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Dolphin senior Samuel Thompson is headed to Ohio State.
Photo by Christopher Kays
Head coach: Tyrone Slaughter
2009-2010 record: 23-7, Illinois Class 4A runner-up
Key returnees: Nate Brooks (6-5, 205, Jr., F),
Luke Hager (6-8, 210, Sr., F),
Thomas Hamilton (6-10, 250, So., F/C),
Jermaine Morgan (6-8, 210, Jr., F), Kwai Pearson (6-0, 170, Sr., G),
Derrick Randolph (5-7, 150, Jr., G),
Samuel Thompson (6-6, 190, Sr., G/F, Ohio State)
Keep an eye on: Jahlil Okafor (6-8, 250, Fr., F), Paul White (6-7, 180, Fr., F)
Scouting report: Not many teams pass the eye test quite like Whitney Young. And since Tyrone Slaughter arrived in 2005, not many teams have won with as much frequency as the Dolphins.
Despite some struggles in high-profile games over the past two seasons, Whitney Young has still piled up 49 wins with a state title in 2009. Slaughter's five-year record is 115-42 (.732). Expect that winning percentage to improve this winter with a roster packed with future college players.
Leading the way is Thompson, who averaged 9.8 points per game as a junior. He showed the ability to take over games, including 17 points and 14 rebounds in a regular-season win over Simeon and 28 points and 13 rebounds against Foreman.
The second-leading scorer was Hamilton at 9.1 points per game to go along with 7.8 rebounds. Big things are expected of the massive sophomore post. He will team with Whitney Young's latest freshman phenom Okafor to give the program a frontline that is unrivaled in terms of size and potential in high school basketball. Both are considered elite college prospects.
Guard play will be a question with Ahmad Starks now at Oregon State. Randolph and Pearson will be asked to carry the load.
Under Slaughter, the Dolphins haven't hesitated to take on all comers. The prestigious City of Palms Classic is part of the ambitious scheduling this winter.
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