The big three, Bolingbrook’s Davion Thompson, Kenwood’s Devin Cleveland and Jaxson Davis of Warren entered the season in the spotlight.
For the first time in history, three sophomores were expected to be the driving forces, the major stars in Illinois high school basketball.
All three delivered, each in a different way. Thompson had a spectacular season, becoming the first sophomore to win the Sun-Times Player of the Year. Cleveland led Kenwood to its first city title. Davis has captained the Blue Devils to the state finals in Champaign.
A month ago Warren (26-10) was the least likely of the three teams to advance to Champaign.
“It’s been a roller coaster,” Blue Devils coach Zack Ryan said. “There were a lot of conversations about what these guys wanted to get out of the season and how to fix it.”
Warren wasn’t consistent this season. Multiple starters missed games with injuries and there were some bad losses. But the highlights were impressive. The Blue Devils won the Proviso West Holiday Tournament and beat Bolingbrook and Thompson.
By the time the playoffs hit, Warren was finally healthy and playing with a chip on its shoulder. The injuries also had benefits. Zach Ausburn, a 6-8 senior, took advantage of the opportunity to play and matured into a significant force in the post.
“It’s been great watching him help so much all year,” Davis said. “He’s a senior and it is playoff time and he’s playing with that senior urgency.”
Javerion Banks, likely Warren’s second-best player, has accepted his role as the first guy off the bench.
“That’s worked for us so we just decided to stick with it,” Ryan said. “He plays starter minutes.”
Banks averages 13 points. Ausburn, who had 23 points and 21 rebounds in the sectional final win at Waukegan, averages 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Davis has lived up to all the preseason hype and averages 19 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds.
Warren will be an underdog in the Class 4A semifinals. Rich, which has also had a rollercoaster season, is playing better than any team in the state. The Raptors (25-8) knocked off No. 1 Kenwood in the supersectional and defending Class 4A state champion Homewood-Flossoor in the sectional final.
No team in the state has had an answer for Rich senior Al Brooks Jr. The 6-7 senior averaged 18 points and nine rebounds. Two juniors, Jamson Coulter and Jayden Williams, are also elite talents for the Raptors.
Rich’s players have never experienced the state finals but coach Lou Adams won three state titles at Orr.
“We are going to enjoy it,” Adams said. “I’m excited. We ran into some problems during the season but it is go time now.”
Benet (31-5) and Evanston (30-5) meet in the first Class 4A semifinals. The Redwings have been one of the state’s elite teams all season. Evanston improved steadily throughout the season and has been dominant in 2025.
Benet is the biggest team in the tournament with 7-0 Colin Stack and 6-9 SIU recruit Daniel Pauliukonis. Blake Fagbemi and Jayden Wright provide Redwings coach Gene Heidkamp with a dynamic backcourt.
“[Pauliukonis] is playing with a lot of confidence,” Heidkamp said. “Right now he’s playing as well as he has ever played.”
Evanston counters with a team short on star power that wins with teamwork and smarts. Theo Rocca, a 6-5 senior is the leader and keep an eye on promising freshman Ben Ojala.
“This is a special group,” Wildkits coach Mike Ellis said. “No one thought this team would be here. No one on the team has a D1 Offer. They love high school basketball and they love being in the gym with each other.”
Catholic League dominates Class 3A
DePaul Prep (31-4), which won Class 3A last season and Class 2A in 2023, arrives in Champaign as a heavy favorite.
Rashaun Porter, a 6-7 junior, is one of the state’s most effective post players. Makai Kvamme is the most experienced, winningest player in the state and guard Rykan Woo is an exciting junior talent.
The Rams’ whole lineup is experienced and dangerous. Keep an eye on on sparkplug Rob Walls.
DePaul’s semifinal opponent Glenwood (24-9) is the Cinderella of the tournament. The Titans are led by 6-5 senior Cameron Appenzeller, a lefty pitcher committed to Tennessee that could be a first-round pick in the upcoming MLB draft. He averages 14 points and six rebounds on the basketball court.
Brother Rice (30-6) and St. Patrick (28-7) matchup in the first semifinal. The Crusaders are a bit more talented and battle-tested with Citadel recruit Marcos Gonzales, scorer Jack Weigus and crafty Caden Workman.
But St. Patrick has experienced guard EJ Breland and the Shamrocks have been a new team since 6-7 RJ McPartlin returned from injury in January.
It’s the first trip to state for St. Patrick, which has been coached by Mike Bailey for 31 seasons.
“St. Patrick playing downstate on St. Paddy’s day weekend,” Bailey said. “Champaign better get ready for that. We know how to celebrate.”