Belleville (Ill.) Althoff cruised to the championship this week at the Collinsville-Prairie Farms Holiday Classic, capping it off with an 85-55 drubbing of Decatur MacArthur in the title game Wednesday night.

Led by Fighting Illini recruiting target Jordan Goodwin, a 2017 wing, Althoff put on a show for the big crowd at Collinsville High School in the St. Louis metro east. The odds on favorite to win the IHSA Class 3A title, Althoff has climbed to heights reminiscent of some of the best teams in Illinois high school basketball since the state changed to a four-class system. And Goodwin has raised his game to an all-new level right along with his team.

All five starters for the Crusaders were in double figures against MacArthur, led by senior Brendon Gooch with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Goodwin was named the tournament MVP after averaging 21 points, eight rebounds and 4.5 assists at the event.

In a semifinal win over Quincy, Jordan Goodwin caught the ball in the short corner, surveyed the situation, then took one dribble into the lane and threw down a thunderous, one-handed dunk. Moments before, Goodwin had drained a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded to end the first quarter.

In that short stretch, Goodwin showed why he is now a priority recruiting target for Illinois and several others. Always a ball hawk and high energy player, Goodwin is now a versatile weapon.

“Guys have to put a hand up on me now, and when they do I can drive around them and if the next guy comes up and I can dish it off for a layup,” Goodwin said.

Currently the No. 94 prospect in the class of 2017, Goodwin has improved every aspect of his game. He’s now a legit backcourt player who can handle the ball, distribute, and make shots. As his body has matured, Goodwin has become more explosive.

For old school hoops fans, Althoff coach Greg Leib compares Goodwin to former Notre Dame and NBA star Adrian Dantley, a physical inside-outside player who could score from all three levels. Leib talked about Goodwin’s development.

“His shooting is better,” Leib said. “His ball handling is better. He’s so much quicker. He’s getting a more mature body. I think the general approach has improved: constantly trying to compete, going after lose balls, all of the little things.

“We throw him in the block because he’s so crafty down there.“

Last season, Althoff advanced all the way to the IHSA title game in Peoria, where they fell to Westchester (Ill.) St. Joseph 67-63. It was a coming out party for Goodwin, who finished the game with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Most expect the Althoff to eventually clash with Chicago Morgan Park in their quest to take home a state crown in March.

Goodwin is the big name player, but the Crusaders are loaded with rare combination of long athletes who can shoot the 3-pointer and defend at a high level. Goodwin says defense is the key to the long runs Althoff is known for, including a 20-0 blitz to open the game against Quincy.

“Everyone is being unselfish,” Goodwin said. “We’re guarding well, and just playing good basketball. Our best offense is when we are cutting, moving, penetrating, everyone getting to the basket and making shots. It’s contagious. “

The Crusaders pass the ‘fun to watch play’ test, and their chemistry is evident.

“We just try to share the ball, move it around, and find the open guy,” Leib said. “We try to come out and hit them hard and hit them often, then sustain it. These guys love one another, they genuinely enjoy each other’s company, and it shows on the court.”

Goodwin said not much has changed with his recruitment since the basketball season kicked off. His most recent offer is from Northwestern, adding to a list that includes Illinois, Iowa, Kansas State, Missouri, Purdue, Creighton, and Virginia Tech.

Illinois figures to be strongly in the hunt, but some success during the Big Ten season and coaching stability may factor in.

Look for Goodwin to wait until the high school hoops season concludes to pick things back up on the recruiting front. He was at the Bud Light Braggin’ Rights game in St. Louis, but has no other visits currently planned.

As he continues to improve, Goodwin has become more and more of a ‘must get’ recruit for the Illini and head coach John Groce.