***Coaches can submit team previews throughout the fall.

Team Preview: St. Patrick

The Shamrocks return five of their top nine from a team that finished third downstate and set a school record with 29 wins. Coach Mike Bailey remains one of the most respected and genuine coaches in the state, now entering his 33rd season at the helm. 6-foot-8 big man RJ McPartlin (10.3 ppg/7.5 rpg) is a four-year starter who has continued to improve as an all-around, two-way player. He has strength, good feet inside, and soft touch to finish at a high clip in the paint. Multiple college programs have already keyed in on McPartlin, who has the type of talent to be an All-State player. Hard-nosed guard Maurice Neeley (4.2 ppg) was a key piece as a sixth man last year and will step into a larger role where he should act as a do-it-all combo guard.

Don’t be surprised if junior Omar Ajanovic (7.2 ppg) takes a monumental jump this year after seeing quality time as a sophomore. He put together a strong summer with St. Pats and Elevate on the UAA circuit and has shown the type of mobility, shooting ability, and athletic slashing that is hard to find at 6-foot-7. Fellow AAU teammate and classmate Steven Quach (3.6 ppg) will get them organized and set the pace. He finds ways to show up in big moments and is always finding ways to impact winning. They should have the pieces to compete near the top of the always-ruggged ESCC.

Prospects To Watch:

2026 RJ McPartlin (6’8 PF)

2026 Maurice Neeley (6’0 PG/SG)

2027 Omar Ajanovic (6’7 SF/PF)

2027 Steven Quach (6’0 PG)