Ridgewood Classic Standouts

PrepHoopsIllinois closed out a jammed packed weekend at <strong>the Ridgewood Hoops Classic</strong> on Sunday.  It was a four game lineup with several high profile prospects.  Let’s take a look at the top performers from the day. &nbsp; <strong>PG Aamir Holmes (Leo – 2017)</strong> Holmes stood out in the first game of the day for Leo.  The 6’2” point guard has a strong and compact frame.  Got to the foul line throughout the contest.  Uses power to create contact that he can also finish.  Athleticism played well on the defensive end creating several steals.  Potential as mid-range shooter.  He had 20 points.  D3, NAIA, or JUCO target. &nbsp; <strong>PG Xavier Pinson (St. Patrick’s – 2018)</strong> Pinson impressed us in the fall at the NY2LA Futures Camp and in our first look at him during the high school season he once again shined.  At 6’2” Pinson is a thin and long point guard is a flashy passer.  Makes some spectacular dishes in both the half court and in transition.  Pinson had multiple full court passes on the dime for layups in the open floor.  In the half court he is best as a driver where he can kick to his shooters once the defense collapses on him.  Pinson finds his shooters with crisp passes in the shooting pocket.  Pinson can hit a three pointer from the perimeter when spotting up.  A bit of a long release and he puts a ton of arc on it.  Pinson had 15 points. &nbsp; <strong>C Jalen Shaw (Larkin – 2018)</strong> The 6’10” center from Larkin is one of the top centers in the junior class.  Shaw didn’t play the first quarter, but immediately started the second.  He completely turned the game around with his mere presence on the court.  Shaw has a long and athletic body.  He is a plus rebounder that high points the ball with his tremendous length.  Got on the offensive glass for multiple put back opportunities.  He had a nice right handed hook shot and a mid-range jumper.  Still not all the way there yet offensively, but he is making progress.  Defensively he cleared the glass on that end and was a shot blocking presence.  He even swatted a three on the perimeter.  Shaw had 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks.  Needs to be on the low-major/D2 radar. &nbsp; <strong>SG Zac Rzewnicki (Ridgewood – 2017 – St. Thomas Aquinas)</strong> The St. Thomas Aquinas commit was more than comfortable on his home floor.  He came out aggressive and stayed in attack mode throughout the contest.  The senior shooting guard has gotten stronger in his upper body.  This allowed him to finish at the rim through contact.  He displayed creative ball handling skills to get in the lane where he finished with crafty moves.  Volume scorer.  Rzewnicki did an outstanding job on the boards in this game.  Really contributed well from his guard position to clear the defensive glass.  Rzewnicki hit another half-court shot ala last year’s playoffs to win the game at the buzzer.  He had 28 points and 18 rebounds. &nbsp; <strong>SG Drew Peterson (Libertyville – 2018)</strong> Peterson is a 6’7” wing that has a smooth and fluid game.  He has great size for the position and plays like a two guard at that size.  The junior is an outstanding mid-range shooter.  That was on full display!  He drilled mid-range jumpers from all over the floor one after another.  Pure form and gets elevation off the ground.  Most of his points came on jumpers from 15-18 feet.  He did end the third quarter with a three.  Handles well in the open floor.  Plus passer that should have had more assists if his teammates could catch the ball.  Rebounded well high pointing the ball and fighting against Carnahan’s post players.  His added strength in his upper body has helped him with that.  Peterson had 23 points and 11 rebounds.  Mid-major plus to high-major prospect.