This weekend’s highlight is the 13th annual Chicago Elite Classic at UIC, beginning with a Friday night tripleheader and a full slate of games all day Saturday. Here is a preview of the two-day, 11-game event.
Friday’s lineup
Oak Park vs. Fenwick, 5:30
The trajectory for these two teams after one week is a whole lot different. Oak Park struggled in losses to Plainfield North and Wheaton Academy while Fenwick impressed with a 4-1 start. But this is a rivalry that has thrived over the years in this very event.
St. Laurence vs. Lincoln Park
These are two ranked teams with a ton of experience, big expectations and a chance to secure a significant win after falling short at Thanksgiving. St. Laurence was thumped by state title contender Quincy. Lane lost 53-29 to two-time defending champ DePaul.
St. Laurence features a potent and versatile perimeter attack with EJ Mosley, who is a Purdue-Fort Wayne recruit, Jacob Rice, Zerrick Johnson and Brad Stratton. Lincoln Park counters with the ultra-productive combo of junior guard Ahmad Lee and 6-4 Chayse Turner.
Lane vs. St. Ignatius
A pair of go-to, Division I-bound seniors — Phoenix Gill of St. Ignatius and Dalton Scantlebury of Lane — are the headliners. Gill, who is headed to Northwestern, is off to a terrific start, averaging 22 points a game. The 6-9 Scantlebury, who is committed to Penn, is a difficult matchup for anyone. The supporting cast for both of these teams is better than people realize.
Saturday’s lineup
Riverside-Brookfield vs. Perspectives-Leadership, 10 a.m.
The early game provides a look at a sleeper team, Perspectives, and an overlooked senior, high-scoring 6-3 Phoenix Childs. R-B is led by junior guard Cameron Mercer.
Hyde Park vs. Marist, 11:30 a.m.
A couple of unknown Hyde Park senior guards, CJ Thomas and Kamrin King, look to grab some early-season attention.
Even without the injured Stephen Brown, Marist rolled to a Thanksgiving tournament title. Marist’s foursome of Karson Thomas, TJ Tate, Rokas Zilys and Adoni Vassilakis on the perimeter complement each other well.
Bolingbrook vs. Kankakee, 1
This should be fun as both of these teams can get it and go. But one has been tested and the other hasn’t yet.
Bolingbrook has taken a punch from Peoria in an early-season overtime defeat. Kankakee has beaten Mahomet-Seymour by 40 points and will play a down Thornridge team on Friday.
There are two star attractions to enjoy. Bolingbrook’s Davion Thompson is arguably the state’s top sophomore prospect and Kankakee’s 6-6 Lincoln Williams is the top-ranked prospect in the junior class.
Kenwood vs. Warren, 2:30
Yes, it’s early in the season, but it’s No. 2 vs. No. 3. With Kenwood’s impressive win over DePaul this past weekend, this instantly became the biggest and best game of the day.
All eyes will be on the backcourt battle featuring Warren’s Jaxson Davis and Kenwood’s Devin Cleveland, a pair of special sophomore talents.
DePaul Prep vs. Mater Dei, Calif., 4
Coach Tom Kleinschmidt’s two-time defending state champs were tested last week with wins over Niles North and Lane. But the Rams, led by Makai Kvamme and Rykan Woo in the backcourt, will take a big step up this weekend.
The renowned basketball program from California arrives after winning 29 games a year ago. All coach Gary McKnight has done in 42 years is compile 1,272 wins and 11 state titles. The Monarchs are led by the senior Division I tandem of 6-7 Blake Davidson (Nevada) and 6-3 shooting guard Owen Verna (St. Joseph).
Young vs. Homewood-Flossmoor, 5:30
Both of these teams were battle-tested over Thanksgiving week. Young beat a solid Rockford Auburn and lost to a power team from Texas, while H-F handled both Marian Catholic and Bloom.
From a personnel standpoint, eyes will be directed towards the backcourt matchup of H-F’s Jayden Tyler and Young junior Marquis Clark. Young needs 6-6 senior Antonio Munoz, one of the top unsigned seniors in the state, to be a difference-maker
Simeon vs. St. Louis Chaminade, Mo., 7
A couple of perennial powers — one from Chicago and one from St. Louis — collide.
Is Simeon, featuring senior guard Lorenzo Shields and super junior talent Andre Tyler, ready to rise to the occasion? Keep an eye on the emergence this season from senior Julien Doyle and junior Kassidy Nelson.
Chaminade returns virtually everyone from last year’s 22-win team. The quintet of seniors Colin Keller and Collin Perry and juniors Jonny Jordan, Jamison White and Jahadi White all averaged between eight and 11 points a game last season. But it’s the three juniors –– 6-7 big man Jahadi White, 6-5 wing Jamison White and 6-3 point Jonny Jordan –– who are gaining Division I traction.
Rich vs. Duncanville, Tex., 8:30
A pair of teams featuring a whole bunch of talent square off in the event’s finale.
Junior Jamson Coulter, one of the top guards in the state, and 6-8 senior Al Brooks headline a Rich team that will get its first big test of the season.
Led by 6-3 guard Kayden “Bugg” Edwards, who is headed to TCU, Texas power Duncanville is loaded with talent. Beckham Black is a 6-2 sophomore point guard with high-major offers, while 6-7 senior Cameron Smith and sophomore guard Christopher Hunt are two more Division I prospects.