Henricksen: 20 teams to watch in 2016-2017

With the 2015-2016 season complete, it’s never too early to start thinking ahead. Here is a look at 20 teams in the Chicago area, listed alphabetically, with high hopes heading into next season.

▪ Bolingbrook

What they did: The Raiders finished 15-11 this past year but won nine of its final 11 games.

What to be excited about: Freshman point guard Joseph Yesufu and 6-5 Nana Akenten, one of the top 20 prospects in the Class of 2017, fueled a second half run this past season the Raiders can build on. Bolingbrook

▪ Conant

What they did: The Cougars won 23 games, a conference title and sectional championship.

What to be excited about: Junior guard Jimmy Sotos is one of the best-kept secrets in the Chicago area, 6-7 junior Michael Downing is a defensive stalwart, and 6-7 sophomore Ryan Davis is coming on fast. When coach Tom McCormack has returning, veteran talent, watch out.

▪ Curie

What they did: After opening eyes by winning the Pontiac Holiday Tournament in December, the Condors won the program’s first-ever sectional title and went on to capture a Class 4A state championship.

What to be excited about: Coach Mike Oliver has a potential breakout star returning in junior guard Elijah Joiner, along with three other starters in guard Allante Pickens, 6-5 Terry Smith and ultra-promising 6-7 sophomore Treavon Martin.

▪ Downers Grove South

What they did: The Mustangs were upset in the regional final but not before they won 21 games and West Suburban Gold title.

What to be excited about: The return of Denis Alibegovic, a sharpshooting junior who averaged 14 points a game with 66 three-pointers. Alibegovic and 6-6 T.J. Clifford will form a tough tandem next season, along with the continued development of junior guard Dylan Kaczmarek.

▪ Evanston

What they did: The Wildkits finished 23-6 and won the Central Suburban League South.

What to be excited about: Nojel Eastern will be a four-year starter and one of the top handful of players in the senior class next season. The 6-6 guard will be joined by several returners with varsity experience, including Chris Hamil and Elyjah Williams.

▪ Fenwick

What they did: The only bruise on a terrific season, which included a Catholic League championship and 28-3 overall record, was a sectional final upset loss to St. Joseph.

What to be excited about: The loss of all-everything Mike Smith to graduation aside, the Friars will be better than people think. Rising junior Jacob Keller and 6-4 Jamal Nixon are back. Although there were no underclassmen at the varsity level, the sophomore team did go unbeaten this past year.

▪ Hillcrest

What they did: Another 20-plus win season and conference championship for coach Don Houston, along with a regional title in March.

What to be excited about: The Hawks will be loaded. Junior guard Marcus Garrett will be one of the most dynamic players in the Chicago area. Look for big jumps from freshman Isaac Stanback and juniors Bobby Harvey and point guard Jalen Hughes.

▪ Jacobs

What they did: After going unbeaten in the Valley Division of the Fox Valley Conference, Jacobs won a regional title before falling in the sectional semis to finish 23-7 on the year.

What to be excited for: The bulk of the team returns, including star Cameron Krutwig. The 6-8 junior is a dominating figure and regarded as one of the top players in the Class of 2017. With Krutwig, 6-3 sophomore Ryan Phillips, who played well late in the season, and a few other key pieces back, Jacobs appears to be a Top 25 team candidate.

▪ Joliet West

What they did: The Tigers broke through in March with regional and sectional championships to finish 21-10 on the year.

What to be excited about: With a roster full of underclassmen returning, headed by juniors Trevian Bell and Teyvion Kirk, Joliet West will be favored to win conference in its new home –– the Southwest Prairie Conference –– next season. But reaching Peoria will be a realistic goal.

▪ Kenwood

What they did: It was a monumental season for Kenwood, winning a tough Red-Central, advancing to a sectional title game and finishing with 22 wins.

What to be excited about: There is a big name back in 6-7 Manny Patterson and a host of others hoping to take a big step forward. A mix of David Hunt, Calvin Hill, Artese Stapleton and Antonio Reeves will keep this team among the top 25.

▪ Marian Catholic

What they did: Coach Mike Taylor’s team finished 23-6 on the season, which included conference and regional championships.

What to be excited about: Spartans welcome back size in 6-8 TeeAaron Powell and 6-7 T.J. Smith, shooting in Austin Richie and a promising backcourt in Chase Adams and Brandon Hurt. Marian Catholic will be the favorite in the East Suburban Catholic.

▪ Morgan Park

What they did: After winning the Proviso West Holiday Tournament, the Mustangs tied for the top spot in the Red-South, won regional and sectional championships and finished with a sparkling 26-4 record.

What to be excited about: Look for sophomore Ayo Dosunmu to blossom and emerge as one of the truly elite players in the state. The Mustangs should be among the best in Class 3A, especially if big men Melo Burrell and Lenell Henry develop.

▪ Naperville North

What they did: The DuPage Valley champs went 23-5 on the year but were upset in the regional championship.

What to be excited about: This will be one of the top teams in the western suburbs as the Huskies return five of their top six players from a 23-5 team, led by 6-5 junior Mitch Lewis. Junior perimeter players Cam Hardy, Winston Elston and Tyler Carlson, along with sophomore big man Chris Johnson, are all returning.

▪ Orr

What they did: The Spartans cruised in the White Division, won 20 games and regional and sectional championships before falling to Hales Franciscan in the Class 2A super-sectional.

What to be excited about: A team that was ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 2A for a time this past season had six sophomores and two freshmen at the varsity level. The headliner is Raekwon Drake, an uber-athletic 6-5 sophomore. But sophomores Brian Hernandez, Emanuel O’Neil, Tyronn Mosley and junior Alexander Flute give this team a bright future.

▪ North Lawndale

What they did: Coach Lewis Thorpe’s team surprised and impressed this past season, finishing 22-8 with a regional championship.

What to be excited for: There are some key losses due to graduation, but the Phoenix will have an underrated 1-2 punch back in junior guards Carlos Hines and Martrell Barnes.

▪ Oak Park-River Forest

What they did: The Huskies wrapped up the season with a 17-12 record, losing in the regional final to Kenwood.

What to be excited for: The junior duo of Cameron Gross and Jared Scott developed nicely. In the second half of the season, Gross averaged 20 points and 8 rebounds a game. Scott was emerging before an injury sidelined him in January. Both are poised to continue that climb, while there is young talent coming through the program. Freshman point guard Dashon Enoch has a chance to make an impact.

▪ Simeon

What they did: The Wolverines did just about everything you can do as a team, except win a state championship. Simeon won 30 games, a city title and reached Peoria, finishing third in the state in Class 4A.

What to be excited about: Evan Gilyard had a breakout junior year and returns at point guard. The Wolverines have talented youth in the pipeline, including 6-4 Talen Horton-Tucker and freshman guard Kejuan Clements. And don’t forget sophomore Kezo Brown. Status quo at Simeon.

▪ St. Joseph

What they did: The Chargers returned to Peoria and finished fourth in the state in Class 3A and with 25 wins on the season.

What to be excited about: Replacing Nick Rakocevic and matching back-to-back trips to Peoria will be a tall task. But freshman point guard Marquise Walker made a big splash, while junior guard Jason Towers and sophomores Joffari Brown, Jordan Boyd and Ahmad Muhammad all return.

▪ Stevenson

What they did: The Patriots kept winning, post-Jalen Brunson, albeit on a smaller scale, capturing North Suburban Lake and regional titles while winning 24 games.

What to be excited about: The rise of junior Justin Smith, one of the top prospects in the Class of 2017, continues to climb. The 6-6 athletic wing is poised for a difference-making season.

▪ Young

What they did: The Dolphins finished 19-9 and won a regional title before falling to eventual state champ Curie in the sectional semifinals.

What to be excited about: The Dolphins, led by sophomore point guard Xavier Castaneda and junior Lucas Williamson, return virtually everyone from a team that gave state champion Curie all it could handle in a sectional semifinal loss.

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