Two-plus months into the boys basketball season, some questions have been answered.
Yes, Hillcrest and Lemont were able to overcome transfers and remain top teams. Yes, Mount Carmel is a real state contender.
Many more questions still linger. The biggest? No Southland team has made it to state since the 2017-18 season. Can anyone break the streak?
Here’s a look at where things stand so far:
Supreme teams
Mount Carmel and Hillcrest entered the new year as holiday tournament champions and atop our rankings … for now, at least. The Caravan (15-1) shook off a Thanksgiving week loss to Oak Lawn and have won 12 straight behind DeAndre Craig and the Ciaravino brothers, Angelo and Anthony. The Hawks (15-1) won the Big Dipper, led by the terrific trio of Darrion Baker, Quentin Heady and Bryce Tillery.
Go-to guard
If we were coaching a team down one in the final seconds, which area player would we want to have the ball? Brother Rice’s Ahmad Henderson. The Niagara recruit has put the Crusaders (14-2) on his back several times. In his final game of 2022, Henderson showed how clutch he can be with a buzzer-beating, game-winning 3-pointer to cap a 38-point performance against Peoria.
Best big man
There is not a more dominant all-around player in the area, perhaps the state, than junior forward Morez Johnson. The Illinois recruit is averaging 16.8 points and 11.8 rebounds for St. Rita. He is also an intimidating defensive force, and he has developed his perimeter game and passing greatly since last season.
POY contenders
Who is in the race for the Southland’s player of the year? Aside from Johnson and Henderson, we’d certainly put Craig and Bloom guard Jordan Brown on our All-Star team for the first half. Tillery is the area’s best leader. Of course, we can’t forget about Johnson’s teammates, Nojus Indrusaitis and James Brown. Indrusaitis recently committed to Iowa State and Brown to North Carolina.
Must-watch pair
We don’t think you will have more fun watching any duo in the state than Lemont’s Matas and Rokas Castillo. The twins, understandably, have the best connection around. The way they set up each other on the court is a sight to behold. And they win. Lemont (12-2) is having success without Indrusaitis. Wisconsin-Parkside is getting two steals.
Eye-opening performances
Nobody’s had a better night this season than Nathan LaPlant on Nov. 30. The senior forward broke Andrew program records with 45 points and 11 3-pointers — in just three quarters — in a win over Argo. LaPlant and Argo’s Davonte Evans, who scored 40 points in a win over Universal, are two off-the-radar players capable of going off any night.
Best turnaround
We expected Lincoln-Way East to be much improved from an 11-17 record last season and put the Griffins in our preseason top 10. But East (14-1) has been even better than anticipated, beating Oswego East and rolling to the Effingham/Teutopolis Christmas Classic title. The experienced team is led by seniors George Bellevue, Tylon Toliver, Kaiden Ross and Kyle Olagbegi.
Biggest surprise
Marist went 13-14 last season and its top two players transferred. Surely, it’d be a long season for the RedHawks, right? Way wrong. Marist (13-3) has succeeded with a deep roster featuring a nice blend of experience in seniors Mason Ross and Kaden White and youth in freshmen Stephen Brown and Adoni Vassilakis. Second-year coach Brian Hynes deserves a ton of credit.
The jury’s still out
St. Rita may be the most talented team in the state, but the Mustangs (8-5) certainly have the most to prove in the second half of the season. We knew it would be a challenge for St. Rita to jell and incorporate its transfers, including Indrusaitis and former Homewood-Flossmoor star Nashawn Holmes. But after a disappointing Proviso West Holiday Tournament, it’s time for the Mustangs to show if they are a true state title contender. All eyes are on St. Rita.
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.