The bright lights of a midseason, high-profile shootout are always going to include perennial powers. But the opportunity can be even sweeter for those up-and-coming teams who get the rare chance to play on a big stage and prove their worth.
The annual When Sides Collide event, run by the City/Suburban Hoops Report, has added a game to the lineup, going from four matchups to five. That has opened the doors for some new names, including Yorkville, Normal and a recharged Homewood-Flossmoor program.
