Freshman 15: 2028s to Watch in Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is rare for freshmen to make a big impact in the state tournament.&nbsp; We saw it last year and this 2028 class has some potential players that could do it this season.&nbsp; Here are <strong>Freshman 15: 2028s to Watch in Tournament</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531961' first='Amarion' last='Smith-Holley'] (Peoria Richwoods)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith-Holley has already become the best player on Richwoods.&nbsp; The slick handling guard with go up against a dynamic East Peoria team in a 4-5 seed matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531970' first='Ben' last='Ojala'] (Evanston)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ojala is a plus shooter that can play effectively on or off the ball.&nbsp; Complimentary player on the top seed in their sectional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2467517' first='Darrius' last='Hawkins'] (Homewood Flossmoor)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hawkins is a spark plug guard that provides a burst for his team with his ball handling, passing, and toughness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'] (Bolingbrook)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pettigrew will be important giving support to his older brother and Thompson by picking up the scoring when needed while defending at a high level along with being a connective passer.&nbsp; Could definitely see him in Champaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125627' first='Ethan' last='Vahl'] (Oswego)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oswego will get a home game to start on the first night of the event.&nbsp; One of the best freshman in state is smooth scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531981' first='Cole' last='Kelly'] (Neuqua Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly has lived up to the hype as the top incoming freshman in the class with his play and in his first tournament has a winnable game in round one then takes a big swing at Waubonsie Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2751060' first='Brady' last='Jones'] (Metamora)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones has been a consistent presence as a physical forward that can board, shoot, and leave an impact as a freshman for a Metamora team that has a tough road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2532031' first='Roosevelt' last='Thomas'] (De La Salle)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas is a thick bodied wing that has had a solid freshman season for the Meteors who should make it to the second week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2542412' first='Chase' last='Kasten'] (Normal Community)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Normal has some possibilities in their sectional and if they make a run Kasten will need to provide two way ability on the wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531972' first='Bonheur' last='Balita'] (Lycee Francias de Chicago)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You might not have heard about this player, but the small school product is a big scoring small forward who has been one of the top freshman bucket getters in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2751256' first='Archie' last='Goewey'] (Centralia)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goewey has been excellent for the Orphans winning MVP of both their holiday and mid-winter tournaments.&nbsp; They have a path to make it back to the super sectional where they lost last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2369943' first='John' last='Morgan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2369867' first='Ryan' last='Morgan'] (Crystal Lake South)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These twins have been productive presences on the interior for a squad that made a run last year and it wouldn't shock us to see them in a super in March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194655' first='Braydon' last='Porter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2532003' first='Joey' last='Jakstys'] (Yorkville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another freshman duo as Porter and Jakstys both bring size, scoring, and defense to the table.&nbsp; If they win in the tournament they will have to contribute to it as both are important pieces for their teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->