Reloaded Vikings set for another quest

BOYS BASKETBALL DAILY SOUTHTOWN 2024-25 SEASON PREVIEW

H-F looks for repeat as Class 4A state champs, but Rich Township, Mount Carmel, Marist are right behind

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Mount Carmel’s Grant Best goes to the basket against DePaul Prep during the 2024 Class 3A state championship game in Champaign. Vincent D. Johnson/Daily Southtown

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By Steve Millar Daily Southtown Top 10 Teams

1. Homewood-Flossmoor (33-4)

Defending Class 4A state champions have a new look, but the talent is there for another big run. A trio of senior guards leads the way as Jayden Tyler (Wofford) returns and is joined by Thornwood transfer Arden Eaves (Lewis) and Lincoln-Way East transfer Brent Taylor. Look out for talented freshman guard Darrius Hawkins Jr.

2. Rich Township (23-8)

Raptors return junior guards Jamson Coulter and Jayden Williams and add a superstar in senior forward Al Brooks Jr., a transfer from Hansberry and a high-major recruit. His twin brother, Ikee, will add to the guard depth for a team looking to make major noise in March.

3. Mount Carmel (32-6)

The 2023 Class 3A runners-up must replace superstar Angelo Ciaravino, who is at Northwestern. But senior guard Grant Best (Air Force) is ready to lead the way, while junior Noah Mister and senior Cameron Thomas add to a talented, deep backcourt. Watch out for freshman guard Marshaun Thornton.

4. Marist (29-5)

Football injuries have sidelined senior forward Achilles Anderson for the season and star junior forward Stephen Brown for likely at least a month. When Brown returns, look out. He will join junior guards Adoni Vassilakis and TJ Tate and senior forward Marquis Vance. Junior forward Karson Thomas from Lincoln-Way East and junior guard Rokas Zilys from Vermont Academy are big additions via transfer.

5. St. Laurence (20-12)

New coach Roshawn Russell has an intriguing mix of talent, with senior guards Zerrick Johnson and Bradley Stratton coming off big seasons. They’re joined by two returning standouts as senior guard EJ Mosley (Purdue Fort Wayne) and senior forward Jacob Rice have transferred back after spending last season elsewhere.

6. Bloom (19-10)

Senior guards Elijah Lovemore and Payton Edwards form a dynamic duo. Senior guard/forward Adam Page, a transfer from Hillcrest, is a big addition. The Blazing Trojans will need newcomers to emerge in the frontcourt.

7. Brother Rice (31-4)

Senior guard Marcos Gonzales (Citadel) is ready for even more of a starring role, while senior guard Jack Weigus — a transfer from Hinsdale South — is a prolific outside shooter. Look for senior forward Caden Workman to step up.

8. Lemont (19-12)

Guard Gabriel Sularski, who transferred from Benet, is rated as the top junior in Illinois by 247 Sports. He joins an experienced group led by senior forwards Alanas Castillo, Shea Glotzbach and Matas Gaidukevicius.

9. Oak Lawn (22-9)

Senior guard Donte Montgomery, who averaged over 20 points last season, is poised to be one of the area’s top players. Junior guard Jack Dempsey is a strong outside shooter, while senior guard Ali Farhan looks to step up.

10. Hillcrest (17-14)

With four starters back, don’t expect the Hawks to stay down for long. Senior guard Jovi Ratliff is a scorer and Hillcrest will have the inside advantage against most teams with a pair of 6-foot-7 forwards in senior Jaylen Ingram and junior Max Carmicle.

25 Players to Watch

Charles Barnes, De La Salle, junior, forward.

Grant Best, Mount Carmel, senior, guard.

Al Brooks Jr., Rich Township, senior, forward.

Stephen Brown, Marist, junior, forward.

Seth Cheney, Providence, senior, guard.

Jamson Coulter, Rich Township, junior, guard.

Arden Eaves, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, guard.

Marcos Gonzales, Brother Rice, senior, guard.

Zerrick Johnson, St. Laurence, senior, guard.

Elijah Lovemore, Bloom, senior, guard.

Noah Mister, Mount Carmel, junior, guard.

Donte Montgomery, Oak Lawn, senior, guard.

EJ Mosley, St. Laurence, senior, guard.

Jovi Ratliff, Hillcrest, senior, guard.

Jacob Rice, St. Laurence, senior, forward.

Kassam Saleh, Argo, senior, guard.

Brenden Sanders, Lincoln-Way East, senior, forward.

Zack Sharkey, Marian Catholic, senior, guard.

Gabriel Sularski, Lemont, junior, guard.

Brent Taylor, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, guard.

Karson Thomas, Marist, junior, forward.

Jayden Tyler, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, guard.

Adoni Vassilakis, Marist, junior, guard.

Keshaun Vaval, Evergreen Park, senior, guard.

Jack Weigus, Brother Rice, senior, guard.