Warren, which reached the Class 4A state championship game last season, and North Suburban Conference rival Waukegan top the list.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Warren (27-11): Junior guard Jaxson Davis, one of the nation’s top players with offers from some of the top college teams, will be the North Suburban Conference contender’s catalyst again after leading the team to the Class 4A state championship game last season. Well-rounded senior guard Braylon Walker also returns to the Blue Devils’ starting lineup. Senior forward Avonn King and senior guard Javin Griffin played valuable minutes last season, and senior wing Joel Paasch and junior forward Cashius Collins are poised to contribute.
2. Waukegan (24-8): Stopped by Warren in the sectional semifinals in 2024 and the sectional final in 2025, the NSC co-champion Bulldogs bring back three starters and two key reserves for another shot. Senior guard Carter Newsome, who is clutch in big moments, and senior wing Simereon Carter are fourth-year starters, and 6-foot-7 senior forward Jaali Love has an inside-outside skill set.
3. Deerfield (24-8): Also sectional finalists last season, the Warriors pose a big problem for opponents with 6-8 senior forward Jake Pollack (Dartmouth), who averaged 18.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. Senior guard Evan Nagler (Case Western Reserve) also is a third-year starter. They will be joined in the rotation by junior guard Tommy Donahue and senior guards Chase Arenberg, Max Garland and Ethan Weiner.
4. Stevenson (22-11): Backcourt production won’t be a problem for the NSC co-champion Patriots with soon-to-be 1,000-point scorer Rocco Pagliocca and returning starter Donny Williams leading the charge as seniors. Senior guard Aidan Albrecht will be a factor as well, and the frontcourt will be anchored by 6-5 junior Quinton Frakes and 6-7 sophomore Max Dabbs. The rotation will also feature junior guard Cohen Ottaviano and sophomore guard Bilguun Ankhbayar.
5. Wauconda (11-22): The Bulldogs took their lumps but have their entire nucleus back, making them the Northern Lake County Conference favorites. Senior guard Tony Salemi made a splash last season, and senior guard Alex Ortega is the team’s spark plug. With size and versatility, 6-6 junior forward Austin Carlsen is a matchup problem. Junior guard Leo Brinias and senior guard Cole Plucinski round out the starting five, and junior forward Cooper Karaszewski adds versatility at both ends.
Libertyville’s Bryce Wegrzyn (32) puts up a shot as Waukegan’s Jaali Love (3) defends during the Class 4A Libertyville Regional championship game on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (Rob Dicker / News-Sun)
6. Libertyville (16-14): The inside-outside combination of 6-8 senior forward Bryce Wegrzyn, who averaged 19.2 points and 9.3 rebounds last season, and sophomore guard Terrence Davis Jr. gives the Wildcats a formidable duo to try to climb in the NSC standings. Senior guard Ben Kristopher was a summer standout, and two other key contributors, senior guards Trevor Wallace and Jack Cenar, also are back. Two sophomores, guard Nick Baker and forward Logan Boggs, will likely find spots in the rotation.
7. Lake Zurich (13-18): Three starters — senior guard Kain Kretschmar, senior forward Adrian Riep and senior guard Evan Peterson — return for the Bears, who are always tough on defense. Senior guards Tyler Reed, Reid Pfeifer and Zach Bonelli-Schultz will figure prominently, and 6-4 junior Caleb Strauss adds length. Freshman point guard Javian Blanco will be given an opportunity to prove his mettle early.
8. Grant (16-12): The Bulldogs led the NLCC in scoring last season and have the personnel to be just as potent offensively. Leading the way are senior guard Damarrion Smith and junior guard Charles Schlicht. Noah McMath’s injury-marred junior season is behind him, and he’ll make an impact. Junior guards Darnell “DJ” Stitts III and Joshua Gamboa are also slated to play big roles.
9. Vernon Hills (17-15): Three returning starters headline a deep senior class for the Cougars. Guard Jeremy Zamost is the energetic floor leader, guard Brady Larsen led the team in 3-point shooting last season and 6-5 center Daniel Odhiambo holds the team’s single-game record for blocked shots with eight. Senior forward Nolan Brettner and senior guards Graham Lis and Nico Robles complement them, and senior guard Tripp Davis and senior forward Hudson Self are expected to contribute off the bench.
10. Grayslake Central (21-10): With two starters back and a deep roster, the defending NLCC champion Rams won’t relinquish their crown easily. Senior guard Alex Granville is a stellar off-ball defender, and the other returning starter, senior wing Cole Halverson, should flourish in an expanded role. Senior guards Carson Woods and senior Aidan Bechard move up in the rotation, and two football players, senior guard Bryce Carlson and senior forward Cordell Johnson, will also play key roles. Keep an eye on freshman guard Verton Freeman.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Simereon Carter, Waukegan, senior, forward
Jaxson Davis, Warren, junior, guard
Terrence Davis Jr., Libertyville, sophomore, guard
Alex Granville, Grayslake Central, senior, guard
David Isaacson, Highland Park, senior, guard
Jaquan Jamerson, Round Lake, junior, guard
Jaali Love, Waukegan, senior, forward
Kain Kretschmar, Lake Zurich, senior, guard
Ethan Matz, Carmel, senior, guard
Uros Mitrovic, Grayslake North, senior, forward
Dominic Mordini, Lake Forest, senior, guard
Evan Nagler, Deerfield, senior, guard
Ben Newcomb, Lakes, junior, forward
Carter Newsome, Waukegan, senior, guard
Daniel Odhiambo, Vernon Hills, senior, center
Alex Ortega, Wauconda, senior, guard
Rocco Pagliocca, Stevenson, senior, guard
Jake Pollack, Deerfield, senior, forward
Tony Salemi, Wauconda, senior, guard
Charles Schlicht, Grant, junior, guard
Damarrion Smith, Grant, senior, guard
Maurice Thompson, Zion-Benton, junior, guard
Braylon Walker, Warren, senior, guard
Bryce Wegrzyn, Libertyville, senior, forward
Donny Williams, Stevenson, senior, guard
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/21/lake-county-boys-basketball-preview-2025-2026-season/
