On Dec. 13, some of the brightest boys' basketball stars will take the Assembly Hall Court for the 2008 WDWS/News-Gazette Shootout at the Hall presented by State Farm (tickets went on sale Nov. 17 - $5 for students, $10 general admission, $15 courtside). Here are the pairings - and analysis from Paul Klee and Jeff Huth:

10:30 a.m.
Olympia vs. Mahomet-Seymour
Chad Benedict's third Bulldogs team returns the twin-towers senior tandem of 6-foot-8 1/2 Nick Washburn and 6-5 1/2 Luke Radliff. Add in 6-6 junior Kyle Storm off the bench, and M-S has the potential to rule around the basket on both offense and defense.

12:15 p.m.
Robinson vs. St. Thomas More
Robinson coach Bob Coffman said the Maroons went 9-15 and started three sophomores and a junior last season. The first of four UI recruits in the field, 6-foot-10 junior Meyers Leonard leads Robinson against the Sabers.

2 p.m.
Peoria Central vs. Crane
Crandall Head stole the show at last year's Shootout. Then a sophomore at Rich South, he had 34 points in a game against Centennial and committed to Bruce Weber's Illini one month later. Now he's a junior at Crane.

3:45 p.m.
Rock Island vs. Waukegan
Waukegan coach Ron Ashlaw said he's hoping to enjoy a smooth relationship with star Jereme Richmond, a UI recruit. And if Illinois has its way, Richmond some day will play alongside Rock Island sophomore Chasson Randle.

5:30 p.m.
North Lawndale vs. Peoria Manual
Class 2A state champion North Lawndale returns most of its roster, including the state's top rebounder, 6-5 workhorse Jon Mills. If Mills, a senior, goes the junior college route, the Illini might keep an eye on his progress.

7:15 p.m.
Warren vs. Chicago Curie
In terms of their potential as college players, wings Brandon Paul (Warren) and Wayne Blackshear (Curie) have as much as any prospects in the state. A UI recruit, Paul can sign a national letter of intent on Wednesday.

9 p.m.
Sterling vs. Centennial
Sterling coach Peter Goff said he's going to play Joseph Bertrand, an Illinois recruit, at the off-guard position more often this season. Ohio-bond James Kinney leads a loaded Chargers team expected to make a run at state.

- For more recruiting coverage, click here for our Signing Day Special