The Pontiac tournament should have a great turnout in attendance this season considering all of the state ranked prospects expected to play, 40+ in total.

The two top teams in the tournament will be Dodie Dunson’s Bloomington Raiders and Derrick Rose’s Simeon Wolverines. Simeon captured the number one position while Bloomington barely slipped into the number two spot. Other teams involved in the shootout include Warren Township, Oak Park, Danville, Pontiac, Lane Tech, United Township, Peoria Manual, Niles West, Curie, Lake Forest, Lockport, Aurora West, Springfield, and Joliet Township.

Some of the more talented seniors participating in this event include Bloomington’s 6’2” Dodie Dunson and 6’3” Brandon Holtz, who combine to average over 30 of the Raiders points per game. Simeon will bring in Tim Green who is the defensive key for a very talented and traditionally athletic Simeon. Sead Odzic should be the top performer for the Wolves of Niles West considering he has been their leading scorer for the past three seasons. Former class of 2006 prodigy, Alphonso Dillard, is now in his senior season at Peoria Manual and is working hard to put his name back on the map. The Steelman’s 2003-2004 season point guard, LeAaron Pierce, is back and more fierce, trying to prove Ohio recruit, Jeremy Fears, wasn’t the only key to Joliet’s success last season. Newly named senior sensation, George Guoard, is trying to live up to the freshly built hype installed around him while Lake Forest duo, Ryan Paxon and Dan Nelms, are both trying to lead their team to early victories.

Though the class of 2006 doesn’t have the best turnout of Illinois talent this season, they still convey an array of solid players. Leading the pack will be Warren’s Jordan Dalton who recently bounced back from a leg injury which occurred at the Illinois Spotlite Shootout earlier this fall. Aurora West is down this season without their class of 2004 player powerhouse though T.J. Marion and Johnnie Walker might be able to take them far on the offensive end bearing in mind every member of their team generate mayhem on the defensive end. Other returning varsity juniors include Joliet’s Eric Wormley, Bloomington’s Brent Holtz, and Victor Colon of Niles West, who should all start for their teams this season.

The broadest outcome of top prospects by class has to come from the sophomores of the class of 2007. Of course, heading all headlines is the state’s greatly known, Derrick “Pooh” Rose of Simeon, who comes in averaging 16 points per challenge. The Wolverines also provide 6’5” sophomore, Tim Flowers and 6‘3“ wing, Bryant Orange. The name Justin Bocot is becoming greatly known throughout the households of high school hoops fans. He is second leading in scoring for the Raiders of Bloomington and is out to prove he is the best prospect in the tournament. 6’4” post, Lonnie Lawrence, is also another known Bloomington prospect. Warren is deep in talent for this class with three highly touted sophomores in Ceola Clark (starting guard), Shannon Adams, and 6’1” Logan Derrick. The top known sophomore at Joliet would have to be D.J. Dantzler. But 5’8” Myron Harris is back and better. In 2002, he led his 8th grade team to a second place class AA state title. Lockport will present Bruce Durham, a transfer from Joliet Township, who recently poured in 17 points against Bloom Township. Manual’s leading scorer from last year, Breland McKnight, is back with more experience. He should be fun to watch along with newly added, Chicago Curie’s Darreon Ingram. Kendall Burrage of United Township is also a fair contender in this contest. He can shoot the ball with range.

Freshman, Tony Jones of Springfield, recently dropped in 20 points against some stiff competition. He is projected to be the second best in his class playing a part in the shootout. Peoria’s best freshman, Thomas Foreman, should be the showstopper for the freshmen in this meticulous holiday tournament. He is considered the best rebounder in his class.

Other talented players anticipated to partake in this huge venue include seniors-Dante Harris and Jordan Ruiz of United Township, Wesley Ware of Bloomington, Jackie Hunt of Niles West, Noah Beveridge of Springfield, Juan Brown and Tristian Moore of Simeon, juniors-Andreas Coleman of Danville, Jeremy Jackson of Peoria Manual, Josh Davis and Randall Hampton of Simeon, Marvin Bembry of Warren, sophomores-Jonathon Reed of Danville, Cory Hainlen of Bloomington, Eric Cogdill of United Township, and Dieterich Richardson and Quinton Johnson of Peoria Manual.

Games begin December 27 at 9:00 a.m. at Pontiac Township High School. Tickets cost $6 per session. Go to http://www.pontiac.k12.il.us/HolidayTournament/ for more information.