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<p>This past weekend the <strong>Chicago Elite Classic</strong> was held at UIC Pavillion. 12 matchups of some of the better high school teams from the Chicagoland area. In this article I revisit some of the games with my recap. </p>
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<p><strong><u>Kenwood the new #1</u></strong></p>
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<p>The Broncos had a big week knocking off DePaul Prep on Sunday and then beating a very good Warren team that many thought was #1 in the area. Kenwood had a lot of things happen from last season until the start of this season. From graduating 3 D1 seniors and losing a high-scoring guard to the head coach stepping down right before the season. All has been forgotten with the two additions that didn't get a lot of attention. Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1385290' first='Amari' last='Edwards'] and forward [player_tooltip player_id='2321397' first='TJ' last='Seals']. Edwards is a state champion guard who came from Phillips and he's been big in both games for Kenwood. He's been the big scoring threat that neither team game planned for. Amari has been lethal from three going 6 for 6 as he was able to get free pretty often with most of the attention on [player_tooltip player_id='2125612' first='Devin' last='Cleveland'] and Alston. With Sealsth ey added a rugged rebounder who isn't afraid to get physical on the glass and hasn't had many problems scoring through contact. TJ pulled in 18 boards in what was the best game of the event. </p>
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<p><strong><u>Noble No Problem</u></strong></p>
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<p>Two players who put up video game numbers in the Noble League both found new schools. Last season many people argued about them playing against lesser competition but after Saturday's games at the CEC these two showed that it doesn't matter what level they played the numbers are still the same. [player_tooltip player_id='2321397' first='TJ' last='Seals'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] Jr both had some crazy numbers in their games, Seals pulled in a hefty 18 rebounds along with 8 points which is something he did on a regular at Johnson Prep. As for Brooks he always had big numbers and making the move to Rich Township he hasn't had many games to show but against a national power like Duncanville, he didn't disappoint. Al is an agile forward who can score off the bounce and can pile up on rebounds before you knew it he had a double-double at half. He finished the game with 24 points and 16 rebounds. Maybe the only bright spot for the Raptors in their loss. These former Noble school guys have made many doubters into believers.</p>
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<p><strong><u>Best Sophomore Performances </u></strong></p>
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<p>We will continue to show the spotlight on the terrific three 2027 players who took IHSA by storm last year. All three were in action at the Classic. [player_tooltip player_id='2323624' first='Davion' last='Thompson'] (Bolingbrook), [player_tooltip player_id='2125612' first='Devin' last='Cleveland'] (Kenwood) and [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] (Warren). Thompson maybe had the better stat line of the three 22 points and 8 rebounds in a victory over Kankakee. For Cleveland and Davis who faced off against one another, their numbers were pretty close to one another. Devin had 17 points, 5 boards, and 4 assists along with a win. Jaxson also had 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 dimes. These three will continue to be linked up for now and in the near future at the Elite Classic. </p>
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<p><strong><u>Best Rebounders </u></strong></p>
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<p>As most people post the highest scorers I went a different route and wanted to shine a light on the best rebounders from the CEC.</p>
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<p><strong>Alex Vincent OPRF 6'9 2025</strong></p>
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<p>The space-eating big grabbed 16 boards to go with 13 points.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2538867' first='James' last='Amison'] 6'6 Perspectives 2025</strong></p>
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<p>Bouncy forward who has gone under the radar James grabbed 11 rebounds. </p>
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<p><strong>Zach Aushurn 6'8 Warren 2025</strong></p>
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<p>Ausburn had 11 boards in the loss to Kenwood </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1385301' first='JT' last='Pettigrew'] 6'7 Bolingbrook 2025</strong></p>
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<p>There was no surprise for the double-digit rebounds. Mr. double-double in the state had 11 rebounds and 13 points. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105222' first='Chayse' last='Turner'] 6'5 Lincoln Park 2025</strong></p>
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<p>A surprise on this list but not really. Turner is an athlete who can play multiple roles on a team. He grabbed 16 boards to go along with 15 points. </p>
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This past weekend the Chicago Elite Classic was held at UIC Pavillion. 12 matchups of some of the better high school teams from the Chicagoland area. In this article I revisit some of the games with my recap.
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