Zion-Benton isn't going to drop off the planet. They have an all-state calibre player in Zelle Smith, and two front-line guys to play the "3" and "5".
All they need are a couple of slick, ball-handling guards who can shoot the 3-ball.That may be the easiest thing to find in the school.
North Chicago, as presently composed, IS going to struggle. The last two years they have basically played a four-guard offense with a hard-working, blue-collar post player (Joshua Wright this past season). Problem is, it's not clear if there is anybody 6-4/6-5 in school who can fill his shoes next year. Without at least one rebounder, the four- and five-guard offense will struggle mightily against any team with a decent post presence.
Watch out for Mundelein ... a very very very early pick to click next winter. Again, the team needs a post player who wants to rebound and block shots.
Waukegan fans will discover that Colin Nickerson brought much more to the table than just points and rebounds. It will be tough to fill his shoes.
Word everywhere is that Warren's current freshman class is best in school history. That will make them sophomores on the varsity next winter. They are one year away from an amazing two-year run for the gold.
ZB will win the North suburban next year. I don't see Mundelein contending. If anything Ramsey and Warren will find a solid team to challenge ZB, even if that means some sophs playing for varsity. Still look for ZB to do what Warren did this year - build around a Big Ten bound combo guard in Lenzelle Smith. Paul made some big strides after his junior year, and I think Lenzelle will too. I hope Worthington work hard on his post moves and gives up the 15-20 foot jumper he loves. Paul Williams should thrive in a starting role. Not sure what else they have.
Nickerson will be missed at Waukegan. He was actually their best player this year.
Kind of like how everyone thought ZB would win it this year??
I think the quality of competition in the NSC this past year will be much better than next year. Its not too hard to believe that a Lake Forest team led by a high-scoring Michigan bound guard could beat out ZB. Similarly, with Brandon Paul at Warren, I wouldn't have been surprised if they won the NSC. However, with the way Zion finished up the NSC season this year - a double-digit win at Lake Forest, and a double-digit win against Warren, I think ZB was the best team in the NSC this year. They just had a rough stretch in which they lost at home to Libertyville. And, they already won once at Waukegan this year, it was going to be pretty tough to do it a second time. Give credit to Waukegan for a great game plan coaching-wise, and fantastic execution by Colin Nickerson - whom I think was their most-valuable player.
Zion will have nice size next year in 6-5 Worthington, 6-4 Paul Williams, and 6-4 Lenzelle Smith. If they can get a little support, there's no reason to think Lenzelle can't do for Zion what Paul did for Warren. I don't think they have the fire power to knock of Waukegan next year, but you don't know until you play the games.