Havoc in the Heartland: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook
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Friday night kicked off the Havoc in the Heartland event in Indianapolis. It is the next stop of the Hard Work Region of the PrepHoops Circuit. So what did we see on the first night of games? Check it out…
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Continue ReadingFriday night kicked off the Havoc in the Heartland event in Indianapolis. It is the next stop of the Hard Work Region of the PrepHoops Circuit. So what did we see on the first night of games? Check it out in Battle at the Lakes: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook!
Downriver Bad Boys Led By Emerging 2021 Post Knock Off Illinois T-Wolves
We started the event with a look at one of the more intriguing 16U groups in the state of Illinois in the Illinois T-Wolves. Fun group filled with prospects. The story quickly became the play of Downriver Bad Boys 2021 post Tyrhe Fortney. This 6’8” four man out of Michigan has broad shoulders, a strong build, and was super productive. The rising junior was outstanding rebounding on both ends of the floor. Strong hands grabbing them out of the air. As a scorer he was most effective sealing off his man on the low block along with quick spin moves which he was often fouled on. Needs to improve his free throw shooting. Can handle it a little even. He scored 16 points and easily had double digit boards. A couple of wings who showed well were Ethan Saenz and Nick Morgan. Saenz is a plus shooter that also took his man to the hoop on one drive. Scored 12 points. Morgan has a nice build at 6’3”. Finisher in transition en route to his 6 points. For the Illinois T-Wolves Lincoln Way East 2021 point guard Jhei-R Jones was a force getting to the rim. He isn’t the tallest guard, but he has compact strength and is jet quick with the ball getting to the rim. Split the defense over and over for scores. Jones had 18 points. He was helped out in the backcourt by his fellow point guards Antonio Hughes who had a scoring burst in the first half for 10 points. Terrance Moncrief does an excellent job setting others up with his passing while also scoring from mid-range in. Went for 9 points. Also have to mention talented shooting guard Andrew Johnson who did a great job working out of the mid-post area for jumpers and throwing quick passes. He had 9 points. Downriver Bad Boys won 67-56.
MBA 17U Well Rounded in Win over Hoopers Basketball Club
Next up we caught MBA out of Michigan against Illinois based Hoopers Basketball Club. On the perimeter Devin Boyd showed he was a versatile scorer as a 6’1” two guard. Went for 19 points including drilling trio from deep in the second half. Chanse Crittendon has positional size and can really shoot it. Inside MBA had a trio of productive big man. The highest upside prospect is probably Jeremiah Pittman who plays taller than his height with his wingspan. Very good rebounder that had a bit of trouble finishing. He had 9 points on the night. Drew Weber is a thick bodied four man that is undersized, but outworks his opponents on the block going for 9 points. Isaac Warning is an inside-outside threat who showed he could rebound well in his area and finish around the hoop. Finished with 10 points. For the Hoopers Basketball Club it was about the perimeter shooting from their lanky shooting guard Will Wainscott. The 6’3” two guard buried seven triples on his way to 21 points for the night! Clean stroke and flashed some passing. Jason Williams out of Hinsdale South is a two guard that had a couple impressive moments including a behind the back layup and three on his way to 9 points. Hinsdale South point guard Daeshawn Amy is a smaller guard that competes and can shoot it a little on his way to 9 points. Final score of this one was MBA 71-58 over Hoopers.
Peoria Area Elite Comes Up with Big Win over Wisconsin United
It was all about the Peoria Manual prospects for Peoria Area Elite on Friday. That of course means 2020 Rolondo “Pee Wee” Brown who led his high school team to the 3A final four this past season in Illinois. He is a dynamic scorer off the bounce that is slippery through traffic getting to the hoop. Consistently got to the rim over and over again. Will have to improve his jumper for the next level, but he was a force in this game on just drives alone. Brown had 17 points in a win. His backcourt mate Myriece Byrd is a quick point guard that was fantastic at getting his teammates involved with his passing. Plus mid-range jump shooter that was consistent from that area of the floor for 18 points. Emaryon Byrd is an intriguing 2021 prospect on this team. At 6’4” with an athletic build he looks the part of a prospect to track. The wing didn’t shoot it great from three, but he converted inside and was a solid rebounder. Scored 8 points. For Wisconsin United it was the Tyree England show! The scoring combo guard was a dynamic scorer especially in the second half. At 6’0” he pretty much got whatever shot he wanted and put them in. Very good pull up jump shooter from all over the floor. Crisp handles allowed him to win off the dribble getting to the rim for acrobatic scores in the paint. He scored 27 points while also proving to be a quality passer. Javeon Toliver is another Wisconsin United guard to keep tabs on with his burst getting to the rim. Peoria Area Elite won 61-56.