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It never is too early to begin speculating about the state basketball championship, especially if you are a Chicago Public League fan. The races for the 2011 state titles in Class 3A and 4A almost certainly will feature Whitney Young, Simeon, Morgan Park and Orr.
But the best team in the city could be De La Salle.
Coach Tom White declares he will put the most talent on the floor of any team he has had in his 16-year career. Last year's squad was 14-0 in the Catholic League and 19-6 overall against arguably the most competitive schedule in the state. The Meteors finally lost to Foreman in the sectional.
White's 2010-11 squad features what shapes up as the best front line in the state and six reliable and talented guards. They will be augmented by a sophomore squad that was 24-0 last season.
De La Salle is led by 6-8 senior Mike Shaw, 6-6 sophomore Alex Foster and 6-6 senior Dre Henley, who played at De La Salle as a sophomore, transferred to a prep school in Carbondale as a junior, but has returned to De La Salle for his senior year.
"It is as good a front line as there is," White said. "The tandem of Shaw and Henley as sophomores was beautiful to watch. To have them back together as seniors, well...they think alike. They are the best tandem around...athletic, strong, inside and outside skills. Shaw's rebounding is amazing. And Henley also will play point guard."
White predicts Foster will make his own reputation. "I don't think anyone has a stronger front line," he said. He believes Shaw and Henley rank with Morgan Park's Wayne Blackshear as the No. 1 senior prospect in the state. They will get plenty of exposure this summer while playing for Mac Irvin's AAU team, the Fire, and at camps at Michigan State, DePaul and Illinois.
In the backcourt, De La Salle will be led by Henley, 6-2 sophomore Jaylon Tate, 5-7 sophomore Marcus White, 6-3 sophomore Alvin Ellis, 5-7 sophomore DeMarcus Richardson, 6-3 junior Pat Haynes and 6-4 senior Devonte Gatewood. Tate has the most experience. He was the first guard off the bench last season and led the Catholic League with a 91-percent accuracy at the free throw line.
"Our mission is to get the young kids on board with the older kids," White said. "Shaw is the leader of the team, one of the toughest teammates in the state, very demanding."
White believes this team is better than his previous best production, the 1995 squad that lost to Proviso East in the sectional. And he believes it has the potential to surpass the school's all-time best team, the 25-5 Darryl Allen/Demetrius Brown/Dan Burich/Mike Williams/John McHale powerhouse that lost to state champion Maine South in the 1979 quarterfinals.
"We have to realize we will turn the ball over more than 11.8 times per game (last year's figure) with these young guards. I have to be ready for that," White said. "But the more we play, the better we will get. I can't wait to watch them play if they get back to the way it was as sophomores with Shaw and Henley."
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If I were ranking teams prior to the season I'd have to go with the Public League teams as numbers 1 through 4 over DeLaSalle and all others for these reasons: Their teams have 5 consecutive state titles and numerous state final 4 appearances. Simeon has 3 state titles in the last 5 years, and 1 runner up finish. Young , Marshall, and North Lawndale all have 1 state title in the past five years along with multiple final 4 appearances as well.
Here's what my top 5 would look like:
1. Simeon
2. Morgan Park
3. Whitney Young
4. Orr
5. DeLaSalle
DeLaSalle has a lot of talent but I still go with Simeon as the Number 1. Jabari Parker is much improved and more assertive this summer. And Simeon has the State Tournament experience and a great coach in Robert Smith. Also the "Simeon Way" has been very successful. Henley coming back to DeLaSalle is a big boost for them. I just don't think they have the coaching to beat Simeon.
Hey Tim,
That same coach beat Simeon by 18 at UIC at the end of the year last year and has a more talented team this year, hard to agree with that statement
I don't think that any of the public schools have a talent like Dre Henley to boost a already talented team! Plus the national powers that DLS played last year will go a long way to prepare this team for a great season. Remember DLS lost to only 1 IHSA team last season!!
I agree with Tim. De La Salle will have a nice squad but lacks the coaching to make a serious run at the state crown.
THE CLASS 3A CHAMPIONSHIP GOES THROUGH EITHER HILLCREST OR MORGAN PARK, REMEMBER HILLCREST WON THE 3A CHAMPIONSHIP!
DON'T COUNT OUT RICH SOUTH, THEY WILL HAVE ANOTHER GREAT TEAM THIS SEASON!
T-zilla that game was the "REGULAR SEASON". Regular Season and State Tournament are two different things. In 3A Hillcrest,Orr,Morgan Park, and Peoria Manual are the teams to beat.
De La Salle lacks the coaching to compete with these teams? Really?
All Tom White has done in his career is won 259 games and posted a winning percentage of .635. His kids graduate and he runs a clean program.
I guess his coaching resume had nothing to do with him being enshrined in the CCL Hall of Fame this spring. Maybe people just like his ties.
And his lead assistant, John Brogan, only goes and scouts every team DLS plays about three times apiece. He's meticulous in his prep work and very knowledgeable. Brogan is also a former head coach at Weber. But, yeah, he can't coach either.
Will DLS win state next season? Who knows? March is still a long time from now and the aforementioned teams from the Public League and suburbs are excellent.
But don't come up with the tired and incorrect argument that Tom White and his staff can't coach.
Dan:
Granted Henley is a nice player but did you forget the Public League has Wayne Blackshear, Mike Henry, Jabari Parker, Tommy Hamilton, Keifer Sykes, and Sam Thompson? There's a host of talented players who will come to the forefront this year. DeLaSalle is good, and so is Mt. Carmel, but the Public League is a grind and these teams (Simeon, Young, and Marshall)have won state championships recently. That means a lot. Morgan Park is hungry coming off a city title and falling short in the waning seconds of the sectional. This season will be very exciting.
Phil "Caps", Tim,
3A? - this artilce is about DeLaSalle. They are 4A.(like Morgan Park should be... if Irvin has any manhood, he'll petition to win a real state title in 4A, not the minor leagues - 3A,2A,1A).
Of all of de la salle's sophmores the 2 talented are guards Jaylon Tate and DeMarcus Richardson. TO me Alex Foster needs to get stornger but with those two gaurds out on the court at the same time it will be exciting to watch but ass you all have said that will have to come doen to Coach Tom White's Coaching.
I agree with the lack of coaching from delasalle I mean I Met These They are outstanding Men But lack the desire and the Know How to do certain Things.The guard DeAngelo Thigpen I seen Him play he can really play if the coaches let him To me he's better than Jaylon and Damarcus, But Thats not my Program!!
Well i agree with you on that but 1st things 1st spell check before you done next time.But as you said their are 2 i think theirs 3 talented sophmores at de la salle which will help them get down state this year are gaurds Jaylon Tate DeMarcus Richardson, and Alvin Ellis. Ive seen all these kids play on the AAU circiut this year and was very impressed with wat i saw. Jaylon Tate(Mac Irvin Fire) he's 6'2 one of the tallest gaurds in his class of the state. He has great ball handling skills, he sees the court very well, and can finish strong when getting 2 the basket, but has to work on his jumpshot. then Demarcus Richardson(Ferrari)5'7 plays the point is very explosive blows by anyone in front him, great control of the ball, good passer, needs to get consistent on his jumpshot and more aggressive. And for Alvin Ellis(Meanstreets) 6'3 is very impressive, has a nice mid range game can step out 2 the 3 and knock it down, good passer, but needs to work on ball handling a little bit more. Not trying say that these are the main 3 Marcus White and Alex Foster are important to but these 3 from what i have seen are the most talented and if all 5 do stay there all 4 yrs which i dont see becuase of that coaching staff and Tom white but if they do theyll be a force 2 be reckon with. In also for Meanstreets a kid name Kendrick Nunn can play to he goes 2 Simeon along with Jabari Parker those 2 kids also are going to do sum damage at Simeon. But if all goes well De la Salle will be at the top along with Simeon And Whitney Young not sure about Morgan Park but these 3 schools for sure