Each season is defined by what happens in the marquee games of the year. Here are 30 must-see matchups — outside of any holiday tournament play — that will dictate what teams and players we will be talking about over the next three months.
Glenbard West at Hinsdale Central, Dec. 6
It’s an early one — and these two will meet again in late January — but it’s a chance to get a look at two upstart, improved teams in the area that will flirt with top 25 status all season long.
It’s also a matchup of two West Suburban Silver front runners and an opportunity to get a leg up in the league race.
Kenwood vs. Warren, Dec. 7 at UIC
In what should be the most entertaining and consequential game at this year’s Chicago Elite Classic, fans should relish the idea of seeing Warren’s Jaxson Davis and Kenwood’s Devin Cleveland on the floor together.
Simeon at Kenwood, Dec. 12
These two powerhouse programs have gone through some changes of late. There is no Rob Smith or Mike Irvin roaming the sidelines. Still, it’s arguably the two most talented teams in the Public League this season. There will be star talent on display with Simeon’s Andre Tyler and Kenwood’s Devin Cleveland and Aleks Alston.
Marist at Benet, Dec. 13
The change in scheduling in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, which is now just one round-robin, robs us of two Marist-Benet matchups. Thus, the biggest conference game of the year is in the first few weeks of the season with Marist playing without injured Stephen Brown.
Young vs. Mount Carmel, Dec. 14 at Mount Carmel
The featured game of the first day of the Team Rose event features a big Public League vs. Catholic League showdown with some star talent, including Young’s Antonio Munoz and Marquis Clark squaring off with Mount Carmel’s Noah Mister, Grant Best and Cameron Thomas.
DePaul vs. Rich, Dec. 15 at Mount Carmel
The best game of the two-day event with a couple of state title contenders squaring off at Mount Carmel. Keep an eye on the contrast in styles of play in this one: DePaul’s disciplined defense against the breakneck play from Rich.
St. Laurence vs. Homewood-Flossmoor, Dec. 15 at Mount Carmel
Ranked teams meeting are the headline. Playmaking guards provide the subtitle. H-F’s Jayden Tyler, who is headed to Wofford, and St. Laurence’s EJ Mosley, who has signed with Purdue-Fort Wayne, will be on display.
Lincoln Park at Simeon, Dec. 19
A highly-anticipated matchup of teams ranked No. 8 and No. 11 in the preseason. It’s a chance to make an early statement in what is the state’s toughest conference.
Lane at Young, Jan. 7
There have been some entertaining Young-Lane battles in recent years, including a double overtime game two years ago. Lane took it to Young last season. This will be another meaningful game in the new Red Shield.
Lane at Lincoln Park, Jan. 9
The best team in the city’s North Side will be? Can either of these two prove they are more than that and prove to be the best team in the Public League, period?
Mount Carmel at St. Ignatius, Jan. 10
A Catholic League rumble featuring a potent Mount Carmel and an Ignatius team that is off to a fast start, thanks to the play of Northwestern recruit Phoenix Gill and junior Chris Bolte.
Evanston at Niles North, Jan. 14
Both these teams are looking to make a deep run in the postseason after both were upset in the regional last year. But first they meet in a fun CSL crossover a year after Niles North knocked off Evanston.
DePaul Prep at Mount Carmel, Jan. 17
They played for a Class 3A state championship last year and just might be the two best teams again in the Catholic League.
St. Patrick at Benet, Jan. 17
The expectations are high for a St. Patrick team led by scoring guard EJ Breland. With each team playing one another just once in the East Suburban Catholic, this one will go a long way in determining the conference race.
DePaul Prep vs. St. Louis Vashon, Jan. 19 at Homewood-Flossmoor
The middle part of the DePaul prep schedule is brutally tough with four excellent opponents — Mount Carmel, Vashon, H-F and Brother Rice — in a eight-day stretch.
Bolingbrook at New Trier, Jan. 20
The guard battle with Bolingbrook’s Davion Thompson and New Trier’s Christopher Kirkpatrick an added attraction in this battle of ranked teams.
Brother Rice at Marist, Jan. 21
Will one of the sport’s best rivalries boast a pair of ranked teams squaring off in January?
Warren at Lake Forest, Jan. 24
Maybe highly-ranked Warren and Jaxson Davis will be running away with the North Suburban Conference by late January. Maybe this is one that keeps Lake Forest and unheralded Hudson Scroggins in the conference mix. Either way these are two teams with high hopes a month later. .
Bolingbrook at Joliet West, Jan. 24
Joliet West faces a rugged schedule in the month of January, but hosting Bolingbrook, the preseason No. 1 team and new to the Southwest Prairie Conference, is a great opportunity for the Tigers.
Warren vs. Bolingbrook, Jan. 25 at Benet
Get yourself ready for what potentially could be the Game of the Year in the area with the teams ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the preseason. Plus, it features two of the elite talents in the state: super sophomores Davion Thompson of Bolingbrook and Jaxson Davis of Warren.
Rich at Benet, Jan. 25
A couple of teams ranked among the top five in the preseason. It’s a huge test in a tough environment for talented Rich in a high-profile event. This will be a great measuring stick for both teams.
St. Laurence at Mount Carmel, Jan. 28
Welcome back to the spotlight, St. Laurence. With returning talent and the addition of star guard EJ Mosley, the Vikings travel 10 miles east for a key late-season test against one of the Catholic League’s best.
Lincoln Park at Kenwood, Jan. 30
Yet another consequential Public League matchup. Can Lincoln Park make a late-season statement?
Rich at Bloom, Feb. 4
These two will meet in early January as well, but this south suburban clash a month later could go a long way in deciding the Southland title. The stat-sheet-stuffers — Bloom’s Elijah Lovemore and Rich’s Jamson Coulter — lead the way.
Waubonsie Valley at DeKalb, Feb. 5
Waubonsie Valley, led by DVC Player of the Year Tyreek Coleman, ran away with a conference title last year. Can talented DeKalb, fresh off a 25-win season, close the gap? This could decide the DuPage Valley.
Hersey at Rolling Meadows, Feb. 7
While Rolling Meadows is ranked in the preseason and features arguably the best senior in the state, Marquette recruit Ian Miletic, don’t discount Hersey. This is a talented group headed by veteran coach Bob Widlowski.
Rich at Kankakee, Feb. 7
A fun and entertaining matchup with two top teams and two dynamic juniors stars in Rich’s Jamson Coulter and Kankakee’s Lincoln Williams.
New Trier at Evanston, Feb. 11
This rivalry heats up again as the two favorites in the Central Suburban League South meet up for a second time this season. This one could decide the league race.
Lemont at Hillcrest, Feb. 14
A late season South Suburban Blue battle with two teams that shared a conference title with identical 10-3 league records.
Waubonsie Valley vs. Warren, Feb. 15 at Indian Creek
Make the drive to the small town of Shabbona (30 miles west of Aurora) for a fun, late-season showdown of top 10 teams. Star guards Jaxson Davis and Tyreek Coleman will be on display at Indian Creek High School.
