With some states getting their season underway in just two weeks, we continue to take a look at some of the region's top games in November and December.
St. Laurence vs. Neuqua Valley
December 13th - Team Rose Shootout
Out of all the intriguing matchups at the annual Team Rose Shootout, this one really stands out as it faces off two of the top teams in all of Illinois. It matches up plenty of the state's top talent including two of the top ranked seniors. The senior guard matchup is Central Michigan commit Markese Peoples for St. Laurence up against Illinois commit Mason Mason for Neuqua Valley. Neuqua Valley also has Cole Kelly, one of the top juniors in the entire nation. More than just Peoples, St. Laurence also has Logan Brown, Noah Corro, Jeremiah Toney, and several talented underclassmen amongst its talented roster.
New Berlin West vs. Arrowhead
December 5th - NY2LA Sports Classic
Another must see game of the loaded NY2LA Sports Classic in this series. This one will be very intriguing for the guard matchup with all the senior backcourt talent between these two teams. New Berlin West will be led by Jayce Cook, one of the top guards and shooters in the state who has both division one and two offers. Arrowhead has great senior talent led by its talented backcourt duo of Trey Resch and Wisconsin Lutheran commit Blake Basich plus wing Theo Toepel. Resch was conference player of the year last season while averaging 21.3 points plus Basich was one of the leaders in assists in the entire state with 7.4 per game.
Monona Grove vs. Slinger
December 18th - 60Eight Tournament
After taking a look at the other semifinal of the 608 Tournament in the last issue of this series, we now take a look at the other one. This game features one of the most talented duos in Wisconsin for Slinger while Monona Grove has one of the top trios. The Kohnen brothers of Iowa State Jack and Joey are the headliners for Slinger as both are top one hundred recruits nationally in their class. On the other side, Monona Grove has Northern Illinois commit Austin Luchetti, Evan Luchetti, plus Jayden Jackson, who is one of the top sophomore big men in the entire region.
DePaul Prep vs. St. Ignatius
December 19th
While these teams may not have the high major commits or top fifty nationally ranked players that some of these other games do, there are still plenty of reasons to watch with all the games talent. Both teams have continued to be among the top programs in Illinois over the past few years, as DePaul Prep recently three peated as state champions, and should be among the tops this season too. DePaul Prep lost a ton of talent from last year's team but still has a good blend of talent this season with recent Wash U St. Louis commit Gus Johnson, who is one of the top big men in the Chicago area, and another talented forward in Elie Ghattas. Plus, they also have a talented backcourt duo in Blake Choice and Jacob Only who are poised for breakout seasons as they will both have much greater opportunity this season. Amir Tucker, who has a few division one offers, is the headliner for St. Ignatius as one of the top junior guards in the state but they also have a few other talented players with Duke Ross, Walker Ross, Josiah Hall, and others.