Spearman finds comfort zone at Simeon

Something changed for Brandon Spearman.

The 6-3 junior guard transferred from Hales Franciscan to Simeon over the summer, and on the first day of boys basketball practice Monday, it was obvious that he was already more comfortable with his new team than he was with his old one.

Spearman started for the Spartans as a freshman and played well, but he struggled last season and lost his starting spot.

‘‘Before he always played with his back to the basket,’’ Simeon coach Robert Smith said. ‘‘We‘ve changed that. I‘ve been really surprised by him. He has a very good mid-range jumper. I think he‘s going to shock a lot of people this season.’’

Oddly, Spearman is more highly-regarded as a college prospect by the national evaluators than the local ones. Most Illinois-based scouts rank him in the top 20 of the state‘s 2010 class, but one national service has Spearman ranked in the top 40 in the country.

Spearman was part of a major talent exodus from Hales. DJ Cooper and Jordan Walker both left for Seton and Josh Humphrey transferred to Crete-Monee.

‘‘It was a tuition problem with Brandon,’’ Smith said. ‘‘He lost his sponsor and couldn‘t afford to go there anymore.’’

The problem wasn‘t unique to Hales, as over a dozen high-profile players changed schools this summer.

Spearman will certainly help Simeon‘s chances this season, but he‘s just one of many unproved commodities on the Wolverines. For the first time since Smith took over the program four seasons ago, Simeon starts the season without a player committed to a Division I school.

‘‘Our challenge is going to be consistency,‘‘ Smith said. ‘‘I might not start a senior. I might go with the young guys to give them some confidence.‘‘

Jeremy Jones and Brandon Orange, two standout players from last season‘s squad that finished second in Class 3A, both return. Smith is also expecting big things from Steve Walker, a 6-5 senior, and Rashawn McElrath, a 6-5 sophomore.

Two other sophomores, starting point guard Tywon Pickney and 6-4 DeShawn Greer, will be major factors. Keep an eye on 6-5 junior Rob Robinson, who played brilliantly this summer and could be one of the most improved players in the area.

Smith doesn‘t expect Sondale Connor, a 6-4 sophomore who transferred from Brooks, to be eligible this season.

The Wolverines have finished the last three seasons playing in a state title game, and it isn‘t out of the realm of possibility that they can do the same this year, even though they are moving up to Class 4A.

‘‘This reminds me a lot of my first team,‘‘ Smith said. ‘‘They are inexperienced, but very talented.’’

Player Old School New School

Jarron Charles Marist Seton

Sondale Connor Brooks Simeon

DJ Cooper Hales Seton

Nik Garcia Niles West Evanston

Michael Haynes Washington Fenger

Crandall Head Rich South Crane

Jeremy Head Rich South Crane

Terry Johnson St. Rita North Lawndale

Mark Mack Young Providence-St. Mel

Wayne Simon Fenwick St. Joseph

Brandon Spearman Hales Simeon

Diamond Taylor St. Joseph Bolingbrook

Greg Tucker Young Lincoln Park

Jordan Walker Hales Seton

Glenn Wallace North Lawndale Proviso West

Jacob Williams St. Patrick Bartlett