Pick the 10-man team you’d run with this season…
Nearly every publication and recruiting services picks pre-season and post-season all-area and all-state teams, so we aren’t going to do that here at High School Confidential. Instead, I’m going to pick a team of favorites. The ten guys that I would take if I had to put together a team to try and win the state title this season.
Starters
G-Derrick Rose, Simeon, Sr.
G-Nick Fruendt, Batavia, Jr.
F-Ryan Hare, Marshall, Jr.
F-Evan Turner, St. Joseph, Sr.
C-Brandon McGee, Crane, Sr.
Rose is an easy pick. I’m sure plenty of you will team him up with St. Joe’s guard Demetri McCamey, which is a great choice. I’m going with Fruendt. He plays very well without the ball — which is key since I’d want it in Rose’s hands most of the time — and he’s a great shooter. I’m putting Proviso East’s Jacob Pullen on my bench. He provides a great combination of top-notch defense and instant offense.
I think Ryan Hare is one of the most underrated guys in the state. He’s tough, athletic and has a nice outside shot. He had the best numbers of any sophomore in the state last season: 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game. Sure, everybody scored a lot in Marshall’s high-octane offense, but those are terrific numbers for a second year player.
Picking a center was tough. It’s hard to pass on Simeon’s Tim Flowers, but I wanted a little more size.
Bench
G-Michael Thompson, Lincoln Park, Sr.
G-Jacob Pullen, Proviso East, Sr.
F-Matt Humphrey, Hales, Jr.
F-Mike Stovall, Marshall, Sr.
C-Jawan Nelson, Bloom, Jr.
The bench was easier to select. Thompson is a no-brainer as back up point guard. Humphrey and Stovall are long and athletic and would be huge sparks off the bench. I went with Nelson as my backup center because I expect him to have a very big season.
Time to exercise your right to vote. Which ten guys would you hit the road with this season?
