15 AREA PLAYERS TO WATCH
By Ryne Turke
AMAREE BURRIES
SR GUARD
JACKSONVILLE
2023: 13-19
Things couldn’t have started better for the Crimsons last season, jumping out to an 8-4 record and picking up wins against Alton, Lincoln and Rochester. An injury to Amaree Burries put a halt to the Crimsons momentum and they never looked like the same team, even after his return. Now fully healthy and coming off a lights out summer, Burries is ready to thrive. He’s an easy 20 points a night thanks to his elite playmaker skills. Jacksonville brings back the core of their roster, Masen Johnson and Ryan McCombs, and should introduce some exciting underclassmen. The future is extremely bright for Jacksonville, but the keys to the Crimsons belong to Burries.
BRYSON MOSSMAN
JR GUARD
ROUTT CATHOLIC
RECORD: 21-12
No player in the WIVC is more vital to their team’s success than Bryson Mossman to Routt Catholic. Mossman burst onto the scene as a freshman and continues to rise the ranks as one of the top players in the area. An elite shooter that isn’t afraid to finish in the post, Mossman is a nightmare for opposing defenses. Routt was the surprise team of the WIVC last year, picking up 21 wins on the back of Mossman’s 21 points-per-game. Routt should take another step in the right direction with Adam Abell, Brady Turner, Kellen Creviston and Eli Olson back on the court. Mossman, the honorable mention all-state selection, is ready to take his game to the next level.
CAM SIEVERS
SR GUARD
WEST CENTRAL
RECORD: 36-3
The defending 1A IHSA State Champions aim to defend their title without the services of Zack Evans, Chance Little and Mason Berry. While the odds are against them, never count out Cougars and head coach Ryan Sichting. They’ll bring physical defense and contend with every opponent in the area. Cam Sievers is ready to step in as one of several leaders for West Central. The offense should run through Sievers, who’ll jump from sixth man to starting point guard. Don’t forget about Ryker Ford and Carson Brown, two important pieces of West Central’s state championship. Keep an eye on Anthony Hance and Charlie Smith, two players set to make their marks in the new era of West Central basketball.
LAUREN FLOWERS
SR GUARD
CARROLLTON
2023: 22-9
Flowers was one of the top two-way players in the area in 2023, dropping 20 points, nine rebounds and three steals a night. With elite handles and an unstoppable post game, the Illinois State softball commit is poised for an even bigger 2024 campaign. Carrollton’s senior class, Harper Darr, Abby Flowers and Megan Camden, may be the most talented in the WIVC. They’ve got the perfect recipe for a huge season. Big things are brewing for the Lady Hawks.
JOSH HARRIS
JR FORWARD
ILLINOIS COLLEGE
2023: 24-5
Last season set a new standard for Illinois College basketball, as the Blueboys won their second consecutive conference championship and clinched their first NCAA postseason victory. Plenty of new faces will make their debut in the Hilltop rotation this season, but Josh Harris is the name to watch. He’ll have the green light all season and bring instant energy to Illinois College. It doesn’t take Harris long to find his rhythm, routinely scoring in bunches and feeding off the electric Blueboys home crowd. Harris should easily double his offensive career highs and is my favorite to win Midwest Conference Player of the Year.
CARSON ARTHALONY
SR FORWARD
PORTA AC
2023: 30-2
Coming off an all-sangamo selection, Arthalony will be the focal point of a very talented PORTA squad. Arthalonly should easily eclipse her numbers from last year, 11 points and six rebounds, with a big boost in blocks. The future Illinois College Lady Blue is a can’t miss Central Illinois prospect.
LUKE FARRIS
JR FORWARD
NORTH GREENE
2023: 8-21
One of the more underrated players in the WIVC. Farris, who earned 2nd team WIVC honors last year, gives you a little of everything on the court. He’s a player you can build around and makes everyone else on the court better. Farris and Garret Hazelwonder are a solid 1-2 punch for the up and coming Spartans. They should guide North Greene to double-digit victories with a few big upsets along the way.
CARSON WORT
SR GUARD
PAWNEE
2023: 10-20
Wort’s football resume speaks for itself, earning all-state honors and guiding Pawnee to an undefeated regular season. Now he takes his talents to the hardcourt, where he’s shown he can hang with the big dogs. Wort has always been a player that caught my eye at the Waverly Holiday Tournament, fearlessly driving the lane and putting his body on the line for the bucket. The last time Pawnee finished about .500 in a season was back in 2016, is this the year the Indians make a run?
CALEB CARPENTER
SR GUARD
TRIOPIA
2023: 12-15
Carpenter’s senior season should be a special one. Offensively he’s the top option for the Trojans, with the ability to hit the three and score off the dribble. Losing the size and versatility of KJ Beck and Austin Strubbe will hurt the Trojans, but Andrew Hobrock and Barrett Whitehead are ready to step in as stars in the Triopia rotation. Triopia needs to find a way to use their speed to an advantage, so expect plenty of fast breaks and nonstop action from Carpenter and Co.
LANE EILERMAN
SO GUARD
CALHOUN
2023: 23-12
Fans of Central Illinois basketball are already well aware of Lane Eilerman. As a freshman, Eilerman averaged 19 points-per-game in the postseason and helped the Warriors go on a torrid second half run. What makes Eilerman even more dangerous is the depth of Calhoun. Conner Longnecker, a career 1,000 point scorer, is always a mismatch in the post, while Drew Wallendorf, Jack Henrichs-Graner and Jack Zipprich will make you pay on the perimeter. Good luck defending this squad, because when they’re clicking they can’t be beat. Calhoun is the favorite to win the WIVC.
LUKE BLACKFORD
JR FORWARD
SPRINGFIELD CALVARY
2023: 25-10
Blackford is coming off a stelar sophomore campaign where he averaged 21 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3 steals a night. There’s not another small school forward in the area that can match Blackford’s skill sets, making him a strong candidate for all-state honors. With Connor Brown at Illinois College, Blackford is now the unquestioned leader of Calvary.
TALON ALBRECHT
SR GUARD
GREENFIELD NORTHWESTERN
RECORD: 20-13
GNW has been a model of consistency, racking up three straight 20 win seasons under coach Joe Pembrook. Talon Albrecht, already a 1,000 point scorer, returns as the go-to offensive option for the Tigers. When in doubt, the Tigers will give the ball to Albrecht to come up with clutch plays. Albrecht should easily eclipse his 14 PPG from last year as the Tigers look for another solid season.
KAI BRUCE
JR GUARD
ROCHESTER
RECORD: 16-18
Rochester caught fire in the postseason, capturing a regional championship and laying the foundation for big things to come. Sharpshooter Kai Bruce takes the reins for the Rockets, fresh off hitting 59 three-pointers last year. Bruce and sophomore Eli Cox look like the real deal as the Rockets will be a contender in a loaded Central State Eight.
CLARK NELSON
SR FORWARD
SOUTH COUNTY
2023 RECORD: 24-9
The Vipers jumped out to a tremendous start in 2023, grabbing nine wins before Christmas and securing the top seed at the Waverly Holiday Tournament. South County’s historic season included 24 wins, plus Trevor Colwell and Noah Lyons reached 1,000 career points. The Vipers bring back some depth, but will lean on Clark Nelson to set the tone with frequent double-double performances. Coach Josh Krumwiede makes the jump from Athens to South County. He’ll bring energy and plenty of wins to the Viper program.
MASON MARSHALL
SR GUARD
GLENWOOD
2023: 20-12
The best perimeter threat in the Central State Eight. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Marshall win the Central State Eight scoring title, he’s that good. With a talented supporting cast, including Tennessee baseball commit Cam Appenzeller, Glenwood should be in the mix for the conference championship.
