Holiday Tournaments: Top Unsigned Seniors Pt 1
PrepHoopsIllinois saw 30+ games over a four day span across the state during the holiday tournament season. Here we look at how the prospects ranked in the Top 100 in the senior class played. This is our Holiday Tournaments: Top…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois saw 30+ games over a four day span across the state during the holiday tournament season. Here we look at how the prospects ranked in the Top 100 in the senior class played. This is our Holiday Tournaments: Top Unsigned Seniors Part 1.
SF Ethan Helwig (Metea Valley)
Helwig is one of the better unsigned wings in the senior class. The skilled small forward can really stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting. Quick release with elevation off the ground. He gets his shot off with ease and can create space with his step back. Helwig went for 22 points on mostly feathery jumpers.
F Deng Reng (Wheaton North)
Reng is a long and lanky combo forward that presents long term developmental upside. Defensively is where things start with Reng. The 6’6” forward can switch and defend the two through four spots effectively. He moves his feet very well laterally and can swat shots. Will need to continue to add strength which will only improve this aspect of his game. Offensively he has long strides running the floor scoring in transition. Got on the glass for a couple put backs. Quick second jump getting offensive rebounds. With added strength he will finish better. Can stretch the floor with a good looking jumper as he hit both of his three point attempts. Reng had 24 points and 6 rebounds.
SF Martin Macenis (Stagg)
This 6’6” small forward is among the best unsigned wings on the board. He has an ultra-skilled game scoring, handling, and passing. It was even more impressive knowing he was sick doing it as he had to miss a big portion of the second half. Macenis is a plus jump shooter that didn’t take any threes, but he drilled jumpers inside the arc. Also displayed more athletic pop than we had seen in the past off the dribble. Had a couple big dunks including a monster tip slam. Quality passer with a feel for the game. Macenis played extremely well going for 23 points (11-18 FG), 5 dimes, and 4 boards.
PG Nolan Niego (Lyons)
In their opening round win it was a bit of a quiet game out of this high caliber D3 guard. He did drill a pair of threes and was at his best setting up others as he recorded 5 assists to go with his 6 points. High IQ kid that knows how to play the game.
SG Fillip Bulatovic (Maine South)
Bulatovic is a crafty scoring guard that has size and strength on the perimeter. He struggled with turnovers and forced some bad shots in this game. He did have his moments in the second half getting to the rim where he finishes well with his body control. Plays well in transition. He had 15 points.
PF Chris White (Marian Catholic)
Maybe the best performance we have seen out of White at the high school level. The Marian Catholic big man owned the paint on both ends of the floor. Let’s start what he did on the glass. He cleared the defensive glass over time and time again. Grabbed them with two hands in traffic. Offensively he got on the boards for put backs, ran the floor for buckets, and converted a high/low feed. Protected the rim as well with his shot blocking. White went for 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 blocks.
PG Matas Masys (Willowbrook)
Matas is one of the top pure shooters in the class. The senior didn’t have his usual stroke in this game as he was only 1-10 from deep against Marian Catholic. Was active defensively getting a handful of steals that led to layups on the other end. Masys had 13 points and 5 steals.
F Jeremiah Oden (St. Rita)
Oden has all the projectables with size and length. Totally looks the part. Our question has always been the production. He started off well in the first half connecting on a corner three along with a put back. Also swatted a couple shots. In the second half he was non existent when his team needed someone to take over. Oden finished with 7 points (3-11 FG) and 3 rebounds.
F Kameron Battle (Oswego East)
Battle is a prospect that presents a high ceiling, but the production has been hit and miss when we have seen him. In their second round game against St. Rita Battle had an efficient effort. The bouncy combo forward made some quick moves around the hoop for scores including a drive on the baseline along with an and-1. His quickness and athleticism are definitely his calling card. Battle had 11 points (4-6 FG).
PG Demari Grant (Oswego East)
Grant is one of the more athletic guards still on the board. Speed is the name of his game. He pushes in the open floor and is slippery through traffic. Was best as a scorer getting to the rim as the jumper wasn’t falling. Grant had several nice passes that led to assists, but also struggled with turnovers at the same time. Aggressive on ball defender and rebounds well for a guard sneaking in for boards. He had 10 points, 6 rebounds, 7 dimes, and 7 turnovers.
SF Maurion Scott (Homewood Flossmoor)
It was a low scoring game as HF took on Lincoln Park in the second round of the Hinsdale Central tournament and they got a one point win. Scott is a wing with length who is coming off a strong summer. He has really improved as a perimeter shooter as time has went along. Showed that off here with a corner three along with another mid-range jumper. Sound defensive rebounder and can guard multiple positions on the defensive end. Scott finished with 9 points (4-7 FG) and 7 rebounds.
F Isaac Stanback (Homewood Flossmoor)
Stanback is a high-motor combo forward with strength that lacks skill. He relies on his elite athleticism and mauling opponents on the interior for points along with rebounds. That is what he did here as he skied for a tip dunk early and had a monster block. What you have to like about him defensively is he can switch on almost any position on the floor because of his physical tools. Stanback finished with 13 points (5-7 FG), 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
G Sean Houpt (Danville)
Houpt is a prospect that we have been talking about for a while and it was good to see a pair of D2 programs extend offers to him earlier in the week. This combo guard brings off the charts leadership and basketball IQ to the table. He is a sound perimeter shooter especially spotting up. Also did a nice job of using floaters over bigger opponents. He consistently got to the foul line where he was money going 10-13. Houpt had 23 points in their morning victory.
SG Justin Harmon (Curie)
Harmon is a two guard that continues to see his stock rise as a senior. He is the ultimate glue guy for this team. The senior seems to be in the right place at the right time whenever a play needs to be made. Harmon can slash it and is at his best in transition. Excellent body control around the rim and shields the ball from defenders. Went for 18 points in championship game.
G Damari Nixon (Curie)
Nixon is a Fenwick transfer who is fitting in well with his group. The lefty combo guard got his team off to a fast start with several finishes in the open floor going for 8 points.