The biggest games bring the best teams and players together to generate the high-interest storylines of a season. Here is a look at the 15 biggest and best high school basketball games this season.
Loyola at DePaul Prep, Friday
A huge Chicago Catholic League tussle between two teams with established, easy-to-identify brands. DePaul has had its way in league play, going a combined 15-1 in the last two seasons. Can highly ranked Loyola buck that trend?
Curie vs. Warren, Saturday at UIC
The Chicago Public League can make an early statement if Curie’s veteran backcourt of seniors Justin Oliver and Michael Oliver Jr. is able to take down Jaxson Davis and Co.
Young vs. Kenwood, Saturday at UIC
A prime-time city showdown at the Chicago Elite Classic. Plenty of eyes will be on an established star (Young point guard and Tennessee recruit Marquis Clark) and an up-and-coming one (Kenwood’s Damari Stephens).
Hersey at Barrington, Jan. 8
The new-look Mid-Suburban League provides more head-to-head showdowns of top teams this season. This one, featuring Hersey’s Charlie Pomis and Barrington’s Oliver Gray, might be the best.
Bolingbrook vs. Neuqua Valley, Jan. 24 at Benet
Both high-end prospects in the Class of 2028 will be on display. These ranked teams are led by Bolingbrook’s Brady Pettigrew and Neuqua Valley’s Cole Kelly, two of the best players in the state.
DePaul Prep vs. Marist, Jan. 24 at Benet
From top to bottom, are there two more complete teams? DePaul has been there and done it. But this is the biggest opportunity for Marist to make its presence felt and turn some heads along the way.
Benet vs. Warren, Jan. 24 at Benet
The marquee matchup of When Sides Collide. When you have a rematch of the Class 4A title game from last season, the No. 2- and No. 3-ranked preseason teams and the top player in the state (Warren’s Davis), there is Game of the Year potential.
Kankakee vs. East St. Louis, Jan. 24 at Quincy
Are these the top two teams in Class 3A? Are East St. Louis’ Jamison White and Kankakee’s Lincoln Williams the top-ranked senior prospects in the state?
Waukegan at Warren, Jan. 27
The second of two meetings — the first is Dec. 13 at the Dog Pound — might decide the race in one of the toughest conferences in the state.
Bolingbrook at Oswego East, Jan. 30
A pair of star attractions in Mason Lockett of Oswego East, who has signed with DePaul, and super sophomore Pettigrew of Bolingbrook highlight this late-season Southwest Prairie West matchup.
Curie vs. Glenbard East, Feb. 7 at Kankakee
A fun city vs. suburban clash that will be a great measuring stick for Glenbard East and star guard Michael Nee.
New Trier at Fremd, Feb. 7
A terrific nonconference game featuring two of the top seniors in the state in New Trier’s Christopher Kirkpatrick and Fremd’s Jordan Williams, who are AAU teammates.
Evanston at New Trier, Feb. 13
There are few rivalries as passionate as this one. When they’re both ranked, it’s even better.
Benet at Marist, Feb. 17
What a way to wrap up the final season of the East Suburban Catholic Conference. These two have shared the last two ESCC titles. Last season, Benet won in overtime. The year before, the two split a pair of one-point games.
DePaul Prep at Warren, Feb. 19
How quickly could these teams meet again in the postseason? Enjoy this one while you can as two Player of the Year candidates, DePaul’s Rashaun Porter and Warren’s Davis, build their résumés.