It’s rare for a top-ranked preseason team to talk about practice a lot. For several decades, the Sun-Times’ No. 1 team was stacked with star players and featured a superstar. The mood was more Allen Iverson than Tom Kleinschmidt.
“We are all about stacking good practices,” Kleinschmidt, DePaul Prep’s coach, said. “Our goal is to have nine good practices out of ten. The practices are hard, they are tough. It makes the game a little bit easy. We are trying to make them comfortable in uncomfortable situations. It’s been the recipe for us.”
The area’s overall talent decline ended the superstar team era. Welcome to the new world, where practice habits receive their moment in the spotlight as we wait for the next generation of high-major college stars.
“[DePaul Prep’s success] comes from how we carry ourselves and our practices,” DePaul Prep guard Rykan Woo said. “We are going really hard. I’ve watched a lot of college practices and ours are pretty similar. We talk a lot, everyone has energy. That just carries over to the games.”
The Rams’ combination of college-bound players and practice habits made them an easy choice for the top spot. Woo is heading to Brown, guard AJ Chambers to Michigan Tech and 6-7 Rashaun Porter is a Toledo recruit.
1. DePaul Prep
Porter will be a load for oppenents to handle with this season. He’s a Player of the Year candidate and still hasn’t reached his ceiling.
“I’m still progressing,” Porter said. “Now I’m working on guard skills. My shooting and ball-handling. Just developing myself to be an all-around player and prepare for the next level.”
Talented sophomore Blake Choice, 6-8 junior Gus Johnson and Zion Lee, an athletic 6-5 transfer from Sacred Heart-Griffin, give Kleinschmidt a talented, tall rotation in the Rams’ quest for a fourth consecutive state title. Read more on DePaul Prep.
2. Benet
The defending Class 4A state champions nearly earned the preseason No. 1 ranking. The Redwings, led by senior guard Jayden Wright (EIU) and 7-0 Colin Stack (North Dakota State), also return Ryan Walsh and 6-7 Edward Stasys. Stasys has blossomed into one of the top prospects in the junior class. Ethan McDermott, a transfer from Australia, and 6-4 junior Perry Tchiegne will also make major contributions.
3. Warren
Jaxson Davis is the state’s biggest star. The junior guard rejected prep school offers and is back in Gurnee to play with his best friend, talented senior guard Braylon Walker, for another season. The Blue Devils had a chance to win the 4A title on the last possession of the championship game last season and are hungry to return to Champaign. Avonn King, shooter Joel Paaasch and junior Tayte Cordova step into key roles. Read more on Warren.
4. Marist
The RedHawks may be the deepest team in the area. Guards Adoni Vassilakis, Karson Thomas and TJ Tate pair nicely wth 6-7 Stephen Brown, 6-5 Kendall Myers and 6-4 Ryan Lawlor. Charles Barnes, a 6-6 standout, joined from De La Salle. Read more on Marist.
5. Kankakee
A Class 3A championship is the goal. Senior guard Lincoln Williams is one of the most talented players in the state and 6-7 senior EJ Hazelett (Indiana State) was the area’s most impactful offseason addition. The Kays have experience and ability surrounding the stars in Myair Thompson, Kenaz Jackson, Phillip Turner and Cedric Terrell. Read more on Kankakee.
6. Bolingbrook
Brady Pettigrew established himself as one of the best sophomores in the country over the summer. Point guard Trey Brost (Michigan Tech) and 6-7 Jayden Madden return and talented senior guard TJ Williams transferred from Glenbard West.
7. Waukegan
The Bulldogs nearly ended Warren’s season in the sectional final last season and the core of that group is back. Senior guard Carter Newsome is one of the state’s best point guards. If 6-7 Jaali Rico Love and 6-4 Simeron Carter find consistency as seniors, state hardware is possible.
8. New Trier
One of the most talented teams in school history with size, shooters and a strong, deep bench. Senior guard Christopher Kirkpatrick (Princeton) developed into a dominant high school force last season. Starters Danny Houlihan (High Point) and Max Vogel return. Juniors Elton Jaegerskog and Matthew Logue will have larger roles this season and 6-7 freshman Denym Wallace is already turning heads.
9. Curie
The Condors won’t take anyone by surprise this season. Senior Justin Oliver emerged as one of the area’s best guards in the city tournament. Senior guards Mike Oliver Jr. and Saquan Cummings are back along with 6-4 Kendall Holliday.
10. Simeon
A strong core of experienced players returns for the Wolverines, bolstered by dynamic scorer Kaydin Benford-Williams, a Lincoln Park transfer.
11. Fremd
Size and experience. A trio of 6-6 seniors, Jordan Williams (ISU), Tommy Moffett and Rafeal Pinto return from a 27-4 team that reached the sectional final.
12. Loyola
Starters Trey Williams (Cornell), Sam Golden and Luke Alvarez are back. Brody Munsey-Johnson and Danny Lee will have expanded roles.
13. Evanston
Junior Vito Rocca is the only starter returning from last season’s squad which finished third in Class 4A, but sophomore Ben Ojala is a talented guard who opened eyes and coach Mike Ellis has five others back who played 17 games or more.
14. Lincoln Park
Senior guard Ahmad Lee is one of the city’s most talented players and senior forward Larry Harris is a rugged, athletic, difference-maker. Jaylen Dickerson also returns and Ashton Flowers transferred from DePaul Prep. Big things are expected of 6-3 sophomore Alvin Robinson.
15. Neuqua Valley
Cole Kelly, a 6-5 sophomore, lived up to all the hype and had the best statistical season in school history last year. Junior Mason Martin developed into a future college player. Unknown 6-10 senior Darlin Aghomi is expected to make a major impact.
16. Kenwood
Mohammad Cookbey takes over as coach. Junior Damari Stephens was a breakout star in February. Prince McCord, a 6-7 senior, also returns and senior Jumi Aguda-Batie impressed in a limited role last season.
17. Barrington
Oliver Gray is one of the most exciting players and dynamic scorers in the senior class. Junior Jackson Roberts and senior Evan Shechtman also return. Sophomores Tommy Hills and Luke Loughlin will contribute.
18. Young
Tennessee recruit Marquis Clark is one of the few high-level, dependable scorers in the area. The Dolphins should improve throughout the season as a talented group of young players gains experience.
19. Oswego East
Mason Lockett is healthy and ready to put on a show. The DePaul recruit is joined by three-year starter Michael Rembert and 6-5 junior Dshaun Bolden, who had a breakout summer.
20. Kaneland
Senior guard Marshawn Cocroft is a proven leader and winner and 6-9 junior Jeffrey Hassan has one of the highest ceilings in the junior class.
21. Glenbard East
Senior-dominated with eight players returning from a 22-win team, led by senior sharpshooter Michael Nee (South Dakota).
22. St. Ignatius
Yale recruit Chris Bolte, a 6-6 senior, leads a deep group with a lot of returners in expanded roles, including Napoleon Harris, Amir Tucker, Grant Poorman, Chris Chittaro and Duke Ross.
23. St. Laurence
Very young but very talented. The core group of juniors and sophomores should develop into a contender throughout the season. Markese Peoples, Reggie Stevens, Logan Brown, Noah Corro and Jeremiah Toney are the top returners.
24. Geneva
Senior guards Gabe Jensen and Dane Turner are three-year starters. Junior Ben Peterson returns to anchor the inside and keep an eye on freshman Cody Rader.
25. Deerfield
Leading scorers Jake Pollack (Dartmouth) and Evan Nagler return from a 24-8 team that advanced to the sectional finals.