Pre-Season (Hype) Previews

The 2015-16 season approached us quite rapidly, just sitting the gym recently watching hoops was a quick reminder for me to get myself mentally ready for a season of shenanigans

1. Simeon – (0-0) After consecutive seasons as a non-participate in the State Tournament, Chicago’s flagship program will rally this season behind the senior trio of Zach Norvell (Gonzaga recruit), Ben Coupet and Josh Thomas, but the glue to this Wolverines group will be the play of rapidly emerging junior guard Evan Gilyard. Minutes will be distributed among the transfer tandem Terrell Phillips a 6-7 senior cast-off from Al Raby, James Gordon (Toledo recruit) and Devonire Glass. The Wolverines have plenty depth, they house youngster’s Messiah Jones a 6-4 jumping jack, silk-smooth Bakari Simmons a 6-4 lefty, and physical/gritty swingman Talen Horton-Tucker a capable scorer. Highly touted Kezo Brown returns, he may have to compete for his ticks this go-around. Translation – this will be the year they march through the city opponents and on to a state title.
2. Morgan Park – (0-0) Senior guard (Memphis recruit) Charlie Moore returns as a POY candidate, but will be asked to play pivotal role in providing leadership to a unproven cast. Western Michigan signee Jarrin Randle is primed for a banner season. He’s improved his overall game, he once was labeled as just a spot-up shooter. Jamal Burton a six-foot one athletic energizer will ignite crowds regularly with his spirited play, but the performance of 6-7 senior Alonzo Chatman and junior’s Melo Burrell and Lenell Henry will be key. Sophomore transfer Ayo Dosunmu from Westinghouse will have opportunity on stage to demonstrate where his potential lies. Player to watch is junior shooter Cam Irvin.
3. Riverside-Brookfield – (4-0) This well-oiled team will welcome back four starters from a group that went toe to toe with 4A state champ Stevenson before losing a close game in the super sectionals. Whitney Young transfer Skyler Nash’s arrival will give the Bull Dogs another capable scorer, besides it’s a new beginning for Nash who’s been hindered by injuries as well as lofty expectations, a change of scenery could produce wonders. The guard trio of Daniko Jackson, Jalen Clanton and Henry Trelenberg will amount for 30 plus points nightly, senior forward Mark Smith has that inside/outside unorthodox style that provides match-up nightmares, he is a scoring threat.
4. Kenwood – (1-0) Some significant parts return starting with Indiana State recruit Nick Robinson, guard Zion Morgan (Valpo) and junior forward Manny Patterson arguably the best 2017 prospect in the public league. He will be a load for most opponents nightly. Patterson was sidelined most of last season with a shoulder injury, while his team was battle tested last season without his services, look for the Morgan/Robinson tandem to lead the way. Hyde Park Academy will present a challenge. 6-5 junior David Hunt could be a contributor early, while 6-5 Lincoln Park transfer Miles Curry should add quality depth. 5-11 JR G Calvin Hill could see significant minutes.
5. Fenwick – (4-0) Senior catalyst Mike Smith a 4 year starter will quarter-back the whole operation; Smith has the perfect ingredients to run coach Rick Malnati’s disciplined system. In addition Smith will be hoping to elevate his value as the no. 1 point-guard available at season’s end, he just might have pursuers from all over the country, by guiding this cast any success will be the key to his future fortunes. Junior Jamal Nixon has size & versatility, he returns from a previous season shortened by injuries. 6-5 senior Mike Ballard gives the Friars a consistent outside threat. The player who could surprise some viewers could be senior big-man Charlie Boyle a six foot seven mobile front-courter, he could be a difference-maker.
6. Evanston – (4-0) Coach Mike Ellis is close to sustaining the winning culture he sought after when he arrived at the north-suburban school which was always noted for its rich hoops tradition. Ellis’ largest challenge will be managing highly touted junior Nojel Eastern’s development as well as meshing his talents with the talented cast of forward Elyjah Williams a 6-5 ever improving forward who operates under-the-radar and talented 6-4 junior swingman Chris Hamil, he can stroke-it on the perimeter and his handles are adequate enough allowing him to attack the rim effectively. Hamil can score, junior Malik Jenkins has to be a steady ball-handler nightly if the Wildkits wanna trump the Morgan Parks, Kenwoods, Fenwicks, and River-Side’s. Eastern wants to be a star so badly, now he gets to blend his skills with some talented mates. His leadership will be everything.
7. Curie – (1-0) Some reasonable question marks loom with this inexperienced bunch. DePaul recruit Devin Gage known as all-around gamer has the ability to be a twenty point a night threat, will likely carry the heavy lifting along with junior stand-out Elijah Joiner destined to become the top ranked PG in the 2017 class of public leaguers. Sophomore Landers Nolley has received an awful lot of love since his arrival in the windy city. “But his play will determine if the love affair is for real.” Promising 6-6 sophomore Treavon Martin will be thrown under fire early. The Condors have some essential parts to work with now Coach Oliver will have the task of assembling his parts properly. DePaul Prep transfer Mike Johnson could provide depth in the back-court.
8. Bogan – (3-0) Reigning city champions will battle Simeon and Morgan Park in the red-south section but may not have enough weapons this time around. The Bengals arsenal will start & end with scoring duel of seniors James Jones (Buffalo recruit) & Bryce Barnes, they will rely on a scrappy/pressing brand & relentless style. They won a watered down Thanksgiving Tournament in Rock Island.
9. Niles Notre Dame – (3-1) This squad has all the ingredients of a sleeping giant, come March the Don’s will need some formidable outside shooting other than junior sparkplug Matt Stritzel to combine with the inside play of 6-7 Anthony D’Avanzo and budding standout Jeameril Wilson a six foot six versatile wing. This group will be hard pressed to compete in big game settings when 6-6 senior forward Ammar Becar is unproductive at both ends of the floor, which we witnessed from him in the championship game versus Evanston in which the Don’s lost 71-64, Becar managed 2 points. 6-4 SR PG Lucas Simon is capable of having some outstanding outings, by Xmas they will be clicking on all cylinders.
10. Hyde Park – (4-0) Everything here starts up-front with leadership from the bench, but their size & length will pose enough problems for most opponents. Tilden H.S. transfer 6-9 post-man Anthony Cameron is blossoming into one of the top pivot-men in the 2017 class, while senior swingman Tajuan Agee has emerged as all-conference/all-city candidate, Agee likely will be a highly sought-after come spring signing period. Guard play will be the key to the Thunderbirds success.
11. Bradley-Bourbonnais – (3-0) Valparaiso recruit Micah Bradford arguably has the best upside of all the point-guards in the 2016 class, he will have his team in position to contend with the big boys come late February. He and senior forward Zach Hollywood (James Madison recruit) will be a formidable scoring duel that could rack-up 40 plus points between them most nights. Bourbonnais secret weapon happens to be versatile senior forward Dante Emerson a bruising inside/outside scoring threat, in addition he hits the glass with authority. “The Kankakee area will have a memorable season.”
12. Whitney Young – (0-0) Execution will be everything to the inexperienced bunch, never-the-less there’s talent on the board, action starts with junior forward Lucas Williamson an all-around scorer, sophomore Xavier Casteneda will be expected to man the point-guard slot, he carries that highly billed label, sophomore Justin Boyd and Brother Rice transfer Jake Kosakowski should provide some scoring punch. This band of youngsters have an interesting match-up with perennial city favorite Simeon on Saturday Dec 5th at Chicagoland Classic.
13. St. Joseph – (4-0) Coach Ping will find ways to replace the senior trio of Watson/Ash/Brown, but the key component will be centered around 6-9 senior forward Nick Rakocevic keeping the ship afloat straight-ahead. If he does maintain his composure he just may drum-up some player of the year conversation. Rakocevic, off to a superb start will team with physical forward Lavon Thomas and “do-it-all” sophomore Joffari Brown. Fri Dec 4th – De La Salle will invade their home turf.
14. Farragut – (4-1) Young, Marshall and North-Lawndale will have a major tussle on their hands with this talented up-coming Admiral team. Coach Will Nelson often mentioned in city circles as one of the public league’s top coaches, will hand-over an line-up card of under-rated 6-3, G/F Dulon Scott, 6-8 post-man Tawon Keith who sat out last season after coming over from Marshall, he’s considered one of the better front-line players we have in the city, while Farragut has a reputation for developing pivot men. The player to watch might be Darnell Jones a 6-3 junior who knows how to play, he’s skilled & makes good decisions. 6-10 junior Lonnell Bowman continues to be a project at the moment.
15. Joliet West – (5-0) Faced with the daunting task of establishing a winning culture to a program that has been in a sagging state the last several seasons Coach Nick Diforti has this youthful group off to a rousing start, actually they have more talent than they’ve had since the 2000-01 campaign. Junior forward Trevian Bell is a top 25 prospect in the 2017 class, point-guard Teyvion Kirk is a potentially dazzling performer. The player that would probably wear many hats will be the talented junior Elijah Ward, at 6-4 he can play multiple slots. Once this team learns the art of winning, perhaps high-school hoops can breathe life back into a town that’s been shattered and divided by racial tension the last couple years.
16. De LaSalle – (4-0) “They are for real”, this undoubtedly will be the year that Tom White and his Meteor’s exceed everyone’s expectations, especially media & area scouts/hoop junkies. This scrappy team-orientated group has been led by the play of budding standout George Willbourn, but the unsung cast of 6-2 senior Christian Hayes and 6-5 mega-athlete Andre Raiford will challenge opponents nightly, both play extremely hard. Willbourn is poised for a banner year, he is highly regarded unsigned senior, one of the top 7-8 seniors available in the state.
17. Stevenson – (3-1) We know all about them not playing well last week, it doesn’t matter this program has established a winning culture, adding the likes of the Herenton brothers, Rodney & Willie we know would take some patience and adjustments as they team-up with 6-6 junior Justin Smith. By Xmas this should be a fine-tuned outfit. Smith’s development took a slight pause over the summer. We need to see him grace the hardwood in a different fashion this season, particularly the team will need him to be a scoring threat even though he will likely be the primary focus of opposition every outing.
18. Marian Catholic – (4-1) Got beat-up n bruised some in the loss versus Homewood-Flossmoor over the weekend. This squad probably has more young talent than anyone in the state other than Althoff, at least on paper. 6-6 TJ Smith has returned from a sophomore season where he was shelved with a knee injury will be the glue, while 2nd year guards Brandon Hurt and Chase Adams continue to gain seasoning and polish. Rapid growth will be expected from 6-8 senior Myles Howard and 6-8 junior Tee-Aaron Powell. The difference maker could be junior forward Austin Richie a legitimate baseline scorer. Can Coach Taylor get them over the hump?
19. St. Ignatius – Early season hype doesn’t matter with this program, they are the Northern Iowa of the Catholic League, well coached & always prepared, they sent a cast with lefty scorer Kailen Lee, 6-4 Will Fleming while 6-5 SR Daniel Ogele and 6-8 Robert Lindland will be stalwarts in the paint. Coach Rich Kehoe doesn’t need all-city types & transfers to be successful.
20. Homewood-Flossmoor – (3-1) An early season surprise, knocked-off Marion Catholic last weekend which wasn’t considered a monumental feat particularly this juncture in the season. The junior tandem was impressive starting with Cameron Bowles who was a beast, he’s a 6-5 undersized force in the paint, 6-3 Jeffery Boyd is a steady perimeter shooter while 5-8 guard Trelan Morrow can be electric in the open-floor, in addition he’s a capable mid-range shooter. Hopefully the Viking’s conference schedule won’t laurel them to lackluster play & habits before post-season presents some stiff challenges. Senior leadership will come by the way of guard Kendric Pryor.