Going from a three-win season to state finals expectations? That's the ultimate goal in Dolton, at Thornridge High School. The Falcons stumbled to a (3-25) finish last season, but bring back three starters and a pair of talented transfers from a state championship squad. "Team is deep from one through nine with a solid bench ready to step in if needed. Team possibly could return to the state finals for the first time since 1989," coach Keith White says.

Stepping into the Falcons line up will be a pair of transfer students in Kendell Lett (6'6" Sr. Forward) and Jerron Charles (6'7" Sr. Forward). Lett averaged 3.5 points/game and 1.5 rebounds/game for the Class 2A state champion Seton Academy Sting.

Three starters are back at Thornridge, including a pair of All-Conference honorable mentions. Tim Hardy (5'8" Sr. Guard) and Steven Dandridge (6'9" Sr. Center) earned postseason all-conference mentions. The third returning starter is Myron Terrell (6'5" Sr. Forward).

Other newcomers that will see playing time are Aaron Williams (6'4" Sr. Guard) and Kelvin Wilson (5'10" Sr. Guard). Lett, Dandridge, and Hardy are all receiving Division-One interest from mid-major schools, while Williams and Wilson are also getting a little interest.

The Falcons failed to win a conference game in the SICA last year (0-8), but that should change in 2009-10. "If the team can gel and stay healthy, I expect to compete for the conference championship," White said.

Keith White is in his third season coaching Thornridge. He has led the Falcons to a (15-27) record in that span.

Thornridge won a regional during the (2005-06) season. The last sectional championship at the school came in (1998-99) season. The Falcons were Elite Eight qualifiers in Class AA in (1988-89) under coach Michael Flaherty.

Thornridge won back-to-back state championships in the 1970's. The Under head coach Ron Ferguson, the team won state titles in (1970-71 & 1971-72). Those two teams combined to finish (64-1). The teams were led by Quinn Buckner, who scored 71 points in the (1970-71) tournament. Greg Rose scored 49 points in that tournament. Thornridge nipped Oak Lawn (52-50) in the state championship game, which was the last tournament in the one-class system. The following season, Quinn Buckner, as a senior, led the Falcons to a (104-69) shellacking over Quincy in the Class AA title game. Buckner was the third leading scorer on the Falcons in this tournament. Boyd Batts scored 103 points, Greg Rose scored 87, and Buckner had 76 points. Batts and Buckner were named to the All-Tournament team.