Top 10 Illinois Top High School Basketball Teams 2012-2013

This should be an interesting season coming up, strong players in each class and a lot of loaded teams. It will be an entertaining season to watch:  1) Simeon(Chicago)- This team will once again be one of the best teams in the Nation. Simeon will be going after their 4th Straight Class 4A State Title this winter. Ring leader once again will be Jabari Parker(6'8" senior forward) widely considered the best high school player in the country and will be going after a 4th Straight Title. Also Illinois commit Kendrick Nunn(6'2" senior guard) will also be going for #4. This all-senior starting lineup will also include Jaylon Tate(6'2" point guard), Kendall Pollard(6'5" forward), and Leo transfer Russell Woods (6'8" forward-center) all big time Division I prospects. If that isn't enough for Division 1 players check out Simeon's bench Quan Davis(6'8" senior forward),Ricky Norris (6'3" senior point guard),DJ Williams(6'7" sophomore guard/forward) the next Simeon star, Leo transfer Sean Moore Jr( 6'2" senior guard),Brandon Hutton(6'4" sophomore guard/forward),Edward Morrow(6'7" sophomore forward/center), Danville transfer Dante Ingram( 6'4" junior guard/forward). Also another transfer St Thomas More Jaycee Hillsman(6'4" junior guard/forward) And as if they don't have enough talent add Ben Coupet( 6'6" freshman forward) and Zachary Norvell Jr(6'3" freshman guard). This team will be hard to beat. 2) Whitney Young(Chicago)-Another wildly talented team who will get votes nationally this Sectional Semi Finalist(eliminated by Simeon) is led by 4 Top 50 National ranked junior's Jahlil Okafor(6'10" center) who is a monster in the paint. Paul White(6'9" guard/forward),Miles Reynolds(6'3" point guard),and Gaffney,SC transfer LJ Peak(6'5" guard/forward) all Division 1 prospects. The other starter will probably be athletic sophomore Joseph Toye(6'5"guard/forward) another contributor will be Rodney Herenton Jr(6'1"freshman point guard) and Miles Baggett( 6'2" freshman guard) will help with depth. They have had some guys transfer out but still have a lot of talent to compete in Public League.  3) Proviso East(Maywood)- This team took Simeon to the wire in 4A Title game last season in one of the best championship games in memory. Took their only loss in 32-1 season last year. As always they have talent to burn with Sterling Brown(6'5" senior guard/forward) who is a jack of all trades talent, also Illinois State commit Paris Lee(5'10"senior point guard) also talented Brandon Jenkins( 6'4" senior guard/forward). A lot of talent from undefeated sophomore team Joshua Funderwhite(6'3"junior forward),Jevon Carter(6'1" junior guard),Malik Carter(5'9"junior guard),Shaqull Millins(6'3" junior guard).also Rashard Williams(6'6" 250 pound senior center). Add two transfers Paris McCullum(6'5" senior forward) from St Patrick, and Kalen Fisher(6'2" sophomore guard)  from Downers Grove South. Look for them back at the State Finals. 4) Morgan Park(Chicago)- This talented team will certainly be the favorite in Class 3A by far. They are led by DePaul commit Billy Garrett Jr(6'4" senior point guard) a Top 50 National player, Dayton commit Kyle Davis(6'1" senior guard),Markee Williams(5'10" point guard) transferred back from Crane,Josh Cunningham(6'7" junior forward), and Xzavier Taylor(6'9" senior center) all Division 1 recruits. Also Kain Harris(6'3" sophomore guard), is talented off the bench,along with Torry Johnson (6'3" junior guard). They could have a contribution from Alonzo Chatman(6'6" freshman forward). Will be a threat to Simeon in the Red South). 5)St Rita(Chicago)- Best team in Chicago Catholic League will be led by a Top 25 National sophomore Charles Matthews(6'5" sophomore point guard) along with his brother Dominique Matthews(6'3" junior guard) the best brother backcourt this side of the Harrison's(Andrew and Aaron). also Victor Law(6'5" junior forward) along with Myles Carter(6'8" sophomore forward/center).Eddie Randle(6'6" junior forward) could help off the bench. This team could be a year away but the talent is there. 6) St Joseph(Westchester)-Another talented team that will compete with Morgan Park in 3A. AJ Patty(6'8" senior forward) is getting looks from Division 1 colleges, also Paul Turner(6'4" junior forward) Karriem Simmons(6'2" junior guard), look for Glynn Watson(5'10"sophomore point guard) and Jordan Ash(6'0" sophomore combo guard) along with Notre Dame transfer Johnathan Johnson(6'7" junior center) this team has a chance to come together for a special season. 7) Hyde Park(Chicago)- This team has been an enigma,with coaching changes, transfers,etc. They still have some talent with Moshawn Thomas(6'8" senior center), and Phillip Lee(6'2" senior combo guard) will lead an unknown group of talented players who will soon be known. Another Red South power. 8) Curie(Chicago)- Another talented Public League power led by Top 5 National Junior Cliff Alexander(6'9" junior forward/center) who is a monster in the paint. Now if Curie's guards learn to get him a touch every time down the court would be nice. They have two nice additions in the Stamps brothers Joshua(6'2"junior shooting guard) and Joseph(6'3"sophomore swingman) that will help them win the Red Central once again. 9)Marist(Chicago)- The favorite in the East Suburban Catholic upset Bogan(Chicago) and Curie(Chicago) in the 4A playoffs last year has some talent back for another run. Start with Utah commit LJ McIntosh( 6'2" senior guard), Lexus Williams(6'2" senior guard),Nic Weishar(6'5" junior forward), this team shoots a lot of three point shots. Can they survive throughout the season with this dependence on 3 point shooting? 10) Niles North(Skokie)-  Best team in the North Suburbs made it to Sectional Final level for 2nd straight season last year. This year they are expected to have Lorenzo Dillard(6'2" senior point guard) for the whole season. His sidekick Malachi Nix(5'8" senior point guard) should make for one of the best backcourts in the state. The other 2 returning starters are BJ Beckford(6'2" senior swingman) one of the best 3 point shooters in the state along with Billy Vojtik(6'4" senior center). This is a small and quick team who will have to survive on their pressure denfense.  Others to watch: Seton Academy(South Holland),St Viator(Arlington Heights),Notre Dame(Niles),Mundelein,Bogan(Chicago), North Chicago, and Waukegan.