chicago_suntimes
Yes, the month of June is a platform for players to get in front of college coaches.
But its also the best time to get a sneak peak at whats to come during this winters high school basketball season from a team perspective.It doesnt take long to figure out East St.
Louis is primed and ready to repeat as Class 3A state champs.
The exciting Flyers looked the part after spending two weekends in June in the Chicago areaThere are three returning starters, including underrated point guard Phillip Jones.
And the talented youth in this program, highlighted by super sophomore Emaurion Jackson and three incoming freshmen, will turn this team into one of the very best when the calendar turns to 2027.As far as the Chicago area is concerned, even the teams that looked the best are from finished products.
But after several first impressions and observations from June, here is a post-summer power ranking of potential top 10 teams placed in two tiers.Tier 1: Teams ready for the preseason top 10 right nowBenetEvanstonNeuqua ValleySt.
IgnatiusSt.
LaurenceNeuquas Cole Kelly and Mason Martin continue to show there isnt a better or more potent 1-2 punch in the state, while Benets Ed Stasys is emerging as a bonafide star at both ends of the floor.The depth, balance and versatility of St.
Ignatius and St.
Laurence is arguably the areas best.Evanstons experienced talent, featuring junior scoring guard Ben Ojala, Mr.
Everything Vito Rocca, scorer Dion Lane and the fast-improving Tate Schroeder, impressed all month.Tier 2: Teams with an eye on the preseason top 10BolingbrookDePaul PrepHomewood-FlossmoorKenwoodLeoLockportMount CarmelBolingbrook often played shorthanded in the month of June, but the presence of Brady Pettigrew, who has turned into a dynamic force, is enough for now.And while there are certainly names with more familiarity in this tier, dont dismiss Lockport and Leo, the Class 2A school with every player returning.The returning experience showed in Lockports summer execution, while twins Nojus and Nedas Venckus just keep getting better.Other teams that caught our eye in JuneWe find the defending Class 4A champs in this next wave and a better-than-expected team.
Returner Kendall Meyers is poised to take the reins, but there are a surplus of intriguing pieces that will keep the RedHawks prominently mentioned this winter.Glenbrook North is an entertaining team to watch with their cohesiveness and all kinds of spunk and scoring in the backcourt.Bloom is young and fun.
A lot of eyes will be on the guard trio of freshman Larry Ellis and sophomores Keiwon Gulley and Kaden McClellan.Young quietly impressed all month.
The Dolphins played hard and competed every time you watched them play.Buffalo Grove big man Alex Sirbu was one of Junes main attractions, and there is a supporting cast around him.
This could be the best team in the Mid-Suburban League.Guard-heavy Geneva has been bolstered by the arrival of brothers David and Jonny Udiowod to go with returning point guard Cody Rader.