Underclassmen that Can Impact Success of Teams in Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What underclassmen can play major roles in their teams success in the state tournament?&nbsp; For this story we are going to stay away from the obvious Big 4 of 2028 and look deeper at the 28 and 29 players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2542412' first='Chase' last='Kasten'] (Normal Community)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kasten has been tearing up the second half of the season and can be a leading scorer on a team that makes a run at state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2467517' first='Darrius' last='Hawkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2540205' first='John' last='Brown IV'] (Homewood Flossmoor)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If HF reaches their potential in March it will be because of these two sophomores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531970' first='Ben' last='Ojala'] (Evanston)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm never counting Evanston out in March and Ojala's sharp shooting and playmaking is a big reason this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194655' first='Braydon' last='Porter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2532003' first='Joey' last='Jakstys'] (Yorkville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D1 duo in 2028 that if they are clicking can pull off an upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2538631' first='Grant' last='Smith'] (Lyons)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Super athletic and productive wing that has been posting big numbers as of late!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2751060' first='Brady' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2916010' first='Sam' last='Koch'] (Metamora)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones and Koch will have their work cut out for them but versatile wings with size and skill we are not going to bet against them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2751256' first='Archie' last='Goewey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2826261' first='Kenny' last='Bratton'] (Centralia)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Centralia's two most talented players are a pair of sophomore wings ranked inside the top 30.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2385372' first='Noah' last='Corro'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2532014' first='Logan' last='Brown'] (St. Laurence)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If St. Laurence does what they want pulling off multiple upsets in their sectional these two guards will need to be major contributors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2381425' first='DJ' last='Caldwell'] (St. Ignatius)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sharp shooting wing who has elevated his stock this year will be key in their tournament run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2381555' first='Kendall' last='Howell'] (Decatur MacArthur)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and rangy forward that gives his team and inside/outside threat that brings everything together for the 3A favorites.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2877491' first='Marshaun' last='Thornton'] (Mt. Carmel)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thornton is an elite football prospect who has made a name as a hooper with his defense, slashing, and athleticism on both ends!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2877539' first='Lester' last='Watson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2879381' first='Mekhi' last='Young'] (Thornwood)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fun sophomore backcourt who bring scoring and playmaking to the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2389804' first='Lucas' last='Thompson'] (Triad)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson will need to compliment his older brother as they are the 1-2 punch for Triad that could cause some havoc in 3A!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2362360' first='Anfernee' last='Moore'] (Peoria Richwoods)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While most talk about Smith-Holley, Moore is the heart and soul of Richwoods with his toughness and motor inside!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2767906' first='Ronald' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2915584' first='DK' last='Heard'] (Mt. Carmel)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the elite prospects in the state have taken their games to new heights over the last couple of months.&nbsp; Now they will lead their team into the tournament looking to get to a sectional on their home floor and do some damage!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2947687' first='Dakari' last='Nesbitt'] (Thornton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Straight bucket getter can carry Thornton for stretches of games.&nbsp; He is one of the most impactful players in the class from day 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2918205' first='Keiwon' last='Gulley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2918202' first='Kaden' last='McClellan'] (Bloom)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bloom guard duo are already the best players for a historic program out of the south suburbs!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2767828' first='Dallas' last='Marshall'] (Bloomington)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshall has impressed us each time out with his activity level, motor, athleticism, and how productive he already is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2405910' first='Denym' last='Wallace'] (New Trier)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big man who gets the most done at this stage.&nbsp; Big, strong, and skilled post that can impact in a major way!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2964028' first='Elon' last='Henderson'] (Leo)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leo has a chance to rack up some wins in 3A.&nbsp; Their x-factor is how well their uber talented freshman post plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->