Team Rose Shootout: Saturday Standouts
The Team Rose Shootout began on Saturday at Mt. Carmel High School. This two day event now in its 11th year is without question one of the top high school events of the season. It was a fantastic day of hoops with big time players bringing their A games. Check out the Saturday Standouts from the Team Rose Shootout!
PG Trey Calvin (St. Viator – 2019)
Calvin is a Wright State commit that sometimes flies under the radar in a class loaded with quality point guards. He reminded us again why he is one of the best lead guards in the state. He is a dead eye shooter! Calvin drilled an array of deep threes both pulling up and off the catch. He has an outstanding feel for the game of when to set others up and look for his own offense. Calvin can handle it getting to the bucket on a couple drives. He had 20 points.
SF Jeremiah Hernandez (St. Viator – 2019)
This Kent State commit was PHENOMENAL on Saturday. Without question one of the best performances of the season to date. The point-forward had his mid-range jumper on point once again like he did a week ago when we saw him. Opened up with eight points in the first minute and from there it was on! His skilled game was on full display with his ability to score from all three areas of the floor. Big time jump shooter with tremendous elevation off the floor. He also drove off the bounce for several spectacular takes including one where he went behind his back. Hernandez had 36 points in a dazzling performance.
PG Ray J Dennis (Oswego East – 2019)
Dennis didn’t look like he would be able to keep up with his fellow top tier prospect Hernandez in this game as he had an extremely quiet first quarter and half for that matter. He was in some foul trouble early and couldn’t quite get into a rhythm. He had an epic fourth quarter however! Dennis scored 26 points in the fourth quarter. Yes you read that correct! He was unreal leading his team back into the game. The area that stands out the most is his perimeter jump shooting. The way he can hit shots from both mid-range and three by consistently creating space is impressive. Big time jab step that allows him to get it off. Also mixed in some post up scores and smooth drives. When the game was on the line he was insanely good! The Boise State commit had 34 points.
PF Sam Schultz (Oswego East – 2019)
Schultz is among the best post prospects in the junior class. Broad shouldered big man at about 6’7” with strength and athleticism on the interior. Shultz displayed his ability to stretch the floor hitting a couple threes. Also was able to get on the offensive glass for put backs. Physical player around the hoop that doesn’t get moved easily. He has a crafty handle in the open floor being able to bring it up in the at times on the break. Schultz had 16 points and an impressive 13 boards.
PG Marquise Kennedy (Brother Rice – 2019)
Kennedy is headed to Loyola next year, but the top 5 senior is in the middle of a monster final season on the high school level. The 2019 guard took his game to new heights on the travel team circuit in the spring and summer. Kennedy showed that off against Uplift scoring seemingly at will. He was in all-out attack mode getting the majority of his points on drives to the cup. He went coast to coast on numerous occasions. Finished so many and-1s during their game. So slippery through traffic as he was tough for the Uplift defense to get hands on. Scored at will throughout on his way to 36 points.
PG Markese Jacobs (Uplift – 2019)
Jacobs is a DePaul commit that carries a huge load for his team. His teammates stepped up in this one, but when it mattered most he put his team on his back and won the game. Jacobs is a powerful and compact scoring guard that is a volume scorer. He took and made some tough three point shots during the game including one to take the lead late. His athleticism and ability to win off the bounce is his best asset. He is a big time finisher at the rim where he regularly connects on acrobatic shots. Jacobs won the game in overtime hitting a tear drop shot with two seconds left to give Uplift the win on his way to 26 points.
SG Keshawn Williams (Bloom – 2020)
Williams is a dynamic two guard that is a wiry athlete on the wing. The 6’3” guard seemed to have his head at or above the rim all night long. He had acrobatic layups and a sweet alley-oop early in the game. Got loose several times in transition for slams. More than just an athlete he can bomb it in with his jumper. Potential to be able to defend multiple positions at the next level. He had 20 points.
C Martice Mitchell (Bloom – 2020)
Mitchell is a big man with legit size, length, and athleticism. He is really coming into his own this season. He drained a pair of threes. Soft touch on his face up shot. He did a nice job as well rebounding and protecting the rim. Mitchell had 14 points.
PG Adam Miller (Morgan Park – 2020)
The state’s top 2020 prospect had his moments of brilliance against Bloom. The junior is a shot creator that loves the deep pull up three. He regularly made them in this contest as he was trying to bring his team back. At his size of 6’4” he has the ability to shoot it over almost all defenders. Also a dynamic driver that slices and dices through defenses. He went for 31 points.
PG Marcus Watson (Morgan Park – 2020)
Watson is a slick handling point guard that is equally adept to pass or score. He did both effectively against Bloom. The southpaw threw several outstanding passes for dimes. Pushes the tempo especially in transition always having his head up looking to make a play. As a scorer he is so fast end to end with his speed and short area quickness. Like what he brings to the table defensively with active hands and ability to turn steals into buckets on the other end. He scored 17 points.
PF Shon Robinson (Eduprize, AZ – 2020)
Robinson is a big man that moved to Arizona after his freshman season at Morgan Park. The top 100 national recruit has changed in many ways since we saw him a couple springs ago. First thing we noticed was how much his body has gotten stronger. He has filled out his upper body. Got off to a slow start missing a few jumpers and dunks. As the game went on he showed off his face up shot drilling a pair of threes from the wings. He also had a big alley-oop slam. Shot blocking presence. Finished with 12 points.
SG Aaron Strong (Farragut – 2019)
Strong is a physical combo guard that plays mostly with the ball in his hands. Definitely a volume scorer as at times his shot selection can be a bit questionable, but he put his team on his back and carried them to a win over Riverside Brookfield. Was at his best when he got downhill attacking the hoop with force. Converted several tough buckets in the paint on his way to 19 points.
SG Reginald Loury (Riverside Brookfield – 2019)
Loury put his name on our radar with his play. This 6’3” lengthy senior guard can really shoot the basketball. He drilled four triples in the game. Smooth and fluid release on his shot. Also was active on the offensive glass with his quickness. Scored 15 points.
PF Nate Ferguson (Lemont – 2019)
It wasn’t a dominant performance by this Drake commit, but he was clearly the best prospect on the floor. He has positional size along with the ability to stretch the floor. He did that connecting on a pair of triples in their game against St. Mel. At times he got frustrated with the constant double teams that he saw. In the post he had a high/low finish and a couple nice moves on the block. Went for 15 points.
SG Tyriel Nelson (Providence St. Mel – 2019)
Nelson is an underrated senior shooting guard. He had his moments with Chicago Select on the circuit and once again had a solid game on Saturday. The thin guard is slippery with the rock in the open floor and has the ability to score on drives when he is aggressive. Recorded a pair of and-1’s. Also connected on a three. When his team needed a bucket he was their go to guy. Nelson had 17 points.