Coaches and/or athletic directors, please email info on your team to mobrien@suntimes.com. Email is preferred, anything that arrives via DM will go out last. I’ll tweet out a preview on every team that sends in the information. You can follow along on X @michaelsobrien or read the previews here. All Illinois schools are eligible, not just schools in the Sun-Times’ coverage area. Please include the following:
School:
Coach:
Cell Phone:
Outlook for this season:
Top Returning Players (Position, Height, Year in school):
Top Newcomers (Position, Height, Year in school):
Top teams in your conference:
Players on your team and in the conference to consider for the list of the area’s best:
Interesting story idea about your team:
I’ll be updating this story nearly every day until the start of the season. Here’s everything that has been tweeted out so far:
The 2024-25 X Previews
Antioch: Won conference for the first time in 43 years last season. Marshall Gehrke is graduating early (pro BMX rider) but starters Teddi Wetu, 6-6 Jason Lee and 6-6 Jack Majerowski return. Juniors Mark Render, Cooper Marabella expected to step up.
Brother Rice: Balanced, unselfish team that had an excellent summer. Senior guard Marcos Gonzales and 6-5 forward Caden Workman return. Senior Jack Weigus transferred in from Hinsdale South.
McHenry: Should be one of the top Fox Valley teams with 6-7 junior Adam Anwar, 6-5 senior Caleb Jett and 6-3 senior Dylan Hurckes. Keep an eye on 6-7 junior Blake Renfro.
Prospect: Replacing a lot after back-to-back 20 win seasons. Some great newcomers but there could be growing pains early in the season. Senior guard Ben Schneider is back from injury and will make a major impact. Seniors Ryan Lifton, Jack Skoog also return.
St. Francis: Competitive group eager to prove themselves. Two starters, 6-6 junior Gavin Mueller and senior guard Niko Quantana, are back. There’s a talented young group led by 6-6 sophomore Ben Whorlow, guard Luke Defrense and 6-6 junior Carter Clark.
Schaumburg: Looking for a bounce back season. Senior-led group with a tough non-conference schedule. Guard Jordan Tunis, 6-8 Zion Young and 6-8 Jakob Jankowski have colleges interested. Senior Javonte McCoy is a great defender and 6-5 junior Cam Anderson had a breakout summer.