Havoc in the Heartland: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook
In this article:
Saturday was a full day of hoops at the PrepHoops Circuit’s Havoc in the Heartland! We take you inside the gym to see what happened from Indianapolis right here in Havoc in the Heartland: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook! Southwest…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingSaturday was a full day of hoops at the PrepHoops Circuit’s Havoc in the Heartland! We take you inside the gym to see what happened from Indianapolis right here in Havoc in the Heartland: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook!
Southwest Jets 15U Impressive in First Game
The Southwest Jets 15U made their debut on Saturday morning at Mt. Vernon junior high. This squad has a lot of talent out of the metro east that will be making noise on the high school scene over the next few years. The thing you have to like about this group is how well rounded they are as a team. For me it all starts with their two headed monster at point guard in Caleb Burton (O’Fallon) and Brylan Phillips (Decatur Eisenhower). Philips was excellent using his strength to get in the lane while also setting everyone up. High IQ guard that has a feel for the game. Burton didn’t score it at his usual rate, but we are very intrigued by the potential he has with his physical tools and basketball knowledge. Excellent defender which is where he made an impact against Tipping Point. Jamauri Winfrey (Peoria Richwoods) is a powerful wing that finishes well around the hoop and from 15 feet. They had a pair of sharp shooters in Mekhi Phillips (Lanphier) and Peyton Muller (O’Fallon) who can stretch the floor. Like what this group brings to the table inside with Dawson Algee (O’Fallon) and DeMarkus Beane (Southwest Jets). Algee had a productive outing as the thick bodied post finished well in the paint and got on the glass. Beane probably has a higher ceiling with his projectability reminding me so much of former SW Jets standout Emondre Rickman. Plus shot blocker with athleticism and a frame to continue to add strength. Tipping Point out of Indiana had a trio of players that played well. Hunter Rice can flat out shoot the basketball from three! Started the game with three in a row. At 6’3” wing Braedan Helms is a scorer that consistently got to the rim on straight line drives either scoring or dumping off for the assist. Helms had 24 points. Point guard Trevor Devine is a lead guard that scores with creativity in the lane.
RWA Wins Big over Illinois Attack to Start Bracket Play
Right from the jump Team RWA dominated the contest between these two Illinois mainstays. It was a balanced attack for RWA. Beau Frericks (Cary Grove) continues to prove he is among the best pure shooters in the state of Illinois. The lead guard was on fire early. His backcourt mate Davis Walker (Home School) is so tough getting to the rim or the charity stripe on a regular basis. Also threw several nice passes. Connor Webb (Lisle), John Duszynski (Ridgewood), and Cooper Bridges (Plainfield North) all shot it well from deep. Aaron Tims (Hinsdale South) dominated on the glass with his high energy level and relentless pursuit of second chance points. Also the best we have seen Nate Seputis (Lincoln Way East) play this spring. Rebounded well in traffic and showed the touch around the basket which has always made him intriguing. The new name that jumped on our radar was Niles Arrington. The broad shouldered and strong Home School four man was a man among boys snatching rebounds in traffic while catching passes in traffic for finishes. Even hit a mid-range jumper. Want to give a shout out to one player for Illinois Attack that never backs down no matter the score. That is Plainfield East 5’7” point guard Keon Killings. Plus pull up jump shooter that is the definition of a competitor!
HIT 17U Wins Against Familiar Foe in IBA Mann
These two teams just scrimmaged against each other not knowing that they would meet early in the day on Saturday at Havoc. Hoops Intensity Training is stacked with potential college talent. It is led by Sam Schultz from Oswego East. The 6’8” four man is the new age prototype for the power forward position. Can stretch the floor as he did early on hitting a corner three. Uses spin moves in the lane and converted an alley-oop. We should start to see him pick up offers in the not too distant future. Marcus Skeete (Waubonsie Valley) has had quite a spring on the PrepHoops Circuit really elevating his stock inside the state of Illinois. Didn’t shoot it as well as he has so far this spring showing significant growth in that area, but he did display his improved ball handling and crisp passing. DePaul Prep shooting guard Lance Mosley is an above average shooting two guard with very good athleticism. Can score at all three levels and that is exactly what he did in this game. Taaj Davis is the tone setter at the point. The lefty continues to be more consistent as a shooter as he knocked down three triples along with some runners while still filling his duties at the point distributing to others. Jack Baldridge (Timothy Christian) and Grayson Goetz (Oswego East) are the glue guys who hold this squad together. HIT won the game, but IBA Mann 2020 wing Garrett Horner (Wheaton North) put himself on the map with the way he shot it. Plus shooter from three both pulling up and off the catch. Not the most athletic kid, but he did mix in a runner on his way to 18 points. Ryan Sierocki (Lincoln Way East) played well finishing at hoop with tough conversions.
Young & Reckless Denard Defeats Michigan Goonies in Fun 17U Game
These are two of the more exciting programs to watch on the PrepHoops Circuit. It was a breakout game for several players on Y&R in their win. Devin Davis (Westinghouse) is a lead guard we have seen, but never had that huge game. Can’t say that anymore! He was lethal with his mid-range game and burst getting to the cup. Saiveon Williams (Curie) is a freak show athlete that is best playing in an up and down game where he can get loose in transition. Even hit a few threes late on his way to 16 points. Best game of the spring we saw out of St. Ignatius shooting guard Dan Florey who hit a jumper, scored on an and-1, and made several crisp passes. Curie combo forward Armond Williams is the energy guy that gets this team going on both offense and defense! For the Michigan Goonies it was all about their combo guard Tre Payne. He was dynamic with the ball in his hands scoring on an array of pull ups along with getting to the cup off the bounce. He had 21 points.
HIT 16U Takes Care of Hoopers in Illinois Clash
Hoops Intensity Training had another in-state opponent at the 16U level. Their height and versatile wings carried the day. It all starts with Oswego East small forward Odin Lium. This is a player we identified early in the process a year ago and he is starting to break out. Plus size and athletic pop on the perimeter. Has the skill level to match it with crisp ball handling where he drove his opponents for and-1s along with skilled post moves. Grant Johnson (Naperville North) and Tyler Van Eekeren (Benet) are 6’5” versatile combo forwards who will make major moves in the next PHI Rankings update. Roanoke Benson 2021 center Luke Braman was excellent on the glass completely owning the boards from the first tip of the game on. He also flashed skill as a scorer. Definitely can’t forget the passing of Max Rivera (Neuqua Valley) and Tommy Craven (St. Charles East) who got all of the above the ball in positions to succeed. The prospect that stood out the most in the loss for Hoopers was Wheaton 6’4” wing Tyler Johnson. Long and lanky body with a solid shooting stroke.
Wisconsin United 16U Defeats Illinois Badgers 62-39
In the end Wisconsin United was just too big inside for the Illinois Badgers. Jerimiah Burke is a big man for Wisconsin United that pounded the offensive glass for put backs like he was almost playing volley ball. Went for 12 points. Also came away impressed with the play of their point guard Brandon Leach. Slick handling guard proved he could both score and dish while dropping 16 points. For the Illinois Badgers a pair of wings stood out. Cle’Shon Phipps (Rockford Jefferson) is a plus athlete that plays above the rim at the two guard position. Scored 14 points. Harlem wing Nathan Soko chipped in with 10 points showing a diverse scoring game.
All Arkansas Red 17U Too Much for Windy City Magic
This All Arkansas Red squad has a chance to make major noise on Sunday in the 17U bracket. Their most intriguing long term prospect is Kel’el Ware. Rangy four man with height already, but will need to add strength moving forward. Very mobile inside and got on the offensive glass. Only scored 6 points, but this kid has a very bright future considering the 2022 was playing up an age. Carlos Miller is a 2021 who can really put the ball in the hoop from all three levels tallying 17 points. Kavan Wooten is a lefty two guard that was flat out explosive getting to the hoop! He had 10 points. For the Windy City Magic group out of the Chicago suburbs there were several bright spots. We continue to be huge fans of Sandburg wing Atharva Athreya. Long wing with a smooth and fluid offensive scoring game. Tommy Ferriter (Lockport) went for 14 points using his size on the perimeter along with crafty ball handling to make plays in the lane.
Young & Reckless 16U Impressive As Multiple Players Break Out
This was our first look at the Y&R Jeremy 16U team. A lot of interesting prospects that are already in the rankings or soon will be! Let’s start with the breakout player of the night in Bolingbrook 2021 combo guard Isaiah Stafford. He was absolutely money shooting it from three pulling up and spotting up for triples. Could be one of the next guards in a long line of them at Bolingbrook. Montini has a good one in Kai Evans! The power wing played above the rim throwing down several monster dunks with incredible bounce off the floor. And-1 machine! Has the looks of a go to wing scorer. Jaehshon Thomas (Aurora Christian) got things going early with a sweet jump shot along with crisp passes. Thomas is a dynamic playmaker with the rock in his hands. Taijon Barry from Decatur Eisenhower also put his name on the map. The 6’5” forward has a nice frame and finishes well in the paint.
More Notes
Caught a glimpse of Hopson Elite15U post Sean Craig early in the day. He plays with strength at 6’5” finishing well on the block or getting fouled at a high rate. Quality rebounder. Also liked Steven McCoy off this Ohio squad. The 2022 small guard controlled the tempo pushing it with excellent passing while picking his spots to score.
We only caught a glimpse of RWA’s 16U group watching the first half of their game, but it was enough to continue to feel we will need to move up Von Steuben power forward Ola Ajiboye A LOT in the next update for 2021. So many raw tools with his length and mobility. Rebounding very well and is a shot blocking machine!
Illinois Jaguars 16U put on a show to close out the night in a win over Peoria Area Elite. The standout for the Jaguars when we were watching was power forward Aaron McQueen. The Lane Tech 6’5” power forward was all over the glass with a super high activity level. He got put backs along with displaying sound form on a jump shot. Went for 19 points in the win. Terrance Young (De La Salle) also had a productive night with 16 points. Others of note in their 90-41 win were Dane Brazil and Jamari McClendon.