By Michael Wojtychiw

The High School Boys Basketball season is upon us, so we here at the Chicago Public League are taking a look at some of the teams to watch this year and their prospects for the season

**All teams were reached out to for this article, however only teams that responded are displayed below. This will be a running preview list as more teams respond.

School:  Chicago Academy 

Last Year’s Record: 13 – 11

Social Media Handle: @ChiAcadHS

Starters returning: Isaiah Cortez – Jr, G

Key non-starters returning: Aram Salman – So – G; Kyle Orta – Jr – F; Xavion Duffie – Jr – G; Kaleb Crespo – Sr – G

Newcomers to watch: Ahmad Ahmad – Sr – C

Season outlook: Goal is to win the Blue North.  Many new faces, but we have not lowered our goals.

School:  Clemente 

Last Year’s Record: 4-15

Starters returning:

Jamarion Latzzis, senior

John Rivera, sophomore

Paul Moore, junior

Key non-starters returning:

Sebastian Rivera, junior

Newcomers to watch:

Kaylan Colon. freshman

Derrick Carter. sophomore

Levarus Gardner

Season outlook: We’ve got a number of young guys and a first-year head coach this season. 

School: Curie Condors

2021-22 record: 26-7

Social media: @CurieBball (Twitter)

Returning starters:
Jr. Guard Carlos Harris (12ppg)
Sr. Forward Chikasi Ofoma (14ppg)
Sr. Forward Jeremy Harrington Jr. (14ppg) (8 rebs)
Sr. Guard Shawn Brown

Key non-starters returning:
Sr. Guard Kros Barrett       
Jr. Forward Taevion Collier     

Newcomers to watch:
Sr. Forward Sherod Dent Jr. 
Jr. Guard Christian Brockett 

Season outlook: After falling short in the city championship game last year we return our entire team minus 1 senior! So we feel we have the experience, talent and depth to make a serious run at a city and state championship!

School:  Excel Academy of Englewood

Last Year’s Record: 6-7

Social Media Handle: (IG) Excelacademyofenglewood

Starters returning: 

Pravion Demus, G, Sr, National Honor Society

Aveon Daniels, G, Sr

Justin Patton, F, Sr

Jemele Jackson, F Sr

Key non-starters returning: 

Antoine Lewis, F, Soph

Newcomers to watch: 

Joshua Andrews, G, Sr

Season outlook: This will be an interesting season for Excel Academy of Englewood. We are looking to rebound from last year’s up-and-down season. We have high expectations for the season and am looking to win our division.

School:  Fenger

Last Year’s Record: 17-12

Social Media Handle: fengerboysbasketball 

Starters returning: 

Jordan Rowls, F, 2023

Key non-starters returning: 

Jihad Crume, C, 2023 

Matthew Wilson, G, 2025

Newcomers to watch: 

Bruce Standford, G, 2025

Season outlook: Reloading year… looking to compete in state 1A and win the White-South.

School:  Foreman 

Last Year’s Record: 7-15

Social Media Handle: @Athleti1Foreman (Twitter)

Starters returning: 

Antonio Heron class of 23 ,PG, SG- SR

Isiah Stokes class of 24 , SF, Jr

Newcomers to watch: 

Theodis Robinson Jr class of 24, SG- JR

Sherrod Chandler class of 24,  SG-  JR

Jamel Duke Class of 24, SG, SF – JR

Season outlook:
The Hornets will look to bounce back after a tough season under a new Head Coach. This year they will be led by two dynamic scorers at the shooting guard and small forward positions. Foreman will look to play dominant defense and fast pace on the offensive side.

School:  Goode Stem Academy

Last Year’s Record: 16-9

Social Media Handle: Instagram: goodeboysbasketball   Twitter: @GoodeBoysBball

Starters returning: 

Michael Collins, F, Sr.

Fred Boyd, G, Jr.

Key non-starters returning: 

Brandon Mixon, F, Jr.

Jamari Campbell, G, Sr.

Marion Potts, F, Sr.

Newcomers to watch: 

Tyronn Black, G, Jr.

Season outlook: We are going to have to rely heavily on Fred, Brandon, and Mike to pick up the scoring that we lost from graduation.  We’ll need to defend and try to keep the scores down in order for us to be successful.  

School:  Kennedy Crusaders

Last Year’s Record: 8-23

Starters returning: 

Senior Guard Brett Gomez  – All Conference White Central; 21 ppg, 7 apg, 6 rpg     

Senior Forward Adrian Medina

Senior Forward Jeremiah Stigger

Senior Guard Nathan Carrero 

Key non-starters returning: 

Sophomore G/F Joseph Dahl                                 

Junior  Guard Vincent Carrero                               

Senior Guard Kenneth Villa                                   

Senior Forward John Kurysz 

Newcomers to watch: 

Junior Guard Alfredo Calderon 

Junior Forward Michael Gallas

Junior Forward Patryk Baliczek

Season outlook: Looking to reverse fortunes from the 21-22 season with 4 returning starters and 3 other key contributors.  Led by all-conference guard and conference scoring leader Brett Gomez, shooting guard Nate Carrero the versatile Jeremiah Stigger and experienced depth, Kennedy expects to compete for a top spot in the White Central.

School:  Lane Tech

Last Year’s Record: 19-12

Social Media Handle: IG: lanetechhoops / Twitter: @lanetechhoops 

Starters returning:

Shaheed Solebo, G, JR., All-Conference as a sophomore

Jack Tzur, F, SR.

Key non-starters returning:

Lorenzo Aquino, G, SR.

Dalton Scantlebury, F, SO
Season outlook: Lane will be competitive in Red Northwest conference and very tough in non-conference schedule including Chicago Elite Class, D-Rose Shootout, Coaches United Shootout, Battle of the Bridge Thanksgiving Tournament and several out-of-state games.

School: Mather

Last Year’s Record: 6-24

Social Media Handle: Twitter: @matherhoops

Starters returning: 

Terence Young, Guard, Senior 

Key non-starters returning: 

Yann Kwizera, Guard, Junior

Newcomers to watch: 

Keontae Lewis, Guard, Senior 

Romeo Diaz, Guard, Senior

Ezekiel Irving, Forward, Junior

Mario Parker Jr., Guard/Forward, Junior

Season outlook:

With only two returning players, the Rangers will be a young and deep squad that will rely on their quickness. Looking forward to the team’s development over the course of the season as it will take time to build team chemistry.

School: Morgan Park Mustangs

Last Year’s Record: 13-11

Returning starters:  

Orlando James, PG, Sr

Fontain Thomas, G, Jr

Key newcomers:

Leon Cooks Jr. / F / Jr

Dwayne Halliburton / G/F / Jr

Dillon Fountain / G / So

Avain Jackson / G / Jr

Season outlook: Looking to build off last season’s CPS Elite 8 appearance and Class 4A (playing up) regional final. The conference schedule is top loaded, so this year’s team will be tested early and often.

School: Northside College Preparatory High School

Last Year’s Record: 15-11 (overall), 4-5 (conference)

Starters Returning:

Steven Tran (Jr., Guard)

Andrew Jarzyna (Sr., Guard)

Owen Amir-Arjomand (Jr., Guard)

Key non-starters returning:

Merwan Nur (Sr., Forward)

Ben Lavie (Sr., Center)

Newcomers to watch:

Matthew Sterniuk (Soph., Forward)

Derrick David (Jr., Forward/Center)

Jon Brody (Jr., Forward/Center)

Jayden Kim (Soph., Forward)

Kevin Adu (Jr., Forward/Center)

Season Outlook: Compete to win the White-North. 

School:  Ogden International 

Last Year’s Record: 14-16

Starters returning: 

Kamari Willis – G, F, Senior, Scholar Athlete

Travion Williams – G, Senior

Key non-starters returning: 

Jaden Johnson-Gill, C, Senior

Andre Bolton – G, Junior 

Marquette Lee – F, Junior

Alonte Reynolds – G, F, Junior

Newcomers to watch: 

Alonte Reynolds – G, F, Junior

Andre Bolton – G, Junior  

DeShawn Perry-Tucker – G, F, Junior

Marquette Lee – F, Junior

Antwoine Bolton – G, F, Sophomore

Season outlook: 

Moved up to the White after going undefeated in the Blue West last year.  We are younger, graduating 7 seniors last year, but have a strong Junior class and are looking to make a splash in our new division. 

School: Walter Payton College Prep  

Last Year’s Record: 13-12

Social Media Handle: twitter: @PaytonHoops ;  instagram: @PaytonBasketball34

College commits (if available):  Nate Raub, Hamilton College (pending admission)

Starters returning (Name, position, class, honors, stats if available): 

Nate Raub, sr, forward, 6’8, 2021-22 All-White West Team; Brennan Moore, sr, guard, 6’3

Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class, stats if available): 

Jaiden Lulla, sr, guard, 5’9; Sean Anderson, sr, guard, 6’0; Kyle Osterman, sr, guard, 6’0; Jejaw Jejaw, sr, guard, 6’0, Sam Litwinski, sr, forward, 6’3

Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class): 

Kai Fogelson, jr, guard, 6’3

Graham Miller, jr, forward, 6’6

Yoshi Mack, jr, 6’1, guard

Grant Gugino, soph, 5’10, guard

Season outlook: Will be a competitive group that plays together on offense and defense.  Playing a very strong schedule with 3 events – St. Patrick’s Thanksgiving Tournament, 79th Annual Centralia Holiday Tournament, Deerfield/Lake Forest 3A MLK Tournament.  Looking to compete in the White West.

School: Prosser Career Academy 

Social Media Handle: IG: Prosserhoops Twitter: Prosser Basketball 

Starters returning: Latroy Henderson, Senior, Guard 

Key non-starters returning: Xazayvion Bell, Senior, Wing 

Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class): 

Erik Peoples, Senior, Wing 

Dwyane Flower, Junior, Guard 

Ramsey Momon, Sophomore, Guard 

Season outlook: 

This year’s Prosser team has a new look from a year ago. Returning 2 starters and a  host of newcomers. Prosser looks to make some noise in a tough Red North-West. Latroy Henderson is looking to start where he left off last season and Xazayvion Bell has a lot to prove to help the Falcon success. With some key newcomers we look to prove the doubters wrong. I believe this is the hardest working team I have ever coached, which is bringing the toughness our team needs to win games. 

School:  Raby High School

Last Year’s Record: 12-13

Starters returning: 

Dorian Perry G, Sr.; All- Conference

JaJuan Folks G, Sr.; All-Conference

Omari Gunn, G/F, Sr.

Key non-starters returning: 

Quayvone Hampton, G/F, SR

Newcomers to watch: 

Nicholas Rogers, G, Soph

Sharvis Pipes, G, Soph

Season outlook: After losing 6 srs and having 4 transfers, the Raiders are looking to create an identity with everyone in new roles. We return All-Conference guards: JaJuan Folks and Dorian Perry, which will provide leadership. Seniors Omari Gunn, Jamontay Thomas and Quayvone Hampton are looking to expand their roles this season. We are expecting sophomore Nicholas Rogers to make a huge leap in his 1st year on varsity. 

School: Eric Solorio Academy HS

Last Year’s Record: 12-7

Starters returning: Leo Lopez (’23) – guard. Will be his 4th year as a contributor on Varsity; Kaleb Aguilar (’24) – guard. 

Key non-starters returning: Cruz Ochoa (’23) – forward; Oliver Altamirano Hernandez (’23) – guard

Newcomers to watch: Angel Tapia (’23) Forward; Isiah Gomez (’26) – guard

Season outlook: After losing All-City player Donovan Jones and 2 other multi-year starters on Varsity, we’ve dropped down to the Blue Conference this year. Our program is looking to rebuild a bit as we work with more players that are a bit newer to basketball. We should be competitive in this new conference thanks to the additions of a large number of seniors that are playing for us for the first time and the return of Leo Lopez and Kaleb Aguilar. Angel Tapia and Andew Alacron are two high-level baseball players that have decided to play basketball this year. Those two, along with newcomer Freshman Isiah Gomez, who ended the year as our starting quarterback for the football program, are still learning the game a bit but show signs of being key contributors. Brian Salinas (’23) – forward doesn’t yet know how good he can be and if he stays committed, he could be a real force in the middle. This culture along with the foundation Coach Rhymes built over the past few seasons gives us confidence that we can have success in the Blue Central and keep building our players into high-quality young men.

School: Steinmetz Silver Streaks

Last Year’s Record: 18-12 

Starters returning: none

Key non-starters returning:

Demari Pinson

Tyquan Turner

Newcomers to watch: 

Michael Mena

Anthony Garcia

Keith Tankston

Oscar Rivera 

Season outlook:

Never had a team turnover as much in a season in my 20 years as head coach. Only 3 players dressed for a varsity game last year, only one saw any time playing, the rest of the team is completely new to the program. They are coachable…so if we put the work in, maybe we can surprise some teams this year. We’ll give it 100 percent.

School:  Taft High School

Last Year’s Record: 17-12

Social Media Handle: Twitter: @TaftBoysBball       Instagram: @taftboysbball

Starters returning: 

Julian Martinez – Senior, Guard

Armin Aliloski – Senior, Forward

Key non-starters returning: 

Lyle Scibor – Junior, Guard

Jayden Harris – Junior, Guard 

Newcomers to watch: 

Frank Paszkowski – Junior, Forward 

Marty Dempsey – Sophomore, Guard 

Nathan Serrano – Freshman Guard  

Season outlook:

Taft is trying to improve on last year’s 17-12 record by bringing intensity with a defensive mindset. Senior and returning starters Julian Martinez, Armin Aliloski will lead the way. The program is filled with young talent – juniors Jayden Harris, Lyle Scibor, and Frank Paszkowski; Sophomore Marty Dempsey; and keep an eye on Freshman Nathan Serrano. The team consists of many returning young men who continue to grow together every day while playing basketball at one of Chicago’s finest neighborhood schools. 

School: Chicago Vocational Career Academy  

Last Year’s Record: 7-12

Social Media Handle: @CVS_basketball

Starters returning: 

Antwan Green, SG/W, Senior

Key non-starters returning: 

Stacey Clark, G/F, Senior

Newcomers to watch: 

Carlton Davis, PG, Senior

Kyree Jones, SG, Junior

Season outlook:

This season will be very interesting due to having a team full of unproven players.  With a lot of guards and a senior heavy team, this team has the potential to be really disruptive and competitive in the White South.  As this group play more games together, they will be tougher and tougher to beat. 

School:  Westinghouse Warriors

Last Year’s Record: 16-12

Social Media Handle: @WWarriorsBball

Starters returning: 

Isaiah Giles, Guard, 2023, 2022 IBCA all-state honorable mention

Key non-starters returning: 

Isaiah Giles, Guard, 2023

Askia Bullie, Point Guard, 2024

Dartagnan Butler, Forward, 2023

Newcomers to watch: 

Damien Bolden, Guard, 2024

Treyvon Ali, Wing, 2024

Season outlook:

A young junior core looking to compete for the Red North-West title. A class 3A contender for a state final appearance.