A GUIDE TO GET YOU IN THE KNOW
1. Who is the best player in the Chicago area?
Young senior and reigning Player of the Year Jahlil Okafor is the best player in the country. He’s the state’s best big man since Eddy Curry, and he’s on a mission to take the Dolphins to Peoria.
2. Who is the best player not in the Chicago area?
Normal U-High’s Keita Bates-Diop. The 6-8 forward is an Ohio State recruit, ranked No. 19 in the nation by Scout.com.
3. Which players are on the preseason all-state team?
Okafor, Marian Catholic guard Tyler Ulis, Curie big man Cliff Alexander, Stevenson guard Jalen Brunson and Zion-Benton’s Milik Yarbrough.
4. Which teams are the favorites to win Class 4A?
Young, Marian Catholic, Stevenson, St. Rita and Simeon are the top tier of contenders. Stevenson returns Brunson and Connor Cashaw from the squad that lost to Simeon in the title game last season. St. Rita is loaded with D-I talent, and Simeon has young talent and size. It’s the Dolphins’ title to lose at this point. Someone will have to stop Okafor and Paul White.
The second tier of contenders includes Curie, St. Viator and ZionBenton. It’s not hard to see Alexander or Yarbrough having dominant seasons that end with a title.
5. Who are the favorites in Class 3A?
North Chicago, Morgan Park and Orr. The Mustangs won it last year and Orr made it to Peoria by beating North Chicago. Orr has most of the team back, but will have to replace point guard and leader Jamal McDowell. The Warhawks return their big three in JayQuan McCloud, JaVairius Amos-Mays and Kurt Hall.
6. What’s the most interesting development this season? The lack of top tier guards in the Public League, which could spell trouble come state playoff time. The top players are centers and forwards: Okafor, Alexander, Morgan Park’s Josh Cunningham and Lamont Walker, Orr’s Tyquone Greer and Marlon Jones. Even more than NBA and college hoops, high school ball is a guard’s game. That’s why Marian Catholic, Stevenson, North Chicago and St. Rita placed in the top five in the Super 25, ahead of some of the traditional Public League powers.
7. Which players have improved the most since last season?
Fenwick’s Scott Lindsey and Plainfield East’s Aaron Jordan. Both were solid last season, but exploded into high-major prospects over the summer. Lindsey, a senior, signed with Northwestern. Jordan, a junior, is being pursued by a number of programs, including Illinois.
8. Which players are worth traveling to see?
Unless you have time this week to head to Lane’s Thanksgiving Tournament, it’s likely some travel will be involved to see Yarbrough. He’s the state’s most explosive scorer, so it’s worth your time. Imagine a strong, 6-5 Ryan Boatright. Yarbrough is that entertaining.
Ulis is the area’s best point guard since Derrick Rose, so don’t miss a chance to see him. Okafor and Alexander are obviously always worth watching as well.
9. Who is the most important transfer?
Young’s Ant Mosley Jr. He transferred from Providence-St. Mel and steps into the starting point guard role on the No. 1 team in the area. He’s bulked up since last season, which should help a great deal in Public League play.
10. What are the weaknesses of the top teams?
Young’s starting lineup is solid, but the bench is unproven. Skyler Nash has potential and coach Tyrone Slaughter raves about freshman Lu- cas Williamson, but both will be getting their first real tastes of varsity action. Erwin Henry and Rodney Herenton may be outmatched by top-flight national talent.
Marian Catholic is small. Army recruit Terrone Parham, at 6-5, is going to be asked to handle the rebounding and post duties.
North Chicago can play only at one speed: fast. That can be a problem in the playoffs.
Stevenson isn’t loaded. Brunson is an elite talent and Cashaw can play. After that it’s a lot of shooters and program players.
St. Rita hasn’t learned how to win. The talent has been there for years, but there must be a reason playoff success hasn’t happened.
11. Who are the most underappreciated players in the area?
Curie’s Josh Stamps, a 6-4 shooting guard, can dominate games and score in bunches. He’s capable of going on stretches where he seems unstoppable. Oak Park-River Forest’s Javonni Harrell, a 6-7 forward, will open plenty of eyes. He’s one of the area’s most passionate post players.
12. Which teams were overlooked in the preseason Super 25?
Deerfield and Fenwick. The Friars are missing star Scott Lindsey, so expect Rick Malnati’s squad to show up in the rankings sometime in January, when Lindsey returns from injury. Deerfield should be the team to beat in the CSL North. It gets key players back, and last season’s strong sophomore team has been elevated.
13. What is the must-see game of the year?
Marian Catholic vs. Stevenson at the Glenbard East Shootout on Jan. 25. It’s two top-five teams and the state’s top guards, Ulis and Brunson, going head-to-head.
14. Which team is a dark horse to reach the state finals?
Loyola. The Ramblers will likely be one of the top seeds in their sectional. But can they get past city powerhouses in the playoffs? If Jack Morrissey, James Clarke and Kevin Kucera are hot, it’s possible.
15. What is the strongest conference in the area?
The Red-South. Simeon and Morgan Park, the defending 4A and 3A state champs, have reloaded. Bogan is one of the area’s top teams and Vocational has a bunch of young talent and is likely to hit the rankings this season. Harlan is capable. Only Brooks is rebuilding. 16. Who are the top shooters? Morrissey, Stamps, McCloud, Brunson, Ulis. 17. Who are the top freshmen? The state’s best is in East St. Louis: 6-9 Jeremiah Tillman. Locally, Evanston’s Nojel Eastern, Proviso East’s Mahir Williams, North Lawndale’s Manning Patterson, Young’s Williamson and Larkin’s Christian Negron are tops.
18. Who are the top five passfirst point guards?
Ulis, Brunson, Bloom’s Zerell Jackson, St. Joseph’s Glynn Watson, St. Viator’s Mark Falotico. 19. Who are the best big men? Okafor, Alexander, Benet’s Sean O’Mara, Mooseheart’s Makur Puou and Homewood-Flossmoor’s Tai Odiase.
20. Who are the hottest rising coaches?
Larkin’s Deryn Carter and Plainfield East’s Branden Adkins are both building programs with staying power. Also watch Nick DiForti, who has taken over at Joliet West.