A flurry of stars are already off to rollicking starts to the high school boys basketball season in the Springfield area.  

Here is just a sample of players to follow this season, listed in no particular order. 

Connor Brown, Calvary  

The senior guard has already turned up clutch at the start of the season. He lifted the Saints to a thrilling 68-67 double-overtime win over Pleasant Plains with a big 3-pointer and the go-ahead free throws in the final minute — not to mention a block on the final defensive stand. Last season, he averaged 16 points, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game while leading Calvary to its first regional title since 2011. He was named Illinois Basketball Coaches Association all-state second team in 1A.  

JaiQuan Holman, Lanphier  

The junior guard is the only player back who reached the all-CS8 team last season. At 5-foot-11, he averaged 15.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game last season. Junior forward Shaunassey Hatchett Jr., who averaged 13.7 points and 7.1 rebounds, will also help present one of the top tandems in the area. 

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Cooper Schallenberg, Pleasant Plains 

The 6-2 junior guard is a true perimeter threat. He dialed up 24 points in the double-OT loss to Calvary. He was named all-Sangamo Conference third team last season.

Gannon Dodd, New Berlin 

The 6-4 senior forward averaged 17 points per game while leading the Pretzels to the Gene Bergschneider Turkey Tournament title. He is also a formidable defensive presence in the frontcourt alongside senior Lucas Bixby. Dodd garnered IBCA all-state second team in 1A and all-Sangamo first team with 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last winter. 

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Mason Marshall, Chatham Glenwood 

Coach Todd Blakeman returns to the sidelines after a brief hiatus. He inherits one of the top 3-point shooters in the Central State Eight Conference. The junior guard poured in 58 3-pointers at a 34.3% clip last season. He averaged 14.5 points per game and was all-CS8 special mention.  

Amaree Burries, Jacksonville 

The Crimsons could be on the upswing with this 6-foot-1 junior guard. Burries recently led Jacksonville to a thrilling 55-54 overtime win over Alton at the start of the season by scoring 14 of his team-high 19 points after halftime. He averaged 14.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game last season and was all-CS8 special mention.  

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Jamarion Bardwell, Sacred Heart-Griffin 

The Cyclones lost their whole starting lineup from the past two seasons that included the 2022 Class 3A state title. This athletic junior guard will help spur the new offense. He averaged 12.7 points per game through the first three contests of the season.  

JT Alexander, North Mac  

The 6-foot-7 senior forward will play at NCAA Division III Loras College. He carried the Panthers to a 17-15 mark last season with 15.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He was all-South Central Conference first team.  

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Bryson Mossman, Jacksonville Routt  

The electric sophomore guard will assume a larger role to help fill the void in the backcourt. He recently totaled 33 points with five 3-pointers in a 52-48 overtime victory over Macon Meridian in the Gene Bergschneider tournament.  

Drew Hayes, Lincoln 

The 6-4 junior forward notched a couple of double-doubles in the Eaton tournament at Roy S. Anderson Gymnasium to begin the season. He averaged 10 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in the tournament. He will command the glass following the departure of Payton Cook, who was IBCA all-state third team.  

Trevor Colwell, South County 

The senior guard averaged 17.8 points per game through the team’s first five games of the season. That included a 32-point performance with four 3s in a 63-55 win over Raymond Lincolnwood in the Gene Bergschneider tournament. He was all-MSM Conference first team last season.  

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Blake Shoufler, Williamsville 

The junior guard is a defensive quandary with his quickness and perimeter shooting. He converted six 3-pointers and totaled 27 points — including 14 points in the fourth quarter — in a 59-50 nonconference win over Macon Meridian. He averaged 6.3 points and 4.1 assists per game as a starter last season, but that production will likely soar following the graduation of Jacob Finley in the frontcourt.