This is the fourth of six stories previewing some of the best conferences in the area.
Southland
Favorite: Rich
The Raptors went from 19 wins two years ago to 23 wins last year in the first two years of having coach Lou Adams in charge. Year three could be the breakthrough with catalyst Jamson Coulter and fellow junior Jayden Williams in the backcourt, along with big-name transfer Al Brooks, a versatile 6-8 all-state caliber player.
Top challenger: Bloom
With stat-sheet-stuffing point guard Elijah Lovemore still around, ultra-dependable Payton Edwards and scoring guard Amare Pryor, coach Dante Maddox has a trio to challenge for the top spot in the league.
Sleeper: Kankakee
There is size, length, experience — four key players return from a team that won 27 games a year ago — and a budding star in 6-6 junior Lincoln Williams.
Player to watch: Lincoln Williams, Kankakee
The gifted junior is the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2026. Using his length, the 6-6 guard can turn defense into offense and is a three-level scorer offensively.
Young players to keep an eye on: DeAndre Higgs, Thornton and Jeremiah Weatherford, Rich
These are two very young, intriguing players in the freshmen class. It might be a rebuilding year in Harvey, but Higgs is a 6-2 freshman who opened eyes this past summer. Rich is loaded with older, experienced talent but Weatherford will be ready when his name is called.
All-Conference: Lincoln Williams, Kankakee; Jamson Coulter and Al Brooks, Rich.; Elijah Lovemore, Bloom; Zyheir Gardner, Crete-Monee
Top storyline: There hasn’t been this much hype surrounding any of the Rich schools — East, South or Central — in a long, long time. The schools have been all together now for a few years and boast one of the most talented teams in the state. Will it all come together and produce championships?
Predicted order of finish: Rich, Bloom, Kankakee, Thornton, Crete-Monee, Thornwood, Thornridge.
Southwest Suburban
Favorite: Homewood-Flossmoor
The defending Class 4A state champs were hit hard by graduation and the unexpected departure of top player Bryce Heard, who reclassified and is now at North Carolina State.
But coach Jamere Dismukes still has — by far — the most talent in the league, starting with Wofford recruit Jayden Tyler. He’s averaged 11 points and three assists a game, including a state title game where he finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and made four three-pointers.
The addition of two transfers, Arden Eaves (Thornwood) and Brent Tayler (Lincoln-Way East), keep the Vikings among the better teams in the state.
Top challenger: Lockport
There is experience — four starters return — and guard play, so when the season tips off the Porters figure to be the best of the rest after H-F. There are also some intriguing players in the sophomore class in what will be a filled perimeter.
Sleeper: Stagg
After a somewhat surprising 20-win season a year ago and grabbing a piece of the Southwest Suburban Red title, coach Marty Strus’ team will again play the role of sleeper. This time it’s 6-6 Domas Narcevicius leading the charge as the three-year veteran is the lone returning starter.
Player to watch: Nick Allen, Bradley-Bourbonnais
The Illinois State recruit creates a problem for foes with his 6-10 size and presence at both ends of the floor while being a regular double-double threat.
Young player to keep an eye on: Darrius Hawkins, Homewood-Flossmoor
The 5-9 point guard flashed his talent and potential this summer for the Vikings and figures to make a significant impact. He’s one of the top freshmen in the area.
All-Conference: Nick Allen, Bradley-Bourbonnais; Jayden Tyler, Brent Taylor and Arden Eaves, Homewood-Flossmoor; Domas Narcevicius, Stagg.
Top storyline: A new-look league.
Gone are the two divisions. It’s now one big, nine-team league with everyone playing each other twice in an 18-game schedule. There will be a familiar name at the top in H-F, a team no one expects to be challenged now that perennial power Bolingbrook has departed for the Southwest Prairie. The race for second place is on.
Predicted order of finish: Homewood-Flossmoor, Lockport, Stagg, Bradley-Bourbonnais, Lincoln-Way East, Andrew, Lincoln-Way Central, Sandburg, Lincoln-Way West.
Southwest Prairie West
Favorite: Bolingbrook
There might not be a better 1-2 punch on any team in the state than sophomore guard Davion Thompson and 6-7 senior JT Pettigrew. A 28-win sectional finalist a year ago, the Raiders also feature rock solid junior guard Trey Brost and 6-9 Jayden Madden, a transfer from Romeoville.
Top challenger: Oswego East
While it will be a major challenge to keep pace with what this program has done the past three seasons –– the Wolves have averaged 27 wins a year –– having a rising star in 6-5 junior Mason Lockett should keep them in the mix.
Sleeper: Minooka
Keep an eye on a Minooka team that has some nice pieces. Coach Brett Hespell welcomes back two key players, 6-2 senior shooter Jaden Boe and junior Zane Caves, a long, versatile 6-6 stat-sheet-stuffing guard. Junior guard Brady Hairald is set to become one of the focal points.
Player to watch: Davion Thompson, Bolingbrook
Fans across the conference will get to enjoy and be entertained by one of the top players in the state. The 6-2 Thompson put together a brilliant freshman season a year ago and is ready for more.
Young players to keep an eye on: Brady Pettigrew, Bolingbrook and Ethan Vahl, Oswego.
This league has a pair of super intriguing freshmen.
Brady Pettigrew, the younger brother of senior standout JT Pettigrew, is heavily hyped and fresh off a USA Basketball training camp this fall, is extremely poised for a player his age.
First-year coach Nick Oraham has a major rebuilding job following a 4-25 season. But having one of the better freshmen in the state will help in energizing the program. Vahl is a smooth 6-3 point guard with a feel for the game.
All-Conference: Davion Thompson, Trey Brost and JT Pettigrew, Bolingbrook; Mason Lockett, Oswego East; DaSean Patton, Oswego.
Top storyline: The addition of Bolingbrook, a legit state title contender in 2024-25, is a major boon for a league.
While West Aurora, which has departed for the Upstate Eight, was a great basketball name for the league, Bolingbrook is a bonafide top 10 program in the state right now and is an impressive upgrade for the conference.
Predicted order of finish: Bolingbrook, Oswego East, Minooka, Plainfield North, Oswego, Yorkville.
South Suburban Blue
Favorite: Lemont
This is a returning conference co-champ with three key players back and the addition of Gabe Sularski, one of the better juniors in the state. With the 6-6 Sularksi, 6-5 Alanas Castillo and 6-5 Matas Gaidukevicius, coach Rick Runnas has three big, experienced, interchangeable players on the perimeter. Plus, 6-4 Shea Glotzbach is back inside.
Top challenger: Hillcrest
Hillcrest has rolled out of bed and won conference championships for three decades. The Hawks will be in it again, battling Lemont for the top spot with the return of leading scorer Jovi Ratliff (17 ppg), along with a pair of 6-7 bigs: Jaylen Ingram and Max Carmicle.
Sleeper: TF North
A familiar role and label for Tim Bankston’s program. A perimeter-oriented attack with the return of senior guards Nasir English and Dequan Barker, along with two newcomers in the backcourt: Demarco King and Derreon Smothers.
Player to watch: Gabe Sularksi, Lemont
The 6-6 junior brings with him some fanfare after bursting on the scene as a sophomore. How big of an impact he can make will determine just how Lemont climbs, both in the conference race and around the area.
Young players to keep an eye on: Demarco King and Derreon Smothers, TF North.
These two sophomore guards will provide an infusion of offense to the Meteors as both scored in double figures as freshmen at their respective schools — King, a transfer from King who put up 20 points a game, and Smothers at Plainfield South.
All-Conference: Jovi Ratliff and Max Carmicle, Hillcrest; Gabe Sularski and Alanas Castillo, Lemont; Demarco King, TF North.
Top storyline: A lot of eyes will be on Lemont. This program has put together a nice run in recent years. But the look of this team this past summer — if it all comes together — brought visions of the 2021-22 team that won 27 games and a sectional title.
Predicted order of finish: Lemont, Hillcrest, TF North, Oak Forest, TF South, Tinley Park and Bremen.