The memory of the 2022-23 season is in the rearview mirror. While there will certainly be player movements between now and the start of next season that will change the landscape of high school basketball, it's time to take a premature look at the top 10 for the 2023-24 season.
Curie
There are many holes to be filled. However, coach Mike Oliver's program, which has been one of the best in the state for two decades, rarely returns stars. But the Condors have one in junior Carlos Harris, a 6-2 guard who can carry this team.
DePaul's Preparation
The defending Class 2A state champion will move up in weight and remain a state title challenger, thanks to the returning four starters and six of the top seven players.
The junior tandem of 6-7 Jaylan McElroy and 6-7 Payton Kamin was a double scorer, while the second class, led by point guards Makai Kvamme and 6-6 Jonas Johnson, provided plenty of advantages.
North Downers Grove
Following up his record-breaking season, which culminated with a fourth-place finish in Class 4A, won't be easy. But junior star guard Jack Stanton is back.
Jake Riemer, a promising 6-8 big man, and role-playing guard Owen Thulin are the two returning starters.
Joliet West
With McDonald's All-American Jeremy Fears Jr. leaving for Michigan State, this is now Jeremiah Fears' team. The state's top sophomore is a pretty dynamic starting point for the Tigers. Junior guard Justus McNair is an up and coming 6-3 Division I talent.
Kenwood
A 6-10 Jaden Smith, 6-5 Calvin Robins and 6-5 Chris Riddle frontline will be the best in the state. Emerging young stars such as 6-8 second year Aleks Alston and new point guard Noah Mister will take on more prominent roles.
Marist
Following a 24-win season and with a thriving young talent, coaching Brian Hynes' team is unlikely to slip under the radar heading into next season.
A standout group of freshmen have gotten their feet wet this season with point guard Adoni Vassilakis and 6-8 Stephen Brown consistently showing flashes. A pair of sophomores, Achilles Anderson and Marquis Vance, returned. And keep an eye out for new point guard TJ Tate.
Mount Carmel
The Caravan will look very different in replacing DeAndre Craig, the high-scoring four-year guard. However, 6-6 winger Angelo Ciaravino (16 ppg) just started a big junior season, and 6-5 Tre Marks (10.5 ppg) makes an impact as an active, bouncy threat at both ends of the field.
St. Ignatius
The comeback last season of sophomores Phoenix Gill and junior Reggie Ray, a pair of double scorers at the perimeter, will keep the program interesting.
Sam Horenkamp and 6-5 Justin Scott gained valuable experience as role players and will provide support for the Wolfpack big two.
St. Rita
Big man James Brown, one of the top players in the state and a North Carolina commit, went to prep school.
Regardless, this team has the makings of a state title contender. The door is open for Illinois-bound Morez Johnson to have a monster senior season. Iowa State recruits Nojus Indrusaitis and sophomore Melvin Bell also returned.
Young
As usual, the Dolphins are missing some big names. There are changes coming for coaching Tyrone Slaughter's team. But as always, there's so much talented work in the pipeline.
Super sophomore Antonio Munoz is showing signs of taking off during this season. An exciting surplus of young talent includes juniors Sean Brown and Kevin Iverson, sophomore Damajay Richardson and an excellent class of freshmen led by Marquis Clark, Rico D'allessandro, Rykan Woo and Nasir Rankin.