Previewing and predicting this weekend's top high school basketball games

The Public League takes center stage as the championship game will be played Saturday night. Here is a preview of the city title game and a handful of other showdowns, including a few that will determine conference championships.

Last week: 4-1

Season: 29-12

Public League Championship at UIC, Saturday

Kenwood (26-1) vs. Curie (21-8)

Is this the year Kenwood gets over the hump and claims its first-ever city championship? The Broncos have lost in the city title game in each of the past two seasons and also fell short in the 2016 championship game.

The Broncos get another shot, thanks to an impressive performance in beating Young in the semifinals. This particular opportunity for Kenwood, however, comes with a considerable amount of weight on its shoulders as the bonafide favorite.

Sophomore Devin Cleveland, who is averaging just over 20 points a game, has taken the next step into stardom, while this version of Kenwood has bought into whatever first-year coach Joe Mason has been selling.

Whether it’s been 6-10 senior Aleks Alston’s growth in figuring out how to impact or newcomers Amari Edwards and TJ Seals, they have left egos at the door and have definitely accepted and thrived in their respective roles.

Here comes Curie, a team many had written off due to a higher number of losses than usual and a nameless group when it comes to the basketball prospect lists. But this is coach Mike Oliver’s Curie program. The Condors, led by Brad Johnson and Mike Oliver, Jr., typically always find a way to surpass expectations.

These two met three weeks ago with Kenwood rolling to a 76-54 win. This will be tougher on the Broncos but with the same end result — and the program’s first city championship.

The pick: Kenwood 63, Curie 56

Brother Rice (23-5) at Mount Carmel (24-5), Friday

While Mount Carmel is out of the Catholic League race, it can play the role of spoiler in this one.

Brother Rice is tied for the top spot in the Catholic League with DePaul Prep, a team it beat last month. The Crusaders aren’t exactly reeling, but they have lost two of their five games this season in the past week.

The march towards a third straight 30-win season has hit a snag. But a win here would give Brother Rice at least a share of a league title, the first since 2021. Marcos Gonzales and Jack Weigus continue to be the key orchestrators for a team that could use some support help for its productive tandem.

Now it must go to Mount Carmel to play a team that can score the basketball and, more importantly, beat anyone with the trio of Cam Thomas, Grant Best and Noah Mister. These three combine to average over 50 points a game between them.

With nothing to lose, playing at home and as the role of spoiler, the Caravan get a nice win to head into the postseason on a high note.

The pick: Mount Carmel 60, Brother Rice 57

Lemont (20-7) at Hillcrest (17-9), Friday

With a win Lemont can clinch sole possession of first place in the South Suburban Blue. A Hillcrest win will split the league title between the two for the second straight season.

There were alarm bells early in the season, but Hillcrest has improved since its so-so 8-6 start. The Hawks are playing their best basketball of the season, winning seven of nine and playing ranked Hinsdale Central and Rich very tough in those two defeats.

Coach Don Houston believes there is more room to grow as a team. The veteran coach has three double-figure scorers in Jovohn Ratliff (17.6 ppg), Jamir Ratliff (12.2 ppg) and Max Carmicle (10.2 ppg, 7 rpg).

Lemont, meanwhile, relies heavily on the “Big Three” of junior Gabe Sularski (16.9 ppg) and seniors Matas Castillo (12.8 ppg) and Alanas Castillo (12 ppg).

Lemont has held its own against some of the higher ranked teams, losing to St. Ignatius by three and to both St. Laurence and Hinsdale Central by four. Throw in losses to Bolingbrook and Niles North and it’s the look of a rock solid team that just hasn’t quite gotten over the hump. But those five losses have prepared them well for a game like this.

This has the makings of a blitz-like tempo and a plenty of offensive firepower.

The pick: Lemont 68, Hillcrest 66

Waubonsie Valley (25-1) vs. Warren (19-9) at Indian Creek, Saturday

Both of these teams have been ranked all season and will look to this non-conference clash as a postseason tune-up. They both have legitimate dreams of playing in Champaign.

But all eyes will be on a special backcourt matchup featuring senior Tyreek Coleman of Waubonsie Valley, who is headed to Illinois State, and Warren’s Jaxson Davis, one of the elite underclassmen in the state. They are both impeccable on the ball and two of the most exciting talents in the state.

The pick: Waubonsie Valley 63, Warren 57

Benet (22-5) at Lake Forest (18-8), Saturday

Benet has been a fixture in the rankings all season. Lake Forest has moved in and out of the Super 25 and is now back thanks to its best week of the season, recently winning three straight games that included victories over Rolling Meadows and Waukegan.

Benet likes to get up and down the floor and can score in transition. The Redwings have scored 55 or more points in 24 of 27 games this season. Lake Forest averaged 38 points a game in its recent three-game win streak and has only scored 55 or more seven times all season.

Something will have to give.

The pick: Benet 58, Lake Forest 50

Downers Grove North (21-7) at Glenbard West (20-5), Saturday

There isn’t a ton at stake — unless one of two under-500 teams, Lyons or Proviso West, can upset Hinsdale Central in upcoming games.

Glenbard West split with West Suburban Silver leader Hinsdale Central this season. But the Hilltoppers sit one game back. Coach Jason Opoka’s team can take care of business and then hope for the best.

Nonetheless, it’s a pair of 20-win teams looking for some nice momentum with a late-season win.

The pick: Glenbard West 47, Downers Grove North 42