Replacing Class of 2020 Stars for Next Season Pt 2
As we look ahead to next high school season there will be quite a few stars from the 2020 class that will need to be replaced. Here we examine some of those graduating stars and who their potential replacements could…
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Continue ReadingAs we look ahead to next high school season there will be quite a few stars from the 2020 class that will need to be replaced. Here we examine some of those graduating stars and who their potential replacements could be for their high school squads! This is Part 2!
High School: Peoria Notre Dame
2020 Star:
Connor Dillon
Connor
Dillon
6'0" | PG
Peoria Notre Dame | 2020
State
IL
Future Replacement:
Noah Reynolds
Noah
Reynolds
6'1" | PG
Peoria Notre Dame | 2021
IN
These two shared the backcourt together this past season to form one of the best teams in central Illinois. Next year it will be Reynolds show to run as Dillion will be off to Winona State. The crafty floor general will have his opportunity to display he can lead his team to the 3A final four.
High School: Hinsdale South
2020 Star:
Aaron Tims
Aaron
Tims
6'7" | PF
Hinsdale South | 2020
State
IL
&
Billy Durkin
Billy
Durkin
6'3" | SG
Hinsdale South | 2020
State
IL
Future Replacement: Ahmad Tims &
Bobby Durkin
Bobby
Durkin
6'6" | SF
Hinsdale South | 2022
State
IL
This is a fun one as brothers will fill in for their older siblings. Hinsdale South had a great season making a run in the playoffs before it was cancelled. Vincennes commit power forward Aaron Tims Aaron Tims 6'7" | PF Hinsdale South | 2020 State IL and Lewis bound shooting guard Billy Durkin Billy Durkin 6'3" | SG Hinsdale South | 2020 State IL were the primary players for this squad as seniors. Next year their younger brothers will be put in the same roles with 2021 Ahmad Tims doing his thing at power forward and 2022 Bobby Durkin Bobby Durkin 6'6" | SF Hinsdale South | 2022 State IL being the perimeter shooting threat from deep.
High School: Joliet West
2020 Star:
Jamere Hill
Jamere
Hill
6'1" | PG
Joliet West | 2020
State
IL
Future Replacement:
Jeremy Fears
Jeremy
Fears
6'1" | PG
La Lumiere | 2023
GA
Joliet West doesn’t lose a lot from last year’s stellar team. The one part will be Jamere Hill Jamere Hill 6'1" | PG Joliet West | 2020 State IL . He went from D2 prospect to Toledo recruit because of his senior campaign. He was joined in the backcourt by freshman Jeremy Fears Jeremy Fears 6'1" | PG La Lumiere | 2023 GA . The point guard already has multiple D1 offers and is primed to take on a bigger role as a sophomore. He is among the best young guards in the state.
High School: Glenbrook South
2020 Star:
Dominic Martinelli
Dominic
Martinelli
6'5" | PF
Glenbrook South | 2020
State
IL
Future Replacement:
Nick Martinelli
Nick
Martinelli
6'6" | SF
Glenbrook South | 2022
State
#235
Nation
IL
Dominic Martinelli Dominic Martinelli 6'5" | PF Glenbrook South | 2020 State IL was one of the most productive players in Illinois this past season. The combo forward had size and a special knack for producing game in and game out. His younger brother Nick Martinelli Nick Martinelli 6'6" | SF Glenbrook South | 2022 State #235 Nation IL has similar height and Glenbrook South will look to him to chip in some of the points and rebounds lost by his older brother.
High School: Peoria Manual
2020 Star:
Pee Wee Brown
Pee
Wee Brown
6'2" | SG
Peoria Manual | 2020
State
IL
Future Replacement:
Emaryon Byrd
Emaryon
Byrd
6'5" | SG
Manual | 2021
State
IL
Can’t say enough about what Pee Wee Brown Pee Wee Brown 6'2" | SG Peoria Manual | 2020 State IL meant to this Peoria Manual program. He is just a winner! Next year Emaryon Byrd Emaryon Byrd 6'5" | SG Manual | 2021 State IL should step in to be the guy. He is actually bigger and more physically gifted, but it has to all click for him to be the go to player.
High School: Curie
2020 Star:
Saiveon Williams
Saiveon
Williams
6'5" | SF
Curie | 2020
State
IL
&
Elijah Pickens
Elijah
Pickens
5'8" | PG
Curie | 2020
State
IL
Future Replacement:
Reggie Ward
Reggie
Ward
6'5" | PF
Curie | 2021
State
IL
&
Nick Owens
Nick
Owens
5'9" | PG
Curie | 2021
State
IL
Right now there is nobody on Curie’s roster that can replace what Ramean Hinton Ramean Hinton 6'4" | SG Curie | 2020 State #181 Nation IL brought, but two of their other key pieces they have juniors that should be able to step in. Saiveon Williams Saiveon Williams 6'5" | SF Curie | 2020 State IL came from South Carolina last year to be a versatile forward that boarded and scored from the mid-post and in. Reggie Ward Reggie Ward 6'5" | PF Curie | 2021 State IL is a small forward with that same capability. Nick Owens Nick Owens 5'9" | PG Curie | 2021 State IL started this year and the smaller guard will take on a bigger role next season with the departure of Elijah Pickens Elijah Pickens 5'8" | PG Curie | 2020 State IL . The 2021 guard came on strong at the end of the season.
High School: Stevenson
2020 Star:
Matthew Ambrose
Matthew
Ambrose
6'2" | SG
Stevenson | 2020
State
IL
Future Replacement:
Evan Ambrose
Evan
Ambrose
5'10" | PG
Stevenson | 2021
State
IL
Matthew Ambrose Matthew Ambrose 6'2" | SG Stevenson | 2020 State IL is probably the most accomplished Stevenson player since the famed Jalen Brunson/Connor Cashaw/Justin Smith teams. He had a chance to lead his team downstate this past season before the abrupt end. He will head off to play at D2 level. His younger brother will step in for his dad as the go to guard. Evan Ambrose Evan Ambrose 5'10" | PG Stevenson | 2021 State IL is an exciting and tough guard that is a playmaker as a scorer and distributor.
High School: Whitney Young
2020 Star:
Sangolay Njie
Sangolay
Njie
6'6" | PF
Whitney Young | 2020
State
IL
Future Replacement:
Xavier Amos
Xavier
Amos
6'7" | PF
Whitney Young | 2022
State
#233
Nation
IL
Njie played his role for Whitney Young. He brought a physical presence inside rebounding and playing defense. With his departure look for 2022 Xavier Amos Xavier Amos 6'7" | PF Whitney Young | 2022 State #233 Nation IL to have an opportunity to step up and provide a similar skill set. He actually is a higher level prospect with some more upside especially on the offensive end. Never played varsity ball however.
High School: Orr
2020 Star:
Reggie Strong
Reggie
Strong
6'1" | PG
Orr | 2020
State
IL
&
Shaun Harris
Shaun
Harris
5'11" | PG
Orr | 2020
State
IL
Future Replacement:
Leontae Lilly
Leontae
Lilly
5'8" | PG
Orr | 2022
State
IL
Orr has done a tremendous job of replacing players year after year while still performing at a high level. They are one of the premier programs in the state. This year they will have to replace a pair of point guards, but 2022 Leontae Lilly Leontae Lilly 5'8" | PG Orr | 2022 State IL is a smaller guard in the mold of many of their previous successful guards that is the next in line!
High School: Mt. Vernon
2020 Star:
Simon Wilson
Simon
Wilson
6'4" | SG
Mt. Vernon | 2020
State
IL
&
Jackson Creel
Jackson
Creel
6'3" | SG
Mt. Vernon | 2020
State
IL
Future Replacement:
Carson Prost
Carson
Prost
6'1" | SG
Mt. Vernon | 2021
State
IL
Wilson and Creel have been the two spot up sharp shooters for the Rams over the last few years. Both have been successful doing that. Look for 2021 wing Carson Prost Carson Prost 6'1" | SG Mt. Vernon | 2021 State IL to step into that role next year!