An early look at some of next season's best high school basketball teams

As we wait for the expected player movement in today’s high school basketball landscape to materialize, here are the teams that certainly figure to be front and center when the season tips next November.

Benet

The defending state champs will have the inside-outside punch of guard Jayden Wright and 7-footer Colin Stack. Valuable role players Mac Doyle and 6-6 Edward Stasys will see expanded opportunities.

Bolingbrook

The combo of Player of the Year Davion Thompson, who averaged 24 points a game as a sophomore, and budding star Brady Pettigrew is about as dynamic as it gets. Plus, Trey Brost is an experienced player who impacts winning.

Curie

This elite program actually snuck up on people this past year en route to winning 24 games and reaching the city title game. The Condors could be better next year. Junior Justin Oliver has emerged as a star, while double-figure scorer Mike Oliver, Jr. and role players Kendall Holliday and Saquan Cummings are also back.

DePaul Prep

There is no current program in the state with a higher level of expectation than DePaul. That’s what three straight state titles will do for you. The thought of a fourth straight state title is warranted given the return of guard Rykan Woo, 6-7 Rashaun Porter and AJ Chambers.

Lincoln Park

The early postseason loss stung after a 23-win season. But the junior perimeter group, headed by point guard Ahmad Lee, Jaylen Dickerson and Kaydin Williams, will keep the Lions relevant. Keep an eye on the development of freshman Alvin Robinson.

Loyola

The Ramblers, who won 26 games and reached the sectional finals, will be even better next season with the return of three productive starters: guards Trey Williams (12 ppg, 7 rpg, 5 apg), Sam Golden (12 ppg, 78 threes) and Luke Alvarez (8 ppg, 63 threes).

Marist

This junior-dominated team tasted sectional basketball while winning a school record 31 games. It will be even better next season with 6-8 Stephen Brown and Adoni Vassilakis, Karson Thomas and TJ Tate all returning in the backcourt.

Kenwood

There is some uncertainty around this program. For starters, who will be coaching it? But as long as Devin Cleveland (21 ppg), the superstar sophomore, is enrolled at Kenwood it’s a highly-ranked team.

New Trier

Junior guard Christopher Kirkpatrick (22 ppg) is one of the top players in the state. Shooter Danny Houlihan is another returning weapon.

Rich

Jamson Coulter and Jayden Williams, two juniors who together averaged 27 points a game, are a nice place to start for a team that broke through and finished fourth in the state. Returner Kavon Ammons was a valuable piece of the bench.

Simeon

A big jump is expected for 6-5 guard Andre Tyler, one of the top junior talents in the state. Tyler will be the centerpiece while Kassidy Nelson and Isaiah Coleman gained valuable experience this past season.

Warren

Star Jaxson Davis is a bonafide Player of the Year candidate and back for more after leading the Blue Devils to a state runner-up finish in 4A. Seasoned Braylon Walker will be poised for a breakout senior season.

Waukegan

A trio of double-figure scorers return for coach Ron Ashlaw in Carter Newsome (10.5 ppg) Simereon Carter (12.5 ppg) and Jaali Love (12.7 ppg). They helped lead the Bulldogs to 24 wins and a share of a conference title.

Young

Marquis Clark is the headliner as one of the top returning guards in the state. There will be returning and improved pieces around him in Alijah Little, Caden Crudup and Zaire Green.