The tradition-rich holiday tournaments in Illinois are always highly anticipated for the high school basketball fan. Several tip off this weekend with the majority starting right after Christmas.
But first a big night in the Catholic League awaits.
A pair of Catholic League clashes featuring four ranked teams all at the top of the league square off, highlighting the weekend ahead. Add three other key conference games across the area and here are five previews with picks:
Last week’s record: 7-1
No. 6 St. Ignatius (9-0) at No. 1 DePaul Prep (9-1), Friday
It’s quite simple: DePaul is machine-like in how it goes about winning. Fresh off another high-quality win over highly-ranked Kankakee, coach Tom Kleinschmidt’s Rams turn their attention to a key Catholic League battle.
DePaul has balance with the guard play of Rykan Woo and AJ Chambers to go with the inside punch of Rashaun Porter. That trio is about as good as it gets and big games are second nature to them.
With an unblemished record and wins over Benet and Young, St. Ignatius is rolling and has built confidence along the way. Coach Matt Monroe’s team is putting up nearly 70 points a game offensively. The Wolfpack spread the wealth with three players in double figures: Chris Bolte, the emerging Amir Tucker and Nico Harris.
It’s a tall task but if Ignatius can go on the road and take down Catholic League giant and top-ranked DePaul, it will be time for everyone to jump on the Wolfpack bandwagon.
The pick: DePaul 52, St. Ignatius 44
No. 20 St. Laurence (10-0) at No. 9 Loyola (9-1), Friday
Don’t tell St. Laurence they are a year away. Coach Roshawn Russell’s program is littered with talented young players. Even with all the youth the Vikings are unbeaten and ready for a significant measuring stick Friday in Wilmette.
Markese Peoples, a bruising 6-1, 220-pound guard, is in the midst of a breakout season. He’s leading St. Laurence in scoring with 14.3 points a game. But it’s a balanced attack, featuring junior guard Reggie Stevens (13.6 ppg) and promising sophomores Noah Corro (9.5 ppg), Logan Brown (8.2 ppg) and Jeremiah Toney (8 ppg).
Loyola is the more seasoned team with an established identity, though the availability of perimeter threat and top returning scorer Sam Golden remains unknown. He sat out last week with an injury, but the Ramblers still knocked off ranked Kenwood without him.
Cornell recruit Trey Williams and junior guard Luke Alvarez have been rock solid, while unknown Brody Munsey-Johnson has provided a boost. Munsey-Johnson has been the unsung player and an indispensable piece for a ranked team, averaging 10 points, 6.4 rebounds and two assists a game while shooting 77 percent from the field.
This would be a giant step in the development of this young, talented St. Laurence team. But the experienced team that absolutely needs this one to stay in the league race finds a way on its home floor
The pick: Loyola 48, St. Laurence 43
No. 8 Fremd (7-0) at No. 25 Palatine (7-1), Friday
There is a lot at stake in this mid-December showdown. It’s a rivalry. Both are ranked. And Palatine, on its home floor, doesn’t want to fall two games behind in the suddenly rough-and-tumble Mid-Suburban League West race where Fremd and Hersey are both unbeaten.
It all starts with the best player on the floor, Fremd’s 6-6 Jordan Williams, the Illinois State recruit. He impacts games at both ends of the floor and in so many different ways — and often in unassuming ways. Williams, 6-5 Tommy Moffett and 6-5 Rafael Pinto are senior veterans with rangy length on the perimeter that opponents have a difficult time countering.
Palatine has a player in Illinois football recruit Tony Balanganayi who Fremd will need to find a way to slow down in the paint. The nimble 6-4, 275-pound Balanganayi is off to a terrific start, leading the Pirates with 16.3 points a game. Abram Williams, a 6-4 athletic wing, is a second double-figure scorer at 10.4 points a game.
The pick: Fremd 53, Palatine 50
Lockport (8-1) at Homewood-Flossmoor (8-0), Friday
With a first-year coach and the return of just one starter, sophomore point guard Darrius Hawkins, no one expected this smooth of a transition at H-F. It’s still early, but the Vikings are building a nice resume, including a win over Bolingbrook.
Sophomore point guard Darrius Hawkins (16 ppg) has quickly made a name for himself in just over a year. Now we’re starting to get to know Hawkins’ teammates, including Danny Ruffin (14 ppg), Marvin Douglas and Ethan Jackson.
Lockport, meanwhile, entered the season as a buzzy sleeper name circulating as one of those top-teams-that-isn’t-ranked. For the most part, the Porters have lived up to that so far due to the production from junior twins Nedas and Nojus Venckus. The 6-2 guards are averaging 34 points a game between them, while Trace Schaaf (9 ppg, 6 rpg) and Nathan Munson (7 ppg, 6 apg) have also been heavy contributors.
The pick: Homewood-Flossmoor 62, Lockport 57
Niles North (8-1) at Maine East (7-1), Friday
There are some good vibes right now surrounding Maine East basketball.
It’s been nearly two decades since Maine East experienced a winning season. But the Blue Demons have a sparkling record, already matching last year’s win total, won a Thanksgiving tournament and will host a holiday tournament later this month.
Senior guard Brandon Schreiber brings his unique 6-4 size to the point guard position and is the catalyst for coach Sergio Muro. Schreiber is a very capable shooter whose best asset is his passing and vision.
Sophomores Jayden Dozie and Albert Cooper, who dipped their toes in the varsity water a year ago as freshmen, have injected some life into a team that finished 7-22 last season.
This was to be the year to get Niles North in the Central Suburban League North. The perennial league power returned just one starter, Mustaf Rexhepi, from last year’s team, while 6-2 junior guard Colin Tobin is going to be the next player this program produces. But coach Glenn Olson’s teams just keep churning out wins.
The pick: Niles North 65, Maine East 60