Brother Rice has started each of the last four seasons in impressive fashion. This year’s 8-0 start is in line with what the Crusaders have done the last three seasons, when they began 10-1 in 2021-22, 12-1 in 2022-23 and a sparkling 15-0 in 2023-24.
Can coach Conte Stamas’ team roll into next week’s Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic unbeaten for the second year in a row? Is this team capable of winning 30-plus games for a third straight year?
A big nonconference tilt awaits this weekend with a showdown against Bolingbrook. Although Brother Rice has nice wins over Joliet West, Fenwick, Loyola and Oak Lawn, matching up with Davion Thompson and Co. provides an ideal measuring stick.
Marcos Gonzales, who’s headed to The Citadel, is a four-year veteran and dependable senior guard. He has been a force, averaging 20.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Shooter Jack Weigus, a transfer from Hinsdale South who’s averaging just under 15 points, is another legit scoring option and spaces the floor with his shooting. Last year’s sixth man, 6-3 KJ Morris (9.3 points per game), and 6-5 Caden Workman (8.8) continue to make an impact in supporting roles.
Mundelein’s Bishop underrated
Although Mundelein pulled off an upset of Stevenson last weekend, the Mustangs aren’t projected to push league-favorite Warren in the North Suburban Conference. Waukegan, Lake Forest, Libertyville and Stevenson are considered to be those top challengers.
But as one of those teams found out last weekend, senior guard Derek Bishop carries Mundelein and gives them a fighting chance on any given night. He had 20 points, four assists and seven steals against Stevenson.
In the grand landscape of high school basketball, Bishop flies completely under the radar. The 6-1 guard averaged 23 points last season as quietly as one can. This season, he’s averaging 20.5 points, 3.5 -rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 39% from three.
Bishop’s career point total of 1,651 has him within reach of eclipsing career leader Robert Knar’s 2,003 career points.
“When he entered high school, Derek showed an ability to score that most freshmen dream to eventually develop,” Mundelein coach Matt Badgley said. “We immediately knew he had a chance of not only being a cornerstone during his career, but to join a list of really good players. He has lived up to those expectations.”
Struggling Upstate Eight
The revamped Upstate Eight Conference was expected to take a step up in 2024-2025. But three weeks into the season, just three of the 14 teams in the league have a winning record. And the records of those three teams — Ridgewood (6-3), Riverside-Brookfield -(5-4) and Glenbard East (4-3) — aren’t exactly glowing.
If you were to take out the conference wins and losses, the UEC’s combined nonconference record is 22-57.
Several additions, including R-B and West Aurora, upgraded the state of the ever-changing conference. West Aurora is a perennial basketball name in the state, while R-B has won 20-plus games regularly over the past decade. But neither has hit its normal stride.
Without Terrence Smith, West Aurora is struggling with a 2-6 record as it heads to the loaded Pontiac Holiday Tournament. R-B’s four losses are by an average of 20 points.