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Verdell Jones III

Lewis Jackson

Big 12

Key Players

Verdell Jones*, Donald Stewart*, Keith Biggers, Jerry Exum, Zander Culver

Post the league's most biggest and most experienced backcourt.  The Maroons are one of the state's top teams.  6'4" Verdell Jones (18.6 ppg, 8 apg, 4 rpg) is the state's best point guard and 6'5" Donald Stewart is a top 15 and maybe the 2008 class' most underrated player.  They complement each other well as both have the ability to lead, score, and distribute.  Inside Keith Biggers is the brusier.  At 6'6" 250 lbs he combines great strength, a knack for rebounding, and a soft touch on his jumpshot.  High flying wing Jerry Exum has made big improvements in his game and will be a key on the boards and defensively.
 

Lewis Jackson*, Jeremy Robinson*, Jarod Oldham, Brock VanNordeck

Like Central, the Panthers boast two 1st team all-state candidates in Lewis Jackson (Purdue) and Jeremy Robinson (Illinois State).  Jackson averaged 15 points and 5.5 rebounds a season ago.  He will be looked upon for leadership on the floor.  Robinson (15 ppg, 7.5 rpg) will again be the key inside but won't have to carry the entire load by himself this year as 6'9" junior Brock VanNordeck has grown and added elements to his game.  6'3" sophomore Jarod Oldham looks as if he will be a major impact player this season with the 2007 class gone.  As a freshman he earned good minutes as a reserve and will be put in a scorer's role this season.
 

D'mitri Riggs*, Darieus Perry, Kenny King, Tylon McAllister, Tywon Howard (possible)

This is the first time in four seasons that Bloomington is without Justin Bocot (Southern Illinois) and Lonnie Lawrence (Lewis University).  The leadership and scoring role will fall heavily upon Purple Raider junior D'mitri Riggs.  The 6'3" guard has taken a backseat for the past two years but is now in control and must be a consistent impact performer for his team if they want success.  6'0" Kenny King (7 ppg, 7 apg, 5 spg) the only other returning starter and will need to do more scoring as well this season.  5'7" quickster Darieus Perry earned a reputation as a Division I prospect on the AAU circuit and must be a catalyst for this team.  6'2" Normal Community transfer Tywon Howard could be a big time key if he becomes eligible to play before the season begins.  The problem for this squad lies within their inside...Tylon McAllister is skilled but only stands, an exaggerated, 6'2".
 

James Kinney*, Rayvonte Rice, Bryson Johnson, Mikel Leshoure (possible)

The Chargers are stacked with quality guards this season.  Heading their squad is 6'1" James Kinney.  James started at the point guard role last season as a player who could score but was looked upon more to distribute to shooter Mike Locksey.  This season he will be used as more of a scoring threat than a distributor.  6'3" sophomore Rayvonte Rice had a great fall and is looking to carry over into the season.  He can score the ball with the best of them and will look to provide a big punch offensively.  He also has the ability to change a game on the defensive end.  5'10" junior point guard Bryson Johnson will also be looked upon to make big contributions.  He will be used as a distributor, punching the ball to Kinney and Rice allowing them to get good shots.  If they had a true inside presence, they would be one of the state's better teams but sadly, they are very small inside.  Mikel Leshoure is a beefy BCS football recruit and has been big inside since his freshman season but the senior may forego his final season as a hoopster and focus on the gridiron.
 

Best of the Rest (rank): Normal West (6), Normal Community (7), Decatur MacArthur (8), Danville (T9), Urbana (T9), Mattoon (T9)