The ESCC should be fairly sophomore and junior-heavy this year, with some of the better underclassmen in the state. We are looking at a preview of what to expect from the teams.
Benet
It seems like an annual reminder, but Coach Heidkamp is one of the best coaches in Illinois who just quietly goes about his business, churning out consistent winners and defensive stalwarts. A talented sophomore class headlines this group, but there are quality upperclassmen in the mix as well. 6-foot-6 forward Parker Sulaver is a four-year varsity player who was quietly one of the best interior defenders around last year, despite guarding bigger players more often than not. A very high-academic recruit. Patrick Walsh, who had some good moments as a junior, will step into a larger role. He’s fairly athletic, attacks the paint well, and is capable of playing on or off of the ball. Junior forward Daniel Pauliukonis is a legitimate 6-foot-8, can handle the ball, and is a dynamic athlete at his size. He’s already started pulling in Division 1 offers. They also added impact Metea Valley transfer Nick Schroeder, a 6-foot-4 shooter who fits well with their motion offense. Look for quick-twitch junior guard Blake Fagbemi to also excel at getting to the rim and play good minutes at the guard spots.
The sophomore group is loaded. From a pure basketball standpoint, I always enjoy watching 6-foot-6 guard Gabe Sularski play. He has the size, shooting, court vision, and maturity that will make others better and allow him to create his own shot when needed. Sularski continues to add high-major offers and looks like one of the best playmakers in the entire Midwest already. Point guard Jayden Wright is another sophomore who can set others up or stretch the floor out to the volleyball line. 7-footer Colin Stack has immense upside as both an elite shot-blocker and rebounder, but also a player who is improving athletically and has a nice outside stroke. Shooter Ryan Walsh could also add some value playing up for the Redwings. The present and future are bright for Benet.
Carmel
Dmitry Pirshin has done an excellent job so far at Carmel and should have some continuity to build off of from last year. Point guard Kaleb Jackson can get going in a hurry as a scorer, as he showed during his junior season. Still uncommitted, Jackson is a volume option capable of taking games over. I’d look for a step forward from 6-foot-6 forward Bryce Smith, who opened some eyes this summer as a rim runner and rebounder. He’s a strong, athletic big who would be a gem at the D3 level. Jacob Chajet will be back as well to bring energy and physicality.
Junior Ethan Henderson has looked good in the fall as a straight-line attacker with defensive ability that could aid in a conference with multiple talented wings and guards. They should receive some shooting from Ethan Matz and additional backcourt support from senior Kaden Moulton. Fabian Rudd will add strength and athleticism to the frontcourt.
Joliet Catholic
JCA was right around .500 on the season last year. Guard Drew Wills is the top returner and should step into a leadership role after a solid junior year. He will take on more ball-handling responsibilities. James Pilapil, an outside shooting threat, and forward Owen Wiers are also back for a team that will lean on their senior class. There isn’t a ton of size inside, so taking care of the ball and hitting outside shots could be key to their success.
Marist
The young core for Marist seemed almost ahead of schedule last year. Junior Achilles Anderson is a premier rebounder who could be among the top rebounders in the conference this year. The sophomore backcourt duo of Torrence Tate and Adoni Vassiliakis has a chance to be special. Tate had a great summer on the AAU circuit and is a jet with the ball in his hands. He takes contact well and can fill it up offensively. Vassiliakis was already a lockdown defender as a freshman and will be even more of an offensive threat this year. The lefty can break down a defense and knock down threes if given space.
Athletic 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Stephen Brown has everything you look for in an elite forward. He spent some time with varsity but could be the most impactful player on the team by year-end with his blend of defensive instincts, open-floor skill, and aggressiveness. Junior Marquis Vance is also back to provide a level of downhill finishing and leadership for the young group. 6-foot-6 Fenwick transfer Darshan Thomas should be a big-time player in his senior year as an inside-out weapon.
Marian Catholic
A co-champion a year ago, Marian Catholic lost some key pieces from a versatile group. There is still plenty there to look forward to, starting with Jonah Weathers and Zack Sharkey. Weathers is a knockdown shooter who led the team in made threes last year and is expected be to more of a focal point. Sharkey is a kid who I really like long-term. Lanky at 6-foot-2 with athleticism, mid-range prowess, and scoring instincts, he should have a breakout year. 6-foot-6 forward James Bullock is also a strong rim-protector and all-around defensive presence who showed that he has some extra layers offensively over the summer.
Nazareth
Talen Pearson is back after having a huge junior year for Naz. The 6-foot-6 guard projects as a D2/high-D3 prospect capable of dominating games in different ways. He’s going to be an all-conference player again. Sophomore Lesroy Tittle played good minutes on varsity last year and will take a big jump in responsibilities now. The unique body control and athleticism that he has as a big-bodied guard will cause some problems for opposing teams. There were a lot of impactful 2023 graduates who played a big role last season, so there should be a lot of opportunities for players to step up in rotational roles around Pearson for a group that is always competitive.
Notre Dame College Prep
NDCP is another well-coached ESCC that was impressive with a lineup with multiple underclassmen. A few key players graduated, but 6-foot-7 guard Brady Sehlhorst is back as the focal point and has all of the offensive tools to be an all-conference/all-state type of player. He’s going to have a huge year with a stronger body and a quicker, higher jump shot. I like the comfort and pace of point guard Liam Ingles, who was also up as a sophomore. Ryder Raya will provide shooting, length, and secondary offense as well. 6-foot-7 big Reid Rosseland is going to surprise some people. His soft touch and rebounding will give the Dons some support inside.
St. Patrick
The youth for the Shamrocks is now turning over into experience. AJ Thomas will be the leader and one of the top options after putting together a good junior year as a dribble-drive threat. He will be joined by a junior-heavy core. Three-year guard EJ Breland is a lights-out shooter who is capable of scoring in bunches. Nathan Nano, another junior, will bring that steady, yet exciting playmaking from a year ago.
Neveah Hawkins (6-foot-7) may have the most upside of the group. During stretches this summer, his above-the-rim athleticism looked like a potential game-changer. Things also seem to be slowing down for him with experience, which could be scary for the rest of the conference. Junior Harper Krolak is also back after showing well as a shooter during conference play. There are several gifted freshmen as well, and time will tell if or when they make the jump to varsity.
St. Viator
One of many teams in the conference with a strong 2025 group, Viator looks like a team that could sneak up on some teams in this conference. They don’t have true bigs, but 6-foot-6 wing Mitch Humphrey (Colby commit) has the length to compete defensively inside and a flamethrower from three to open things up on the other end. He will step into a lead role. The multi-year junior group of Joey Hernandez, Josiah Calvin, Brandyn Michaels, Henry Marshall, and Dayvion Ellis will be back as well.
Hernandez will be a spark plug who gets everyone involved as a passer. Calvin is back after playing his freshman year at Viator. He is a very good scorer who can create with the ball in his hands. Michaels is more of a dribble penetrator but can hit open threes as well. Marshall stepped up last season and should fill multiple holes as a defender, transition scorer, and rebounder. And Ellis, who could be a Division 1 football player, is the ultimate lockdown one-on-one defender with natural talent. The other player to keep an eye on is freshman guard Dawson Charles, who is well-built, very athletic, and skilled on both ends.