Young is a worthy preseason top-ranked team. The Dolphins roster is loaded with talent, and they are the defending state champions.
But they are not the story of this season. That is located 45 miles north of Chicago, in the basketball-crazed city of Waukegan, between the ears of Illinois recruit Jereme Richmond.
Can Richmond impose his will on this season and create a legacy?
Three of his recent predecessors did. Jon Scheyer, Derrick Rose and Shaun Livingston each rose to the occasion, leading their schools to state championships and forever etching their names into the minds of prep basketball fans across the state.
Will Richmond accomplish that this season? Or will he follow in the footsteps of Eddy Curry and Julian Wright, superstar talents that fell short of their goals and didn't quite live up to their promise.
More than any other high school sport, basketball is about superstar talent -- and there have been few greater talents than Richmond in state history.
If Richmond's first three years of high school are any indication, watching him this season will be anything but boring. He's always been a polarizing figure, able to infuriate with some of his actions and inspire with his play on the court.
Richmond will be writing a weekly diary in the Sun-Times, which will give fans a chance to get to know him better and an inside look at his quest for a state championship and a lasting legacy.
1. YOUNG: The Dolphins ruined Richmond's trip to Peoria last season and are more than capable of doing the same this year.
Young has size and talent all over the roster with Anthony Johnson, Sam Thompson, Luke Hager, Jermaine Morgan and Tommy Hamilton Jr. But make no mistake about it: This team will live and die and run through guard Ahmad Starks. That probably is a good thing. Starks is capable, talented and intelligent, and this summer seemed to take the major step forward that so many players do between their junior and senior years.
2. WAUKEGAN: So what about Richmond's supporting cast? Simply put, it's a typical high school team. The Bulldogs aren't loaded with Division I prospects, but they know their roles and play together.
Quan Conner is the engine. The 6-1 senior is adept on the perimeter and in the paint. He plays hard, never seems rattled and has a knack for making big plays at big moments.
Jet-quick point guard Mike Springs is the stabilizing force. He rarely tries to do too much, understanding his role as a facilitator.
Junior Aaron Johnson and sophomore Akeem Springs should be much improved this season. Their emergence as solid contributors may determine just how far the Bulldogs go.
3. MOUNT CARMEL: At times this summer, the Caravan looked like the best team in the area. The three-guard tandem of junior Tracy Abrams, junior Adonis Filer and sophomore Malcom Hill-Bey is one of the best backcourts in the state, and 6-7 Jon Gac keeps improving. Abrams will be out until early December due to a right ankle injury.
''We are looking a little ragged right now,'' coach Mike Flaherty said. ''But there is a lot of talent.''
4. SIMEON: There is loads of talent in the sophomore, junior and even freshman classes for the Wolverines. But that is not going to matter this season. Two players will determine the fate of Simeon: seniors Brandon Spearman and Rob Robinson. Both have shown flashes of brilliance in their careers, but they need to become consistent forces for the Wolverines to win the Red South and make a run at the state title.
''There is always a lot negativity surrounding the Public League,'' Simeon coach Robert Smith said. ''But if you look at what we've accomplished in Peoria the past few years with us, Young, Marshall and North Lawndale -- it's been a very impressive run.''
5. FOREMAN: There isn't a team in the state craving a championship more than the Hornets. They want the city, they want the state, they want to bring respect to a North Side school that never has had any.
''That's why we all came here,'' senior Lavonte Dority said. ''To carve out our own thing at a school that has never been known for basketball. This is our last chance.''
Coach Terry Head has four Division I players at his disposal: Dority (South Florida), Mike McCall (St. Louis), Tommy Woolridge (Eastern Illinois) and Eddie Denard (UIC).
6. THORNTON: Reggie Smith is truly underrated. Yes, he's only 6 feet tall and isn't totally fundamentally sound. But who cares? He can jump out of the gym and is the most clutch player the state has seen in years. He wins, and often in spectacular fashion. Junior point guard Jay Parker is the perfect foil for Smith. Watch for junior Brian Green to make a solid contribution this season.
7. GLENBROOK NORTH: The Spartans were poised for a huge season even before 6-7 freshman Andrew McAuliffe started to turn heads this fall. Now, with a true post presence, the sky is the limit. Notre Dame recruit Alex Dragicevich is one of the state's best players, and Austin Weber emerged as a real threat last season.
8. NEUQUA VALLEY: The big three (Dwayne Evans, Kareem Amedu and Rahjan Muhammad) all are back after leading the Wildcats to a 31-2 record last season. But the supersectional loss to Dundee-Crown has many questioning just how far they ever will advance in the state playoffs.
9. ST. PATRICK: Jacob Williams is for real and worth the price of admission. Most area fans probably haven't had the chance to see him, but Williams is a definite high-major player. Smooth, inventive and athletic, he could take the Shamrocks a long way. Kourtney Darby, a 6-5 post player, is a warrior, and 6-7 Mike Johnson adds even more size in the paint. Guard play could be an issue.
10. ST. JOSEPH: No issues with guards in Westchester. The Chargers have more high-quality guards than anyone in the state: DeAndre McCamey, Wayne Simon, Brandon Carr and Cam Harvey all can get the job done. Mantas Dubauskas, a 6-5 senior, has carved out a reputation as the Dennis Rodman of the East Suburban Catholic. He's darn ornery, but awfully effective.
11. HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR: Jim McLaughlin earned rave reviews for his coaching job last season, getting much more than expected out of a group of unknowns. That won't be a factor this year. Julian Lewis (6-4), Ladon Singleton (6-4) and Courtney Jones (6-5) return, and the super trio of sophomores Tim Williams, Delvon Rencher and Tyrone Sherman all are one year older and should make major contributions.
12. EAST AURORA: Make sure to see the Tomcats this year. Junior guard Ryan Boatright has developed into a must-see player. He's a threat to score 40 points on any given night, and he will do it in style. He's not the only threat, though. Senior Tramell Weathersby, a 6-4 wing, is one of the area's most underrated players. The addition of Oswego East transfer Letrell Visor, a 6-1 junior, truly has made East Aurora a threat.
13. BROOKS: All the talk about potential is over. This is Chris Head's third year at Brooks, and he's not messing around. The Eagles' goals are clearly stated: Win the conference, win the city, win state.
The four talented juniors who have been playing varsity the past two seasons (George Marshall, Michael Powell, Keith Gray and Kevin Gray) have had plenty of seasoning. Marshall has carved out a reputation as one of the elite guards in the state, and Powell is a very underrated scorer.
14. DE LA SALLE: This is Mike Shaw's team now. Derek Needham graduated, and Dre Henley transferred to Brehm Prep. Freshman phenom Alex Foster should contribute immediately -- but for the Meteors to excel, Shaw has to step up and become the major star he's been touted as for the past two years.
''I'm really excited about this group,'' De La Salle coach Tom White said. ''Losing Henley is a blow, but there are plenty of kids ready to step up.''
15. VOCATIONAL: The Cavaliers were the city's Cinderella story last season, beating mighty Simeon twice before losing to them in the playoffs. The core of that team -- guard Hollis Hill and forward Aaron Williams -- are back.
16. NORTH LAWNDALE: The Phoenix lost plenty of talent, but a lot of size remains. Paul Bunch (6-10), Jermaine Winfield (6-5) and Javony Austin (6-5) present one of the most imposing front lines in the state. Point guard Stephen Thorpe returns, but finding capable guards will be the major issue.
17. CRETE-MONEE: Any way you look at it, last season was disappointing. Perhaps that will light a fire under Rocky Hill's squad this season. The talent remains. James Crockett, Mario Redmond, Kentrell King and Josh Humphrey are as athletic as any group in the state. Keep an eye on 6-9 Kalyn Shane and 6-8 Greg Mays.
18. HILLCREST: The Hawks return nine players from a team that finished 20-10 last year. Kent State recruit Eric Gaines and point guard Julius Brown lead the way. Kadeem Thornton, a 6-6 junior, is expected to step up and contribute.
19. HALES: The Spartans took their lumps last season, but it should pay off this year. Senior Patrick Miller is one of the most underrated players in the city. Jamie Adams, Aaron Armstead, Aaric Armstead and Ricardo Martin round out a deep and athletic squad.
20. MUNDELEIN: Casual fans may be surprised to see the Mustangs in the rankings, especially after they finished 12-18 last season. That was without Iowa recruit Ben Brust. He's back from injury and should be one of the more exciting players in the state. Add 6-8 forward Ryan Sawvell and 5-9 guard Leavon Head to the mix, and coach Richard Knar just might have the right formula for his run-and-shoot offense.
21. ORR: Here's another new face in the rankings. Orr is where former Englewood coach Lou Adams landed. He has brought in a ton of talent, including sophomore CJ Jones, Mycheal Henry, Malik Logan and Santino Siggers. Jones was the breakout star of the summer, vaulting into the top echelon of the state's 2012 class. He's talented, fearless and plays with a passion that likely will be contagious to his teammates.
22. MORGAN PARK: Curie transfer Wayne Blackshear is eligible, and that means the Mustangs are dangerous. Blackshear is one of the top juniors in the nation and became a much more assertive player over the summer. LeRon Smith, a 5-9 point guard; Homer Shingles, a 6-3 senior, and Jerome Brown, a 6-5 junior, all should contribute. And coach Nick Irvin is ecstatic about his incoming freshmen.
''We've got the best freshman class in the city,'' Irvin said, referring to the four freshmen the Mustangs will have on the varsity -- 6-9 Xavier Taylor, 5-10 Markee Williams, 6-1 Billy Garrett Jr. and 6-1 Terrance Quinn.
23. ZION-BENTON: With all the talented players lost to graduation, a lot of people probably are overlooking the Zee-Bees -- and that's a mistake. Lenzelle Smith still is there, and the Ohio State recruit alone will make them a force. There is plenty of size back as well, including 6-4 Paul Williams and 6-6 Owen Worthington.
24. LEO: Coach Noah Cannon has three All-Catholic League players back this season: Isaac Smith, Malcolm McFaland and Paul Beene. Cannon also is high on 6-6 junior Maurice Joiner and 6-7 freshman Russell Woods.
25. ST. IGNATIUS: Nnanna Egwu's commitment to Illinois this fall made him an instant fan favorite in the area. But the 6-10 junior isn't the only talent for the Wolfpack. Tyrone Staggers, a 6-4 junior, is entering his third year of varsity basketball. Joe Bulliner and Jack Fischer both contributed last season, but the backcourt likely will be the major issue for coach Rich Kehoe this season.
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