State Finals: Class of 2025 Top Performers

The state tournament concluded the Illinois high school basketball season on Monday.  PHI breaks down the top performers and prospects from the event.  We do that here in State Finals: Class of 2025 Top Performers!   [player_tooltip player_id='1385293' first='Bryce' last='Heard'] (Homewood Flossmoor)   Heard was stellar in Homewood Flossmoor's win over New Trier.  With his team struggling to score it was the junior star who poured in feathery jumpers one after another from 15-18 feet.  Gets elevation on his shot and made them at a high clip.  Also drained a pair of threes off the catch.  Hit the glass as well from his wing spot going for 16 points (7-11 FG) and 7 rebounds in a win against New Trier.  He put on a show again in the championship game dropping a cool 21 points (3-4 3PT), 10 rebounds, and 3 assists in the victory against Normal.  The shots coming off his hand seemed effortless.  Got to the rim for an explosive dunk and made regular trips to the line.  Looked like the best junior in the state.   [player_tooltip player_id='1774274' first='Jayden' last='Tyler'] (Homewood Flossmoor)   The semifinal game Tyler didn't leave much of an impact.  In the championship game the junior was a huge spark for his team.  The point guard banged in a pair of triples to open the game and get his squad going.  Did more of the same in the second half with a couple from distance.  Showed despite his lack of ideal size he is also willing to stick his nose in on the glass for boards finishing the game with 15 points (4-5 3PT), 7 rebounds, and 3 steals.   [player_tooltip player_id='2321396' first='EJ' last='Horton'] (Phillips)   Horton was spectacular with his all-around game in the semis against Williamsville.  Early on he was looking to set up his teammates which he did with electric passing in the half court.  Made great P/R reads, found bigs inside, and hit shooters for clean looks.  Active with his hands on the defensive end and rebounds very well for a combo guard.  Good shooter that hit a three, but it was his explosiveness off the bounce was what stood out the most.  Slick takes to the rim and closed it out with a pair of nasty dunks!  He had 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 dimes in the semis.  In the championship game he was in foul trouble in the first half, but had his moments throughout the game helping his team take home the crown.  Explosive scorer that can get downhill with the best of them with his burst throwing down dunks and acrobatic finishing game.  Excellent in transition and made sound decisions as a passer recording 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.  Bonafide D1 prospect that could make a run at the top 10 prospects in 2025!   [player_tooltip player_id='1385290' first='Amari' last='Edwards'] (Phillips)   Bit of a quiet game in the semis for Edwards as the smaller scoring point guard notched 9 points.  Solid shooter hit a pull up from mid-range along with a key three in the second half.  He played a key role in their championship game victory making some nice plays with the ball in his hands along with his jumper and a key and-1 in transition notching 12 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='2217980' first='Phoenix' last='Childs'] (Phillips)   Childs made a name for himself in the semis with a 21 point outing.  The 6'4” small forward was impactful on both ends of the floor.  Hit a pair of threes, took it coast to coast, and was a force defensively blocking shots and getting steals.  In the championship Childs hit a pair of threes along with crashing the glass for 13 points and 7 rebounds.  Really helped his stock heading into the spring!   [player_tooltip player_id='1545133' first='Makai' last='Kvamme'] (DePaul Prep)   Kvamme was the most important player on the floor in the DePaul Prep's semi final win against Richwoods.  He controlled the tempo of the game and set others up with his passing.  Directed traffic while also finding his spots to take advantage of the defense with his penetration off the bounce and acrobatic finishes at the cup.  Array of soft touch finishing moves led him to 15 points and 6 dimes.  He was the best player for DePaul Prep again in the title game.  The junior hit a pair of threes and broke defenders down while completely controlling the pace of the game in their win against Mt. Carmel.  Was perfect at the line going 8-8.  He had 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists.  Lot of momentum heading into the spring!   [player_tooltip player_id='1385311' first='Robert' last='Walls'] (DePaul Prep)   Walls was rock solid in the championship game going for 10 points on 4-7 shooting from the field.  Good mid-range jumper that stretched to three on his lone attempt.  Can win off the bounce with his speed as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1545126' first='Docker' last='Tedeschi'] (Benton)   Massive game for Tedeschi in the semis.  The skilled face up four man had it all working.  He drained a pair of threes, high/low seals, shot fake for pull ups inside the arc, posted up strong, and high pointed rebounds.  Passed it very well and was super impactful defensively with how well he protected the rim all game long in the semis against Byron going for 14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 blocks.  In the championship game Phillips played physical with Tedeschi not letting him get a lot of clean looks as a scorer, but he impacted in a number of other areas.  High-pointed rebounds, passed it very well, and was a major shot blocking presence finishing with 7 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 blocks, and 2 steals in a loss.  Legit D2 prospect now with an even higher ceiling.   [player_tooltip player_id='1545145' first='Lyncoln' last='Koester'] (Mt. Zion)   It was a tough shooting game for Mt. Zion's top perimeter option in Koester.  He missed some bunnies and the three ball only went down for a 1-5 clip.  Did manage a couple sweet floaters and what stood out was his improvement as a passer which we had previously not seen.  If he can show that more this summer that will elevate his stock.  Worth keeping on the radar of D2 programs.  He had 13 points and 5 assists.   [player_tooltip player_id='2375614' first='Brayden' last='Trimble'] (Mt. Zion)   Trimble is a high level football prospect that will probably go that route in college.  What we like about him as a hooper is the 6'2” long and rangy wing brings plus athleticism and is a smooth slasher.  Makes plays in transition and is quick to the offensive glass.  He had 7 points and 6 rebounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='1385307' first='Cameron' last='Thomas'] (Mt. Carmel)   Thomas is a strong bodied combo guard that can really shoot the ball.  He is a plus mid-range guy that can expand it out to three on occasion.  Did just that hitting a pair in the semis along with a runner.  Good rebounder and defender that brings toughness on the perimeter.  In the semis he had 14 points.  Low-major D1s should start getting familiar with him.   [player_tooltip player_id='2105179' first='Grant' last='Best'] (Mt. Carmel)   Best got the Caravan going early in the semis with his hot shooting from beyond the arc draining a trio of them for the game along with a  sweet baseline take.  The two guard plays within the system and finds his spots to make impactful plays.  Emerging as a legit D2 prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id='2105203' first='Kobe' last='Walker'] (Normal Community)   Walker is a prospect that low-key has a very bright future.  Legit size up front with long arms and touch in the paint.  Only plays limited minutes with Cleveland and Webber, but in his short time on the floor he had 4 points and 3 rebounds in the semis against Palatine.   [player_tooltip player_id='2375621' first='Brayden' last='Saling'] (Williamsville)   Saling had a big performance in their semifinal loss to Phillips scoring 21 points.  Lefty guard is a crafty ball handler that has a knack for getting to his spots.  Clean jumper with range to beyond the three point arc connecting on an array of them in that game.  Likes the scoop shot as well getting it high off the glass.  Projects as a small college guy long term.

The state tournament concluded the Illinois high school basketball season on Monday. PHI breaks down the top performers and prospects from the event. We do that here in State Finals: Class of 2025 Top Performers!