***High school coaches can continue to fill out the Season Preview Form to provide information on their teams. This is not required to be featured, but it does help provide context to put together the previews.

New Trier

Outlook:

The Trevians have been one of the most consistently excellent programs over the last five years, coming off of back-to-back 4A third place finishes. While they did lose a number of key pieces in the 2024 class, they have one of the best perimeter trios in Illinois. Junior point guard Chris Kirkpatrick (15 ppg) blew up in his first varsity season and has shown the type of tough shot making that is hard to teach. He’s added strength and has continued to improve as a playmaker and all-around threat. Kirkpatrick should be among the best guards in the state. I like WashU commit Colby Smith (10 ppg) a lot. He’s a physical defender, stays active off of the ball, creates well in space, and has a strong scoring ability off the dribble.

Lefty sharpshooter Danny Houlihan, who picked up his first Division 1 offer after showing promise as a sophomore, should see a nice uptick in production. After hitting 78 threes at a blistering 45 percent clip, the 6-foot-4 junior has gotten even more strategic with his off-ball movement and will be more of a threat off of two to three dribbles. The junior class has some solid newcomers who could contribute and two sophomores could make a difference as well. Elton Jaegerskog (6-foot-4) is a transfer from Sweden who will add an element of toughness, high-energy defense, and complementary scoring. Elias Fleming (6-foot-3) is another sophomore to watch, expected to provide ball-handling support and smooth outside shooting. This will be a perimeter-oriented group who should have the offensive firepower to challenge for another deep run if they lean into an identify of toughness and chemistry with so many new pieces.

Key Players:

Jr – Chris Kirkpatrick (6’3 Guard)

Sr – Colby Smith (6’3 Guard)

Jr.- Danny Houlihan (6’4 Guard)

Prospects For College Coaches To Keep An Eye On:

Chris Kirkpatrick (6’3 PG, 2026)

There is no question whether Kirkpatrick is a Division 1 guard. The positional length, long-range shooting, and dynamic ball-handling make him a problem for defenders on a nightly basis. What doesn’t get enough recognition is how committed and effective of a defender he is consistently, whether that’s in isolation defense or on the helpside. I’d expect him to see additional defensive attention on scouting reports, but his comfort making plays on the move should quell most of that. To this point, he’s the most accomplished point guard in the class.

Colby Smith (6’3 PG/SG, 2025) – WashU commit

WashU hit a home run with the addition of Smith. A big-time piece since his sophomore year, Smith has a seasoned stop-and-pop game with experience creating off of ball screens or cutting and spacing without the rock. Expect him to take on some tough defensive assignments, an area where he should be an immediate plus the day he steps on campus at WashU. Smith is a relentless competitor who should be a leader for the Trevians this year.

Danny Houlihan (6’4 SG, 2026)

It’s so hard to find kids who know their strengths and work to master and lean into them. Houlihan was quietly one of the best volume three-point shooters in Illinois and carried that through AAU and June. High Point recently offered him, but expect that list of Division 1 suitors to continue to expand. Houlihan is a traditional, lanky shooter who you can use coming off of staggers, as a pick-and-pop threat, and now as an on-ball threat who can create some space with stepbacks and sidesteps.

Elton Jaegerskog (6’4 SG, 2027)

The sophomore transfer is going to open some eyes this year. Jaegerskog does so many little things well, from guarding all three spots on the perimeter to battling for rebounds and winning 50/50 balls. Those intangibles, combined with a growing 6-foot-4 frame and the ability to lead the break, space the floor, and finish in crowds, make him an intriguing long-term prospect.