Henricksen: Teams that will benefit the most from red-hot summer player performances

When the high school basketball season wraps up in March, no one –– from coaches to fans to media members to basketball evaluators –– quite knows for sure what an underclassman will look like eight months later when the next season begins.

There is a whole lot of basketball and development going on in those “offseason” months. Thus, there are transformations throughout the high school basketball world.

But based on the progression of individual players throughout the spring and summer, here are a host of teams who may look even better than expected.

Hinsdale South: The Hornets are fresh off a memorable season. Hinsdale South grabbed a share of the West Suburban Gold title and then stunned Geneva in the regional, advancing to the sectional as a No. 10 seed.

Coach Brett Moore has three key players returning, including a pair of starters. But the mercurial rise this summer of Zion Griffin could put this team at a different level than anyone anticipated. That’s how special Griffin has been.

The physically imposing and athletic 6-6 forward is now one of the elite players in the state. And do you think any coach in the West Suburban Gold thought last winter it would be facing a player the following season who Kansas and coach Bill Self coveted?

Simeon: Yes, we all know the cupboard is never bare at Simeon. When are the Wolverines not a top five team and state title contender? But there were significant additions with two whopper transfers and improvements from in-house players.

The addition of St. Patrick transfer Xavier Pinson, along with the addition of transfer Zion Young (from Merrillville, Ind.), will pack quite a punch for coach Robert Smith after these two put in some eye-opening work this past summer.

Pinson showed so much promise last season as a junior at St. Patrick and picked up a notch this spring and summer. After a strong July the 6-2 senior has emerged as a coveted mid-major prospect. He’s a true point guard –– and a pass-first point guard to boot –– who will flourish with all the weapons surrounding him at Simeon. Don’t underestimate the impact Pinson will have on this loaded Simeon team.

Young, meanwhile, is such a strong, physical and athletic figure on the perimeter. His presence will be felt.

Plus, senior shooter Kenny Pittman has shown to be one of the most improved players in the senior class.

Pinson and Young were unexpected arrivals while Pittman is better than people think. Now you’re talking three key, valuable pieces heading into this season to complement the likes of star Talen Horton-Tucker, 6-5 senior Messiah Jones and guards Kezo Brown and Kejuan Clements.

Curie: It was one thing when news broke that the Condors were adding the East Suburban Catholic Conference’s Player of the Year. But then Marist transfer Maurice Commander went out and did what he did in July.

The 5-10 mighty mite put together an outstanding summer, including a July that garnered numerous mid-major scholarship offers. Commander has evolved into a game-changing guard on the offensive end.

Plus, the addition of St. Joseph transfer Marquise Walker gives coach Mike Oliver two guards in the backcourt who pack a big offensive punch with the ball in their hands.

Throw in a bevy of talented underclassmen who shined this summer, including potent scorer DaJuan Gordon, and Curie will have potency and depth.

Romeoville: The Spartans were expected to be a preseason Top 25 team with the return of guard DeAndre Heckard, 6-6 Dontia Johnson and junior guard Mike Salter. But then there was the addition of transfer Eddie Creal from Joliet West.

Creal took a back seat to seniors Teyvion Kirk and Trevian Bell last year during Joliet West’s 26-win season. But Creal showed this summer he has the potential to be an absolute physical force as a senior. The 6-3 wing brings Romeoville coach Marc Howard a tough, physical and athletic presence the Spartans needed.

Naperville North: The Huskies lost star player Mitch Lewis from last year’s sectional championship team but return several key players, including 6-6 big man Chris Johnson.

However, the emergence of 6-7 junior Tom Welch this offseason means the Huskies could be just as good as a year ago if the guard play works itself out. Welch, a City/Suburban Hoops Report favorite, is now among the top 10 prospects in the Class of 2019 in Illinois.

Lake Zurich: Collectively, this returning group of players showed improvement all summer as a team and as individual players, from returning star Ryan Kutsor to returning starter Peter DiCerbo, coach Billy Pitcher has a group that can potentially be a Top 25 team with staying power.

Then throw in the addition of St. Viator transfer J.R. Cison at the point guard position and the Bears will be battling Waukegan for North Suburban Conference supremacy.

Fremd: The Vikings went on an incredible run last season, going 30-0 and reaching Peoria before falling to both Young and Bolingbrook to finish fourth in the state. That memorable season was fueled by four senior starters.

No, don’t expect similar magic this coming season out of coach Bob Widlowski’s team. However, the Vikings are going to be better than people think. That’s because senior guard Ryan Martin and 6-5 junior Bryce Hopkins are still around. These two only combined to average 8.5 points a game last season but both took turns impressing this past summer.

Farragut: Veteran coach Wolf Nelson showcased his next star this past season, but it was more of just a glancing blow as point guard Reggie Strong opened eyes with his play. Now Nelson is set to unleash him.

Believe the hype with this one and look for the star sophomore to make a big leap as a player. With Strong as the catalyst, Farragut will play the underdog role all season to the big boys in the Public League but will pack some dangerous bite.

Clark: Wait a minute … Clark? Michelle Clark on the far West Side? Yup.

The Eagles won’t be a big factor in the grand scheme of things in the Chicago Public League, but there’s no denying the fact longtime city coach Terry Head has infused some talent into the program.

Sophomore guard Demarius Splunge showed this offseason he’s one of the best Class of 2020 prospects in the state, while 6-4 sophomore Colbey Weekley gained varsity experience as a freshman last season and played well this summer on the club circuit while playing up one age group.

As a result, Clark could be an emerging Class 2A school in the Chicago area.

Follow Joe Henricksen and the City/Suburban Hoops Report on Twitter @joehoopsreport