Check In With HS Teams in Back Half of Top 40 After Summer

***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription*** The month of June was a great chance for us to see a large group of high school teams in a short amount of time throughout the month.  That combined with the evaluation of individual players on the grassroots circuit in the spring and July has allowed us to get a good feel for where we are heading into the high school season.   Here we examine teams #21 - #40 heading into the fall league and camp season.  We of course will have another update of this prior to the start of the season.  Things can and will change as you can see from our WAY TO EARLY Rankings right after last year's state championship.   #21 Metamora   Metamora has two of the better players in central Illinois and they will be key in carrying this squad.  [player_tooltip player_id='2916010' first='Sam' last='Koch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2751060' first='Brady' last='Jones'] are tough and skilled small forwards who have experience.  They will need more depth behind them!   #22 St. Patrick   [player_tooltip player_id='2437108' first='Omar' last='Ajanovic'] had a strong month of June inside for the Shamrocks.  Posted consistent production on the interior.  Minnesota football commit [player_tooltip player_id='3715309' first='Dylan' last='Mota'] will join up with Ajanovic inside to provide one of the best frontlines in the state.  Gael Guiterrez and [player_tooltip player_id='2125648' first='Jimmy' last='Czeslawski'] bring fire power on the perimeter.   #23 Belleville West   J'Dyn Lloyd elevated his stock to be one of the best prospects in the 2027 class.  The Missouri State commit had a great month of June where we saw him at both Lindenwood and Riverside Brookfield where he consistently made shots and looked like a go to guy.  [player_tooltip player_id='3427194' first='TJ' last='Cason'] is a rangy guard with experience and [player_tooltip player_id='3454780' first='Amauri' last='Fenton'] brings front court help in the 2028 class as a two way threat.  [player_tooltip player_id='2850776' first='Cameron' last='Murkey Jr']. is a 2030 to watch.   #24 Bloom   Bloom is going to be one of the most fun teams to watch this upcoming season.  They have a trio of young guards in 2029s [player_tooltip player_id='2918205' first='Keiwon' last='Gulley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2918202' first='Kaden' last='McClellan'] along with 2030 [player_tooltip player_id='3665027' first='Larry' last='Ellis'].  These three play well off each other with Gulley and Ellis being elite scorers while McClellan can also set guys up at a high level.  Jaquon Harris and [player_tooltip player_id='2749967' first='Xavier' last='Martin'] give this young group some experience.   #25 East Peoria   They lost [player_tooltip player_id='2125674' first='Quinton' last='Kitt'] who would have put this team probably in the top 5 for sure top 10 overall.  Now the star is Cole Dubois.  He is a competitive lead guard that just wins games.  High level shot maker who can pour it in from deep!  2028 post [player_tooltip player_id='2632017' first='Kaylen' last='Hardy'] and 2029 guard [player_tooltip player_id='3472199' first='Kingston' last='Weatherspoon'] will be his running mates.   #26 Yorkville   Top 15 duo in 2028 is the leading the way here in [player_tooltip player_id='2532003' first='Joey' last='Jakstys'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2194655' first='Braydon' last='Porter'].  Each had their moments of being the lead guy when we saw them in June.  Plus athletes with skill coming quickly!  [player_tooltip player_id='3454830' first='Graham' last='Martinson'] is one to watch out for in 2028 as a 6'4” shooter.   #27 York   The Dukes were the surprise team of the state finals last season.  They won't sneak up on anyone this season.  [player_tooltip player_id='2839900' first='Joseph' last='Lubbe'] had a good month of June leading his team after taking them downstate a year ago.  [player_tooltip player_id='2829810' first='Miles' last='Burnison'] has elevated his game as an interior presence.  [player_tooltip player_id='3572122' first='Sawyer' last='Asgedom'] is a quality perimeter shot maker and while [player_tooltip player_id='2829852' first='Nathan' last='Poku'] brings defense on the perimeter.   #28 Kenwood   [player_tooltip player_id='2323622' first='Damari' last='Stephens'] is the clear top option for Kenwood.  The 2027 big bodied wing is a physical downhill slasher who is light on his feet with nimble footwork around the hoop.  [player_tooltip player_id='2864914' first='Osiris' last='Bell'] is a slick second option at the guard spot.  [player_tooltip player_id='3625295' first='Colby' last='Irvin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2384522' first='Elijah' last='Shim'] will be important pieces in the 2028 class.  Freshman Elijah McKinnie is a freshman that will bring excitement on the perimeter.   #29 Lincoln Park   Lincoln Park didn't quite live up to expectations last year, but they are back with a different group once again with a ton of depth across the board. For them to reach expectations [player_tooltip player_id='2542413' first='Alvin' last='Robinson'] will need to emerge as the top 25 caliber junior he can be. [player_tooltip player_id='2385677' first='Noah' last='Young'] is a flashy young point guard who will have emerging scoring guards Terrell Easton and [player_tooltip player_id='3685652' first='Andre' last='Harris'] next to him. [player_tooltip player_id='2837979' first='Jayden' last='Townsend'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2822666' first='Derrick' last='Moore'] bring major perimeter size.   #30 Wheaton Academy   When you have one of the best players that is a great start!  Wheaton Academy has that in [player_tooltip player_id='2125634' first='Hayden' last='Schroeder'].  The power forward is a physical low post scorer that brings skill to the table as well.  Rebounds and is a solid defender.  [player_tooltip player_id='2769579' first='Ray' last='Rienow'] can stretch the floor with his shooting as can [player_tooltip player_id='2413169' first='Noah' last='Tink'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2125636' first='Jackson' last='Snider'].  [player_tooltip player_id='3579289' first='JP' last='Brock'] is a 2028 that could be a breakout candidate this season!   #31 West Aurora   Same can be said about West Aurora with having a star.  [player_tooltip player_id='2125687' first='Travis' last='Brown'] is a star at the high school level in Illinois.  Elite speed pushing coast to coast, has a feathery mid-range game and can stretch to three on occasion.  Active hands swiping steals and can pass it.  [player_tooltip player_id='2532025' first='Orlando' last='Edwards Jr.'] is a wing with size should be the secondary scorer next to Brown.  Jaden Matthews-Thoms, [player_tooltip player_id='2834113' first='Amon' last='Greene'], and [player_tooltip player_id='3669947' first='Jordan' last='Weeks'] are players who will play roles for this squad.   #32 Normal Community   They would have been much higher on this list with Jerrel Brown who was a top 10 player in the state who bounced for prep school.  Now their go to player is top 5 2028 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2542412' first='Chase' last='Kasten'] who has had a nice summer with the Wolves.  Wing with plus athleticism and shot making.  Look for [player_tooltip player_id='2882140' first='Makhi' last='Birditt'] to step up for this team.   #33 Marist   The defending 4A state champs lost the majority of their squad who played major roles last season, but they do return 2027 top 20 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2125658' first='Kendall' last='Meyers'].  The four man brings skill and size up front being able to be a playmaker as well.  Lot of pieces surrounding him including [player_tooltip player_id='3430124' first='MJ' last='Greene'], Tyce Bullock, [player_tooltip player_id='3660868' first='JJ' last='Nash'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2834549' first='Jacob' last='Jones'].  None might be as exciting long term as the duo of 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2940657' first='Deuce' last='Johnson'] and 2030 shooting guard Robert Smith Jr.   #34 Oswego   [player_tooltip player_id='2125627' first='Ethan' last='Vahl'] is one of the premier talents in the state and he will have every opportunity to show that for Oswego.  The smooth two guard is a tough shot maker with a feathery touch from deep.  [player_tooltip player_id='3252526' first='Jayden' last='Alford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2125688' first='Tray' last='Alford'] are huge additions transferring in from Yorkville Christian.  That perimeter trio will have [player_tooltip player_id='2393606' first='Cole' last='Jansons'] inside at center.   #35 Oswego East   [player_tooltip player_id='2125619' first='Dshaun' last='Bolden'] is the type of player that can carry a team.  Been a bit forgotten after missing the summer, but he is a jumbo wing that can impact on both ends and be a 20+ point scorer.  [player_tooltip player_id='2894590' first='Alijah' last='Johnson'] is a big man in 2028 that is primed for a big season.   #36 Rock Island   Rocky was a bit up and down during June, but the talent is there despite losing a lot.  They have one of the best players in central Illinois in [player_tooltip player_id='2712818' first='Deven' last='Marshall'].  Athletic guard who can score, pass, and defend.  [player_tooltip player_id='2455389' first='Arthur' last='Abbey'] is a head floor general that can run the show or get buckets.  Houston Zepeda is a freshman to look at!   #37 De La Salle   The Meteors have a team that's depth should be its biggest strength.  Their backcourt of Davaun Bates, Stephon Dixon, [player_tooltip player_id='2532338' first='Kendall' last='Davis'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2532316' first='Chaden' last='Harvey'] is a strong one.  The upside on this squad comes with 2029 forwards [player_tooltip player_id='3472215' first='Zahari' last='Threatt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2859747' first='Kalel' last='Davis'].   #38 Thornton   Always a tough and hardnosed squad who will be led by bucket getting point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2947687' first='Dakari' last='Nesbitt'] who can score from all three levels.  DeAndre Higgs and [player_tooltip player_id='2948461' first='Kobe' last='Stevenson'] are both quality perimeter players and prospects.   #39 Thornwood   Really like the 1-2 punch here for Thornwood in [player_tooltip player_id='2877539' first='Lester' last='Watson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2879381' first='Mekhi' last='Young'] as the 2028 backcourt will carry this squad.  [player_tooltip player_id='3696485' first='Kingston' last='Harris'] is an intriguing 2029 post and wing [player_tooltip player_id='2532333' first='Jordan' last='Johnson'] is another to track.   #40 Brother Rice   [player_tooltip player_id='2632084' first='Daniel' last='Salkauskas'] made major strides over the summer in the 2028 class as a floor spacing and skilled four.  [player_tooltip player_id='2455377' first='Uriah' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='3427287' first='Aiden' last='Henderson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2853757' first='Case' last='Cosme'] are a nice trio of ball handlers.  [player_tooltip player_id='2125603' first='Coy' last='Workman'] and Adam McBreaty bring toughness and shot making on the wings.  Kevin Salkauskas gives Brother Rice more size.

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The month of June was a great chance for us to see a large group of high school teams in a short amount of time throughout the month. That combined with the evaluation of individual players on the grassroots circuit in the spring and July has allowed us to get a good feel for where we are heading into the high school season.

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Check In With HS Teams in Back Half of Top 40 After Summer

In this article:

Access all of Prep Hoops

Teams Primed for a Major Turnaround Seasons in 26-27

Under the Radar and Late Additions in Transfer Portal

C2C Preps: 2035 Players on the Rise

C2C Preps: 2034 Prospects on the Rise

Replacing the Out of State Stars In Aggregate