There are a few key conference clashes and the buffet of games at the annual Team Rose Shootout this weekend. Below is a preview of six of the best with some picks.
Marist (7-0) at No. 12 Benet (6-1), Friday
In the single round-robin ESCC schedule, this mid-December matchup looms large. Benet and Marist are chock full of veterans and top 25-caliber teams vying for the top spot in the conference after sharing the title last year.
Yes, Marist is without injured Stephen Brown, one of the top juniors in the state, but they’ve weathered the storm nicely thus far. This is the toughest test yet, however.
Both of these teams have been extremely balanced through seven games. Karson Thomas leads Marist with 12 points a game and is one of four players in double figures. Shooter Rokas Zilys and guard Adoni Vassilakis average 11 each, while Marquis Vance adds 10 a game with seven rebounds.
Benet has size and balance, starting with 6-9 Southern Illinois recruit Daniel Pauliukonis (11.2 ppg) and 7-foot junior Colin Stack (13.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg), to go with an experienced backcourt with Blake Fagbemi (11 ppg, 6.2 apg) and Jayden Wright (12.3 ppg).
The pick: Benet 66, Marist 60
DeKalb (4-3) at No. 7 Waubonsie Valley (6-0), Friday
The top two teams in the DuPage Valley square off for the first of two this season
Don’t let DeKalb’s early so-so record fool you; the Barbs have lost to three very good opponents. But it’s an opportune time for this promising team, led by guard Sean Reynolds and 6-5 Davon Grant, to make a statement.
With a nearly 40-point differential in its six wins, Waubonsie Valley has absolutely rolled everyone it’s faced. That included beating a talented Rockford Auburn by 17. The Warriors, led by the dynamic combination of Illinois State-bound guard Tyreek Coleman and the athletic Moses Wilson, are ready for higher-tiered competition.
The pick: Waubonsie Valley 67, DeKalb 59
No. 10 Rich (1-2) vs. No. 16 Waukegan (4-1) at Crete-Monee, Saturday
This could be a fun one with two teams that apply pressure and like to get up and down the floor.
A couple of early out-of-state losses have left a bad taste in Rich’s mouth. Thus getting a momentum-building win over a talented team here is imperative to get back on track.
Jamson Coulter, one of the top juniors in the state, sets the tone for Rich, while Waukegan has a trio in Simereon Carter, Jaali Love and Xavi Granville who combine to average over 50 points between them.
The wonder in this one is what to make of a high-upside Waukegan team that stunned Warren but lost to Christ the King in the same week. But the early resume also includes impressive wins over Barrington and Crystal Lake South.
The pick: Rich 70, Waukegan 63
Marian Catholic (5-1) vs. Lemont (6-1) at Mount Carmel, Saturday
The Saturday morning brunch special, featuring two teams flying a little under the radar, is arguably the best game of the day at the Team Rose smorgasbord.
Lemont has the “Big Three” in 6-5 Alanas Castillo (12 ppg), 6-5 Matas Gaidukevicius (15 ppg) and 6-6 junior Gabe Sularski (12 ppg). Those three take turns putting pressure on opposing defenses with their combination of scoring and versatility.
The consistent impact of Marian Catholic senior Zach Sharkey is too often overlooked. The 6-2 guard put up 14.4 points a game last season and has upped that to an impressive 21.3 points a game so far this season. His vast production also includes over seven rebounds and four assists a game.
Sharkey is getting plenty of help. Senior guard Delan Davis is off to a fast start and is putting up 18 points a game, and promising sophomore Landon Mays is adding 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a game.
The pick: Marian Catholic 58, Lemont 56
No. 3 DePaul Prep (6-1) vs. No. 10 Rich (1-2) at Mount Carmel, Sunday
These two came into the season highly ranked and didn’t hold back in putting together rugged schedules. This is one of those high-level battles.
DePaul is fresh off an impressive win over Mater Dei out of California. This is the back end of a tough weekend for Rich that starts Saturday with Waukegan.
From a stylistic standpoint, Rich plays with a quick-paced mindset while DePaul’s defense boggles up nearly everyone. Rich will want this one in the 70s and DePaul will try and keep it in the 50s.
DePaul is led by point guard Makai Kvamme and big man Rashaun Porter. However, the emergence of newcomer Rykan Woo in the backcourt and a healthy Jonas Johnson, who scored 15 in the win over Mater Dei, has elevated the Rams.
The 1-2 punch of guard Jamson Coulter and 6-8 Al Brooks are notable players and concerning for any defense. But this defense flexes its muscle more than most. Rich will need to execute.
The pick: DePaul 57, Rich 53
No. 4 Homewood-Flossmoor (7-0) vs. No. 21 St. Laurence (4-2) at Mount Carmel, Sunday
Loaded backcourts will go at it with Division I commitments — H-F’s Jayden Tyler (Wofford) and St. Laurence’s EJ Mosley (Purdue-Fort Wayne) — and talented uncommitted prospects, including H-F’s explosive Brent Taylor and St. Laurence’s Zerrick Johnson.
In disposing of Marian Catholic, Bloom and Young, H-F has looked the part and is further along than many expected. There are a variety of weapons and players taking advantage of opportunities.
The pick: H-F 68, St. Laurence 59