Salem Invitational Tournament: 2019 Evals
The Salem Invitational Tournament was this past week and this annual mid-winter tournament gave PrepHoopsIllinois a great opportunity to scout an array of prospects over a few days in southern Illinois. Here are our evaluations of the 2019 Prospects in…
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Continue ReadingThe Salem Invitational Tournament was this past week and this annual mid-winter tournament gave PrepHoopsIllinois a great opportunity to scout an array of prospects over a few days in southern Illinois. Here are our evaluations of the 2019 Prospects in attendance.
SF Terrence Hargrove (East St. Louis)
Hargrove was the top prospect at the SIT checking in at #4 overall in the senior class. What you have to like about Hargrove’s game is his elite athleticism and how he uses it on both ends of the floor. That was no more evident than in their semifinal game where he dominated that game with his play above the rim. He was active on the glass for put backs, skied high for rebounds snatching them in traffic, and threw down a couple big dunks. Mid-range jumper was on point as was his runner game. He is a major problem in transition both pushing and as a finisher. Also defensively he did a nice job on Wolfe in their matchups and swatted shots at the rim going for 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks in the semis.
PG Elijah Rice (East St. Louis)
Rice is a combo guard we have continued to be big fans of as the season has gone along. Good size at the lead guard spot as he is 6’3” with strength and athleticism. He pushes with a lot of speed in the open floor. Didn’t track his assists, but he did a great job making quick decisions on the fly finding his teammates for scores in the open floor. He has been a streaky shooter throughout the season, but was on point in their semifinal game draining four triples on his way to 12 points.
PF Richard Robinson (East St. Louis)
Robinson was solid, but not spectacular in the Flyers two opening wins at the SIT. The 6’7” post presents strength on the interior along with the ability to board in his area. He is a quality rebounder on both ends of the floor that plays physical in the paint. Finishes well on the opportunities he is given.
G Cornellious LeFlore (East St Louis)
LeFlore is an energy microwave scorer who has played a bigger role for the Flyers as the season has went along. Probably just under 6’0” he is more of a scorer than passer. Scrappy guard that hits open threes and finishes well in transition. Quality defender. He had 13 points. Likes to bomb in threes and at times will force them.
SG Traivon Jones (East St. Louis)
Jones is a sleeper guard for a small college or JUCO. He is at his best in the transition game where he is a major factor with his speed finishing at the cup. Pesky on ball defender. Does the little things. Had 8 points in both of their opening round wins.
SF Landon Wolfe (Effingham)
Wolfe had a workman like effort in their opening round win. Mt. Vernon focused their defense on him and he had to work for everything he got. Wolfe is a 6’5” small forward that has strength and toughness. Crafty with the ball in his hands on drives to the hoop. Finished well in transition. Hit one mid-range jumper which is his forte. Also sealed his man off for a bucket in the post. Wolfe is a player we continue to say is a no brainer D2 prospect. He had 15 points and 8 rebounds. In their second round game he struggled at times against East St. Louis’ length and athleticism to finish inside. As the game went on he seemed to adjust using his jumper more on stop and pop shots en route to 19 points and 8 rebounds.
C Cole Marxman (Effingham)
This 6’7” five man presents legit size on the interior. He is a quality area rebounder that blocks out. Anchors down low, but is actually more of a scoring threat facing up knocking down mid-range jumpers. Decent athlete who showed that off with a reverse layup and an alley-oop.
PG Dawson Smith (Teutopolis)
Smith had a strong week for the Wooden Shoes. The 6’6” combo guard was the primary ball handler. Plus size on the perimeter and did a nice job getting in the lane in the first half where he was routinely fouled and converted at the charity stripe. Finished off a strong first half draining a 3/4 court heave at the buzzer. Hit a more traditional triple in the second half. He had 17 points in their opening round win. Like what he did in their semifinals game as well. Overall he has an excellent feel for the game. Finds teammates. Moves well without the ball. Contributes on the glass. He had 15 points in the semis.
PF Clint Weber (Teutopolis)
Weber is a 6’7” post that is a strong and physical presence on the interior. High level rebounder that absolutely dominated the glass on both ends of the floor. Efficient finisher around the hoop. Consistently converted with touch around the hoop on post ups, finishing dump offs, and getting on the glass for put backs. Was intimidating presence defensively inside for a much smaller Centralia squad. Weber had 24 points in the first round and 17 points in the second round.
PG Syncere Simmons (TF North)
Simmons is a small point guard with quick handles. He did all his damage off the bounce and in the open floor. Got to the rim and in the lane for runners on his way to 8 points. Motor that makes his team go.
PF Weston Brockhouse (Mt. Vernon)
Brockhouse is just a consistent force for the Rams. Game in and game out he produces. This 6’7” four man will be a college pitcher at the next level for baseball, but would be a coveted D3 prospect if that was the route he chose. Brockhouse was absolutely dominant on the boards grabbing them at an insane clip. He is great at getting offensive rebounds and putting the back in. Soft touch and feel scoring around the hoop. So efficient with his touches. Can even step out to hit a three. Brockhouse had 19 points and 15 rebounds.
SG Bryan Meskil (Centralia)
Meskil is a tough shooting guard that flies around with reckless abandon. He had an and-1 on a scoop shot along with a smooth mid-range jumper en route to 7 points.
SG Jonah Ogden (Triad)
Ogden is a senior two guard that flashed some scoring ability. Connected on a pair off the catch and also had a strong baseline attack for 8 points.
PG Jacob Harness (Salem)
Harness runs the point for the Wildcats. Plays with a never ending motor. Gave his team momentum getting back in the game hitting big shots from three throughout. Clean release on his shot. Also hit one from mid-range. Solid ball handler. He had 13 points.
SF Brett Whitney (Salem)
Whitney is only 6’1”, but this forward gets everything out of his ability. The senior is a gritty rebounder that fights on the interior. Scores with toughness around the hoop. Had a sweet back cut for a layup for two of his 9 points.