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THE INNOVATIVE AMPLIFICATION CONTINUES. MOST IMITATED, MOST RESPECTED, THE BEST.

Division I Talent at 2006 State Farm Holiday Classic
by Pat Benninger
December 21, 2006

This year’s State Farm Holiday Classic features some good teams and a lot of possible Division I talent in both the Class A and Class AA fields.

Heading the list of Class A players will be 6’2” Tennessee-Chattanooga signee, Brandon Dunson.  Currently averaging 16 ppg and 6 rpg, he has lead Bloomington Central Catholic to a 7-2 record.  He is in good company as he has support from 6’2” junior, Aaron Garriott, 5’8” sophomore, Tom Norton, and 6’3” Big Ten football recruit, Josh Brent.

Also featured will be 5’10” senior point guard, Travis Rosenkranz, who has been lighting the nets up this season.  His team, Macon Meridian, currently rates as one of the top Class A programs throughout the state and are looking to get a tournament title under their belt.  6’5” junior Dakota Getz and 5’10” freshman Trent Swigert have been doing a good job accompanying Rosenkranz, giving him must more help than he had last season.

Other players to keep an eye of throughout the event for the Class A tournament include 6’4” sharpshooter, Nick Michael, of St. Joseph-Ogden and 6’3” junior, Ben Netherton, of Rochester.  Look for Hartsburg-Emden and CPCI to have good turnouts.

In the Class AA field, South Holland Thornwood is picked the favorite to win the tournament for the second straight year.  6’3” three-point bomber, Trey Blue, received tournament MVP a year ago and is looking to do nothing less this season.  He comes back with more experience and is ready to lead his team to victory.  Returning starter and Blue’s backcourt mate, 6’2” Reggie Hamilton, garnered attention all summer and is looking to show why he now rates as one of the state’s elite guards.  Though he hasn’t played many high school games in his career due to a long list of injuries, 6’4” senior guard Colby Johnson, is back to prove himself as one of the state’s best guards, as he did freshman year.  The smooth ball handler can score, defend, dish, and rebound, and may just be the most talented prospect feature in the 16-team field.  Also look for 6’7” Steve Walker, who rates among the state’s elite sophomores and 6’4” DeAndre Taylor.  Coach Curan has produced many top players and winning teams throughout his career, and this year should be no different.

Chicago De La Salle are new to the tournament but will not be a team to sleep on.  They carry a very solid core of guards and are big an intimidating inside.  Look for seniors, Caleb “Hotsauce” Harris and 6’5” DeAndre Jackson to provide a lot of leadership.  Junior guards, Jeremy Leonard and Elliott Brown, will be keys on both ends of the floor as well as 5’10” sophomore reserve, Derek Needham.  This team has a legitimate shot at winning the tournament.

Mt. Zion will be the best team out of the Central Illinois area participating in the Class AA field.  6’4” junior Mark Yelovich and 5’10” sophomore guards, Caleb and Colby Long will look to lead the Braves to victory this season.  Their problem is depth.

Other players to watch include 6’5” Illinois State football recruit, Marcus King of Normal Community, Peoria Notre Dame’s Josh Edmonds and Chris Donnelly, 6’9” Rock Island project-Amin Ekalino, 6’2” junior-Rasheed Sallee and 6’2” senior-Ryne Brownfield of Urbana, 6’0” Lonnell Reeves and 5’10” freshman-Isiah Hale of Springfield, and 6’3” Sterling super-sophomore, Joseph Bertrand.