The second week of the season featured a few big shootouts and the start of conference-play for many teams throughout the state. There were a lot of standouts from the week, but here are the 10 players of the week.

Cam Cerese (Senior Guard, Lake Park)

Cerese, among the best guards remaining in the senior class, has been on a tear so far. He’s stronger, more explosive, and still highly efficient despite facing heavy defensive attention. Cerese was key in a win over Batavia in a defensive battle, scoring 20 points and spearheading the other side with his on-ball defense. He followed that up with a 26-point performance against a scrappy South Elgin team, acting as the driving force for the 5-1 Lancers.

Jack Wheeler (Junior Guard, Morris)

The Illinois baseball commit is one of the more decorated multi-sport athletes in the area. Wheeler erupted for 36 points and seven rebounds to keep them in a game against Seneca and put up 21 points and grabbed another 11 rebounds in a win later in the week. Wheeler is a force at 6-foot-5 with his versatility and nose for scoring.

Jackson Hupp (Junior Forward/Center, Hersey)

Hupp is a uniquely talented big man at 6-foot-7 with his ball-handling, shooting, post scoring, and rebounding ability. He does just about everything on the floor and is doing so with improved athleticism, quickness, and power on both ends. Hupp is leading a resurgence at Hersey, going for 29 points, 11 rebounds and four steals against a good Lake Forest team and 23 points in a game earlier in the week. If you haven’t seen him already, Hupp is a player that D1 and D2 coaches should add to their list.

Jakob Blakley (Senior Guard, Walter Payton)

There has been no lag in performance as Blakley has transitioned to Walter Payton. The Le Moyne commit is so gifted as a scorer, but even more impressive from a basketball IQ and feel perspective. And how about double digits rebounds out of your point guard? Blakley had a game where he poured in 35 points with 10 boards and four assists and led Payton to another win with 20 points and 12 more rebounds. Some players and coaches in the city may have not seen him in past years, but Blakley is one of the premier guards in the entire state this season.

Jaxson Davis (Freshman Guard, Warren)

Davis is the smoothest of operators and has seemingly been the quiet connector of a Warren team who just keeps running through a tough slate of competition. Davis had 17 points and nine assists in a highly anticipated matchup with Bolingbrook and scored 17 against another talented, experienced New Trier earlier in the week. Davis has the intelligence, scoring ability, vision, and defensive prowess to be among the top point guards in the entire country.

Je’Shawn Stevenson (Senior Guard, Lindblom)

In a win over Crane, Stevenson nearly had a triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and eight blocks. Yes, eight blocks from a 6-foot-4 combo guard. The physical, relentless Cleveland State commit doesn’t have an off switch and is a tireless scorer, rebounder, and defender. He had a signature moment driving a comeback over Joliet West yesterday with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Expect more weeks like this.

Josh Fridman (Senior Guard, Glenbrook North)

The always-intense GBN vs. GBS matchup was dominated by the 5-foot-11 senior point guard. Fridman, looking back to 100% after returning from a knee injury, was in full control with 22 points in the win over their crosstown rivals. There’s such a level of poise and precision with how Fridman plays that is a joy to watch. Still uncommitted, Fridman is a coveted Division 3 target who is well on his way to repeating as an all-state selection.

Lathan Sommerville (Senior Center, Richwoods)

Sommerville is one of the most physically dominant players in the entire state, but also has a blend of face-up skills and mobility that is hard to match. In a game against a Normal West team who has been solid so far this year, Sommerville posted a triple-double with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 blocked shots. The Big 12 is full of talented bigs with serious size, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Sommerville has multiple monster outputs in conference play.

Malachi Persinger (Junior Guard, Peoria Christian)

One of the more dynamic returning scorers in the Peoria area, Persinger dropped 39 points while contributing seven assists in a win this week. He also had games of 28 and 18 points for a smaller school who has been a consistently competitive program over the last few years. Persinger is a skilled perimeter shooter who is able to put it on the ground to create offense. He’ll continue to have a great year.

Ross Robertson (Junior Forward, South Beloit)

Robertson was unstoppable this week. Throughout the week, Robertson averaged 29.7 points, 17.0 rebounds, and three blocks. That included a 41-point, 17-rebound game and a 37-point, 20-rebound game where he only played 21 minutes in a wide margin over Alden-Hebron. Robertson’s size, quick-twitch athleticism, and nose for the ball have him well on his way to 1,000 career rebounds. But he’s also been a volume finisher and all-around scorer. Clear scholarship-level forward with some Division 1 traits.