Today’s conference preview is on a Chicago Catholic League that is expected to be full of college-level players spread out across multiple teams.

Brother Rice

Coming off of a deep run led by standout Ahmad Henderson, who is now at Niagara, Rice should be considered one of the favorites in the CCL. Point guard Cale Cosme (Lewis) is a dog on both ends of the floor and will be the featured piece this year. He makes things happen and will be the main shot creator in pressure moments. Also returning is agile, energetic 6-foot-7 forward Zavier Fitch, who should take a larger role inside.

If you haven’t already, buy stock in Marcos Gonzales (6-foot-3) and double down. The junior guard is a skilled slasher who will emerge as a dangerous scoring threat for Rice this year. Ty Wooten transferred in as well and will give them length, transition scoring, and another guy who can create some mismatches. They will be a team with great chemistry and defensive prowess.

De La Salle

There is a deep returning group that has ample length and athleticism to challenge anyone in the CCL. The senior wing combo of Tavariyuan Williams (6-foot-6) and Richard Lindsey (6-foot-5) should be key. Williams already has Division 1 looks and has a smooth perimeter game that should make him among the top scorers in the conference. Lindsey does a little bit of everything and will be able to produce on the inside at times for them.

Ali Mbaye is a projectable forward who is just scratching the surface. He will be a force defensively and looks to be turning the corner with parts of his offensive game in the summer. Point guard Bryant Hedrick is another senior who will set the pace. I really think Charles Barnes will be one of the breakout players in the conference. The sophomore is now up to 6-foot-6, defends in space, gets to the rim effectively, and can act as a playmaker when needed. His shot looked improved in the summer as well. This will be one of the better De La Salle groups on paper in recent years.

DePaul Prep

Coming off of a state championship, Coach Kleinschmidt’s group has many of their key pieces back and they should be an elite defensive unit once again. 6-foot-7 senior Jaylan McElroy is a perfect leader for that defensive mindset. I think he’s the most complete defender in the state with the ability to lock down whoever he needs to individually while being vocal and active off of the ball. Look for his offense to take a step forward as well, both on the block and as a spot-up shooter. PJ Chambers, another experienced senior, can score from the perimeter and finishes well in the paint.

The junior class is very strong as well, with three potential D1 prospects. 6-foot-1 point guard Makai Kvamme just knows how to play the position at an elite level. Not always the flashiest, but he has the ball on a string, throws pinpoint passes, and doesn’t turn it over. He will be a catalyst as a playmaker. Robert Walls, who picked up his first Division 1 offer this fall, has a tremendous motor and competitive edge that leads to forced turnovers and easy buckets on the other end. I’m looking forward to seeing 6-foot-6 wing Jonas Johnson back on the floor after missing some time this summer. He really started to come around during their title run and has the shooting stroke, athleticism, and size to be a serious player at the next level.

There is a bright future as well. Namely with 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Rashaun Porter, who has all of the tools to be an impact forward. He has the physical nature to match uniquely good feet and touch at his size. As he continues to develop his consistency on both ends, he has a chance to be a standout big. This team will be tough once again.

Fenwick

A lot of turnover came in the offseason, with some meaningful pieces departing. Dom Ducree and Kam Hogan return from a fairly young team to man the backcourt. Both can guard the ball and get to the rim well. Ducree had some nice moments scoring for the Friars last year. Football star Nate Marshall will step into a larger role and will likely lead them in rebounding and contribute across the board. It will be a different-looking group but a chance for some new players to gain some traction.

Loyola

Three-year standout Miles Boland leads the way for a team that has plenty of pieces to win 20-plus games. The 6-foot-3 do-it-all guard will be a focal point as both a scorer and decision maker. Out-of-state transfer Nick Patton is going to surprise a lot of people. He is a top-level shooter who has good strength, leaping ability, and toughness to fit into a system with similar traits. 6-foot-5 wing Jimmy Tarjan has also shown good growth since the winter and will be able to fill a lot of gaps depending on what each game requires. He’s a high-level Division 3 recruit.

Guard Andrew Hollerich returns as a high-energy backcourt player. 6-foot-7 junior Brendan Loftus is a star in his role as a backline defender, rebounder, and rim runner. He’s a well-rounded athlete who will be back as a starter. Adam Dougherty is another big body inside and the backcourt will be strong defensively with Ethan Dabu and sophomore Trey Williams, who has some special traits on both ends.

Marmion

A new-look group who lost their top three players, all to college basketball, will feature some different pieces. Senior Evan Stumm played big minutes in the sectional championship team last year and should be a leader and higher volume shooter this season. Junior guard Caden Anderson showed some good signs in the summer to provide additional offensive support. I like what sophomore Braden Harms could bring as an athletic combo forward who doesn’t need plays drawn up for him to make an impact. They may not have the firepower as last year but the Cadets can be expected to play hard.

Montini

Coach Demong’s team showed a lot of fight last season after dealing with some injuries and late departures. They hope to be back to full strength this year and will have a scrappy group with some experience from last year. The senior trio of Tyler Pavlik (6-foot-4), Maddox Shephard, and Nick Lombardi is back after seeing significant time as juniors on the regional championship team. They will lead the way. 6-foot-2 junior guard Dillon Bagley, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, should be back and will be a Swiss-army knife type of presence for the Broncos.

Mount Carmel

Carmel will have one of the best starting five groups in the entire state, led by the elite versatility and scoring ability of Northwestern commit Angelo Ciaravino. He has gotten significantly stronger, is able to create for himself or teammates, and can be a game-changing defender. On top of that, his energy and communication should serve as a great example to lead the group. 6-foot-5 wing Lee Marks thrived in the summer when matched up against opposing bigs, using his athleticism on defense and causing mismatches on the other end. He’s another Division 1 prospect and shutdown defender.

6-foot-3 guard Grant Best also returns and has added size to complement his lights-out shooting ability. There were games this summer where he feasted on single coverage and kick-outs. Two transfers, 6-foot-3 junior Cam Thomas (out-of-state – was at Carmel as a freshman) and 6-foot-7 senior Christian Uremovich (Stevenson) will be crucial. Thomas is a freak athlete with high-IQ and scoring ability off of the dribble. Uremovich is the perfect complement with his rebounding, defense, and improved catch-and-shoot game. This team has serious downstate talent. Foul trouble and health look the most likely barriers to this team making a deep run.

St. Francis

Now in the Catholic League, St. Francis has a roster that looks better prepared to handle the jump than most new teams in the league. Bartlett transfer Kelton McEwen is a big-time addition as a 20-point scorer who is already over 1,000 career points and has the shooting and playmaking ability to control games. Lanky 6-foot-5 wing Aaron Cook has a lot of upside with his touch, direct driving ability, and defensive versatility.

Explosive 6-foot-6 sophomore Gavin Mueller is built like a high-level tight end but has the tenacity and skill to take a nice jump this year. Dylan Ston is a multi-sport kid who can score the ball in bunches at times. Niko and Anthony Quaranta should also have meaningful roles as floor spacers and decision-makers. They have some pieces to work with for what should be a grueling schedule.

St. Ignatius

One of the most winning classes graduated with the likes of Rich Barron and Jackson Kotecki among others. The good news: Junior Phoenix Gill could be the best combo guard in Illinois. His footwork, physical strength, and pace have drastically improved even in the six months or so since last season. Add in a more consistent perimeter shot and tighter handle, and you can expect the 6-foot-3 guard to take off this year. All-CCL guard Reggie Ray should be back to full strength in no time which will be a big piece alongside Gill. Ray has the makeup of a proficient scorer who can use finesse or power to get his shot.

Sam Horenkamp, a pure point which vision and poise, is back to get everyone involved this year. He will be joined by returning Ohio State football recruit Justin Scott, a huge interior presence with better touch and footwork than most kids his size. 6-foot-6 Hinsdale South transfer Chris Bolte seems like a perfect fit. Highly intelligent on both ends, athletic, capable of scoring from the perimeter, and willing to do the dirty work as a rebounder. Senior guard Philip Erikson has the ability to break open games with his shooting ability and 6-foot-4 forward Richard Moran should provide some support up front. This Ignatius team has some different roles than a year ago, but Coach Monroe has plenty of causes for excitement.

St. Laurence

In a bit of a roster rearrangement, Laurence added some and lost a few as well. 6-foot-5 guard Josh Pickett comes in from West Aurora and returns to the CCL after starting his career at St. Rita. He will give them a physical, dynamic scorer and a gifted passer. Zerrick Johnson had a good summer and returns in the backcourt with quick-paced guard Khalil Jones. They will have ample options in terms of ball-handlers, adding Plainfield East transfer Jet Jones and Marmion transfer Bradley Stratton as well. Stratton may be more of a floor spacer while Jones is a decisive transition player.

6-foot-5 forward Caleb Lindsey gained experience playing as a big last season and will likely need to do the same. His defense and length inside will be important for a team devoid of natural bigs. The youth is promising as well with two gifted freshmen in Reggie Stevens and Markese People and a new sophomore in Gabirel Mobley. They may take some time to mesh like other CCL teams who are infusing transfers, but guard play can take you far in the latter part of seasons.