Mid-Season Fan Poll Results

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week PHI had our Mid-Season Fan Poll which allowed our readers to vote on who they thought were the best players in a variety of categories.&nbsp; There was an overwhelming response with nearly 40,000 total votes casts!&nbsp; Thank you to everyone who voted in the poll.&nbsp; Now we look at the results!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Mid-Season Player of the Year</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Total Votes Cast: 27,985</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1157230' first='Morez' last='Johnson'] (Thornton) – 56.79%</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1373436' first='Angelo' last='Ciaravino'] (Mt. Carmel) – 28.02%</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1157211' first='Carlos' last='Harris'] (Curie) – 5.01%</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fan vote lines up with who our pick would have been as well at the top.&nbsp; Thornton star [player_tooltip player_id='1157230' first='Morez' last='Johnson'] has put together a dominant season on one of the best teams in the state.&nbsp; The Illini commit and #1 senior has been a terror for opponents on the interior with his ability to score with athleticism inside along with stretching the floor.&nbsp; Elite level rebounder and defender that opens up so much for his teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1373436' first='Angelo' last='Ciaravino'] is in the middle of an excellent season as well.&nbsp; The Northwestern recruit sets at #4 overall in the PHI senior rankings with his elite size and athleticism on the wing.&nbsp; Skilled player that has been a force all season for the Caravan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Curie's [player_tooltip player_id='1157211' first='Carlos' last='Harris'] has been the catalyst for a huge season for his team.&nbsp; The UIC commit is a downhill attacker that led his team to a Pontiac title.&nbsp; Absolutely wills his team over the hump in some games to get wins impacting on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Mid-Season Senior Breakout Player of the Year</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Total Votes Cast: 2,776</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2083269' first='Chase' last='Abraham'] (Thornton) – 44.96%</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1750599' first='Je'Shawn' last='Stevenson'] (Lindblom) – 39.66%</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1429541' first='Zachary' last='Chambers'] (Collinsville) – 15.38%</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Thorton Wildcat took home the second award.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2083269' first='Chase' last='Abraham'] transferred in from TF North as the fourth highest touted transfer of their key quartet, but he has been the most important behind Johnson.&nbsp; High level shot maker that has been consistent from day one for the Wildcats making them one of the best teams in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1750599' first='Je'Shawn' last='Stevenson'] went from #30 to inside the top 10 with the way he played in the first half of the season.&nbsp; The Cleveland State commit is a powerful wing scorer that has shown there is more to his game as a senior scoring with his jumper and impacting in other areas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chambers was a force at the Collinsville Holiday Classic in December.&nbsp; Strong and physical five man that can anchor a defense with his shot blocking and rebounding while powering his way inside for scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Mid-Season Junior Breakout Player of the Year</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Total Votes Cast: 7,006</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1568153' first='Sam' last='Donald'] (Columbia) – 56.57%</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1385301' first='JT' last='Pettigrew'] (Bolingbrook) – 37.88%</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1545146' first='Matthew' last='Zobrist'] (Metamora) – 5.55%</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1568153' first='Sam' last='Donald'] took home the vote with a late push to edge out Pettigrew.&nbsp; The Columbia combo forward has put together a big junior campaign where he has elevated his stock with an improved perimeter game.&nbsp; Plus shooter from three, made strides as a ball handler, and has a good feel for the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1385301' first='JT' last='Pettigrew'] made a massive leap to inside the PHI top 15 in the 2025 new rankings.&nbsp; He has been a dominant force for Bolingbrook from day 1 after his transfer from Fenwick.&nbsp; Scores with efficiency around the hoop, rebounds at a high rate, and blocks/alters a ton of shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1545146' first='Matthew' last='Zobrist'] of Metamora has seen major strides as a junior.&nbsp; Grown physically both height wise along with adding strength.&nbsp; He is an elite shot maker that has proven to be able to attack close outs, displayed crisp passing, and play tough defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Mid-Season Freshman of the Year</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Total Votes Cast: 2,023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] (Warren) – 52.25%</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2323624' first='Davion' last='Thompson'] (Bolingbrook) – 26.05%</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2125612' first='Devin' last='Cleveland'] (Kenwood) – 13.45%</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2323647' first='Howard' last='Williams'] (Whitney Young) – 8.25%</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There has been a ton of talk about the freshman class this season.&nbsp; Four stand out above the pack at this point.&nbsp; In our fan vote it was [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] of Warren who took the top spot with over 50% of the vote.&nbsp; The lefty has been the go to player for a Warren team that went from unranked to inside the top 10 during the season.&nbsp; Explosive scoring southpaw that can get buckets from all three levels while still getting others involved.&nbsp; Led his team to a Proviso West title earning MVP honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2323624' first='Davion' last='Thompson'] of Bolingbrook has been right there step for step with Davis all season.&nbsp; Thompson is another lefty that is more of a two guard with elite scoring qualities notching points from all three levels with consistency.&nbsp; He has absolutely taken over several games this season including almost beating Metamora by himself with an epic championship performance at Jack Tosh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kenwood's [player_tooltip player_id='2125612' first='Devin' last='Cleveland'] missed the early part of the season, but has quickly become maybe their best player.&nbsp; Highly skilled and athletic guard that has an advanced feel for the game.&nbsp; Deep range on his three point shot and has a stellar floater game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2323647' first='Howard' last='Williams'] from Whitney Young jumps off the floor physically with his size and athleticism on the wing.&nbsp; He can really play above the rim, has rebounded well this season, runs in transition, and has improved as a shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->