LSA’s Greatest Teams and the Legendary 2019-2020 Season: A Deep Dive as 2024-25 Approaches
Top 10 LSA Teams of All Time
1. 1999-00 Concordia Peoria (42-2) - SRS: 17.77
Concordia Peoria's 1999-00 team is heralded as the gold standard in LSA basketball history. With a phenomenal 42-2 record, this team was led by none other than an eighth-grade Shaun Livingston, whose future NBA career would further validate the immense talent that powered this team. Livingston’s playmaking, vision, and leadership were ahead of his years, leading Concordia to dominant victories. Concordia’s sheer dominance and ability to perform under the brightest lights made them a team for the ages. Their only two losses came in out-of-state tournaments, making their LSA run unblemished.
** 2. 1994-95 Chicago St. Patrick (29-13) - SRS: 17.34**
Playing an unforgiving schedule that included 15 top-10 opponents outside Illinois, Chicago St. Patrick proved themselves as warriors on the court. Though their record (29-13) might not stand out at first glance, their 4-11 record against elite national competition gave this team battle-tested confidence when it mattered most. They played a physical, uptempo style that challenged even the best teams in the country, culminating in one of the most remarkable seasons in LSA history.
3. 1995-96 Chicago - Bethel West End (38-4) - SRS: 17.01
Led by the electric eighth-grader Imari Sawyer, who averaged an eye-popping 25.7 points per game, this team could blow past opponents with their athleticism and high-paced offense. Sawyer’s ability to score from anywhere on the court made him virtually unstoppable, and his leadership pushed Bethel West End to an incredible 38-4 season. Their dominance was felt throughout Illinois, as they consistently outclassed opponents with fast breaks, defensive pressure, and elite ball movement.
4. 1998-99 Chicago - Bethel West End (33-7) - SRS: 16.41
Three years removed from their 1995-96 run, Bethel West End re-emerged as a force in the LSA. This time, they were led by Daniel Brown, a cousin of Imari Sawyer. Brown was every bit as talented, pushing the team to a stellar 33-7 record. This team’s combination of offensive firepower and defensive discipline ensured that Bethel West End remained at the forefront of LSA competition, creating a legacy of excellence.
5. 2019-20 O.S. Springfield (39-6) - SRS: 15.67
The 2019-20 O.S. Springfield Eagles represent the pinnacle of modern LSA basketball. Led by Jace Easley, the LSA’s all-time leading scorer, and Conor McCaffrey, who set records for assists and 3-point shots, Springfield's offense was a finely-tuned machine. With a daunting schedule that included 19 top-25 opponents and 9 top-10 foes, Springfield navigated the toughest competition LSA had ever seen. Their defining moments included a 39-6 overall record, a nail-biting overtime victory over Bethel Morton, and thrilling clashes with their fierce rival, Peoria Christ. Easley’s scoring and McCaffrey’s playmaking earned them a permanent place in LSA lore.
6. 2019-20 Peoria Christ (37-5) - SRS: 15.33
While overshadowed by O.S. Springfield’s dominance, Peoria Christ was no slouch in the 2019-20 season. Led by Lathan Sommerville, a Rutgers commit and dominant post player, Peoria Christ had the skill and depth to compete with anyone. Their 37-5 record stands as a testament to their ability to deliver when it mattered most, although their two narrow defeats to Springfield cost them the chance at a state title. Nonetheless, their towering presence in the post and their relentless defense made them one of the most formidable teams in LSA history.
7. 1998-99 Concordia Peoria (37-8) - SRS: 15.20
With Shaun Livingston returning from injury, Concordia Peoria’s 1998-99 team took a few games to regain their form, starting the season 3-5. However, once they got rolling, they were nearly unbeatable, finishing the year 34-3. Livingston’s ability to take over games at will, even as a seventh-grader, was unparalleled, and his court vision and athleticism made Concordia one of the most exciting teams to watch. Their impressive run cemented their place among the LSA greats.
8. 1991-92 Peoria Christ (30-8) - SRS: 13.99
In the early ‘90s, Michael Robinson dazzled LSA fans with his athleticism, leading Peoria Christ to a 30-8 record. Known for his 15 dunks as an eighth-grader—a feat rarely seen at the middle school level—Robinson’s high-flying abilities and defensive prowess created a spectacle every time he took the floor. Peoria Christ’s balanced attack and Robinson’s leadership solidified their place as one of the best teams of their era.
9. 2001-02 Immanuel Palatine (33-9) - SRS: 13.01
Known for their sharpshooting and the brilliance of Jeff Koeneman, Immanuel Palatine’s 2001-02 team was a shooting juggernaut. Koeneman, who set a then-LSA record with 345 3-pointers, powered a dynamic offense that thrived on spacing and perimeter shooting. Although Koeneman’s record was later broken, this team’s influence on modern basketball and their high-tempo style of play is still felt today.
10. 2019-20 Bethel Morton (34-10) - SRS: 11.89
Bethel Morton may have flown under the radar during the 2019-20 season, but their 34-10 record and spirited performances in the postseason left a lasting impression. Led by Andrew McLaughlin and Noah Suttles, Bethel Morton was a defensive powerhouse that often dictated the pace of games. Their overtime battle with O.S. Springfield in the conference tournament was one of the most memorable moments of the season, earning them a well-deserved spot among the LSA’s all-time best teams.
The 2019-2020 Season: The Strongest in LSA History
The 2019-20 LSA season will go down in history as the most competitive, thrilling, and talent-rich season ever seen. All 16 teams that qualified for the state tournament boasted more than 25 wins—a feat never accomplished before or since. What made this season particularly special was not only the depth of talent but also the rivalry between two of the greatest teams in modern LSA history: O.S. Springfield and Peoria Christ.
O.S. Springfield, led by the iconic duo of Jace Easley and Conor McCaffrey, carved out a season for the ages. Easley’s scoring, coupled with McCaffrey’s brilliant court vision, gave Springfield a lethal one-two punch that opposing teams struggled to contain. Easley, who finished his career as the LSA’s all-time leading scorer, provided Springfield with consistent offensive firepower, while McCaffrey set records for assists and 3-pointers, making him the league’s premier playmaker.
Springfield’s journey through the 2019-20 season was marked by grueling matchups against top-tier opponents. They faced 19 top-25 teams and beat 9 of them, including Bethel Morton, Concordia Peoria, and Chicago St. Patrick. Their 39-6 record is even more remarkable considering the level of competition, and their overtime victory over Bethel Morton in the conference tournament was one of the season's most thrilling moments. Springfield’s ability to rise to the occasion under pressure is why many consider them the best modern-era LSA team.
Not far behind was Peoria Christ, led by Lathan Sommerville, whose post presence made him one of the most feared players in LSA basketball. Peoria Christ finished with an impressive 37-5 record and narrowly missed out on a state title. Their rivalry with Springfield became the centerpiece of the 2019-20 season, with two unforgettable clashes that both went Springfield’s way. Despite falling short in these matchups, Peoria Christ’s depth, defensive tenacity, and Sommerville’s dominance in the paint solidified their place as one of the top teams of all time.
What makes the 2019-20 season truly stand out is the collective strength of all the top teams. Bethel Morton’s 34-10 record, despite being overshadowed by Springfield and Peoria Christ, reflects just how deep the competition was. Their overtime loss to Springfield in the conference tournament showed that on any given day, even the best teams could be pushed to their limits.
As we look ahead to the 2024-25 season, the memories of the 2019-20 campaign remain a reminder of what LSA basketball can be at its highest level. The stars of the past may have moved on, but their legacies live on as the next generation of LSA talent looks to make their mark. Will we see a season as competitive and thrilling as 2019-20 again? Only time will tell.
But for now, we remember 2019-20 as the pinnacle of LSA basketball, the season that set the bar for greatness, and the year that produced some of the most memorable games and moments in LSA history.