Top Thanksgiving Tournaments in Illinois

Pictured Lenzelle Smith

Written by Illinois Prep Bulls-eye

The only thing that is more enjoyable during Thanksgiving week than a turkey dinner with all of the trimmings is the glut of Thanksgiving tournaments that span the entire state of Illinois and mark the official start of the high school basketball season. From Chicago to Decatur and beyond, there is plenty to whet the appetite of any basketball junkie. With that in mind, here is a look at what we consider to be the top Thanksgiving tournaments in the state this season.

Lane Tech Tournament

Dates: November 24-26, 28-29
Location: Lane Tech H.S.--Chicago
Top Teams: Zion (Zion-Benton), Chicago (Mt. Carmel), Evanston (Township)

Not as deep overall as it was last year, but still plenty of talent at the top. The top matchup will be on Wednesday, November 26 as last year's class 4A state tournament runnerup Zion-Benton, led by 6'4 class of 2010 prospect and Ohio State commit Lenzelle Smith does battle against Mt. Carmel and 6'0 point guard Tracy Abrams , who is one of the top prospects in the state from the class of 2011.

Dan McGovern Classic

Dates: November 24-26, 28-29
Location: St. Rita H.S.--Chicago
Top Teams: South Holland (Seton Academy), Chicago (Lincoln Park),Chicago (Payton), Chicago (St. Ignatius)

Seton Academy is expected to be the top team in the state in class 2A and there is no question that they will be tested against quality competition right off the bat. Plenty of D1 prospects on hand at this tournament, including 5'9 class of 2009 point guard D.J. Cooper ( Ohio University) , 6'5 shooting guard Tony Nixon ( Northern Illinois) , 6'6 class of 2009 wing Jordan Walker (undecided) 6'5 class of 2009 shooting guard Chris Eversley ( Rice ), 6'5 class of 2009 wing Cortney Bell
(undecided), 6'7 class of 2010 post Mike Gabriel and 6'3 class of 2010 shooting guard Greg Tucker . St. Ignatius will be without their top two players--6'3 Mario Knezovic and 6'8 class of 2011 post Nnana Egwu --due to injuries. However, if there is anyone who can rebound from it it is St. Ignatius head coach Rick Kehoe , who we believe is one of the best coaches in the state.

Billy Schnurr Thanksgiving Classic

Dates: November 24, 26, 28
Location: Niles West H.S.--Skokie, IL
Top Teams: Lake Forest (H.S.), Northbrook (Glenbrook North), Richton Park (Rich South)

A possible championship game on November 28 between Lake Forest and Glenbrook North would be an absolute dandy. If it happens, it would see Lake Forest's 6'4 shooting sensation and Michigan commit Matt Vogrich do battle against 6'6 class of 2010 shooting guard Alex Dragicevich. Rich South's back court tandem of Kendrick Morse and Macari Brooks is also one to watch.

Chicago Heights Thanksgiving Classic

Dates: November 24-26, 28-29
Location: Marian Catholic H.S.--Chicago Heights, IL
Bloom Township H.S.--Chicago Heights, IL
Top Teams: Country Club Hills (Hillcrest), Park Forest (Rich East),Chicago Heights (Bloom), Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic)

This tournament has a bit of a different look this year, but still remains the top Thanksgiving tournament in Chicago's south suburbs. Hillcrest and Rich East appear to be the favorites, but either one of the hometown schools (Bloom or Marian Catholic) are capable of disrupting the apple cart.

Decatur Thanksgiving Tournament

Dates: November 25-26, 28-29
Location: Stephen Decatur Middle School--Decatur, IL
Top Teams: Bolingbrook (H.S.), Harvey (Thornton), Decatur (Eisenhower), Mt. Zion (H.S.), Springfield (Lanphier), Peoria (Central)

As one can see, there is hardly a weak team in this field and it is absolutely loaded with individual talent as well. An opening night matchup between Bolingbrook and Peoria Central will be a huge drawing card, as it will see 6'3 guard and Wisconsin commit Diamond Taylor go up against 5'10 freshman point guard sensation Antonio "Bobo" Drummond (our #1 ranked prospect in Illinois from the class of 2012). Other top players participating in this tounament include 6'0 class of 2010 guard Reggie Smith , 5'9 class of 2011 point guard Jay Parker , 6'3 class of
2010 guard Jarod Oldham , 6'7 Brock Van Nordeck , 5'11 twins Caleb and Colby Long , 6'6 Wisconsin-Green Bay commit Troy Snyder , 5'10 Loyola-Marymount commit Lawrence Thomas , 6'2 class of 2010 point guard Karl Madison and 6'5 class of 2011 wing Travis Kellum .

Lincoln Thanksgiving Tournament

Dates: November 26, 28-29
Location: Lincoln H.S.--Lincoln, IL
Top Teams: Champaign (Centennial), Peoria (Manual), East St. Louis
(Senior), O'Fallon (H.S.), Lincoln (H.S.)

This tournament features an outstanding balance of teams from top to bottom. An especially good array of underclass talent will be on display, including 6'3 class of 2010 wing Rayvonte Rice , 6'1 class of 2011 guard Keonta Minor and 6'4 class of 2011 wing Charles Joy . In addition, you have a pair of quality prospects from the class of 2009 in 6'1 Ohio University commit James Kinney and 5'11 point guard Paris Gulley . Peoria Manual is expected to battle Seton Academy all season long for the honor of being the top-ranked team in the state in Class 2A. And Lincoln teams are always well-coached and guaranteed to compete.

Trusted Choice Tournament Of Champions

Dates: November 26-29
Location: Washington H.S.--Washington, IL
Eureka College--Eureka, IL
Top In-State Teams: Chicago (De LaSalle), Lake Forest (Academy), Washington (H.S.), Bartonville (Limestone)
Top National Teams: Kinston (H.S.) NC, Fayetteville (Fayette County)
GA, North Richland Hills (Richland) TX, Tampa (Sickles) FL

There isn't another Thanksgiving tournament in the state that does a better job of bringing together top high school teams from Illinois as well as attracting top national talent. For all of the information regarding schedules, matchups and starting times, we encourage everyone to visit the Trusted Choice web site at
http://www.trustedchoicetofc.com/ .

Waukegan Thanksgiving Tournament

Dates: November 26, 28-29
Location: Waukegan H.S.--Waukegan, IL
Top Teams: Waukegan (H.S.), Gurnee (Warren Township), Bartlett (H.S.)

We are still awaiting word on whether 6'5 class of 2011 prospect Jacob Williams will be ruled eligible at Bartlett after transferring there from St. Patrick, but this shapes up as a quality tournament regardless, with any of the four participating teams capable of winning it. A pair of University of Illinois commits will be on hand in 6'3 class of 2009 prospect Brandon Paul from Warren and 6'7 class of 2010 prospect Jereme Richmond from Waukegan. Those two will do battle versus one another as Warren takes on Waukegan the night of November 29.