16 bright candles for 2024-25 season
Knowing player movement will sway things between now and the start of the school year in August, here’s a way-too-early look at the top basketball teams in the area, listed alphabetically, heading into next season. A sweet 16, if you will.
BENET: Star sophomore Gabe Sularski departed for Lemont, but several talented young players who gained experience return, including scoring guard Jayden Wright, 6-11 Colin Stack, 6-9 Dan Pauliukonis and guard Blake Fagbemi.
BLOOM: The stat-sheet-filling Elijah Lovemore is a great starting point. The 6-4 point guard returns as a bona fide Division I prospect. Payton Edwards, 6-5 Santana Flowers and sophomore guard Amari Pryor return from a sectional finalist.
BOLINGBROOK: The 1-2 punch of freshman Davion Thompson and 6-7 junior JT Pettigrew is a monster start for a team that was among the best in the state. Sophomore Trey Brost is a tough shot-making guard who returns after playing a big role for a 27-win squad.
DEPAUL PREP: The Rams will have plenty of key weapons, starting with point guard Makai Kvamme and blossoming 6-7 sophomore Rashaun Porter. Promising Jonas Johnson, a 6-6 junior with skill, missed half the season with an injury, while sophomore PJ Chambers and starting guard Rob Walls gained valuable experience.
HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR: The Vikings are in uncharted waters as a Class 4A defending state champion. Coach Jamere Dismukes has a pretty special tandem to defend the title in 6-5 junior Bryce Heard (17 points per game) and junior point guard Jayden Tyler (9.8), both Division I prospects.
KENWOOD: The season ended with a thud and controversy as coach Mike Irvin was suspended and players were ruled ineligible in the postseason. However, Aleks Alston is one of the top juniors in the state, and freshman Devin Cleveland is ready to explode on the scene.
LINCOLN PARK: The Lions enjoyed some definite highs during their 21-win season. That included breakout campaigns from 6-4 junior Chayse Turner and sophomore guard Ahmad Lee. Nearly everyone else also returns, including guard Damian Pearson and 6-9 big man Keyshawn Barfield.
MARIST: The Redhawks put together a rock-solid season that included 29 wins and a regional title. Sophomores Stephen Brown and Adoni Vassilakis return with juniors Achilles Anderson, a strong, physical inside presence, and 6-4 Marquis Vance.
NEW TRIER: The emergence of sophomore point guard Christopher Kirkpatrick (13.6 points per game) to go with junior Colby Smith (7.3) and sophomore shooter Danny Houlihan (7.5) give the Trevians experience and building blocks.
NILES NORTH: Keep an eye on a team that returns all of its important pieces. The backcourt of Yaris Irby and Reid Olson can score, while 6-5 Hunter Gawron is an underrated athletic presence.
PHILLIPS: The Wildcats rolled to a Class 2A championship and could be even better next season. Four starters return, including star junior guard EJ Horton (21 points per game), Amari Edwards (16) and Phoenix Childs (10).
ROLLING MEADOWS: Led by breakout junior star Ian Miletic, who put up 19.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, Rolling Meadows is the top team in the Mid-Suburban League. The Mustangs welcome back all five starters.
ROMEOVILLE: Point guard EJ Mosley is a Division I talent and will have an even better comfort level with several key returners, including 6-4 DJ Porter, guard Mickeis Johnson and 6-10 Adam Walker.
SIMEON: Lorenzo Shields is a talented junior guard, while highly regarded 6-4 sophomore Andre Tyler is expected to make a big jump. Plus, players such as Kassidy Nelson, Julien Doyle, Jashon Liggett and Isaiah Coleman return after gaining valuable experience.
WARREN: Freshman Jaxson Davis was the catalyst for a team that surprised everyone in winning 31 games and a sectional. The Blue Devils also return sophomore Braylon Walker and juniors Javerion Banks and Jack Wolf.
YOUNG: The Dolphins have the potential to be one of the elite teams, led by 6-6 junior Antonio Munoz, a Division I prospect who missed a large chunk of last season. A burgeoning sophomore class includes guards Marquis Clark, Nasir Rankin and Rykan Woo. Plus, don’t forget about uber-talented freshman Howard Williams.