MidStateHoops.com :: Class A Preseason Team Rankings

Return three starters from last year’s fourth place team along with a healthy Thad Hawkins (8.3 ppg). Kyle Cassity (8.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.3 apg) had a great showing last March and should be one of the biggest keys to the team’s success, along with Zach Hawkins (12.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg). Not many teams play as hard and together as Pinckneyville. They should be a force to be reckoned with.

Key Players: Kyle Cassity, Thad Hawkins, Zach Hawkins, Skyler Graskewicz

Pickneyville
Pickneyville, Illinois

Class: A

Panthers

North Lawndale
Chicago, Illinois

Class: A

Phoenix

Ranking: #2

Floor general and team leader, Hayward Brown (19 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3 apg), has graduated as well as four other starters from last years team who combined for nearly 26 ppg and 20 rpg. However, Isiah Evans (6.6 ppg and 6.3 rpg) and Cordaro Smith (10.2 ppg and 3.8 rpg) led their team well in the summer and are expected to do the same this winter. This athletic team always runs the floor well and play good defensively. Hopefully the newcomers can help secure victories for the Phoenix. The gaining of experience will be essential for Coach Thorpe.

Key Players: Isiah Evans, Cordaro Smith

Ranking #3

The loss of Austin Peebles (21.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, and 4 apg) hurts the Trojans but Robert Kreps (19.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.5 apg) has shown that he can lead a team just as good with or without his partner in crime. Maroa has centralized their offense around Kreps and he has done a good job with scoring and making his teammates better. Coach Cluver’s team had a strong showing in the summer as the beat a lot of quality teams and also won the Jacksonville Shootout. Look for role players including Ben Cochran (9.1 ppg) and C.J. McClellan (7.5 ppg) to have a big impact for their team this season.

Key Players: Robert Kreps, Ben Cochran, C.J. McClellan

Maroa-Fosyth
Maroa, Illinois

Class: A

Trojans

Putnam County
Granville, Illinois

Class: A

Panthers

Ranking: #4

This Granville, Illinois team is lead by, possibly the state’s most dominant big man, Carlton Fay. There has yet to be a player from Illinois stop the 6’8” post as he has the versatility to beat you from anywhere on the floor. Like Maroa, PC has pretty much centralized their offense around Fay. They have some solid role players and a blossoming sophomore, Tony Ahlers, allowing points to come from other places if Carlton sees double or triple teams.

Key Players: Carlton Fay, Tony Ahlers

Ranking: #5

The loss of Robert Rexroade (12 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and Garrett Callahan (14.2 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.5 rpg) hurts Seneca quite a bit but the duo of returning starter, Griffin Callahan (11.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and key reserve Seth Evans (5.4 ppg) have made it their duty to fill the roles of their two previous stars. Nothing has changed on the defensive end for the Fighting Irish as they are still as tenacious as ever. Offensively, look for Evans to contribute a lot on the scoreboard and through assist as he is bound to slide in the role of Garrett Callahan as the team leader and floor general.

Key Players: Grffin Callahan, Seth Evans, Travis Misener, Seth Hobbs

Seneca
Seneca, Illinois

Class: A

Fighting Irish

Central Catholic
Bloomington, Illinois

Class: A

Saints

Ranking: #6

Central Catholic loses three starters who combined for a little over 30 ppg and 22 rpg per game. However, Brandon Dunson and Tom Norton now have more experience and senior, Josh Brent is back ready to compete. Dunson will lead the charge for the Saints. After a tremendous summer, the 6’2” wing has made the necessary improvements to become a strong backbone for a solid team. Sophomore, Tom Norton, tied his school’s record for three point shots last season, with 64, and is bound to break his own record this winter. Like always, Coach Wulbrun’s team will run a fast paced style of play and have the speed and quickness to do it even better than last year. The only concerning issue with this team is youth and lack of experience.

Key Players: Brandon Dunson, Josh Brent, Tom Norton, Aaron Garriott

Ranking: #7

6’4” Josh Babb doesn’t necessarily always get the proper respect he deserves, but he has shown MSH enough to earn his team the seventh preseason rank. Babb averaged 24.7 ppg 7.4 rpg 2.7 apg and 2 spg while leading his team to a solid season. The do it all wing/forward will look to do the same this year with a year more experience under his belt.

Key Players: Josh Babb

Brown County
Mt. Sterling, Illinois

Class: A

Hornets

Eureka
Eureka, Illinois

Class: A

Hornets

Ranking: #8

Super sophomore, 6’8” Jordan Prosser, will be the main focus for other teams to shut down this season. Even though he is probably the team’s best player, it doesn’t end there. While opponents center in on stopping Jordan, 5’10” senior point guard, Colin Knapp, will be busy taking care of business from the perimeter. The two make up a great inside-outside combination and will have a lot of teams flustered this season.

Key Players: Jordan Prosser, Colin Knapp, Dean Eastman

Ranking: #9

Though their season was ended in the first round of state due to an unlucky draw in the first round match against Seneca, “T-Town” are back and hoping for another solid year. 6’3” senior Jason Runde (13.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.6 apg) returns as the team’s most consistent player but only returning starter. Though this is the case, the Wooden Shoes are more about teamwork than stardom. They have a solid all around team and a good coach, allowing them success. One of Class A’s best defensive teams, along with Seneca and Bloomington Central Catholic.

Key Players: Jason Runde, Craig Westendorf, Wade Koester

Teutopolis
Teutopolis, Illinois

Class: A

Wooden Shoes

Vandalia
Vandalia, Illinois

Class: A

Vandals

Ranking: #10

6’6” super-athletic forward, Eric Hobbie, returns as a member of last year’s post-season all-state team. The senior with the solid all-around game had a very solid all-around statline including 18.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.6 bpg, and 2.5 spg. He will be the key to the of the Vandals and will need to help involve his team’s role players so he isn’t the only scoring threat.

Key Players: Eric Hobbie