Mount Carmel created a football powerhouse over the past eight years, winning five state titles while accumulating a level of talent unseen previously in Chicago high school football.
The school’s basketball program may be taking the first steps towards similar dominance, which is especially surprising considering just a few months ago it seemed to be in shambles.
The Caravan had six players transfer, including future Division I point guard Noah Mister, who was expected to be the team leader.
A pair of freshmen changed everything. Da’Kylen Heard, a 6-5 guard, and Ronald Johnson, a 6-3 guard, arrived at Mount Carmel as the two of the highest-regarded freshmen in the state.
But that doesn’t always lead to significant production on the varsity level. Especially over the first few months of the season.
Johnson started immediately and Heard is coming off the bench. The duo has steadily improved and helped lead the Caravan to a surprising 13-5 record and the No. 17 spot in the Super 25.
“They are just really good, and they are coachable,” Mount Carmel coach Phil Segroves said. “In this day and age kids want instant gratification. Johnson and Heard have been very patient. They’ve listened and worked hard and done their best to grow up quickly. And they are. They are learning to play high school basketball.”
Heard had 15 points and 9 rebounds in a victory against Lincoln Park on Saturday at St. Laurence. Johnson added 13 points and 7 rebounds. The Lions are a veteran team that was expected to be among the city’s best this season.
Heard and Johnson played key roles in Mount Carmel’s upset win at Loyola on Friday as well.
“We are working together and executing what the coaches tell us,” Heard said. “I have great teammates that push me every day in practice and great coaches. And the environment at school is great.”
Star wide receiver Marshaun Thornton, just a sophomore, is another excellent young basketball player. Sam Ogeto, a 6-4 sophomore forward, played well against Lincoln Park and junior Logan Wessel may be the team’s most consistent player.
“We are trending in the right direction now,” Thornton said. “Everyone is playing hard and everyone is giving good minutes. [The freshmen] grew up a lot. They’ve learned the system and are starting to put the ball in the basket.”
It’s possible that many of upperclassmen transferred away due to the promising freshmen. They may have been worried about playing time. Even if that is true, Heard and Johnson will attract more top talent to Mount Carmel than they will scare away.
“The guys who stayed really bought in,” Segroves said. “That’s why we are as good as we are. Because we have a team.”
Super 25 updates
The top seven teams remained the same. That group, along with possibly Bolingbrook and Neuqua Valley, has established itself as a solid level above the rest of the field.
Kenwood lost to Crane, Phillips and Richwoods this week and drops out of the rankings. Oswego East lost to Metea Valley and Oswego and drops out as well.
York and Glenbard North are the new additions. York has been solid all season and knocked off Lyons and Stevenson last week. Glenbard North, which has two excellent players in Lamari Carpenter and Oturo Redento, beat Hersey last week.
Super 25 high school basketball rankings for Jan. 11, 2026
With record and last week’s ranking
1. Benet (19-1) 1
Dominated Loyola
2. DePaul Prep (15-3) 2
Survived tough week
3. Curie (15-1) 3
Justin Oliver gets it done
4. Kankakee (13-1) 4
Handled Thornwood
5. St. Ignatius (17-2) 5
Survived Maine South
6. Warren (14-1) 6
Took down Vashon
7. Marist (16-1) 7
Charles Barnes leading
8. Bolingbrook (10-5) 11
Lost to Curie
9. Neuqua Valley (16-1) 12
14 consecutive wins
10. Evanston (13-3) 16
Growing up quickly
11. Waukegan (13-5) 13
Lost to Marist
12. Homewood-Flossmoor (15-2) 10
Playing shorthanded
13. New Trier (13-4) 9
Lost to Evanston
14. Fremd (14-1) 15
Hosts Hersey Tuesday
15. Mount Carmel (13-5) 17
DK Heard growing up
16. Glenbard East (17-2) 18
Three-win week
17. Loyola (15-4) 8
Lost to Mount Carmel
18. St. Laurence (17-2) 19
Tough week ahead
19. St. Patrick (14-2) 21
Hosts Benet Friday
20. Hersey (14-2) 14
Lost to Glenbard North
21. Palatine (14-3) 22
Beat WWS
22. Young (13-6) 25
Fun young group
23. Kaneland (16-0) 23
Handled Sycamore
24. Glenbard North (12-3) NR
Major upside
25. York (15-3) NR
Beat Stevenson, Lyons
