This is the last of six stories previewing some of the best conferences in the area.
Public League Shield
Favorite: Simeon
Take your pick among four or five teams in the new Public League Shield conference, but we’ll move Simeon to the top based on experience, depth and burgeoning talent. Senior guard Lorenzo Shields is back, 6-5 junior Andre Tyler is set to morph into a star after an impressive offseason, 6-5 Julien Doyle can score and 6-5 junior Kassidy Nelson is a sleeper ready to impact.
Top challengers: Kenwood and Young
Any team with Devin Cleveland leading the charge is going to be in contention mode. If always promising 6-9 Aleks Alston shows up as a consistent producer, then the Cleveland-Alston duo for Kenwood becomes one of the best in the state. But how does this team react to the loss of coach Mike Irvin so close to the start of the season?
Speaking of duos, 6-6 Antonio Munoz and junior guard Marquis Clark form a heck of a tandem for Young and will keep the Dolphins in the mix. With the defections of other key players, Munoz and Clark will be expected to carry a big load.
Sleepers: Lincoln Park and Lane
Don’t sleep on Lincoln Park. The Lions are a defensive-minded team that has big potential with senior guard Ahmad Lee, 6-4 Chayse Turner and big man Keyshawn Barfield.
Lane continues taking steps toward relevancy in the city. With big man Dalton Scantlebury as the cornerstone, along with a ton of size and length surrounding the 6-9 Penn recruit, Lane will be dangerous again.
Player to watch: Antonio Munoz, Young
The 6-6 Munoz has the physical tools and the four-year experience to become a dominating player as a senior. He’s also uncommitted and will be closely watched all season.
Young player to keep an eye on: Devin Cleveland, Kenwood
The best pure talent in the city and, quite possibly, in the entire state. Look for Cleveland, who was in and out of the lineup last season, to emerge as a bonafide difference-maker as a sophomore.
All-Conference: Antonio Munoz and Marquis Clark, Young; Devin Cleveland, Kenwood; Andre Tyler, Simeon; Dalton Scantlebury, Lane.
Top storyline: The new league format with 12 teams in one division, regardless of city geography, will take some time getting used to for various reasons. But the parity at the top — all kinds of it among the top five or six teams — is as real as it’s been in the city in a long, long time.
Predicted order of finish: Simeon, Kenwood, Young, Lincoln Park, Lane, Curie, Hyde Park, Westinghouse, Lindblom, Phillips, Clark, Taft.