Show Me Showdown: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook
The PrepHoops Show Me Showdown continued on Saturday with another day of outstanding games. We were at Center of St. Louis all day watching 17U matchups. See what we witnessed in Show Me Showdown: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook. Chicago…
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Continue ReadingThe PrepHoops Show Me Showdown continued on Saturday with another day of outstanding games. We were at Center of St. Louis all day watching 17U matchups. See what we witnessed in Show Me Showdown: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook.
Chicago Demons 17U Impressive in Opener
The Chicago Demons opened up their play at Show Me Showdown on Saturday morning in a 9:00 AM blowout victory 62-22. This group has a lot of unsigned seniors that our Illinois readers are familiar with. That begins with Keeshawn Chambers of Thornton who impressed a lot of the small college coaches in attendance with his elite athleticism, strength, and ability to get on the glass. He completely owned the offensive boards high pointing them and going for put backs. Former Orr and now 2020 Link Year Prep combo guard Terry Williams used his floater game along with hitting threes to rack up a nice total while dishing the rock. Early on it was tough sledding for Uplift unsigned 2019 two guard Detalian Brown as he couldn’t buy a bucket, but as the game went along he got it going with jumpers and bursts to the cup. The standout 2020 was Jonathan Oden from Legal Prep. The 6’6” post was outstanding on the glass particularly on the offensive end finishing second chance opportunities.
Southwest Jets 17U Puts on Show!
The Jets simply put on a clinic against the Clarksville Snipers doing anything they wanted whenever the wanted to win by a final of 83-24. The East St. Louis trio led the way. Shooting guard Lashawn Johnson is a long and rangy two guard who scored effectively from all three levels while throwing down some thunderous dunks! Finished with 19 points. His high school running mates inside did work as well. Armond Williams has a long and lanky frame with projectability. Runs the floor with fluidity and has soft hands around the cup. Couple reverse finishes en route to 14 points. Patrick Readye is a five man who is transferring to ESL from Althoff. He is mostly known as a low post player and he did that well finishing dump off passes, but also knocked down a three and showed more mobility than in the past. Out of St. Louis Rashad Weekly-McDaniels from Trinity led the way with his explosive passing. Power point guard at 6’1” that dishes with flair while also being able to score hitting a pair of threes for 8 points. Hazelwood Central combo guard David Roberts is a thick combo guard that likes getting downhill to the rim and that is what he did over and over for 20 points.
ET21 Buckeyes Win Blowout to Begin Saturday Play
It was a statement win for the Buckeyes to start the tournament. This well rounded squad shares the wealth which helps them win as they got a victory 64-26 over Oklahoma Hustlers. It was fun to watch them get everyone involved. St. Rita point guard Alec Millender ran the show with his speed pushing the pace, getting others the ball in spots to score and drilled several threes for 10 points. Billy Durkin (Hinsdale South) is a fun player with his toughness, length, and perimeter shooting as he netted 14 points. Sami Osmani from Oak Park is the glue guy for this team. Lengthy wing makes tough drives to the hoop and always seems to bounce back up when knocked down. Scored 12 points. Their highest ranked prospect is Paul Zilinskas. Good sized wing with a super high skill level shooting, handling, and passing. 6 points. Liked what their inside trio did. Kayman Hopkins is an uber bouncy four man who is quick to the boards and protects the rim. Simeon posts Sincere Callwood and Amari Fears anchored inside using their physicality and toughness.
Hoops4Health Survives Test vs United Basketball
Our first close game of the day was Hoops4Health’s 55-50 win over United Basketball. It was St. Joseph’s combo guard Brandon Malone who like a few weeks ago in Madison got them started off with 9 first half points. Clean looking jumper pulling up and is a crisp passer. Another prospect who jumped off the court to us was Joliet Central 6’5” strong and stocky small forward Khalid Griffin. He was powerful slashing to the rim for 9 points. For United Basketball it was Jordan McKinney who stood out the most. The Kansas product stands at 5’10” and was an adequate scorer hitting pull up jumpers and runners for 11 points.
Illinois Tigers Tame Oklahoma Hustle 57-46
This Tigers 17U squad had a couple solid prospects beginning with Springfield Southeast shooting guard Sergio Knight. Athletic pop out of the two guard along with the ability to score from multiple levels for 18 points. Another Southeast product Antron Bevly is a 5-10 point guard who chipped in all 11 of his points in the first half. Liked the size that Creighton Burris presented on the perimeter being able to crash the glass for a two guard on his way to 9 points. In the second half it was all about Dailyn Townsend going off for 13 of his 15 points helping his team bring home the win. For Oklahoma Hustle Quentin Asberry shined in the first half with his ability to score on slick drives and pull up threes for 12 points.
Gateway Missouri Dominate in 85-33 Win over Full Package
The size inside was just too much as Gateway’s 2021 twin towers of Yaya Keita and Sekou Gassama took over as the game went along. Keita is a force with his grown man build, shot blocking, and defensive presence. On one instance he swatted two shots then sprinted the length of the floor for a lob that he was fouled on. He had 9 points, but left a huge imprint on this contest. Gassama is an athletic and rangy four man who finished very well in the paint and showed touch as well as power. All 10 of his points came in the first half. JJ Schwepker continues to see his stock rise. The 6’5” Fort Zumwalt South product is a plus shooter from three that loves to spot up from the corners and is an underrated athlete. Went for 22 points. On the Full Package side despite the loss we continue to be impressed with point guard Zach Miller. Smooth lefty guard handles it well and can hit an open three. He had 9 points. Worth small colleges taking a look.
Gateway Illinois Being Short Handed Not a Problem in 54-34 Victory
Gateway only had five players. The other team brought the wrong jerseys so Gateway had to switch to their others. No issues though once the game started! This team is led by Collinsville point guard Ray’Sean Taylor who is the highest ranked 2020 prospect from Illinois in the event. He displayed why! Explosive point guard that gets to the rim where he converts with athleticism, euro steps, and and-1s. Didn’t show much in the way of a jumper, but he didn’t need too as he dominated the contest with his slashing and facilitating in the lane. Finished with 13 points. Also liked the work that Collinsville junk yard dog four man Donte Williams put in down low. Tough and undersized post that runs the floor hard, snatches rebounds, and has a nice right handed hook. 16 points on the night. Alton wing Moory Woods had a couple nice drives, drilled a three, and boarded in traffic for 7 points. Mascoutah unsigned senior Malik Green is still looking for a school that will take him for both basketball and football. The athletic wing made his case on the hardwood throwing down huge dunks with his burst for 10 points.
Peoria Area Elite Continues to Roll in Win Over Illinois Bears
Last week PAE won the 17U pool and they are making a case to do it again in the STL. When talking about this squad it always begins with Manual slick scoring two guard Rolondo “Pee Wee” Brown. Does such a nice job of taking angles and changing directions stopping one a dime for his scores. Went for 13 points. Peoria High shooting guard Chris Williams has been a consistent producer for this team over the last two weeks, but this might have been his best outing. Knocked down jumpers and mixed in some hustle points inside on his way to 16 points. Manual lead guard Myriece Byrd didn’t score a ton, but got everyone the ball in position to score. Nice outing from his younger brother 2021 wing Emaryon Byrd. Projectable wing with a nice looking shot can also take his man off the bounce as he did for 9 points. For the Bears Nashville point guard Tristen Hercules had a big game. The 5’10” lead guard hit several threes while showing his grittiness that he has become known for. Finished with 13 points. Woodlawn combo guard Blake McKay is more of a natural scorer as he had a couple strong drives to the cup along with a couple of jumpers including a smooth one dribble pull up for his 11 points. Jackson Connor out of Marion presents size as a combo forward. Can take bigger guys outside and smaller guys in the post. In this game he was most effective scoring in transition and playing on the move for 8 points.