When a school loses all of their starters from a state championship team, it’s natural to expect them not to be competitive the next year. When that same school gets to the state championship the next year behind a team led by four seniors that went on to play at division one schools, and another who is at an elite junior college, it would be a stretch to think they would even be competitive the next year. Right? Think again. Simeon has reloaded yet again, and is expected to be one of the elite teams in the state behind big time talents such as Brandon Orange, Rob Robinson, Brandon Spearman and Tywon Pickney.

One player who wasn’t expected at this time last year to ever be on a Simeon roster is former Chicago Brooks standout Sondale Conner. The talented wing, or “Sonny D” was a part of the storied class of 2011 that new coach Chris Head brought in that featured George Marshall, Keith and Kevin Grey, Mike Powell and others. After last season Conner felt it was time for a change in his life and became a Simeon Wolverine. Conner talked to Illinoishsbasketball.com about the decision…

“It was nothing personal (against Coach Head),” stated Conner. “It was just what I felt was the best thing for me to do. I didn’t think Brooks was the right school for me academically, and basketball wise I didn’t quite like the coaching style there. I felt like going to Simeon would be better for me all around, and I thought I could benefit from playing for Coach Rob (Smith).”

Conner is happy about the transfer, and looking forward to the season. “I am looking forward to playing in the big games and can’t wait to play because i didn’t really play much last season (as a freshman on varsity). I feel really welcomed by the team,” said the 6′4 wing.

For the latest on Conner and Simeon, it’s all illinoishsbasketball.com…

2011 star Chasson Randle (Rock Island) took in a visit on University of Wisconsin’s campus this past weekend. He got a chance to talk with coaches and academic advisers, caught a football game, and toured the campus and facilities.

“It was good,” said Randle of the visit, “I loved it they showed me the campus, the football game was crazy, and the student section was loud. I got a good feel for everything and had good talk with Coach Ryan and Coach Close they guys are pretty good I enjoyed it.

“The campus and the coaches are what really stood out in my mind. I just really liked the talk I had with them and I enjoyed it. They showed me around everything, arena, and weight room we also talked with the academic advisers.”

Alongside Randle on his unofficial visit were Illinois Wolves teammates Devon Hodges and Nnana Egwu. “It was real comforting, I could talk with somebody and tell them my comments. We also had fun we were telling jokes, just playing around, i definitely have fun with my teammates,” Randle said.

In the meantime, Randle is excited for upcoming season and poised to lead Rock Island to new heights. “Man, man, man am I excited about the upcoming season. I am really exited I just got done working out with my team at open gym. I am really looking forward to the season.”

Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, and Purdue are all among the schools recruiting Randle the hardest at this point in time.

“I have been to all of their campuses, but I am going to check out Illinois again soon, maybe even this weekend I just want to get a good look at the campus.”

Class of 2011 star Jacob Williams has now finalized his transfer into Bartlett High School. Williams was in an unfortunate situation at St. Pat’s after allegedly stealing an iPod, and being expelled.

“I’m at Bartlett. I started going yesterday,” confirmed Williams. “It’s good so far, I haven’t played yet, but I met some of the players.”

At first thought Williams had thoughts of sitting out the high school season and working with trainer Tim Grover. However that is the not case now as Williams has familiarized himself with the situation at Bartlett. “I’m playing this year at Bartlett. I met the coach he is a good guy.”

“Yeah I’m glad I get a fresh start, first day of school was fun, I was nervous. I have made some friends already, I got my classes straight. I might play in open gym tomorrow.”

After being awarded MVP of 15U USSSA National Championship in Ft.Wayne, Indiana Williams exploded onto the scene and began hearing from the who’s who of college basketball. He popped onto Illinoishsbasketball.com’s radar when he put out a dazzling performance at Daniel Poneman’s 8th Grade All Star Game.

Class of 2011 star Jacob Williams formerly of St. Patrick High School recently got caught up in a bad situation and is looking for a new a school as a result of the incident.

Williams got kicked out of the private school after he allegedly took an iPod from another student. According to Williams nothing was stolen and it was a big misunderstanding that will soon be resolved. “I was messing with my friend and he didn’t know (that I was just messing around) so he reported (the incident). Then he found out (that I was just messing around), and he didn’t care that I had (the IPod), but the school didn’t take it that way,” explained Williams.

What’s next for this 2011 budding star? “I go to get my transcripts tomorrow and see if I can get into Bartlett. I got a house out there, my daddy stays (in Hanover Park). If I don’t play at Bartlett I’m going to just work out with Tim Grover a lot. I think it be will unfair out at Bartlett, and I really don’t want to play out there. I really like St. Pats a lot, and if everything goes right I should be able to go back next year when I have my license.”

If things don’t work out with St. Pats, Williams has options. “Yeah other schools have contacted me: Von Steuben, Foreman, Gordon Tech, Glenbard East, and there were some more schools, but I wasn’t trying to hear it.”

Illinois, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Oregon, Oregon State, Northwestern, Kansas, Purdue, Akron, Iowa State, and Florida among others were some of the schools expressing interest in Williams and checking him out in open gym this fall.

Last weekend several big named basketball recruits took in a football game, toured the facilities, and mingled with the coaches at the University of Illinois. Among those big named prospects included 2011 standout Wayne Blackshear. Blackshear is without a doubt one of the elite prospects in the state of Illinois and across the nation. On Friday he spoke with illinoishsbasketball.com on how he feels about the University of Illinois and about his expectations for the visit, that he has now already taken, to Texas.

The 6 foot 5 Curie shooting guard is going to have many colleges to choose from when it comes time for him to declare his college intentions. After a stellar summer with the Mac Irvin Fire and a great showing at the Reebok All-American camp, Blackshear has the full attention of eite colleges across the nation. However, this past weekend Blackshear got his very first official scholarship offer on his very first college visit at the University of Illinois.

“Illinois was my first visit I have been on so it was pretty eye opening and fun. I got to go to a college football game that I had never been to before. I met with college players and coaches for the first time and went around the facilities and everything it was really nice,” said Blackshear.

While Blackshear said he is in no hurry to commit he did say this about Illinois:“Yeah I could see myself playing there- a lot of good, and top players like myself have gone there. Some of them are in the classes ahead of me, but I could see myself going there,” he added.

After tripping to Champaign this past weekend, Blackshear is heading even farther south down to University of Texas where he will accompanied by Mac Irvin Fire coach Mike Irvin and teammate Mike Shaw. Blackshear will again take in a football game, midnight madness, tour the facilities, and mingle with players and coaches.

What is Blackshear expecting this time around? “The same thing when I went to Illinois. You know take me around the school and facilities meet the players and coaches.”

As for schools keeping tabs on Blackshear in open gym this fall the list includes: Florida, Purdue, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and SIU among others. Blackshear is still recovering from a bum ankle but says he its feeling better daily.

Hayden Hoerdermann is continuing his mini tour around the Big Ten by visiting Northwestern this weekend, after a weekend trip to University of Illinois and Iowa before that. Hoerdermann not only hoops for Bloomington Central Catholic but plays varsity soccer also. After suffering a disappointing loss to the end his soccer season, this 2011 gunner was found in open gym the very next day, only to have Northwestern Head Coach Bill Carmondy and assistant Taveras Hardy drop through and check in on him. He plans to take an official to Wisconsin soon as well.

I just got a text from Hayden saying he is looking for parking for the NU football game. He said there aren’t any open lots and he’s going to have to pay $20 to park! Him and his dad drove up this morning, and are weighing their options as to what they are doing the rest of the weekend. They mentioned possibly going down to champaign for the Illini football game later, or staying the night and touring NU on Sunday. Another possibility would be attending Sundays Pangos all freshman sophomore camp, which I will be attending to scout out young talent.