The Northridge Way
More than basketball. A program built on character, commitment, and the belief that how you play reveals who you are.
Coaching4Character
The Jr Knights program is deeply connected to the Northridge Prep basketball tradition, built over decades by legendary coaches who believed basketball was a vehicle for building young men of character. That tradition is the foundation of everything we do.
Our approach goes beyond X's and O's. We believe that the lessons learned through competitive basketball, discipline, teamwork, resilience, accountability, and sacrifice, are the same lessons that prepare young men for life. Every drill, every huddle, every game carries this purpose.
Coaching4Character means we measure success not just in wins and losses, but in the young men our players become. It means choosing to teach over coach, to develop over deploy, and to build character over chase trophies.
The Northridge Legacy
The Jr Knights are the official feeder program for one of Illinois' most accomplished high school basketball programs. Under Hall of Fame head coach Will Rey, Northridge Prep has built a tradition of sustained excellence that our young players aspire to join.
Wins Under Coach Rey
IHSA Regional Championships
Conference Titles
Winning Percentage
A Decade of Dominance
7th Conference Championship & Back-to-Back Battle at the Ridge Titles
Finished 24-7 with an undefeated ISL conference record. Jacob Klatt scored 88 points across the tournament as the Knights claimed their 4th Battle at the Ridge championship.
23-7 Record & IHSA Regional Top Seed
Entered the IHSA 2A State Tournament as the #1 seed in their regional and the #2 overall seed in their sub-sectional.
Undefeated Conference Champions (12-0)
Dominated the ISL with a perfect conference record, marking the second time under Coach Rey the Knights went unbeaten in league play.
School-Record 27 Wins & 8th Regional Championship
Set the all-time school record for wins in a single season with a 27-7 record and captured the program's 8th IHSA Regional Championship.
First Undefeated Conference Season (12-0)
Made history with a perfect conference record and captured the program's 6th conference championship.
Coach Rey Inducted into IBCA Hall of Fame
Will Rey received the highest honor available to an Illinois high school basketball coach, inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Three Consecutive IHSA Regional Championships
A school-record three straight regional titles, with the 2008-09 team compiling 15 consecutive victories and advancing to the IHSA Sweet 16.
Coach Will Rey
In 21 seasons at Northridge, Coach Rey has built one of the most consistent programs in Illinois. Named IBCA District Coach of the Year seven times, inducted into both the IBCA and Chicago Catholic League Halls of Fame, and recognized by the Chicago Sun-Times as leading one of the top 50 winningest programs in the Chicagoland area.
The 10 Basketball Commandments
These aren't rules. They're a way of competing. Every Jr Knight lives by this code on and off the court.
Be the thermostat, not the thermometer
Set the temperature of practice and games, don't just react to it.
Be the hype man
Celebrate your teammates at every opportunity.
Use the Magic Johnson Effect
Feed your teammates with confidence.
Pick up your teammate after a mistake
No one gets left behind.
Give more high fives
High fives, arm around the shoulder, fist bumps, flying chest bumps.
Use a 6:1 ratio
6 pieces of encouragement for every 1 piece of criticism.
Give reminders and coaching
Players coach each other on the court.
Bring massive bench energy
Support your teammates even when you're not in the game.
Team over self
Give up what is best for you in service of what is best for the group.
Take the blame
Own mistakes collectively.
Mental Performance
What sets the Jr Knights apart from every other feeder program is our dedicated mental performance program. Coach Brian Sullivan, a former D1 player at Davidson College and professional basketball player, works with our athletes weekly to build the mental side of their game.
Sessions cover visualization, emotional regulation, competitive confidence, team communication, and developing a growth mindset. These aren't add-ons or occasional workshops. Mental performance is woven into the fabric of our program and practiced every week alongside physical development.
The result: players who compete with poise, support their teammates through adversity, and carry themselves with the quiet confidence that comes from preparation and self-awareness.