Benet and Marist Headline East Suburban Catholic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription to Prep Hoops***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are breaking down the conferences across the state previewing the upcoming season.&nbsp; Here is our look at the East Suburban Catholic League!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Favorite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benet<br><br>This conference has two of the top five teams in the state preseason.&nbsp; Benet is the top dog as they are defending 4A state champs and have every chance to repeat this season.&nbsp; For them it all starts with their big man [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'].&nbsp; The seven footer is an elite rim protector, finisher, and has a rapidly improving face up game.&nbsp; Eastern Illinois commit [player_tooltip player_id='2105390' first='Jayden' last='Wright'] is a lead guard that can really shoot it along with bringing veteran leadership.&nbsp; Class of 2027 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2323620' first='Ed' last='Stasys'] is primed for a big season as he is coming off a monster summer where he shined as a rebounder and defender moving into the top 10 in the junior rankings.&nbsp; Plethora of sharp shooters in Ethan MacDermot, [player_tooltip player_id='1552419' first='Ryan' last='Walsh'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2217942' first='Aidan' last='Renicker'].&nbsp; Lead guard Perry Tchienge sat out last year only being allowed to play JV after transferring, but he is a high level playmaker that can really defend.&nbsp; Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2869571' first='Brandon' last='Otten'] is one to watch down the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marist<br><br>This is the year Marist has been building toward.&nbsp; They have their core returning along with a transfer that brings everything together.&nbsp; Bouncy forward [player_tooltip player_id='1845350' first='Stephen' last='Brown'] showed improved intensity and consistency during June on both ends of the floor as the top 10 talent can take over games with his athleticism.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1552436' first='Karson' last='Thomas'] is a physically imposing senior wing that is like a running back going downhill and can knock in an open shot.&nbsp; In the backcourt they have rock solid play from [player_tooltip player_id='1845365' first='Adoni' last='Vassilakis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2323300' first='TJ' last='Tate'] along with an up and coming prospect in freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2940657' first='Duece' last='Johnson'].&nbsp; Junior power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2125658' first='Kendall' last='Meyers'] has the physical tools to be a quality D1 prospect.&nbsp; De La Salle transfer Charles Barnes Jr kind of brings everything together as a versatile combo forward that rebounds, defends, and makes winning plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Contenders<br></strong><br>St. Patrick<br><br>St. Patrick will have a big squad this year with [player_tooltip player_id='2823605' first='RJ' last='McPartlin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2437108' first='Omar' last='Ajanovic'] up front.&nbsp; They should be able to out rebound a lot of teams with that duo.&nbsp; Watch out for freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2458171' first='Riley' last='Walson'] who has shined this fall as a versatile forward.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1939226' first='Joseph' last='Costanzo'] is the x-factor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marian Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New coach, but the expectations will be the same at Marian Catholic which is to compete at a high level.&nbsp; Strong bodied wing [player_tooltip player_id='2632037' first='Landon' last='Mays'] is a productive inside/outside threat that will be their go to guy.&nbsp; Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552417' first='Jordan' last='Walker'] brings athleticism and multi level scoring at the guard spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Viator</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2125608' first='Dawson' last='Charles'] is the clear go to guy for St. Viator.&nbsp; He is an athletic undersized two guard that can shoot it from deep with consistency along with play above the rim.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2369882' first='Vinny' last='Corrado'] is a big man that has his best basketball in front of him in 2028 as does fellow sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2751053' first='Jacob' last='Only'].&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2403134' first='Nathaniel' last='Rouse'] is an x-factor here.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleepers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joliet Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Intriguing team here as [player_tooltip player_id='2125616' first='Donavyn' last='Simmons'] is coming off a quality summer where he elevated his stock.&nbsp; Two pogo stick athletes in 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2821675' first='Jahari' last='Sanders'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2797229' first='Jaeden' last='Sanders'] are going to be fun to watch as they broke out in July.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carmel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1552461' first='Ethan' last='Matz'] is one of the better players who no one really talks about.&nbsp; He is a very good scoring guard that can be a playmaker as well.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2632047' first='Emmanuel' last='Tezzo'] is another name to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-Prospect Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] (Benet)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2105390' first='Jayden' last='Wright'] (Benet)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2323620' first='Ed' last='Stasys'] (Benet)<br>Perry Tchienge (Benet)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1845350' first='Stephen' last='Brown'] (Marist)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1552436' first='Karson' last='Thomas'] (Marist)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2125658' first='Kendall' last='Meyers'] (Marist)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2632037' first='Landon' last='Mays'] (Marian Catholic)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2125608' first='Dawson' last='Charles'] (St. Viator)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2821675' first='Jahari' last='Sanders'] (Joliet Catholic)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2797229' first='Jaeden' last='Sanders'] (Joliet Catholic)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1552461' first='Ethan' last='Matz'] (Carmel)<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleeper Prospects<br><br></strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2438565' first='Luke' last='Lettvin'] (Niles Notre Dame)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2948540' first='Emran' last='Alispahic'] (Niles Notre Dame)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2848654' first='Sawyer' last='Holstine'] (Nazareth)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->