Previewing the High School Basketball Holiday Tournaments
The Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament at York
The favorite: Bolingbrook
Since arriving at York five years ago, the Raiders have gone 16-4. Sophomore star Davion Thompson is the type of player you go and win championships with and crowds come to see. But he doesn’t have to do it alone. The 6-7 Valpo-bound JT Pettigrew is one heck of a sidekick, and the supporting cast is coming along nicely.
Top Contenders
Metamora, Glenbard West, Rolling Meadows, and St. Ignatius are all top contenders in this tournament. When you have 32 teams in a quality tournament, the list is long. The defending tournament champs aren’t as potent as a year ago, but Metamora hasn’t lost to an in-state team yet and boasts one of the state’s best players. Bradley recruit Matthew Zobrist is a one-man wrecking crew for the Redbirds.
Sleepers
Again, when you bring 32 teams together in a quality tournament, you’re going to have a plethora of sleepers. So here are four who could surprise and still be alive on the final day: Lake Forest, St. Patrick, Lemont, and St. Laurence. People don’t talk enough about Lake Forest or 6-7 senior Hudson Scroggins. St. Patrick has a bonafide scoring weapon in EJ Breland. Lemont’s Gabe Sularski, Alanas Castillo, and Matas Gaidukevicius form a three-headed monster. And with guard EJ Mosley leading the way, St. Laurence has won six in a row and showed its upside with a win over Homewood-Flossmoor.
The Pontiac Holiday Tournament
The favorite: Simeon
This favorite is by seed only, because the Pontiac field is deep and as wide open as it’s been in quite some time. Nonetheless, Simeon does have the horses to help get Tim Flowers his first Pontiac title as a coach. Senior Lorenzo Shields is a veteran who has been through some battles. Andre Tyler is a difference-making 6-5 junior.
The Contenders
These four contenders round out what are considered to be the top five seeds. But all eyes and newfound interest in Pontiac will be on the newcomer, two-time defending state champ DePaul Prep. Coach Tom Kleinschmidt’s team makes its Pontiac debut.
Sleepers
The Trevians, who would likely face Curie in the second round, have the perimeter play and experience to get to their first Pontiac title game since New Trier East did so in 1979. New Trier has a red-hot weapon in Christopher Kirkpatrick. The 6-2 junior guard continues to show why he’s the catalyst and Division I prospect.
The Big Dipper at Rich
The favorite: Kenwood
The unbeaten Broncos are all fueled up for a run at the Dipper after an impressive start to the season and climbing the rankings to No. 1. The pieces seem to fit better than in recent years and players have accepted their roles.
Top Contenders
Defending champ H-F won the Dipper in thrilling fashion a year ago and is poised for a repeat run. Wofford recruit Jayden Tyler has been the pulse for the Vikings so far this season. Brent Taylor, Arden Eaves, Ethan Howard, Kyle Polk, and Darrius Hawkins have provided tough-to-defend balance.
Sleepers
These two will likely meet in the quarterfinals with the winner getting a shot at mighty H-F in the semis. Crete-Monee, led by the backcourt of point guard Zyheir Gardner and scorer Jayden Preston, is a physical team. But the Dipper will provide the type of test the Warriors have yet to see. Scoring guard Jovi Ratliff headlines a Hillcrest team that has sputtered a bit out of the gate.
The Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic
The favorite: Brother Rice
The Crusaders made their Hinsdale Central debut last year. They came in unbeaten but lost twice to finish fourth. This year’s team is once again off to a fast start with a headline-grabbing win over Bolingbrook. Led by guard Marcos Gonzales (20 ppg) and scorer Jack Weigus (15 ppg), can coach Conte Stamas’ unbeaten Crusaders get the job done over the holidays?
Top Contenders
Hinsdale Central won its own tournament two years ago and is in position to win it again. There is an abundance of size and length to go with continuity and balance with the Red Devils, who are led by South Dakota recruit Vince Buzelis.
Sleeper
The Spartans have played in this tournament since 2016, faring well with five top three finishes, including a title in 2018 and a title game appearance last season. This is a pesky group, spearheaded by the 1-2 punch of veteran guard Zach Sharkey (21 ppg) and Delan Davis (18 ppg).
Conclusion
The holiday tournaments are always a thrilling time for high school basketball, with top teams vying for titles and bragging rights. With so many talented teams and players participating, it’s sure to be an exciting few weeks of basketball.
FAQs
- When do the holiday tournaments start?
- The Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament at York starts on December 26, the Pontiac Holiday Tournament starts on December 26, the Big Dipper at Rich starts on December 26, and the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic starts on December 26.
- Which teams are the favorites to win the tournaments?
- The favorites to win the tournaments are Bolingbrook, Simeon, Kenwood, Brother Rice, and Crete-Monee.
- Which teams are considered sleepers in each tournament?
- The sleepers in each tournament are Lake Forest, St. Patrick, Lemont, and St. Laurence in the Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament; New Trier and Joliet West in the Pontiac Holiday Tournament; Crete-Monee and Hillcrest in the Big Dipper at Rich; and Marian Catholic in the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.
