Scouting Northwest suburbs holiday tournaments
Wheeling Hardwood ClassicTeams: Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Elgin, Fremd, Geneva, Glenbrook South, Libertyville, Maine West, Mather, Niles West, Notre Dame, Prospect, Ridgewood, St. Viator, Waukegan, Wheeling
2018 champion: Geneva
2019 favorites: Notre Dame, Niles North, Glenbrook South, Libertyville
Other contenders: Deerfield, Geneva, Libertyville
Top players: Kam Craft (Buffalo Grove), Connor Kochera (St. Viator), Louis Lesmond (Notre Dame), Dom Martinelli (Glenbrook South), Anthony Sayles (Notre Dame), Aquan Smart (Niles North)
What they're saying:
Buffalo Grove coach Keith Peterson: "The Hardwood has become a very difficult tournament. We look forward to playing against some of the best teams in the area and evaluating where we stand. We use this time to try some new things as a team and as individuals."
Maine West coach Tom Prokopij: "We'll be underdogs at the Hardwood, but we're excited to compete. We're hungry for some wins."
Prospect coach John Camardella: "Our team has been playing with maximum effort but still needs to learn how to finish games. The Hardwood will give us multiple chances in a short amount of time to improve on this aspect."
Wheeling coach Michael O'Keeffe: "We are looking forward to hosting the Hardwood Classic. We have high expectations for our team and are excited to compete against some of the top teams in the Chicagoland area."
Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament at YorkTeams: Andrew, Batavia, Bolingbrook, Brother Rice, Conant, Downers Grove South, Elk Grove, Glenbard East, Highland Park, Hinsdale South, Lemont, Lake Forest, Lyons, Minooka, Montini, Naperville North, Nazareth, Palatine, Providence, Riverside-Brookfield, Rolling Meadows, Sandburg, Schaumburg, Stagg, St. Francis, St. Ignatius, St. Laurence, St. Patrick, Solorio, Timothy Christian, Wheaton North, York
2018 champion: York
2019 favorites: Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, Bolingbrook, Hinsdale South
Other contenders: St. Laurence, York
Top players: Julian Campbell (Palatine), Max Christie (Rolling Meadows), Chris Hodges (Schaumburg), Nate Shockey (York), Aaron Tims (Hinsdale South)
What they're saying:
Elk Grove coach Nick Oraham: "We are hoping this tournament allows for us to get a couple of players going offensively like Brandon Burns and Devin McKinney. They are our two best scorers and need to work on complementing each other better."
Palatine coach Eric Millstone: "There are 32 teams. It's tough to narrow down the teams to beat and the best individuals. Our goal is to string together four quality efforts against four quality opponents."
Rolling Meadows coach Kevin Katovich: "There are nine to 10 teams that legitimately could win the whole thing. The Jack Tosh is a great measuring stick to find out where you stand, and what you need to improve on in the New Year."
Hinkle Holiday Classic at JacobsTeams: Barrington, Bartlett, Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake South, Dixon, Grant, Jacobs, Jefferson, Johnsburg, King, Marian Central, Payton Prep, Prairie Ridge, South Elgin, Streamwood, Waubonsie Valley
2018 champion: Cary-Grove
2019 favorites: Cary-Grove, Barrington
Other contenders: Crystal Lake Central, Jacobs, Waubonsie Valley
Top players: Beau Frericks (Cary-Grove), Jaden Herderson (Jacobs), Frank Jakubicek (Cary-Grove)
What they're saying:
Barrington coach Bryan Tucker: "We are approaching our tournament as an opportunity to gain some experience and develop some chemistry on the floor."
Maine East Holiday TournamentTeams: Addison Trail, Argo, Chicago Bulls Prep, Crane, Holy Trinity, Jones, Kennedy, Lakes, Leyden, Lincoln-Way West, Maine East, McHenry, Niles West, Oak Forest, Vernon Hills, Von Steuben
2018 champion: Lane Tech
2019 favorites: Oak Forest, Chicago Crane
Other contenders: Niles West, Leyden
Top players: Ola Ajiboye (Von Steuben), Juan Avila (Oak Forest), Robbie Avila (Oak Forest), JaQuet Hardimon (Leyden), Robert Hobbs (Crane), Jayson Kent (Oak Forest), Jimarius Sneed (Crane),
What they're saying:
Leyden coach Bill Heisler: "The tournament gives us a chance to compete against some teams we don't typically see.
Maine East coach Dave Genis: "We are searching desperately for consistent effort and execution. If we get that, I think we can be very competitive (in the tournament)."
Pekin Insurance Holiday TournamentTeams: Hersey, Lake Park, Lake Zurich, Springfield Lanphier, Limestone, Moline, Morton, Mt. Carmel, Normal West, Pattonville, Pekin, Plainfield East, Richwoods, United Township, Washington
2018 champion: Moline
2019 favorite: Lake Park
Other contenders: Moline, Rockford Boylan, Pekin
Top players: Ethan Roberts (Hersey), Luke Sgarbossa (Lake Park)
Hinsdale Central Holiday ClassicTeams: DePaul College Prep, Glenbrook North, Hinsdale Central, Homewood-Flossmoor, Lincoln-Way Central, Maine South, Marian Catholic, Oswego East, Richards, Rockford Auburn, St. Charles East, St. Rita, Stevenson, T.F. South, Westinghouse, Willowbrook
2018 champion: Marian Catholic
2019 favorite: Marian Catholic
Other contenders: Stevenson, Homewood-Flossmoor, Oswego East
Top players: Matthew Ambrose (Stevenson), Elijah Jones (Marian Catholic), RJ Ogom (Homewood-Flossmoor), Ahron Ulis (Marian Catholic), Will Wolfe (Oswego East)
Glenbard West Holiday ClassicTeams: Chicago Ag/Sci, De La Salle, Glenbard North, Glenbard South, Glenbard West, Guerin Prep, Hoffman Estates, Marmion Academy