High school basketball weekend forecast: Previewing and predicting the top games

The holiday tournaments are over and the light early January schedule is behind us. It’s time to get back to the grind of conference play and some scintillating non-conference showdowns.

This week brings a heavy dose of important conference matchups, including the two best teams meeting in the always-strong North Suburban Conference.

Here is a look at the weekend ahead and some picks to go with it.

No. 10 Mundelein at No. 18 Stevenson, Friday, 7

A big one in the North Suburban Conference. Stevenson has been the standard in the league. Can Mundelein, a talented but junior-dominated team, push past the defending champs?

Mundelein is led by the inside-outside tandem of 6-8 Scottie Ebube, who has been a regular double-double guy and poses a big threat against a Stevenson team without much size, and guard Conor Enright. But Jack Bikus and Trey Baker, a Stevenson transfer, have been valuable in their support roles.

Stevenson, with losses to Oak Park, Homewood-Flossmoor and Marian Catholic, is in need of a quality win to regain some of that preseason puff. Mundelein suffered its first loss of the season in a high-stakes road game against one of the top teams in the state in Collinsville.

The experience Stevenson has with four key seniors –– and having played in big games over the past two years –– will prove beneficial. We’ll take Stevenson in a close one at home.

Hoops Report pick: Stevenson 55, Mundelein 53

No. 16 Waubonsie Valley at Naperville Central, Friday, 7

How good are these two DuPage Valley Conference teams with sparkling records?

While Waubonsie Valley did put it on a ranked Marian Catholic team last weekend, both teams have played schedules that leaves you asking the aforementioned question. Nonetheless, these two are a combined 23-5 on the year.

Naperville Central has played just one ranked team, losing that game to Hinsdale South. This is an opportunity for the Redhawks to pump up their reputation. Veterans Cam Dougherty and 6-9 Chris Conway, a much-improved player who has signed with Oakland, have led the Redhawks to the fast start. Can the guard play rise to the occasion against the top teams on Central’s schedule?

Waubonsie Valley has been very impressive and hasn’t seemed to miss a beat since winning 27 games a year ago. The Warriors have pounded teams, led by the potent tandem of 6-5 Marcus Skeete and emerging 6-5 junior Ben Schwieger. Skeete scored 41 points in the Jacobs Holiday Tournament title game win over Cary-Grove. Adri Malushi has been steady at point guard while junior guard Isaiah Smith has stepped up.

Hoops Report pick: Waubonsie Valley 56, Naperville Central 50

No. 25 Oak Lawn at Oak Forest, Friday, 6:30

This one will be fun. A pair of teams who are gaining steam and in the spotlight for the first time in a long time.

Remember, this is an Oak Forest team that hasn’t won a regional title in over 30 years and an Oak Lawn program that has one regional championship in the last 45 years. Now the two are a combined 28-3 and playing in a big midseason non-conference game.

Both teams have some pop, albeit some underrated firepower. Oak Forest has a trio in 6-8 sophomore Robbie Avila, smooth 6-5 shooting wing Jayson Kent and jack-of-all-trades Juan Avila who bring so much versatility. Robbie Avila is a threat with his size and skill. Kent is a dead-eye shooter who has added to his overall game. Juan Avila brings energy and production.

Oak Lawn’s dynamite senior duo of guards Trey Ward and Sami Osmani are capable of putting up 40 to 50 points between them. There may not be a more under-appreciated tandem in the state.

This one should go down to the wire, and it’s a game that will make both hungry teams better. But the size Avila brings to the table and playing on its home floor could be the difference.

Hoops Report pick: Oak Forest 62, Oak Lawn 60

No. 13 Joliet West at Oswego East, Friday, 6:30

The top teams from the two Southwest Prairie divisions meet. They are also two of the top teams in the Lockport Sectional in two months.

But it’s Joliet West that boasts the most talent in the league and has taken itself to a new level. The next step is separating itself from the rest of the pack in the Southwest Prairie, which is very doable with the likes of standout senior guard Jamere Hill, 6-4 junior Jaiden Lee and freshman guard Jeremy Fears, Jr.

Oswego East’s start to the season has been compromised as Sam Schultz has slowly worked his way back from injury and transfer Will Wolfe has become more comfortable. However, the this is a team that could be much more dangerous in the second half of the season.

Hoops Report pick: Joliet West 63, Oswego East 56

Glenbard West at Oak Park, Friday, 7:30

Oak Park remains a team everyone is still trying to figure out. Though very talented, the Huskies have had their ups and downs in the first half of the season. But it’s also a team playing with some youth and a very strong schedule. That mix typically does lead to some inconsistency.

How much did Oak Park, led by the junior tandem of 6-6 Isaiah Barnes and 6-3 guard Josh Smith, grow during a tough month of December?

This will be a tall task for such a young Glenbard West team which features a trio of sophomores, including budding 6-8 star Braden Huff. The record is impressive at 11-1, but the Hilltoppers still don’t have a look-at-me victory. And even though Oak Park has been up and down thus far, a win on the road over the Huskies would definitely be a signature win.

During its 11-1 start, however, Glenbard West has played all but two games on its home floor. This will be the toughest test yet for the Hilltoppers.

Hoops Report pick: Oak Park 63, Glenbard West 52

No. 17 Marian Catholic vs. No. 8 Morgan Park at DePaul Prep, Saturday, 6

The five-game Saturday shootout at DePaul Prep is highlighted by this matchup. Even with the lopsided loss to Waubonsie Valley last week, there is still no need to be in panic mode for Marian Catholic.

The four losses this season have come to ranked teams with a combined record of 59-9. The problem is in the last three Marian Catholic losses it averaged just 40 points a game. In the other 12 games this season the Spartans are averaging 61 points a game. There are times when the offense can bog down and the perimeter shooting can be inconsistent.

Another step-up game right here with talented Morgan Park. A win would go a long way in re-establishing itself as one of the top teams in Class 4A.

That won’t be easy, though, facing Adam Miller & Company. The high-scoring senior guard teams up with Marcus Watson to form one of the best backcourts in the state. If that wasn’t enough there is the matchup nightmare of the physically talented Brandon Weston on the wing.

Hoops Report pick: Morgan Park 68, Marian Catholic 59

Hillcrest vs. Simeon at TF North, Sunday, 7

The two-day Bob Hambric Shootout at T.F. North features several games on Saturday and Sunday, but this is the featured game and will have the most eyes watching.

If there is one team that is in need of a true pick-me-up game against a top-notch opponent, it’s Hillcrest. There are losses to top 10 teams Curie, Bloom and H-F. But there are also losses to Richards and Morton. This talented junior group, led by Julius Rollins and Jakobi Heady, has the pieces to play with just about anyone.

Simeon seems to be piecing things together as Jeremiah Williams is finding his way and roles are being established. But Ahamad Bynum is the catalyst for the Wolverines. The dynamic 6-1 guard is fresh off a monster game.

Hoops Report pick: Simeon 58, Hillcrest 52