's run with big shots in the third. As we got to the 4th quarter we could tell the effects of last night's overtime game were impacting DePaul's play. Makai tried for one more scoring push in this game's overtime but he missed the free-throw that could have won the game.    Homewood Flossmoor 59 - Downers Grove North 51   [player_tooltip player_id='1352590' first='Gianni' last='Cobb'] 22 points - Homewood Flossmoor 2024   Cobb seems to have big games whenever H-F is on a big stage. He has done a good job at mixing up his attacks. When you think he's about to drive to the rim he shoots a step-back three. If you crowd him on the perimeter he'll drive to the rim and finish with a tough layup. Gianni continues to defy the odds and has been a huge piece to this Vikings squad.    [player_tooltip player_id='1285524' first='Jack' last='Stanton'] 21 points - Downers Grove North 2024    Staton was on a mission to keep his team within reach of the top-ranked Vikings. Jack didn't shoot much in the first half only connecting on a pair of threes in the first half. But in the second when H-F seemed to open up their lead Jack was hot. He hit five three-pointers to keep the game as close as possible. Some of his shots were deep as in several feet off the line. Most of his shots were on the move which is difficult in itself. it was nice to see Jack getting back to his old self after a nagging injury sidelined him last week.    Yorkville 67 Whitney Young 65   [player_tooltip player_id='1285496' first='Jason' last='Jakstys'] 16 points 22 rebounds -Yorkville 2024   The future University of Illinois big man had a big day cleaning up the glass and scoring around the rim with the obvious size disparity in the game. Young was without its top junior prospect. Most people in attendance thought that Jason would have a pretty big day and that he did. Jakstys just skied over players for boards for most of the game. On offense he had several tips most times off his own missed attempts. When Whitney Young turned the ball over Jason was running the floor and finishing plays with dunks and easy layups. There is a ton of upside with Jakstys and I'm excited to monitor his improvement at the next level.    [player_tooltip player_id='2323647' first='Howard' last='Williams'] 14 points - Whitney Young 2027   The freshman forward got the start with Munoz sitting out due to injury. Howard was effective early hitting a three and scoring at the rim. He made another shot later on with plans of trying to lure Jakstys out of the paint. Later in the game he scored by rebounding on the offensive glass and finishing layups through contact. Williams has a bright future ahead of him and his size and skill set.    Kenwood 83 - Mount Carmel 70   [player_tooltip player_id='1284852' first='Chris' last='Riddle'] 31 points - Kenwood 2024   Chris made it very clear that he was the best player on the court. The DePaul commit was a terror from all three levels. Riddle's shot was falling, he finished fast breaks with thunderous dunks, and when the he slowed down he showed his strength around the rim. A huge victory for Kenwood to knock off one of the top 5 teams in the area.    [player_tooltip player_id='1845357' first='Noah' last='Mister'] 17 points - Mount Carmel 2025   Mister had a respectable showing vs his former school. He shot the ball well and controlled the pace of the game for his team. As the first player off the bench Noah is playing starter minutes and adds contributions to his team instantly. His knowledge of the game lets him assess how to make others better. Noah also showed me how well he guards the ball when up full court. He forced the Kenwood guards into some awkward situations. A college prospect down the line.:   Thornton 63 - Benet 54   [player_tooltip player_id='1157230' first='Morez' last='Johnson'] 21 points 10 rebounds - Thornton 2024   Morez is starting to emerge as the leader of the player of the race. The game versus Benet was just another opportunity to showcase his game in front of a big audience. Johnson has played well despite getting double and triple teams in most games. He's improved so much at taking angles in the post where he can only get to the ball and just go up and score. With players constantly pushing and banging into him. Morez has been dominant in the post and it helps his teammates because they are getting uncontested layups or clean looks at the rim. These are the small things most don't think about when voting for POY. How the player makes others around him better. Johnson is in conversation to be a burger boy and this was another moment for everyone to notice how good he is.    [player_tooltip player_id='1552393' first='Gabriel' last='Sularski'] 16 points - Benet 2026   The top-ranked sophomore had brief moments in the game against Thornton. He was practically face-guarded for most of the game and that made it tough for him to get clean looks but what we like about Sularski the most is his knack for figuring things out. As the game went on he was able to get to the rim and get fouled a few times. Then later he was able to shake free for some easier buckets. Gabe did his best to keep his team in the game but Benet's inexperience showed in the second half every time they got close.

When Sides Collide has become an annual weekend staple for most of the HS basketball enthusiasts in the Chicagoland area. This year we had 5 games with 10 of the top teams the state could offer. Here is a recap of each game's top players.