Who’s poised to take over in the Class 4A boys basketball playoffs?

If there’s one thing to note about the area’s top boys basketball teams, it’s the balance.

Just about every star seems to have at least one co-star among the top sectional seeds. Some have emerged as surprises throughout the season.

When it comes to crunch time, though, someone must stand tall. And with the IHSA playoffs starting next week, we’ll start to see guys standing taller than ever.

Last week we looked at several girls basketball players capable of putting their team on their shoulders in the playoffs. Now we’ll look at a bunch of area boys players poised to take over in the Class 4A playoffs.

Torey Baskin, Hoffman Estates

Despite being the Mid-Suburban League East champion, the Hawks remain an underdog as the fifth seed in the Fremd sectional.

But with Baskin, anything is possible. Just look at Wednesday’s 42-point effort against Fremd.

The 6-foot-2 senior guard is averaging about 24 points a game. A steal and jumper in the final seconds of a 62-60 win over Notre Dame showed everything you need to know about his ability in the clutch.

Jaxson Davis, Warren

Mr. Obvious on this list is primed for another breakout postseason.

Last year he carried the Blue Devils to a 4A runner-up finish to Benet, which would be their opponent in the NIU supersectional if both teams survive sectional play.

What more can you say about Davis, a junior guard who boasts numerous Division I college offers and vaulted passed the 2,000-point mark for his prep career?

Davis leads Warren as a heavy favorite and a top seed in the Hononegah sectional.

Cole Kelly, Neuqua Valley

The 6-6 sophomore could turn the state on its head in the next few weeks.

With Benet, the host Raiders and others awaiting in the Bolingbrook sectional, the Wildcats are a dangerous No. 2 seed. Then Warren could await in the supersectional.

Kelly, who already holds offers from Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and others, has the talent to tear through a bracket. With teammate Mason Martin, a junior already committed to Illinois, Neuqua Valley has the area’s most potent one-two punch.

Mike Nee, Glenbard East

The Rams, top-seeded in the Bartlett sectional, are the perfect example of a team with players emerging throughout the season.

But while guys like Danny Snyder and Jacob Marynowski have stepped up, Nee is the experienced senior the Rams will lean on while seeking their first sectional title since 2011.

Nee, a 6-3 guard committed to South Dakota, just scored 30 points against West Aurora to clinch the Upstate Eight title.

Rocco Pagliocca, Stevenson

This is another team with multiple options after the kind of season Donny Williams put together. He and Pagliocca, a 6-2 senior who’s topped 1,000 career points, have taken turns leading the way.

But after Pagliocca scored 41 points in a 77-75 win at Waukegan last month, you could tell he’s ready for the postseason.

With the Patriots holding the fourth seed in the Fremd sectional, Pagliocca and Williams need to do serious damage to keep the playoff dream alive.

Charlie Pomis, Hersey

Pomis has been solid all season, but last week he showed his true scoring potential.

The 6-3 senior wing exploded for 45 points in an 82-75 quadruple-overtime loss to Fremd. Despite that loss, and because of what Pomis showed, Hersey is not a team you want to face right now as the third seed at Fremd.

Jordan Williams, Fremd

Speaking of that Hersey game, Williams scored 17 of his 24 points from the fourth quarter on to lead the Vikings to victory.

That, and many other similar performances, lands the 6-6 senior on this list. The MSL West Player of the Year, Williams is a double-double threat every time he hits the court.

With teammate Tommy Moffett coming off a career-high 32 points against Niles North, the Vikings are ready to defend their status as the top seed at Fremd.

Jayden Wright, Benet

Wright may not have the gaudy numbers of others on this list, but no one is more primed for March than this Eastern Illinois University commit.

After helping the Redwings to the 4A state title a year ago, the 6-foot senior guard and an experienced core of teammates are ready to defend in a tough field as the top seed at Bolingbrook.

Against one of the state’s toughest schedules, Benet’s consistently been led by Wright.