By Joe Henricksen

There are many talented underclassmen already committed to coach Bruce Weber and Illinois, but there is one in-

state prized piece still out there. And if every rumor that has circulated for weeks regarding Rich South sophomore

Crandall Head is true, that piece could be in the fold shortly. And if Head does indeed commit to Weber and the Illini,

it's official: Illini fans should start to salivate.

The Hoops Report wanted to do it after Head dazzled at Assembly Hall a few weeks back, but you try to stay

away from over-emphasizing one individual performance. But after watching Head and Waukegan's Jereme

Richmond, Illinois' other prized commitment, play since that time, Head is every bit the college prospect Richmond is.

This is taking absolutely nothing away from Richmond and his talents. It's just that Crandall Head is that talented and

features that much promise. These two, without a question in my mind, have established themselves as the two

best college prospects in Illinois regardless of class.

No, it may not be earth shattering news. We know they are both hotshot prospects. But I am speaking in

comparison to what we see currently in the junior and senior classes. The standard, potential and ceiling for these

two is so much higher than any of this year's highly-touted juniors or any of the seniors. They are both so far

ahead of where any of the juniors and seniors were at the same stage of their careers. From what I have seen,

these two truly project to be among the nation's elite prep players and future college stars. I can't say that for

certain with any of the players in the classes ahead of them.

Head reminds me of a cross between two players fans from this state are familiar with. The obvious is Kendall Gill,

the former Illini great. The other -- and probably more of a closer comparison -- is former Crane and Oklahoma State

star and current Boston Celtic Tony Allen. Athletically he has it all: length, lateral quickness, leaping ability and

speed. He converts difficult finishes around the basket and is nearly unstoppable out on the wing in transition. He

has NBA athleticism and, sooner probably than later, a true NBA body once he fills out and adds a little strength and

weight.

OK, he does need to upgrade his ballhandling and overall consistency with his perimeter shot. And defensively he

tends to gamble too much, letting opposing players get past him. So yes, he has plenty of room for improvement, but

that's the scary part. The aforementioned "weaknesses" are all facets that will only get better with age and

experience. Remember, we're talking about a sophomore in high school. Overall, though, he's playing at an

incredibly high level, especially in comparison to a year ago -- or even six months ago. In comparing where Head

has gone from a year ago or six months ago to where Richmond has gone, it's not even close as Head has closed

that gap.

While Head has clearly passed his other classmates in the Class of 2010 based on both production and potential, it

can be argued he's on par with Richmond as a pure college prospect. Richmond is more polished at this stage, but

Head is the better and more explosive athlete. And as I said, his overall game has grown leaps and bounds. And he

has no ceiling!

And things only get better for Weber and Illini fans looking into that crystal ball. Brandon Paul, when he comes to

play and play hard, is a very special talent. He's separated himself from the rest of the bunch in the Class of 2009.

He reminds me more of Luther Head's high school days than Crandall Head does. I see Paul playing a very similar

role at Illinois that Luther Head did for Bruce Weber. Some are sold on Paul becoming a pure point guard. I'm not one

of those, but he can be an effective combo guard at the next level.

So if you're looking at a potential commitment from Head, and you combine him with Richmond and Paul, that is a

tremendous trio to look forward to.That would be a trio, in my mind, that would come into Illinois more highly

regarded and with more promise than any trio of players Lon Kruger or Bill Self brought in at any time during their

careers in Champaign. That's saying a lot considering how Weber has been lambasted over recruiting since his

arrival. And, oh, Sterling's Joseph Bertrand and Peoria Central's D.J. Richardson are pretty darn good, too.

When -- if? -- Head does commit, the salivating can truly begin Illini fans. These three aren't your flavor-of-the-

month Iman Shumpert or we-would-be-satisfied Scott Suggs types. These three are difference-makers, no-

brainers we're talking about here.

For more information or if you would like to subscribe to the City/Suburban Hoops Report, now in its 13th year of publication, call (630)-408-6709 or e-mail hoopsreport@yahoo.com

Posted by Joe Henricksen at 11:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

By Joe Henricksen

If you are a high school basketball fan in this state, the four days following Christmas is an absolute delight.

Whether you are at Pekin, Pontiac or Proviso -- or the Big Dipper, Elgin, Collinsville or Bloomington-Normal, for that

matter -- you will see ranked teams, Division I prospects and the best coaches in prep basketball. Here are five

quick fearless predictions for this holiday tournament season from the City/Suburban Hoops Report.

1. SIMEON WILL CONTINUE ITS DOMINANCE AT PONTIAC
Coach Robert Smith's club has won back-to-back Pontiac Holiday Tournament titles. A third straight could be a little

more difficult, considering there is no Derrick Rose. There are several teams that see the Pontiac Tournament door

opening. Lockport and West Aurora, a pair of unbeaten teams, along with upstart Curie and a recharged Oak Park,

are primed for a run at the title with a beatable Simeon team as the No. 1 seed. But hold on, Simeon is still the most

talented team in this tournament and will win a third straight behind 6-9 Stan Simpson and unheralded guard Kenyon

Smith.

2. JEREME RICHMOND WILL NOT BE ENOUGH FOR WAUKEGAN AT ELGIN
Richmond, the state's premier sophomore and top college prospect regardless of class, will be the tournament's

best player at Elgin. Still, it won't be enough as the road to the title is filled with several potential pitfalls, starting at

8:45 a.m. Wednesday. Waukegan will have its hands full with a very strong Neuqua Valley team. It will be fun to

watch Neuqua's T.J. Jordan, a true defensive lockdown type, battling Richmond. Even if Richmond and Company

get by Neuqua, both unbeaten Highland Park and a strong Wheaton North team are in the same bracket. This is

arguably the second strongest tournament field in the state from top to bottom. And the Hoops Report believes

Waukegan will be playing in the consolation bracket after day one as no one realizes just how good this deep,

balanced Neuqua Valley team is.

3. KEVIN DILLARD WILL BE MVP AT PROVISO -- BUT HIS H-F TEAM WON'T WIN IT
Maybe aside from Farragut's Mike Dunigan, there isn't a player in the Chicago area that has elevated his game to a

higher level from last year than Homewood-Flossmoor's Kevin Dillard. The jet-quick Dillard is a playmaker that can

score. He will lead H-F to a third-place finish (Marshall will prove to be too much in the semifinals) and win MVP

honors along the way.

4. ONLY THREE TEAMS WILL REMAIN UNBEATEN AFTER HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT PLAY
This is assuming a lot, so lets get started. Farragut will lose in the Chicago Public League Holiday Tournament in

early January, Marshall and Von Steuben will lose at Proviso West, both Lockport and West Aurora fall at Pontiac,

Highland Park loses at Elgin, and Aurora Central does the same at Waubonsie Valley. That leaves three teams:

Lyons Twp., North Lawndale and Zion-Benton. All three will win their respective holiday tournaments and head into

January unbeaten. Zion-Benton won't be challenged at Luther North. And North Lawndale will escape Breese

Mater Dei with a close win or two. It won't be easy, but LT will find a way to get four wins at a competitive -- but

not overly strong -- York Holiday Tournament.

5. AFTER QUICK, SURPRISING STARTS, THESE TEAMS WILL FIND REALITY THIS CHRISTMAS
Shepard and Leo are a combined 16-2 heading into the Big Dipper. Both will have their hands full in the opening

round -- Leo with Crete-Monee and Shepard with Crandall Head and Rich South. And both will struggle to go better

than 2-2 in this tournament, unless they do indeed lose that opening round game and win three straight in the

consolation bracket, which the Hoops Report is predicting will happen. Despite the great starts by Leo and

Shepard, the two will be battling it out -- in the consolation bracket. West Aurora will be hard pressed to get out of

Pontiac still unbeaten -- or better than 2-2, for that matter. The Hoops Report likes this West Aurora team, but this

team has its limitations and a small margin for error if it wants to beat some of the state's better teams.

Posted by Joe Henricksen at 01:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

By Joe Henricksen

If you look up and down the rankings -- from the City/Suburban Hoops Report's Top 25 to the Chicago Sun-Times

Top 25 -- you will find plenty of new teams that weren't there three or four weeks ago. The most recent issue of

the Hoops Report, which came out early this week, has six teams among the Top 25 that weren't there at

Thanksgiving time. Are these teams fit to stay?

There are plenty of unbeatens in the Chicago area as we head to holiday tournament time. The majority of those

unbeaten teams aren't much of a surprise, as the likes of Marshall, Farragut, H-F, Zion-Benton and Richards were

all highly thought of and ranked when the season began. But then there are the lesser-known unbeatens. Here is a

look at those teams. Will it be an official coming out party for these upstarts? Or will they settle back with the rest of

the pack and filter out of the Top 25 by January?

The Unbeatens
Lyons Twp., Lockport, Highland Park, Leo and West Aurora are all unbeaten on the season, with Leo and West

Aurora being the biggest surprises of the five. All are ranked among the Top 25, with the exception of Leo, and all

five have plenty to prove and their share of doubters out there.

Lockport (preseason rank: #38)
The senior tandem of 6-3 Brian Bradley and 6-6 Justin Jarosz have matured and are playing with more

consistency. Plain and simple, the two are playing the best basketball of their three-year varsity careers. The

Porters have impressive wins over both Bloom and Bolingbrook, which helped them earn a No. 2 seed at Pontiac.

They are playing extremely well together and are accepting their roles. Lockport will likely have to get by a solid

Schaumburg team and star Cully Payne in the quarterfinals at Pontiac--no easy task--before playing either West

Aurora or Chicago Curie in the semis. This is a golden opportunity to reach the final at Pontiac, which they haven't

done since 2001. But Lockport is poised to take the next step and win the Pontiac Tournament for the first time

since 1977 and open eyes on a big stage at Pontiac.

West Aurora (preseason rank: #45)
Aside from a win over Peoria Richwoods over Thanksgiving, the unbeaten Blackhawks' schedule has been

somewhat suspect. That changes in a hurry with rival East Aurora coming to the West Side Saturday night,

followed by the annual trip to Pontiac. How good is this West Aurora team? On paper it's not nearly as talented as

past West High teams. But coach Gordie Kerkman really likes the way his team has played defensively and how

they are playing together. West's top player, Tyler Thompson, returned to practice this week after suffering a

broken finger. That should be a lift for a team that will has difficulty scoring at times. There is no doubt the Pontiac

Tournament will be a measuring stick for a team no one really knows how good it is. The Hoops Report believes

anything better than a 2-2 record at Pontiac would show West is better than people think. But a 2-2 record is

probably more realistic.

Highland Park (preseason rank: #39)
It's not as if the Hoops Report is completely surprised by Highland Park's early-season success. The Hoops Report

did pick Highland Park to end Glenbrook North's reign in the Central Suburban North this year. However, this team

can really make a statement at Elgin next week, a tournament the Hoops Report believes is the second strongest in

Illinois this year. Highland Park could get a CSL South team, Waukegan and Jereme Richmond, in the second round,

followed by a matchup with either Wheaton North or Hoffman Estates. Senior guard Chris Wroblewski might just be

the best player no one talks about. The kid can flat-out shoot the basketball and score in bunches. Any team that

comes out of Elgin with four wins will be applauded as the field is loaded with quality teams. Highland Park will be in

the mix at Elgin, will win the CSL North and open eyes throughout the winter.

Lyons Twp. (preseason rank:#49)
There are coaches out there that felt LT was the team to beat -- not Oak Park -- in the West Suburban Silver this

year. No one in the media paid attention, ranking Oak Park in the Top 25 and leaving LT on the outside looking in.

Coach Conte Stamas' team, which checks in at No. 16 in the most recent Hoops Report poll, could very well head

into January unbeaten. While the York Holiday Tournament should be competitive, it's certainly not loaded -- and

very winnable for Lyons Twp. An underrated Willowbrook team, Brother Rice, St. Ignatius, Conant and York are the

teams likely standing in LT's way over the four days at York. Don't be surprised if this team is still without a loss

when 2008 rolls around.

Leo (preseason rank: unranked)
Perhaps the feel-good story of the five unbeaten teams listed. You just can't help but feel good for coach Noah

Cannon, who the Hoops Report has always felt does things the right way. This is a program that lost most of its

firepower due to graduation. Then it lost the twin towers, 6-9 Stan Simpson and 6-9 Steve Goins, over the summer.

Simpson, the Illinois recruit, transferred to Simeon, while Goins, who is getting Division I interest, moved on to Curie.

But behind rising junior point guard James Pointer, the Lions are thriving in the early going. But big tests await,

including a battle with Fenwick on Friday night, followed by the Big Dipper at Rich South. Leo will have its hands full

with Crete-Monee in the opening round, while a true measuring stick awaits in the quarterfinals against Lincoln

Park. While it's definitely nice to see Leo survive the graduations and transfers of star players, don't expect the

Lions to compete for Big Dipper of Catholic League titles just yet.

Posted by Joe Henricksen at 10:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

By Joe Henricksen

First and foremost, the Shootout at the Hall basketball event is an absolute must-have and must-continue for Illinois

coach Bruce Weber and the Illini coaching staff. While the one-day prep basketball smorgasbord is put together by

a combination of WDWS/News-Gazette and the Champaign County Sports Commission, the big winner is Fighting

Illini basketball.

A big step was made this year as top-flight teams and players were added to the shootout mix in comparison to a

year ago.This is a great way to get prospects on campus, to play in Assembly Hall and, more than likely, in front of

Illinois basketball fans. If I'm Weber, I am doing all I can behind the scenes to encourage the organizers of the event

to keep this running in Champaign.

Here are City/Suburban Hoops Report thoughts from what went down at Assembly Hall on Saturday....

TOP PERFORMANCE
Without a doubt Rich South's Crandall Head was the most impressive player on the day. The sophomore was

dazzling in a matchup against Champaign Centennial. In the loss, Head scored a game-high 34 points. But it was

more than just the point production. Head again showed his freakish athleticism. But he also showed more

assertiveness, which often comes with age and experience, and also a much higher overall skill level with his

shooting, ballhandling and feel for the game.

Head admitted himself it was the best game he's played, and the Illini staff concurred as they watched the 6-3

wing. But the Hoops Report absolutely loves the progression he's made since this past summer. Luther's little

brother is far from polished or a finished product. When watching Head, though, he has an intangible really no other

prospect in the loaded Class of 2010 has---an unlimited ceiling. Yes, it can be argued his ceiling is higher than even

Waukegan's Jereme Richmond. If there is one player in Illinois that will surely grab national attention this offseason,

it's Head. I would be shocked if he's not among the nation's top 50 players in his class (maybe top 30) when all is

said and done two years from now. Of all the underclassmen in the state, I think it will be Head that will be the most

fun to watch in terms of how he evolves and develops as a player.

Here is a sneak peak at the Hoops Report Top 10 prospects in the Class of 2010. The complete list will be released in this week's City/Suburban Hoops Report issue that comes out Tuesday, Dec. 18.

1. Jereme Richmond, 6-6, WF, Waukegan
2. Crandall Head, 6-3, 2G/WF, Rich South
3. Anthony Johnson, 6-3, PG/2G, Whitney Young
4. Alex Rossi, 6-5, 2G, New Trier
5. DeAndre McCamey, 6-1, PG, St. Joseph
6. Lenzelle Smith, 6-3, WF, Zion-Benton
7. Mike McCall, 6-0, PG/2G, Foreman
8. Lavonte Dority, 5-11, PG, Foreman
9. Paul Bunch, 6-10, C, North Lawndale
10. Reggie Smith, 6-0, 2G, Thornton

STARS ALLIGNED IN CLASS OF 20009
It could be argued the five top prospects in the Class of 2009--Whitney Young's Chris Colvin and Marcus Jordan,

Sterling's Joseph Bertrand, Warren's Brandon Paul and Peoria Central's D.J. Richardson--were on display Saturday

in Assembly Hall. Depending on the individual observer or college coach you talk to, the thoughts on the five, and a

few others in the class, vary, sometimes from week to week.

On this day, it can't be argued that Sterling's Joseph Bertrand was the top performer of the juniors. He brings so

much versatility to the floor, with the ability to play three different positions. He reminds the Hoops Report of former

Illini player Stephen Bardo with his long length, athleticism and versatile abilities. He projects to be a better shooter

than Bardo. I have always worried about him being so passive and if he would have that overall toughness.

Although it was just one day, Bertrand showed flashes of both in Assembly Hall, although it was against a poor

Peoria Central team. He's added a little weight and is stronger than a year ago, but he still has a ways to go in that

department as well.

While all these young players that have committed to Illinois--Jereme Richmond, D.J. Richardson, Brandon Paul and

Joseph Bertrand--combine skills, size and athleticism on the perimeter that the current Illinois team simply doesn't

have, they all need to mature as players. By that, I mean, bringing it every time out on the floor, not taking off

minutes at a time, competing for 32 minutes and playing with consistency. A lot of that comes with experience, so

we will see how that part of their game transpires over the next two years.

The Hoops Report will feature the updated Class of 2009 rankings in the Christmas Tournament Preview Issue, due

out this week. Here is a look at how the top 10 will look.

1. Brandon Paul, 6-3, 2G, Warren
2. Joseph Bertrand, 6-5, PG/2G/WF, Sterling
3. Diamond Taylor, 6-3, 2G, St. Joseph
4. D.J. Richardson, 6-3, 2G, Peoria Central
5. Chris Colvin, 6-2, PG, Whitney Young
6. Marcus Jordan, 6-2, PG/2G, Whitney Young
7. Jordan Prosser, 6-8, PF, Eureka
8. Darius Smith, 6-2, PG, Marshall
9. Michael Haynes, 6-6, WF/PF, Washington
10. Nik Garcia, 6-5, 2G/WG, Niles West

For questions or to subscribe to the City/Suburban Hoops Report, now in its 13th year of publication, call (630)-408-6709 or e-mail hoopsreport@yahoo.com

Posted by Joe Henricksen at 02:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

By Joe Henricksen

This is certainly no revelation after what transpired at Chicago State Sunday night, but Homewood-Flossmoor is

now part of the mix of the state's elite teams. Prior to the tip of the H-F - Whitney Young game, a trio of teams were

beginning to separate themselves in the early part of the season, with all three being from the Chicago Public

League -- Whitney Young, Marshall and Farragut. But H-F's impressive win over Whitney Young shows the Vikings

are more than just the best in the south suburbs.

While it's still early December, Homewood-Flossmoor is a bonafide state championship contender in Class 4A,

especially with the revamped four-class system. H-F could feast off what looks to be an uncharacteristic weak

south suburbs in March. Then the wacky four-class tournament road sends the Vikings to the Normal

Supersectional (state quarterfinals) to play what will be the top team from the deep south, likely O'Fallon or East St.

Louis. But forget about three months from now.

H-F has the star player at the most crucial position on the floor, point guard Kevin Dillard, and athletes all over the

floor. You can't say enough about Illinois football recruit Supo Sanni and the start to the basketball season he has

had. He was clearly the difference against Whitney Young with his relentless play on both ends of the floor. He

simply breaks an opponent's heart and will with his own toughness and tenacity. Will this team get enough scoring

in a slow-down, halfcourt game? It might not matter if H-F continues to get that many second-chance scoring

opportunities.

Whitney Young, meanwhile, looked nothing like the team that dismantled Hales a week ago. The Dolphins were a

step slower to the ball, not as aggressive defensively and short on their shots. All of those are signs of a tired

team, which they very well could have been after traveling 14 hours on a bus (7 hours to Kentucky and 7 hours

back) over the weekend, sandwiched around a three-point win late Saturday night in an intense, high-stakes

atmosphere. You gotta believe that took something out of them.

But probably more alarming in this loss was that Whitney Young did a 180 degree turn in the unselfish department.

In the win over Hales there was ball movement and unselfish play. Against H-F there was constant one-on-one

play that resulted in poor shots or turnovers. These were outside observer