1. GLENBROOK NORTH
Jon Scheyer, a 6-foot-6-inch Duke signee, is better than ever to lead Class AA champion. He has improved his shooting stroke and vertical leap and could raise last season’s figures of 25.5 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks a game. He is completely recovered from a broken finger on his left hand that resulted from a picnic softball game in July. Spartans also count on 6-7 Zach Kelly, 6-5 Jon Radke, 6-4 Tyler Cullitan and point guard Matt Shamis, who is headed to Lehigh.
2. SIMEON
Deepest team in the state with six talented juniors who give the Wolverines a chance for a two-year title run most recently enjoyed by Peoria Central and 6-7 preps-to-the-pros guard Shaun Livingston in 2003 and ’04. Leading the way is 6-3 junior Derrick Rose, perhaps the Chicago area’s best guard since Isiah Thomas. Illinois, Kansas, North Carolina and Arizona are coveting his oral commitment. Classmates such as 6-5 Tim Flowers, 6-4 Bryant Orange, 6-6 Kevin Johnson and two transfers, 6-6 Jelani Poston (Lincoln Park) and guard Brandon Hall (Young), make it impossible for opponents to overplay Rose.
3. ST. JOSEPH
Chargers coach Gene Pingatore has to try more than usual to downplay his team’s scary talent. But even Pingatore finally admitted his program is loaded with young talent. It begins with a trio of Division I recruits led by 6-3 senior Jonathan Peoples, who is being pursued by Seton Hall, USC, Tulane and Northern Illinois. Then comes 6-6 Evan Turner and 6-3 Demetri McCamey–both rated among the top five juniors in the state by the Lake Forest-based Truth recruiting service.
4. HALES FRANCISCAN
Instead of an enrollment multiplier for a non-boundary school such as Hales, why doesn’t the Illinois High School Association simply move the Class A champion up to AA after claiming its second title in three years? The Spartans could make it three out of four in the small-school division behind a dynamic backcourt of California signee Jerome Randle and Division I recruit Darrian McKinstry.
5. WARREN
Two things the Blue Devils have going for them–seven of the quickest players in the state and the best student cheering section this side of Brother Rice’s Crusader Crazies. Marvin Bembry, Marcus Lewis, Mitchell Moore, Jordan Dalton and juniors Shannon Adams, Logan Derrick and Ceola Clark are all 6-3 and under and play with a passion similar to the undersized Westinghouse teams led by Cedrick Banks and Martell Bailey.
6. PROVISO EAST
Just how talented is 6-11 center Brian Carlwell? Well, as a wide receiver in football, the Illinois signee caught nine touchdown passes this season. He had 10 receptions against Top 20 power Downers Grove South. He is looking to improve upon last year’s averages of 13 points, 12 rebounds and 5.5 blocks. Surrounding Carlwell are standout guards Jacob Pullen and J.P. Stanbeck along with 6-3 shooter Nathan Fuqua and 6-3 Jamal Jones.
7. THORNTON
Last season’s 29-3 state quarterfinalist is back for another run at Peoria behind 6-6 Oregon signee Joevan Catron (15 points, eight rebounds)–among the best low-post scorers in the state. Looking to have a breakout year is 6-8 George McGrew, who will cash in when defenses double-team Catron.
8. CRANE
The Class AA quarterfinalist would love nothing better than another crack at advancing beyond the Elite Eight after losing standout Tyrone Kent to surgery for a ruptured appendix right before the trip to Peoria. The Cougars will put the ball in the capable hands of point guard and Kansas signee Sherron Collins (22 points, seven assists, six rebounds, five steals), whom one national recruiting service has rated the No. 1 point guard in the nation.
9. VON STEUBEN
Just call this program “the Simeon of the North.” North Side teams never could match up to Public League powers on the West and South Sides until coach Vince Carter arrived at Von Steuben. Now the Panthers are perennial contenders for the city title and more. Heading up Carter’s latest edition are Division I recruits 6-6 Kendall Russell and 6-3 Jeremie Simmons. There’s also 6-6 junior Darius Fields and a solid backcourt of Trevor Dale and junior playmaker Michael Horton.
10. GLENBROOK SOUTH
District rival Glenbrook North may get all the headlines, but watch out for this powerhouse from Glenview. The key returnees from last season’s 23-5 ballclub are 6-7 Northwestern signee Jeff Ryan and 6-3 Columbia signee Kevin Bulger. Both can shoot the lights out, and Ryan is adept at creating opportunities for his teammates. Backing them up are 6-4 Brennan Keller, 6-4 Pat Reyes and sharpshooter Benny Lalee.
11. MARSHALL
Coach Lamont Bryant gets very excited talking about his latest find, 6-5 Michael Stovall. “He has never played high school ball because of academic problems and transferred here last January from Lane,” Bryant said. “I’m telling you, this kid can do it all–dunk, shoot, everything. He will be one of the top five juniors in the state by the end of this season.” Bryant also has Patrick Beverley, who averaged 26 points a game last season and is being recruited by Illinois, Nebraska, Northern Illinois and Bradley.
12. WASHINGTON
Recruiting analysts and coaches alike are proclaiming 6-7 Deandre Liggins as the No. 1 sophomore in the state. Nicknamed the “Big Ticket,” Liggins is a point guard who can shoot like a two-guard, slash like a small forward and score inside like a center. “He can play all five positions, and Illinois, Iowa and DePaul are among the schools already recruiting him,” Minutemen coach Kenneth Crump said. Along with Liggins, Crump can count on 6-4 Mario Little (15 points, 12 rebounds), 6-6 junior Aaron Brown, deadly outside shooter Jonathan Shields and guards Keyon Smothers and James Jackson.
13. HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR
Former assistant coach Jim McLaughlin takes over for his former boss, the venerable Roy Condotti, and the Vikings won’t miss a beat. It helps that 6-5 Andre Walker, one of the most complete players in the state, is back along with 6-6 Carl Hayes, 6-3 Robert Burton, 6-4 football standout Bailey Johnson and guard Deon Posley.
14. THORNTON FRACTIONAL NORTH
Former Simeon standout Tim Bankston, who teamed with Ben Wilson to lead the Wolverines to a state title in 1984, has brought his city smarts and toughness to Calumet City as the Meteors’ coach. Looking to establish T.F. North among the area’s elite programs, Bankston can begin the process this season behind 6-7 junior Demond Watt (18 points, 12 rebounds) and junior guard Lawrence Redmond (17.5 points).
15. FARRAGUT
The Admirals have loads of young talent to match Red-West rival Marshall in the next couple of years. It starts with 6-9 sophomore Michael Dunigan and 6-8 junior Archie Boyd. The backcourt features poised sophomore Isiah Williams–who started at point guard as a freshman and performed beyond expectations–and junior Sean Scott. Rounding out coach William Nelson’s probable starting lineup is 6-3 junior Anthony Abrams.
16. WESTINGHOUSE
A lot of people will be overlooking the Warriors this season because there isn’t a big-name player or Division I recruit. “That’s just the way I like it,” coach Quitman Dillard said. “The people who underestimate us don’t realize the program and our system continues, no matter what.” Dillard will start the season with a lineup of 6-4 Marquis Johnson, 6-5 Larry Eubanks, 6-3 Calvin Triplett and guards Carl Lynch and Corey Carter.
17. LINCOLN PARK
Another young team striving to realize its potential, the Lions are led by 6-2 sophomore sharpshooter Jeremy Montgomery and his brother, 6-5 junior Jonathan Montgomery. Jeremy and junior point guard Michael Thompson are mid-major recruits who will be high-major prospects as seniors, according to Lions coach Tom Livatino. Lincoln Park also will start guard Julius Hearns along with 6-6 J.J. Henley, described as “the key to our season,” by Livatino.
18. LEO
These Lions represent the biggest challenge to Hales repeating as Class A champion. Coach Noah Cannon’s ballclub would like to duplicate its title run in 2004 behind 6-9 Western Michigan signee Donald Lawson and 6-7 junior Dionte Gaskew. Antonio Topps and juniors Mario Allen and 6-3 Kevin Woods round out the starting five. Leo received a big lift last week when 6-3 Kijaune Leach (16.5 points a game), who has signed with Eastern Illinois, was granted eligibility by the IHSA.
19. LOYOLA
Michael Jordan will be one proud papa when both of his sons, junior Jeffrey and freshman Marcus, begin playing together. Marcus is recovering from a sprained ankle, which is hampering him during preseason workouts. The Ramblers also boast 6-3 Joe Suhey, son of ex-Bears fullback Matt Suhey, 6-5 Matt Steger, 6-4 Matt Perkaus, 6-4 sophomore and outside shooting threat Rob Belcore plus Eddie Hendricks and Joe Stoner.
20. WEST AURORA
Although he’ll be forced to rely on a lot of younger players, Blackhawks coach Gordon Kerkman is optimistic about his team’s chances. It starts with versatile 6-2 T.J. Marion and continues with talented 6-4 junior Dernado Eiland. Johnny Walker returns at point guard, and the backcourt also boasts junior Reggie Shipp, Aaron Snyder and Todd Evans.
