In this first week of the season here in Illinois, we continue to see some special talent step have and have remarkable performances. There were a couple star performances in this tight matchup that saw Hinsdale Central get the victory of the host Downers Grove South.

Cole Bero – 2026 – G – Hinsdale Central

Bero was a key piece in the win on both ends of the floor. While he did score in double figures, this was especially the case on the defensive side of play where he made a bunch of plays. Not only did he play with great energy defensively, but also showed good positioning and anticipation getting into the passing lanes. Bero had multiple steals and deflections in the win.

Kris Dowell – 2026 – G – Hinsdale Central

Dowell was tremendous in all aspects leading Hinsdale Central to the win. He was especially phenomenal in the first half with 14 points building a 10-point lead at the break. Dowell is a poised and skilled guard with some size at 6’3”. Dowell was very effective scoring on the attack playing and finishing through contact but also hit a couple of threes in the game to score 22 points overall in the win. Dowell also showed a great ability to rebound in plenty of traffic battling inside as well to showing some good vision on the attack to finish with several assists. The senior guard is committed to Grinnell College.

Adam Flowers – 2026 – G – Downers Grove South

It was another standout game for Flowers who has started his senior season in a huge way. After scoring 33 points to open the season, he scored 39 points in this matchup. He scored much of this down the stretch as he was nearly unstoppable for large pieces of the fourth quarter doing everything he could to make a comeback. Flowers was scoring it effectively from all three levels getting it done in every way. He used his size at 6’4” and strength to power his way to the bucket and finish over defenders or get to his spots in the mid-range as well to scoring on a few put backs. The guard uses his body well to create easy looks in the mid-range hitting pullups at a high percentage as well as shooting it well from three off the dribble. Flowers is showing he is one of the top available guards in Illinois’ 2026 class and needs more looks from scholarship level programs.

RJ Lewis – 2027 – PG – Hinsdale Central

The junior point guard made some critical plays throughout this game. This was especially the case burying a corner three with 1:11 to play in the game to put his team up five and get the win. He has good quickness on the attack often getting deep into the defense where he finished it effectively around the paint and with an accurate floater but also hit a pair of threes and a mid-range pull up jumper.

Erik Vagonis – 2026 – F/C – Downers Grove South

Vagonis in an intriguing big man who showed good upside in this game. He has good size at 6’7” as well to some length. He got off to a quick start in this game with an and one finish off a pick and roll on his team’s first possession of the game. The senior is a mobile big man covering a good amount of ground in the paint blocking and altering shots but also showed the ability to cover good guards on the perimeter.