Editor’s note: Season previews for teams in the Southwest Regional coverage area are being posted on X (@mikeclarkpreps). Coaches may email information to: mikeclarkpreps@gmail.com.

Brother Rice

New coach Rick Romeli takes over as Crusaders move up to 4A after taking 2nd in 3A w/ senior-heavy team. Top vets are 6-7 F Joe Niego, 6-3 G Zach Grabowski, 6-2 G Charlie Wizgard, 6-5 F JJ Manos, G Aiden Henderson. 6-8 Kevinas Salkauskas another big to watch

Chicago Christian

Hope to build on regional final appearance, 14 wins last year after 0-6 start minus state champ football players. Guards Casey Lenarz (10.5 ppg), Garrett Murphy (11.5 ppg) are proven scorers. 6-2 Isaac Heerdt, soph Emmett Van Dellen also back.

De La Salle

Catholic League, sectional titles a goal for veteran team. 6-7 WF Charles Barnes (12 ppg/6rpg), 6-4 Rami Edwards, PG Morgan Travis all in third varsity season as juniors. Frosh PG Roosevelt Thomas was state’s top-ranked 8th-grader. Carlos Cueva can shoot.

Evergreen Park

Mike Glennon takes over as coach, will look to seniors Cam Dandridge (7.4 ppg) and Lenear Bolden (10.1 ppg) to lead way. Transfers Jemai Cummings (Stagg) and Connor Gallagher should help right away. SG James Lee another newcomer to watch.

Lyons

6-2 G Owen Carroll, 6-5 G Timmy Sloan are only players back with much experience from 14-16 team. Taking bigger roles will be 6-6 W Grant Smith, 6-5 F Tommy Blyth, 6-5 W Nate Woods, 6-5 F Tommy Sloan, 6-0 G Blake Ragsdale, 6-0 G Byron Walton.

Marist

A serious 4A state contender w/ 4 starters back from 31-3 team. Vets include 6-1 Adoni Vassikalis, 6-3 Karson Thomas, 5-10 TJ Tate, 6-7 Stephen Brown, 6-4 Ryan Lawlor, 5-6 Kendall Meyers. 6-6 De La Salle transfer Charles Barnes a big addition.

Oak Lawn

Jack Dempsey (13 ppg), 6-4 Marc Harvey (13 ppg/6.3 rpg), 6-3 Omar Saleh (6 ppg/7 rpg) back to lead bid for fifth straight SSC Red title. John Olejniczak (ACL) out for season. Three newcomers to watch: Jeffery Wilder, Ben Delberto, Lucas Olofson.

Reavis

Rams need to replace leading scorer Yikit Akgunlu. Top returners are G Damarion Dixon, 6-1 G Nick Pryor, 6-4 G Nikko Roberts, 6-0 F Blake Stefanek. Gs Faris Zughayer, Kacper Szymula will have bigger roles.

Richards

Bulldogs expect to take a major step forward, compete in SSC Red. Guards Travon Gourdine (19 ppg/5 rpg) and Shamar Buggs (8 ppg/5 rpg) are top vets. Messiah Horton, 6-7 Jordan Shaw and Sameer Childs also will be counted on to contribute.

Riverside-Brookfield

6-2 G Cameron Mercer (15 ppg) is getting D1 interest from Stanford, others. 6-6 Colin Chimino (Denison), 6-2 Ben Biskupic, 6-2 Liam Enright are also back and 6-2 soph Noah Van Tholen is one to watch. Upstate Eight title and deep playoff run are goals.

Sandburg

First 20-win season in years a goal, along with first regional title since 2002-03. 6-2 senior twin guards Will (14 ppg/7 rpg) and Josh Johnson (8 ppg/7 rpg) are back along with PG Malachi Perkins (9 ppg/5 apg) and 6-5 F Will Hooks.

Shepard

Astros expect big jump. Watch 6-9 soph Amari Williams (9 ppg/8 rpg). Other returners: G Aurion Lee-Barnes (9.5 ppg), 6-3 G Aaron Arrambide (10 ppg), 6-4 Kamil Mietus, Peter Primbas (torn ACL last year). Transfers 6-5 Brendin Thomas, 6-6 Kyree Tolar will help.

Stagg

Chargers went 1-29 last year but hope to build on late-season progress. 6-4 F Mohammad Farhan (6.4 ppg/6.6 rpg), 6-7 F Dovydas Zuperka (8.4 ppg/38% 3 PT), G Omar Barakat (6.6 ppg) lead vets. Petar Zoko, a 6-4 senior F who didn’t play last year, should help.

St. Laurence

Young and talented, aiming for top-4 finish in CCL Blue. Top returners: 6-2 F Markese Peoples, 6-3 G Reggie Stevens, 6-5 W Logan Brown (UIC offer), 6-1 G Noah Corro, 6-2 G Jeremiah Toney 60-4 F Sean Rice. 6-6 F Jacob Johnson a transfer from 2A state champ Dyett.

St. Rita

New coach Jim Sexton eyes CCL White, regional titles. Soph G Eze Nwagwu (14 ppg/5 5 apg), G Brendan McDevitt (9 ppg/4 rpg), 6-8 F Will Loehr (7 ppg/5 rpg), 6-4 F Blake Lisula (6 ppg/4 rpg) are back. Watch Michael Hampton, Mikey Flynn, Angelo Adams.