Boys basketball season has started! So we here at CPSAthletics.com reached out to every varsity coach in the CPL for their looks into the season for our second annual basketball previews.
While all coaches were contacted, only those who responded are shown on this page. Is your school missing? Have your coach reach out to Michael Wojtychiw (mmwojtychiw@cps.edu) to get your school included!
School: Ag. Science
Last Year’s Record: 25-7
Social Media Handle: @finnin43
Starters returning (Name, position, class, honors):
Chris Taylor G, Senior, All City
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Tim O’Brien, Center, Senior
Jacob Tyrcha, Forward, Senior
Ken Lee, Guard, Senior
Caleb Guyton, Senior, Forward
Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class):
Dillion Gray, PG, Senior
Bryce Tillis, Power Forward, Junior
Glen Howell, SG, Junior
Tournaments/Shootouts you’re participating in and/or hosting:
Coal City Thanksgiving
Kankakee Christmas
Coach’s season outlook:
We will be a very solid team. As the year goes on we will get better and better. Very excited about this team.
School: Chicago Academy
Last Year’s Record: 18-8
Starters returning (Name, position, class, honors, stats if available):
Isaiah Cortez – G – Sr. – All Time Single Season Scoring Leader
Kyle Orta – G – Sr.
Coach’s season outlook: Hoping to compete in the White Conference, as this is our first year there!
School: Chicago Math and Science
Last Year’s Record: 8-6 overall, 3-5 conference
Starters returning (Name, position, class, honors):
Marcus Hughes-Bey, SG, So., Last year-All Conference & MVP
Filip Lipovski, SF, Sr.
Malik Lawal, SF, Sr.
Key non-starters returning (Name, class, position):
Joune Woods, So., G
Casey Fleming, So., G
Newcomers to watch (Name, class, position):
Michael Oginni, Fr., F
Dewayne Wesley III, Fr., F
Tournaments/Shootouts participating in:
Goode STEM High School Thanksgiving Tournament
Coach’s season outlook:
Hard work is the only way to reach our goals.
School: Clemente
Last Year’s Record: 14-15
Starters returning (Name, position, class, stats):
Guard Jerrell Taylor, 24ppg, senior
Forward John Rivera, 8ppg, Junior
Guard Paul Moore, 7ppg, Senior
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Sebastian Rivera, Senior
Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class):
Senior Chris Escobar
Tournaments/Shootouts participating in: Fenton HS (Thanksgiving)
Coach’s season outlook: Senior-laden team has the talent to win the Blue West and compete with upper White & Red teams
School: Corliss STEM High School
Last Year’s Record: 9-10
Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class):
Kyrese Turner, G, Freshman
Joshua Pegues, G, Freshman
Tournaments/Shootouts participating in:
De La Salle Institute Thanksgiving Tourney
Coach’s season outlook:
In the wake of graduating seven skilled seniors, the Corliss Trojans face a transformative period. This season and the next are earmarked as developmental, with the team relying heavily on underclassmen, two of whom are particularly promising. These seasons are crucial for cultivating their talents and team synergy, laying the groundwork for a stronger future. Despite the expected fluctuations of high peaks and low valleys, the experience gained during this time is invaluable. It’s a period of building resilience and honing skills, ensuring that when these athletes reach their junior year in the 25-26 season, they will be formidable competitors. The Trojans’ journey through these seasons is a testament to their enduring spirit and commitment to excellence, no matter the immediate outcomes.
School: Englewood STEM Boys Basketball
Social Media: X/Twitter: @ESHSBoysHoops
Top Returners:
5-11 senior PG Ryan Henry
6-2 senior G Demarion Coleman
6-3 senior G Marcus Owens
6-2 senior G Martrell Britton
6-3 senior W Vashawn Washington.
Top Newcomer: transfer 6-7 senior PF Thomas Mantey Jr.
Team Outlook: Englewood STEM will surprise teams in the Red South/Central led by all seniors: 2-year starter 5-11 super skilled PG Ryan Henry, 2-year starter 6-2 do-it-all G Demarion Coleman, 6-3 super athletic three-and-D G Marcus Owens, and super tough 6-2 G Martrell Britton. 6-3 W Vashawn Washington and transfer 6-7 PF Thomas Mantey Jr. will give us big minutes too.
School: Jones College Prep
Last Year’s Record: 18-13
Starters returning (Name, position, class, stats):
Trey Lay, Forward, Senior; 13.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Henry Close, Guard, Senior
Sam Byrd, Guard, Senior
Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class):
Paul Murphy, Forward, Junior
Stone Cull, Guard, Junior
Tournaments/Shootouts you’re participating in:
Lane Tech/DePaul Prep Battle of the Bridge
Maine East Winter Holiday Tournament
Coach’s season outlook:
Return limited varsity experience with only 1 starter back. Looking to develop consistency both offensively and defensively as younger guys gain more experience. Looking forward to competing for top spot in CPS White West.
School: Kelvyn Park HS
Last Year’s Record: 5-7
Social Media Handle: Instagram @kphbasketball
Starters returning:
Austin Torres – (G) – Senior
Joseph Torres – (G) – Senior
Noah Collazo – (G) – Senior
Jacorey Stewart – (G) – Junior
Tayveon Johnson – (F) – Sophomore
Key non-starters returning:
Tyshawn Johnson – (C) – Sophomore
Jassiel Arroyo – (G) – Junior
Newcomers to watch:
Lateryon Lee (F) – Freshman
Maurice Williams (F) – Freshman
Season outlook: Goal is to win the Blue West.
School: Kennedy
Last Year’s Record: 19-12, 5-4 conference (White Central)
Social Media Handle: @crusaderjfkball, @jfkhs_athletics
Starters returning (Name, position, class):
Vincent Carrero, Guard, Senior
Joseph Dahl, Guard, Junior
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Michael Gallas, Wing, Senior
Patryk Baliczek, G/F, Senior
Roberto Guzman, C, Senior
Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class):
Jovani Naverette, forward, Junior
Ja’Veon Sargent-Williams, guard, Sophomore
Tournaments/Shootouts participating in:
Spartan Ram Thanksgiving Classic @ Reavis HS
Elgin Hardwood Holiday Classic @ Elgin HS
Coach’s season outlook: Leading this 23-24 team are 3 year varsity players senior Vince Carrero and junior Joseph Dahl. Their leadership and multiple years within the system will help guide the youthful group of teammates. Defensively we should be solid, with several players providing a 3 point threat on offense.
School: Lane Tech
Last Year’s Record: 14-14
Social Media Handle: IG: LaneTechHoops X: @lanetechhoops
College commits (if available):
- Shaheed Solebo (offered by UIC, Illinois State, Eastern Illinois has not committed yet)
- Jackson Labkon (has several schools he is considering but has not committed yet)
Starters returning (Name, position, class, honors, stats if available):
- Shaheed Solebo, G, SR, All-City Honorable Mention, All-Conference
- Jackson Labkon, G, SR
- Dalton Scantlebury, F, JR
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class, stats if available):
- Drew Bartolai, G, JR
- Kenny Rosario, G, JR
- Brayden Rosenkrantz, G, JR
- Dylan Pepper, F, JR
- Trevor Goodhart, G, SR
Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class):
- Zach Mazanowski, F, JR
- Luka Pinto, F, JR
Tournaments/Shootouts you’re participating in and/or hosting:
- Battle of the Bridge Thanksgiving
- Chicago Elite Classic
- Team Rose Shootout
- HInsdale Central Holiday Tournament
- CPL vs. CCL Showdown
- Hyde Park Shootout (New Year’s Extravaganza)
Coach’s season outlook: Lane comes into the season in Michael O’Brien’s (Chicago Sun-Times) top 25 at number 20. Lane returns four starters and a ton of returners from last season. Lane will be playing their toughest schedule in Coach LoGalbo’s tenure (19 years, 16 as the head coach) and will look to compete with the best of the best all season and make a serious run in the city and state playoffs.
School: Mather
Last Year’s Record: 10 – 18
Social Media Handle: X or Twitter: @MatherHoops
Starters returning (Name, position, class, honors):
Ezekiel Irving, PG, Sr., All-conference
Keith Davis-Grove, F, Sr., All-conference
Jeremiah Chalwe, F, Jr.
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Caleb Jackson, G, Sr.
Yann Kwizera, G, Sr.
Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class):
Byron Purnell, F, So.
Adin Smajlovic, G, So
Tournaments/Shootouts participating in:
Ridgewood Thanksgiving Tournament, Nov 20 – 25th
Coach’s season outlook:
Looking to improve from last season’s 10 – 18 record, and challenge for the White North title. Three starters return, along with two players who will make major contributions in the season. Looking forward to seeing the newcomers develop and provide depth.
School: Northside College Prep
Last Year’s Record: 20-13
Social Media Handle: @ncphoops
Starters returning (Name, position, class):
- Steven Tran, Shooting Guard , Senior
- Kevin Adu, Forward, Senior
- Derrick David, Forward, Senior
- Owen Amir-Arjomand, Guard, Senior
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
- Matthew Sterniuk, Center, Junior
- Jayden Kim, Shooting Guard, Junior
- Jonathan Brody, Forward, Senior
Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class):
- William Moran, Point Guard, Sophomore
Tournaments/Shootouts participating in and/or hosting:
- Ridgewood Thanksgiving Tournament
- Maine East Holiday Tournament
Coach’s season outlook:
I’m eager to work hard with these young athletes to help them develop their skills, win games, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
School: Ogden International
Last Year’s record: 14-16
Starters returning (Name, position, class, stats):
Alonte Reynolds, F, Senior; 17.1 pts per game last year, 531 varsity points
Deshawn Perry-Tucker, G, Senior, 10.5 pts per game last year
Andre Bolton, G, Senior
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Antwoine Bolton, F, Junior
Juthaniel Lebron, G, Junior
Luis Leon, G, Junior
Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class):
Juthaniel Lebron, G, Junior
Tournaments/Shootouts participating in:
Galesburg Thanksgiving
Julian Winter Break Tournament
Coach’s season outlook: We have a number of strong seniors, had great offseason, making it to summer championships vs. Curie. Looking to win the Division and move to the Red.
School: Chicago Vocational Career Academy
Last Year’s Record: 4-17
Social Media Handle: (Instagram) cvca_cavaliers_basketball & (twitter) @cvs_basketball
Starters returning (Name, position, class):
SR – Ron Thigpen, G
SR- Kyree Jones, G
SR- Emari Burks, F
Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class):
Kendaro Cassidy, Guard, C/O 2025
Tyrell Pickett, Forward, C/O 2027
Tyler Fulson, Forward, C/O 2025
Tournaments/Shootouts participating in:
Christmas Invitational Tourney @ Julian High School
Chicago Battle Ground Thanksgiving Classic @ Crane High School
Hoop it Up Classic @ Perspectives Leadership Academy
MLK/Ronald Chops Classic @ Whitney Young High School
Coach’s season outlook:
This team returns some experience from last year’s team, mixed with some young players, which makes for an exciting season. With the guard trio of Ron Thigpen, Kyree Jones, and Kendaro Cassidy, scoring there’s a lot of skill, scoring, and defense in the works. With Coach Watson entering his third year at the helm of this program, he is looking to make strides to become a winning program.
School: Westinghouse
Last Year’s Record: 19-11
Social Media Handle:
X-@wwarriorsbball
Instagram-wwarriorsbball
Starters returning (Name, position, class):
Damien “DJ” Bolden, Guard, Senior
Askia Bullie, Point Guard, Senior
Key non-starters returning (Name, position, class):
Treyvon Ali, Wing, Senior
Emmanuel Fuller, Wing, Senior
Tournaments/Shootouts you’re participating in and/or hosting:
St. Ignatius Thanksgiving Tournament
Oakland Winter Showcase
Big Dipper Christmas Tournament
Hyde Park Classic
MLK Trojan Classic
Chops Billinger Classic
Coach’s season outlook:
This will be the team to get us over the state sectional block we’ve been encountering the past few years. Should be lots of high scoring games from the offensive side for us. We’re looking to play a very uptempo but disciplined style of basketball.
