This is the first of six stories previewing some of the best conferences in the area.
Catholic League Blue
Favorite: DePaul Prep
The Rams remain loaded, impressed all summer and will be a favorite to win a third straight state championship this season in Class 3A. It’s a veteran group led by steady point guard Makai Kvamme and up-and-coming junior Rashaun Porter.
Top challenger: Mount Carmel
The program is on quite a run. The Caravan have won 87 games the past three years, including last year’s 32-win state runner-up team in Class 3A. Now the stage is set for the talented perimeter trio of Grant Best, Cameron Thomas and Noah Mister to take a big step forward and in the hunt for another 25-plus win season.
Sleeper: Brother Rice
The Crusaders enter the season as a “sleeper” after back-to-back 30-plus win seasons. Marcos Gonzales is the headliner while Hinsdale South transfer Jack Weigus will provide some offensive punch.
Player to watch: Phoenix Gill, St. Ignatius
There is a lot of talent at the top in the Catholic League, but the Northwestern recruit has been a four-year fixture in the league and is one of the better players and biggest names in the state.
Young player to keep an eye on: Charles Barnes, De La Salle
Is this the breakout season for the 6-6 junior who brings versatility, experience and considerable upside?
All-Conference: Phoenix Gill, St. Ignatius, Makai Kvamme, DePaul Prep, Rashaun Porter, DePaul Prep, Grant Best, Mount Carmel, Marcos Gonzales, Brother Rice.
Top storyline: DePaul is a team that warrants all the attention it will receive in the preseason as all eyes will be on the historic run to a potential three-peat. Can coach Tom Kleinschmidt’s program handle all the expectations and weight that come with it in trying to win a third straight state title?
Predicted order of finish: DePaul Prep, Mount Carmel, Brother Rice, De La Salle, St. Ignatius, Loyola, Fenwick, Leo, St. Rita.
East Suburban Catholic Conference
Favorite: Benet
There is Division I talent and size in 6-9 Daniel Paulikonis and 7-foot junior Colin Stack. There is an experienced backcourt in senior Blake Fagbemi and shooter Jayden Wright. And then there is coach Gene Heidkamp and a track record of winning 25 games virtually every year. Put it all together and Benet will be better than a year ago.
Top challenger: Marist
Marist shared the league title with Benet last season but did graduate league MVP Darshan Thomas and has already been hit hard by injuries. The football season has wreaked havoc on the basketball season.
First, the loss of senior anchor Achilles Anderson (torn ACL in football this fall) for the season is a big blow. But a recent injury to junior star Stephen Brown, who could be out as long as two months, could be detrimental to this team’s upside.
Still, there is no denying the Redhawks are loaded with a healthy Brown. In addition to the 6-8 Brown, one of the state’s top juniors, coach Brian Hynes has a point guard to lean on in junior Adoni Vassilakis, along with the addition of Lincoln-Way East transfer Karson Thomas and return of speedy guard TJ Tate.
Sleeper: Marian Catholic
Marian snuck up on some people last year in coach Rick Romeli’s first season, finishing third in the league with 12 wins and an overall 22-11 record. The Spartans, led by returning all-league guard Zack Sharkey, might do so again with everyone’s eyes on the trio of Marist, Benet and St. Patrick.
Player to watch: Stephen Brown, Marist
The physical tools are impressive for the 6-8 junior who is among the top handful of prospects in the Class of 2026. This year might just be the one where he puts it all together for a breakout season.
Young player to keep an eye on: Dawson Charles, St. Viator
An athletic 6-1 guard, the sophomore started every game last season as a freshman and is fresh off a quality off season playing with the Illinois Wolves.
All-Conference: Stephen Brown and Adoni Vassilakis, Marist; Daniel Pouliukonis, Benet; EJ Breland, St. Patrick; Zach Sharkey, Marian Catholic
Top storyline: Every game really matters. After playing everyone in the league twice, guaranteeing two terrific Benet-Marist matchups, the league has sadly switched to playing each team just once. So that Marist-Benet showdown early in the season — Dec. 13 at Benet — is a must-see matchup and must-win game.
Predicted order of finish: Benet, Marist, St. Patrick, Marian Catholic, Notre Dame, St. Viator, Carmel, Nazareth, Joliet Catholic.