Teams That Can Break Into Top 5 This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the summer it is pretty clear there are five teams that are a notch above everyone else.&nbsp; DePaul Prep, Benet, Warren, Marist, and Kankakee separated themselves from the pack.&nbsp; DePaul Prep and Benet are defending state champs and should be better this year.&nbsp; Warren was the 4A runner up with [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] returning. &nbsp;Marist has a ton of prospects across the board and looked good in June.&nbsp; Kankakee boasts the top prospect and another top 10 player along with three other college players on their roster.&nbsp; So who can challenge them?&nbsp; These are the top contenders to break into the top 5!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bolingbrook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Raiders lost Davion Thompson and [player_tooltip player_id='2698739' first='Dereon' last='Smothers'] (only played with them in summer) to out of state prep schools they still have a lot to be excited about.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'] is the star here as the 2028 guard proved this summer he is a no doubt high-major prospect with his athleticism, three level scoring, and passing potential.&nbsp; Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1874876' first='Trey' last='Brost'] will be his running mate in the backcourt.&nbsp; Tough leader and plus shooter from beyond the arc.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1552408' first='TJ' last='Williams'] was a big pick up in the transfer portal as a skilled offensive wing with a feathery mid-range game and defensive versatility.&nbsp; Class of 2027 6'5” small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2881313' first='Isaiah' last='Rogers'] emerged over the summer as a long and lanky wing that has his best basketball ahead of him.&nbsp; Up front look for a trio of posts to give them depth that not many teams will have.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2244002' first='Jayden' last='Madden'] is a D1 talent that is primed for a breakout season as a rim runner, lob threat, and shot blocker.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2424631' first='Jeremy' last='McCullum'] does all the dirty work around the hoop rebounding and finishing junk plays.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2875676' first='Elijah' last='Anderson'] broke out as a face up big that can shoot a little and brings it on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rock Island</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rocky looks to be the team to beat in central Illinois this season!&nbsp; They have so many guards they can throw at you.&nbsp; Class of 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2712818' first='Deven' last='Marshall'] has the highest ceiling as he is a slick handling bucket that is so nifty scoring in the paint.&nbsp; Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2823476' first='Lawson' last='Zulu'] is so fast with the ball going coast to coast in the blink of an eye.&nbsp; Impacts on both ends.&nbsp; He and [player_tooltip player_id='2823489' first='Avian' last='Thomas'] will bring senior leadership at the guard spot.&nbsp; Transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2455389' first='Arthur' last='Abbey'] is a 2027 point guard who can shoot it and runs the team with his pin point passing.&nbsp; Up front they have [player_tooltip player_id='2876529' first='Aris' last='Morgan'] who had a breakout summer with his strength, rebounding, and scoring inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Trier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has one of the best 1-2 combos in the senior class.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1554516' first='Christopher' last='Kirkpatrick'] is a high IQ guard that has swagger.&nbsp; Big scorer that can get buckets from anywhere on the floor.&nbsp; He has a lethal shooter next to him in [player_tooltip player_id='1552486' first='Danny' last='Houlihan'] who has improved his all-around game.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2405910' first='Denym' last='Wallace'] is a freshman big man that will impact from day 1.&nbsp; The 6'6” post has a strong frame and is an elite rebounder already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Decatur MacArthur</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MacArthur should contend with Rock Island as the best team in central Illinois this upcoming season.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2105414' first='Sean' last='Lee'] has really taken a step forward in his game.&nbsp; Well built wing that plays with a high-motor and gets to the rim at will.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2323268' first='Tishawn' last='Clemmons'] is a game changer at the point with his leadership, speed, and passing.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2455400' first='Damonte' last='Phillips'] is a lightning quick guard that gets to rim along with being a force defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waukegan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waukegan definitely has the talent to make a run if everything clicks.&nbsp; They have a nice backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1552444' first='Carter' last='Newsome'] at the point along with [player_tooltip player_id='1845351' first='Simereon' last='Carter'] as a scoring wing.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1845356' first='Jaali' last='Love'] brings them star potential as a long and lanky four that can board, defend, and get points inside and out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East St. Louis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Flyers have reloaded for a run this season in the metro east and beyond!&nbsp; It all starts with the Chaminade transfer duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1873523' first='Jamison' last='White'] and Jahadi White Jr.&nbsp; Jamison emerged as one of the top 3 senior prospects in the state with his play in June and July.&nbsp; Powerful and athletic forward that plays with a ton of intensity.&nbsp; Jahadi missed a lot of the summer with an injury.&nbsp; He is a big bodied five that mauls on the glass and moves bodies inside.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2822953' first='Alex' last='Johnson'] is a smooth wing that is primed to post big numbers as a senior.&nbsp; Like the upside of [player_tooltip player_id='2458184' first='Tyrik' last='Barnes'] up front as a young big man coming into his own.&nbsp; Plethora of guards that should contribute in Phillip Jones, Tervion Webster, and Rashad Johnson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Curie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing I have learned over the years is never count Curie out!&nbsp; They are well coached and are the true definition of a program.&nbsp; At the point [player_tooltip player_id='2734369' first='Justin' last='Oliver'] is their best player.&nbsp; He broke out as a junior and should be one of the best guards in the city.&nbsp; Mike Oliver Jr is a plus shot maker from beyond the arc.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2823632' first='Kendall' last='Holliday'] brings a strong frame and athleticism up front.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2540149' first='Tobyus' last='Banks'] could emerge as a junior wing for this squad with his strength on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln Park</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a real chance that Lincoln Park could be the best team in the Public League.&nbsp; They don't have an individual superstar, but the depth of talent and how the pieces fit together makes this group intriguing.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2105399' first='Ahmad' last='Lee'] is their highest rated upperclassmen as a smooth bucket getting wing.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2734375' first='Jaylen' last='Dickerson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2436249' first='Ashton' last='Flowers'] bring two quality ball handlers that can pass and score.&nbsp; Up front [player_tooltip player_id='2831535' first='Larry' last='Harris'] is an undersized four that is a game changer at the high school level.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2439327' first='Jalil' last='Amous'] is a big bodied center who impressed us in June.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2542413' first='Alvin' last='Robinson'] is their best long term prospect as the 2028 wing has the chance to be impactful on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Whitney Young</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dolphins will have the best player in the Chicago Public League this season in [player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark'].&nbsp; That is a great place to start.&nbsp; Dynamic lead guard who had a big summer both with his high school team and [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''].&nbsp; They return a pair of 2027 wings in [player_tooltip player_id='2532358' first='Zaire' last='Green'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2125591' first='Caden' last='Crudup'] who provide defense and shooting.&nbsp; More shot making will come from 2028 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2834050' first='Jaivyn' last='Richardson'].&nbsp; They got a couple nice transfers in [player_tooltip player_id='2455378' first='Ed' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2323596' first='Noah' last='Emmanuel'].&nbsp; Williams is a tough leader at the point from Lindblom while Emmanuel will bring them much needed size up front after a year away from the Dolphins.&nbsp; Watch out for freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2886496' first='Travis' last='Jamison'] who should be impactful as a freshman with his shot making and plus positional size at the guard spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There will be high expectations for Alton in the Southwestern Conference this upcoming season.&nbsp; They have one of the best seniors in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='2376270' first='Semaj' last='Stampley'].&nbsp; Scoring guard that should consistently post 20-30 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2860144' first='Ryan' last=''] Howard is a player we are high on as a three and D wing in the 2027 class that compliments Stampley extremely well.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2540086' first='Jamarion' last='Green'] up front is a broad shouldered post that boards, finishes, and defends.&nbsp; O'B[player_tooltip player_id='2860144' first='Ryan' last='']t Brown is an x-factor at the curt spot as the lefty brings size and slashing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evanston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Curie, Evanston is a team that you should never count out.&nbsp; They made a run to state last year and while they lost a couple pieces they have a good duo returning in [player_tooltip player_id='2540157' first='Vito' last='Rocca'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2531970' first='Ben' last='Ojala'].&nbsp; Rocca is a versatile wing that shoots, passes, and defends.&nbsp; Ojala is a lead guard with creativity that can really shoot it from deep!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->