Last season’s 27 wins were the most Lockport basketball has won in four decades and marked the first 20-win season since 2011. With the bulk of that team returning, there is plenty of hope — bordering hype — for this upcoming season.
An experienced group fresh off a strong summer and with high expectations this winter, coach Dave Wilson’s team will vault into the preseason Super 25 this November. The preseason expectations also open the door for another big opportunity.
While the Porters have been a regular at the prestigious Pontiac Holiday Tournament for many years, they’ve been absent from other high-profile events. But with the release of the matchups for the annual When Sides Collide event, Lockport gets a chance to play on a big stage.
“We are honored and grateful to compete in a great event and on the same stage with such notable programs,” Wilson said.
Wilson, who was hired in 2023 after nine years as head coach at Andrew, points out this is the first class he’s been with all the way through their four years at Lockport. They took on Wilson’s immediate program mindset, including the mantra, “How we do anything is how we do everything.”
“Be disciplined in the classroom and the weight room, be competitive and tenacious in practice, be diligent in film study and in being a good teammate,” Wilson said. “They have done that. And to be included in this event is incredibly rewarding for this group that has given the school, coaching staff and community everything they have.”
Here are the matchups for this year’s When Sides Collide on January 23 at Benet.
Mount Carmel vs. Oswego
The opener brings several young, talented pieces together with Mount Carmel’s sophomore tandem of Ronald Johnson and DK Heard and Oswego juniors Ethan Vahl and 6-10 Cole Jansons.
Bolingbrook vs. Neuqua Valley
The state’s two best players — Bolingbrook’s Brady Pettigrew and Neuqua Valley’s Cole Kelly— meet again. Throw in Illinois recruit Mason Martin, arguably the state’s best shooter, and the fact both teams will be highly ranked again, and it’s possibly the marquee matchup of the season.
Evanston vs. Lockport
With four returning starters back from a 27-win team, including junior guard Ben Ojala, perennial power Evanston is loaded. Upstart Lockport, led by twins Nojus and Nedas Venckus, will have a lot of eyes on it as the Porters get a shot at a highly-ranked team in a premier event.
Benet vs. East St. Louis
A fresh face from the southern part of the state heads to the Chicago area as the defending Class 3A state champs look to repeat. The Flyers will have their hands full with Benet’s Ed Stasys and the always-raucous atmosphere.
Team Rose Shootout matchups set
An early-season event that will draw plenty of eyes is the annual Team Rose Chicagoland Shootout.
This massive 13-game event, which is spread out over two days, will bring several ranked teams and top prospects to Mount Carmel on Dec. 12-13.
While a Public League vs. Catholic League battle — Kenwood vs. Benet — will highlight the first day of action, day two features several early-season showdowns.
The headliner includes a deep and loaded St. Laurence, led by Central Michigan recruit Markese Peoples, squaring off with Kelly, Martin and Neuqua Valley. Talented and youthful Mount Carmel faces Homewood-Flossmoor and point guard Darrius Hawkins, and Bolingbrook, featuring the state’s top prospect Brady Pettigrew, meets talented St. Ignatius in the Sunday finale.