1. Westinghouse
Even though coach Chris Head can have nothing to do with the team while serving a disciplinary suspension until Jan. 1, the Warriors are favored to capture the Public League and Class AA titles. Returning from last season’s 31-1 city runner-up are Cedrick Banks, Martell Bailey, New Mexico State-bound Dennis Trammell, Craig Franklin, Antoine Norfleet and Tavaris Wiggins. That nucleus is augmented by 6-5 Jamal Washington, 6-4 LaDarien Hayes and Berron Hill.
2. Young
Some believe the Dolphins will be the city’s finest come playoff time. Rated just a notch behind Westinghouse in the powerful Public Red West, Young has 6-7 junior Najeeb Echols, 6-8 sophomore Marcus White, 6-7 junior Josh Williams, 6-5 junior Ronald Howard and junior point guard Chris Hill. If this lineup stays intact, Young will be the team to beat in 2000-01.
3. Thornton
Normally cautious Wildcats coach Rocky Hill is so excited about this team that he is comparing it to the Melvin Ely-Antwaan Randle El-Erik Herring-Napoleon Harris group that twice finished second in the state to Peoria Manual. Hill says 7-1 Chris Alexander is unstoppable and gets plenty of support from 6-7 Jonathan Woods, 6-4 Rodney Rollins, 6-3 Rich Central transfer Calvin Sykes, football quarterback Stafford Owens and sophomore sharpshooter John Shedrich.
4. Simeon
Returning starters 6-6 Cameron Echols, 6-5 David White, Dwayne Williams and Kurtis Ellison are looking to improve on last year’s 26-7 mark, with help from 6-3 junior Darnell Coleman. In addition to all this talent and experience, last season’s city semifinalist is guided by arguably the Public League’s finest coach, Bob Hambric.
5. Julian
Will battle Simeon for the Red South title with perhaps the most physically talented team in the city. The Jaguars hope to better last season’s 25-6 record with returning starters 6-7 Demario Eddins, 6-8 James Peters, 6-7 Anton Palmer and 6-3 Sean Dockery, the state’s top-rated sophomore.
6. Downers Grove North
The best in the west suburbs thanks to returnees 6-6 Joe Riner, Drew Carstens, Kyle Kleckner and 6-9 Andy Sigerich. Crane coach Anthony Longstreet, whose team faced the defending West Suburban Silver champion Trojans in the summer, marveled at their shooting prowess.
7. Austin
This will be the surprise team of the year as coach Frank Lollino Jr. has assembled the school’s best team since 1975. Leading the way for the Red West contender is 6-4 Armond Williams.
8. New Trier
The Trevians will contend for a state title if the Illinois High School Association grants eligibility to transfer students 6-9 Ivan Pjevcedic from Yugoslavia and 6-6 Todd Townsend from Morgan Park. Otherwise, coach Rick Malnati will build around 6-4 Stanford recruit Matt Lottich, 6-4 Stanton Peck and sophomore guard James Romey.
9. Hillcrest
One of the few programs in the state that can field three bona fide Division I recruits in 6-9 Reo Logan (Miami), 6-6 Odartey Blankson (Marquette) and 6-7 Monwell Randle (Southwest Missouri State). The Hawks’ goal this season is to advance at least one step beyond last winter’s Elite Eight finish.
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10. Lincoln Park
Best in the Red North and a Public League title contender behind 6-8 Brandon Pruitt, 6-8 Courtney Denson and a potentially high-scoring backcourt of Aaron Carr and Armon Gates, younger brother of former Young star Dennis Gates who is now playing at California.
11. Schaumburg
The Saxons won their first sectional and supersectional titles last season and upset Rock Island en route to a fourth-place finish in the state tournament and a glittering 28-4 record. Coach Bob Williams welcomes back 6-9 Brian Thorsen, 6-7 John Thorsen, 6-3 Mark Pancratz and point guard Larry English in hopes of exceeding the finest season in school history.
12. East Aurora
The top program in the Upstate Eight. The Tomcats suffered an overtime loss to Schaumburg in the supersectional. This season’s Tomcats could be just as good with 6-4 Craig Shackelford, 6-5 Catrel Green, Ricky Dominguez and Darius Lathen.
13. West Aurora
Coach Gordie Kerkman is excited about this team, led by 6-4 Loyola recruit Louis Smith. Joining Smith along the front line will be 6-7 Austin Real and 6-4 Jaamal Thompson.
14. Crane
Coach Anthony Longstreet has a nice blend of experience and youth in this Public Red West contender. Up front, the Cougars enter the fray with 6-7, 250-pound Jabbar Battle, 6-5 Maurice Bush and 6-4 Tony Allen. Junior Will Bynum, one of the city’s top point guards, runs the show.
15. St. Joseph
Can coach Gene Pingatore work his magic again with the follow-up edition of last season’s Class AA champion? Heading up the repeat effort is a backcourt of returning starters, Jabari Mattox and Chad Tancil. The Chargers are also hoping for big years from 6-3 Steve Davis, Ken Gadomski, 6-5 Ivan Jackson, 6-8 Kyle Ealey and guard Mark Thomas, nephew of Isiah Thomas.
16. Carver
The Public Red South co-champion will challenge Simeon and Julian with a lineup of 6-7 Renaldo Majors, 6-8 Desmond Parks, 6-4 Keith Parks, 6-4 Teran Lee and point guard Marcus Ross.
17. Providence-St. Mel
Coach Billy Garrett has put together another Class A powerhouse, led by 6-4 leaper Levar Seals, rated the No. 2 junior in the state by the Illinois Prep Bulls-eye recruiting service. The Knights also boast 6-8 Marshall transfer Ahmad White, 6-7 sophomore Stanley Gaines Jr. and sophomore guard Emmanuel Ford.
18. Proviso East
Seven-footer Steven Hunter is playing at DePaul, leaving the Pirates to regroup behind a stellar backcourt of sophomore Daniel Brown and senior Demond Thornton. Coach Andrew Johnson will need big seasons from 6-7 St. Joseph transfer Aaron Hunter, 6-3 Alarie Canada and guard Donnell Brown.
19. Gordon Tech
Another guard-dominated team, the Catholic League North favorite is led by Northwestern signee Jitim Young and Dion Boyd, with 6-3 Terry Moore anchoring the Rams front line. Keep an eye on 6-4 junior Julian McElroy.
20. Bloom
Top challenger to Thornton in the SICA East with its athletic lineup of 6-4 Philip Alexander, 6-6 Julian Mills and guards Aaron Austin, DeMario Evans and Brandon Anthony.
Best of the rest: Brother Rice, Lincoln-Way, Homewood-Flossmoor, Elgin, Thornwood, King, Proviso West, Streamwood, Kankakee, Rich South.