High School Lites Preview: Week 5

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High School Lites has plenty of unique boys and girls basketball highlights this week as our cameras will be all across the city and suburbs.

We'll features some conference matchups and crossover games, as well as a girls basketball tournament starting its first year at Glenbard West.

Check out a brand-new edition of High School Lites on Friday night at 11 p.m. on NBC Sports Chicago.

T.F. South at Eisenhower, 3:30 p.m. --  We start with a South Suburban crossover in this one. T.F. South (6-8, 3-1) is coming off of a tough 1-3 stretch at the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic but senior Elijah Watson is a player to watch at forward. Eisenhower (10-4, 2-2) dropped the IC Catholic title game to Tinley Park as that loss snapped a five-game winning streak.

Tinley Park at Oak Lawn, 7:00 p.m. --  We stay in South Suburban with another crossover between two intriguing teams. Tinley Park (11-4, 3-1) is led by the state's best sophomore in forward AJ Casey is the Titans just won the IC Catholic title earlier this week. Oak Lawn (12-2, 3-1) placed third at Effingham as they fell to Lincoln-Way East in the semifinals. The senior duo of Sami Osmani and Trey Ward is key for the Spartans in this one.

Thornridge at Rich East, 6:00 p.m. -- A conference clash in the Southland between two teams who just played over the holidays. Rich East (9-5, 2-1) was the runner-up at the Big Dipper as they outlasted Thornridge (4-6, 1-3) for a second-round win, 59-46, on Dec. 26. The Rockets will be favored in this one as they've played a tough schedule and been competitive against top-25 teams. 

Romeoville at Oswego East, 6:30 p.m. -- We check in on some talented teams in this Southwest Prairie crossover. Romeoville (8-7, 4-1) had a tough go at Centralia as senior Destin Whitaker, a Fresno State commit, made first-team all-tournament there. Oswego East (10-4, 4-1) finally has their full lineup now that senior forward Sam Schultz has returned from a knee injury. Schultz and senior guard Will Wolfe form one of the league's most formidable one-two combos for the Wolfpack.

Huntley at Burlington Central, 6:30 p.m. -- A rare Fox Valley Friday night game in this one. Huntley (10-3, 3-1) is one of the teams to watch in the Fox Valley as they're led by Uchenna Egekeze and Ryan Sroka. Burlington Central (9-4, 2-3) made it to the title game of the Plano Christmas Classic before falling to Peoria Notre Dame. Jake Lenschow and Josh Hudgens both made the all-tournament team during the event for the Rockets. 

Glenbard South at East Aurora, 7:00 p.m. -- The Upstate Eight hosts two 3-1 teams here. Glenbard South (8-3, 3-1) placed third in the Glenbard West Holiday Tournament with a 3-1 record as Brandon Malone was an all-tournament selection. East Aurora (8-6, 3-1) is also in the Upstate Eight mix as these two teams try to stay with Glenbard East and Fenton.

I.C. Catholic at St. Francis, 7:00 p.m. -- The Metro Suburban Blue puts two strong teams against one another in this one. IC Catholic (11-3, 1-1) has won five of six as they earned a key conference win over Riverside-Brookfield in December. St. Francis (8-6, 2-1) made a run to the consolation title game at the Jack Tosh before losing by a point to Palatine in the consolation title game. 

GBB: Grow The Game Tournament -- A unique 14-team event scheduled over three days at Glenbard West, this tournament features some of the top girls teams in the state. More information can be found on that event here.

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