MacArthur Favorite in Central State Eight? Who are Contenders?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are breaking down the conferences across the state previewing the upcoming season.&nbsp; Here is our look at the Central State Eight Conference!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Favorite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Decatur MacArthur</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MacArthur is going to be one of the best teams in central Illinois this season.&nbsp; They were extremely impressive during the summer and have a lot of depth and versatility.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2105414' first='Sean' last='Lee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2323268' first='Tishawn' last='Clemmons'] is where this team is run through.&nbsp; Clemmons is a transfer from Eisenhower who brings a veteran floor general that scoring, passing, and leadership.&nbsp; Lee is a big and physically built two way wing that can score with power and has a nice mid-range jumper.&nbsp; Upside with some younger prospects led by speedy point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2455400' first='Damonte' last='Phillips'] who can really push the pace.&nbsp; A trio of upside 2028s to watch in [player_tooltip player_id='2369863' first='KT' last='Thomas'], [player_tooltip player_id='2381555' first='Kendall' last='Howell'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2822181' first='Gabriel' last='Frazier'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Contenders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sacred Heart Griffin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SHG should be the favorite a year from now with their quartet of juniors, but will definitely make noise this year as well.&nbsp; Athletic wing [player_tooltip player_id='2991688' first='Tereik' last='Hurd'] is an athletic two way wing that makes plays in the open floor and his best basketball is ahead of him.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2991689' first='Myles' last='Montgomery'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2991690' first='Terrion' last='Wallace'] are a pair of smaller guards that are super quick and dynamic with the ball.&nbsp; Cameron Brinkman is a sharp shooter!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Normal U-High</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best prospect in the conference is 2027 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2532349' first='Owen' last='Kirby'].&nbsp; Shooters with size are always a coveted commodity and that is exactly what Kirby brings.&nbsp; He has shown some growth in his all-around game, but his sharp shooting is his biggest strength.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2953859' first='Cameron' last='Johnson'] is a senior lead guard that is going to be an excellent D3, NAIA, or JUCO guard with his feel for the game as a strong bodied passer.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2891631' first='Dallas' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2894776' first='Devin' last=''] Fitzgerald also bring pop in the backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleepers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Springfield Lanphier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This tier is the trust the coach and program.&nbsp; Springfield Lanphier doesn't have any major prospects, but with Blake Turner at coach we know this is going to be a competitive team with players that emerge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another one of the better coached teams with a go to system.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2323312' first='Karson' last='Komnick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2734467' first='Brody' last='Tungate'] are small college players to track in their backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-Prospect Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2532349' first='Owen' last='Kirby'] (Normal U-High)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2953859' first='Cameron' last='Johnson'] (Normal U-High)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2105414' first='Sean' last='Lee'] (MacArthur)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2323268' first='Tishawn' last='Clemmons'] (MacArthur)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2991688' first='Tereik' last='Hurd'] (Sacred Heart Griffin)<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleeper Prospects<br></strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2815510' first='Mishari' last='Halbrook'] (Eisenhower)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2323273' first='Masen' last='Johnson'] (Jacksonville)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2492520' first='Elijah' last='Wade'] (Springfield)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2990989' first='Noah' last='Wade'] (Springfield)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->