When Sides Collide Shootout Preview

When Sides Collide Shootout is one of the top events of the second half of the high school season.  The event run by our friend Joe Henricksen has become a must attend event for Chicago basketball fans to check out the top talent in the area.  This year is no exception.  Below is a look at the schedule, details, and prospects at the event.

In just four games the number of ranked prospects in insane!  The senior class has 10 of the top 40 seniors in the state.  For the 2026 class it is 11 of the top 60 juniors.  In 2027 it is headlined by two of the top 3 overall along with a pair of others in the top 20.  Overall prospects inside the PHI rankings in their respective classes in 2025-2027 there are 8 Top 10 prospects in this event!

Where: Benet Academy
When: Saturday, December 25
Price: $10 at door

Schedule

2:30 PM         Waubonsie Valley vs Marist
4:00 PM         Bolingbrook vs Warren
6:00 PM         DePaul Prep vs Homewood Flossmoor
7:30 PM         Benet vs Rich Township

Game Breakdowns

Waubonsie Valley vs Marist

This will be Waubonsie Valley's biggest test of the season as the top 5 team in the state comes in undefeated, but hasn't played the toughest schedule.  This is a big resume and confidence game for March.  They are led by Illinois State commit Tyreek Coleman Tyreek Coleman 6'2" | PG Waubonsie Valley | 2025 State IL who ranks inside the top 10 in the senior class with his electric scoring and passing.  Moses Wilson Moses Wilson 6'5" | PF Waubonsie Valley | 2025 State IL is among the best uncommitted players in Illinois with his versatile inside/outside game.  Sophomore Kristopher Mporokoso Kristopher Mporokoso 6'4" | SF Waubonsie Valley | 2027 State IL is a top 10 sophomore that can impact the game as a third option in a number of ways.  Marist counters with a top 10 junior in Stephen Brown Stephen Brown 6'7" | PF Marist | 2026 State IL who is one of the bounciest posts in the state along with fellow 2026 standouts Rokas Zilys Rokas Zilys 6'2" | SG Vermont Academy | 2026 New E , Adoni Vassilakis Adoni Vassilakis 6'0" | PG Marist | 2026 State IL , and big time wing Karson Thomas Karson Thomas 6'4" | SF/SG Marist | 2026 State IL .

Bolingbrook vs Warren

This is a matchup between two of the three premier sophomores in the state in Davion Thompson Davion Thompson 6'2" | SG Link Academy | 2027 #21 Nation MO (Bolingbrook) and Jaxson Davis Jaxson Davis 6'1" | PG Warren | 2027 State #49 Nation IL (Warren).  They play in the same backcourt during the summer for Meanstreets ' last=''].  They also check in at #2 and #3 in the overall prospects regardless of class rankings so this should be a show!  Bolingbrook also has Valpo commit and double double machine JT Pettigrew JT Pettigrew 6'8" | C Bolingbrook | 2025 State IL up front with Jayden Madden Jayden Madden 6'10" | C Bolingbrook | 2026 State IL being a presence inside too.  Brady Pettigrew Brady Pettigrew 6'3" | SG Bolingbrook | 2028 State #23 Nation IL is among the top freshman prospects in the state as well.  For Warren Owen Squires and Zach Ausburn Zach Ausburn 6'8" | C/PF Warren | 2025 State IL have had to step up for the Blue Devils with some injuries this season.

DePaul Prep vs Homewood Flossmoor

The defending 3A state champs vs the defending 4A state champs here!  Both teams have legit chances to repeat come March!  DePaul Prep is rolling as the #1 team regardless of class in the PHI rankings.  Their guard play of Rykan Woo Rykan Woo 6'1" | PG/SG DePaul College Prep | 2026 State IL , Makai Kvamme Makai Kvamme 6'0" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL (Western Illinois), Robert Walls Robert Walls 6'2" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL , and AJ Chambers AJ Chambers 6'0" | SG DePaul Prep | 2026 State IL play so well off each other.  They also have a force in highly ranked 2026 post Rashaun Porter Rashaun Porter 6'6" | PF DePaul Prep | 2026 State IL on the interior.  HF is led by returning guard Jayden Tyler Jayden Tyler 6'0" | PG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 State IL who is electric with the ball in his hands.  The Wofford commit is a blur with the ball in his hands.  Senior wings a plenty for this squad with Arden Eaves Arden Eaves 6'5" | SF Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 State IL (Lewis), Brent Taylor Brent Taylor 6'3" | SG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 State IL , Aiden Derose Aiden Derose 6'3" | SG/PG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 State IL , Kyle Polk Kyle Polk 6'5" | SF Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 State IL , and Ethan Howard Ethan Howard 6'1" | SG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 State IL all being ranked.

Benet vs Rich Township

Two squads that could both play for state titles in March.  Should be a fun game as they play different styles.  Benet is led by Truman State commit Blake Fagbemi Blake Fagbemi 5'10" | PG Benet | 2025 State IL at the point.  He has an innate ability to get everyone involved.  Next to him is sharp shooting junior Jayden Wright Jayden Wright 5'11" | PG Benet | 2026 State IL who can really knock in shots from distance.  Up front they have one of the best post duos in the state with Southern Illinois commit Daniel Pauliukonis Daniel Pauliukonis 6'9" | PF Benet | 2025 State IL and fellow top 15 prospect in junior Colin Stack Colin Stack 7'0" | C Benet | 2026 State IL .  Rich Township counters with big time athleticism and length.  Al Brooks Al Brooks 6'6" | PF Rich Township | 2025 State #239 Nation IL Jr is the stat sheet stuffing star who has elevated his game as a senior.  High-motor forward that gets double doubles with his explosiveness and relentless nature.  Jamson Coulter Jamson Coulter 6'2" | SG Rich Township | 2026 State IL is a top 10 junior who is a bucket getter while wing Jayden Williams Jayden Williams 6'4" | SF Rich Township | 2026 State IL brings everything together for this squad.