2021-22 Daily Southtown Boys Basketball Teams and Players to Watch
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Thornton (7-4): Illinois recruit Ty Rodgers transferred in from Grand Blanc in Michigan, where he won a state title, and is determined to win a state championship with the Wildcats. He will be complemented by steady senior forwards Kelsey Tarver and Mark Williams. Senior Montreal McCullough and junior Wadell Bell will have to step up in the backcourt.
2. St. Rita (4-8): Mustangs are extremely young but extremely talented, with 6-9 Morez Johnson (Illinois) and 6-10 James Brown already big-time recruits as sophomores. Sophomore Jaedin Reyna and junior Kaiden Space are strong in the frontcourt, while guard/forward Melvin Bell is a highly touted freshman.
3. Brother Rice (13-1): Crusaders are deep and versatile. Junior guard Ahmad Henderson averaged 13 points last season and is receiving Division I interest. Junior forward Khalil Ross, a transfer from Lincoln-Way East, is a big addition. Junior guard Nick Niego can shoot. Star quarterback Jack Lausch is expected to play basketball this season.
4. Bloom (5-4): Emondrek Erkins-Ford, a 6-8 senior center, is a difference-maker who can score and block shots. Junior guards Kamarion Cobb and Jordan Brown offer up speed, while senior Ivan Mitchell and junior Michael Garner add strength to the frontcourt.
5. Lemont (12-1): Sophomore forward Nojus Indrusaitis averaged 19 points as a freshman and is a budding superstar. Last season, junior twins Rokas and Matas Castillo averaged 11 and 10 points, respectively, and form a strong backcourt duo. Juniors Miles Beachum and Patrick Gardner will look to step up inside.
6. Mount Carmel (5-4): Junior guard Deandre Craig, a dynamic leader, has starred for the Caravan since his freshman season. Forwards Elijah Joyner and Myles Griffith are improved seniors. Watch out for brothers Anthony and Angelo Ciaravino.
7. Hillcrest (9-0): The Hawks will have an entirely new starting lineup. Senior guard Aa’Reyon Munir-Jones, a transfer from Tinley Park, can be a big-time scorer. Senior Marcus Glover and junior Darrion Baker, a transfer from St. Rita, provide size and strength in the frontcourt.
8. Oak Forest (11-2): Robbie Avila (Indiana State), a 6-9 senior forward, was unstoppable last season, averaging 25 points and 11 rebounds. Senior guard Fred Robinson (William Woods), who averaged 13 points, and senior forward Drew Pagnusat also are returning starters. Bengals, though, will have to fill some holes around the senior trio.
9. Marian Catholic (6-7): Senior guard Jeremiah Jones, who averaged 17 points and 6.5 rebounds last season, should be one of the area’s top players. Senior Eddie Barrett and junior Tre Davis add experience to the backcourt.
Spartans lack size and will rely inside on 6-5 sophomore James Bullock.
10. Homewood-Flossmoor (8-4): Senior forward Christian Meeks is the Vikings’ lone returning starter. Senior guard Luis Acevedo is expected to take a big leap this season, while junior guard Nashawn Holmes and sophomore guard/forward Lee Marks are among the newcomers.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
(in alphabetical order) Jimmy Arentz, Providence, senior, guard; Robbie Avila, Oak Forest, senior, forward; George Bellevue, Lincoln-Way East, junior, forward; Jalen Brown, De La Salle, senior, guard; James Brown, St. Rita, sophomore, center; Deandre Craig, Mount Carmel, junior, guard; Duane Doss, Beecher, senior, guard; Emondrek Erkins-Ford, Bloom, senior, center; Ahmad Henderson, Brother Rice, junior, guard; Nojus Indrusaitis, Lemont, sophomore, forward; Morez Johnson, St. Rita, sophomore, forward; Jeremiah Jones, Marian Catholic, senior, guard; Malik Kelly, Evergreen Park, senior, guard; Brandon McCoy, St. Laurence, senior, guard; John McGowan, Oak Lawn, senior, guard; Christian Meeks, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, forward; Michael Morawski, Andrew, senior, forward; Aa’Reyon MunirJones, Hillcrest, senior, guard; Keon Richardson, Tinley Park, senior, guard; Santiago Rios, Richards, senior, guard; Fred Robinson, Oak Forest, senior, guard; Ty Rodgers, Thornton, senior, forward; Justin Sadder, Ag Science, senior, forward; Nolan Sexton, Evergreen Park, sophomore, guard; Jack Vegter, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, guard.