Takeaways for Each Holiday Tournament Game
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We saw a ton of basketball over the last two weeks and thought it would be fun to take a look at every game we saw during the holiday tournament season and give a quick thought on each! Let’s do…
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Continue ReadingWe saw a ton of basketball over the last two weeks and thought it would be fun to take a look at every game we saw during the holiday tournament season and give a quick thought on each! Let’s do that in Takeaways for Each Holiday Tournament Game!
December 23 – Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic
Homewood Flossmoor vs Maine South
The eventual champs struggled a bit early in their first game, but then they got rolling. Senior scoring guard Josiah Palmer continues to be overlooked at small college level with his perimeter scoring ability.
St. Charles East vs Lincoln Way Central
Very balanced group this year for St. Charles East. Chase Monkemeyer is a tough wing that can shoot.
Oswego East vs Rockford Auburn
Sam Schultz is back for Oswego East and the top uncommitted senior post is a no doubt D1 prospect that is being under recruited.
Stevenson vs Glenbrook North
Early on Stevenson struggled, but they have quite a deep group of seniors in Matt Ambrose, Matt Kaznikov, Robert Holmes, and John Ittounas that weathered the storm.
St. Rita vs Willowbrook
It was all Everett Stubblefield early on with his ability to score it from three point range. Then Wayne State commit Alec Millender brought his team back.
Marian Catholic vs TF South
Senior led group for Marian Catholic shines behind guard trio of Ahron Ulis, Joe Green, and Yemi Elutilo.
Hinsdale Central vs Westinghouse
Pair of seniors put on an epic shooting display! Merrimack commit Ryan Isaacson drilled threes. Devin Davis matched him shot for shot!
DePaul Prep vs Richards
Tyler Johnson is an emerging junior talent with this scoring both on and off the ball.
December 26 – Wheeling Hardwood Classic
Deerfield vs Mather
Dominant showing by Deerfield duo of Walt Mattingly and Brandon Lieb against undersized Mather squad. Deerfield center Brandon Lieb is among top uncommitted posts in class.
Elgin vs Geneva
Josh Preston is going to be a steal for University of Chicago with his toughness.
Buffalo Grove vs Waukegan
Kam Craft shines as a scoring threat proving he is among the best wings in the state’s sophomore class.
Wheeling vs Ridgewood
Jaden Terrell has three and D potential at the next level in the 2021 class.
Libertyville vs Maine West
Sleeper prospects Patrick Graham and Jared Pearson emerge.
Niles Notre Dame vs Prospect
Big three are back in tact and show out! Louis Lesmond plays best we have seen him.
Niles North vs Fremd
After his recent decommitment Aquan Smart’s recruitment is about to blow up! Scored 33 points fighting through foul trouble.
St. Viator vs Glenbrook South
The two stars Dominic Martinelli and Connor Kochera were somewhat held in check, but 2022 guard Cooper Noard puts name on map!
December 27 – Pontiac Holiday Tournament
Plainfield North vs Lockport
Colin O’Rourke will be a nice fit at the D2 level with his skilled game from mid-range and in.
Manual vs Danville
Danville star Tevin Smith goes down, but his 2021 running mate Nathanael Hoskins steps up. #4 seed Manual goes 0-2 at Pontiac.
Bloom vs OPRF
There could have been as many as 8 D1 players on the floor in this game. Dante Maddox and Christian Shumate continue their monster senior seasons.
Benet vs Warren
Quite a difference in pace from the previous game as football players were all over the floor and Colin Crothers did work in the post.
New Trier vs Aurora West
Good game to watch on the TVs from the media room as West Aurora managed only 10 points in first half.
Curie vs St. Charles North
Curie’s seniors Ramean Hinton, Saiveon Williams, and Elijah Pickens bring so much toughness to table. Connor Linke good on both ends, by why only 3 shots for St. Charles North?
Pontiac vs Bloomington
Carter Dawson is going to be playing baseball in college, but would be a nice D2 hoops prospect as 6’6” point-forward. DeMarco Clayton and Bloomington too much however!
Joliet West vs Simeon
Joliet West and their new coach got a signature win over the state’s premier program. Jamere Hill and Jaiden Lee both shine with perimeter shooting as their team couldn’t miss early from deep.
December 28 – Collinsville Holiday Classic
Mundelein vs O’Fallon
Scottie Ebube got in foul trouble early, but the physical big man did work late to help his Mundelein team win. Drake commit Conor Enright stepped up big!
Belleville East vs Lincoln
Quiet game for Belleville East stars and Lincoln senior Kaden Froebe shines with crafty game!
Collinsville vs Decatur Eisenhower
This game was tied at the half and then Collinsville blew it open behind their star senior once again proving their supremacy this year in the 618!
Springfield Southeast vs Madison
James Dent struggles in first half, but his 15 second half points lead the way in a win.
December 29 – Proviso West Holiday Tournament
Hyde Park vs Larkin
Young prospects Damari Wheeler-Thomas and Raeshom Harris put names on map!
Crete Monee vs Perspectives
Jeffery Oakley from Perspectives is going to blow up! The athletic 2021 wing can really score it!
Leo vs St. Joseph
In a game where we wanted to see the big man battle between Kendale Anderson and Kyle Thomas it was St. Joseph 2023 shooting guard Bryce Coleman who had his breakout game.
Hillcrest vs Lane Tech
Hillcrest’s junior group was solid enough to pick up win. Jakobi Heady continues to flash upside as prospect.
Fenwick vs Zion Benton
Best game of the week? Certainly could be as in the 3rd place game we had epic performances by Bryce Hopkins of Fenwick (44 points and 17 rebounds) and Amar Augillard of Zion Benton (32 points). Hopkins drilled the game winner at the buzzer.
Bogan vs Morton
It looked like Morton was going to continue their Cinderella run as they hung around early, but Antoine Bloxton then took over with his explosive scoring and defense to get Bogan the title.
December 30 – Jack Tosh Holiday Classic
Solorio vs Andrew
Solorio’s 1-2 backcourt of Donovan Jones and Sincere Key each go for 20+ points. Jones has a chance to be among best scorers in 2022 class.
Timothy Christian vs Providence
Joe Alfirevich can really score it! The small college gem posted a huge outing with his three ball and runner game.
Batavia vs St. Laurence
When yall D1s going to offer Jayden Johnson? The Batavia senior did it again with 24 points.
St. Ignatius vs Higland Park
The future is really bright for St. Ignatius with a young core, but it was Dan Florey’s shooting that carried them here.
Riverside Brookfield vs St. Patrick
Timaris Brown continues to have momentum in the sophomore class. The Galati’s Nick and Dominic provide scoring in the backcourt!
Rolling Meadows vs Lyons
Elite guard Max Christie and his 2023 brother Cam Christie combine for 38 points, but it isn’t enough as Lyons unsigned senior guard Grant Niego goes off for 32 points of his own!
Brother Rice vs Wheaton North
Garrett Horner shows he is a tough scoring wing that can hit spot up shots and get to the rack on straight line drives for Wheaton North.
December 30 – ICCP/Westmont Tournament
Tinley Park vs Eisenhower
When the best sophomore in the state is just a mile away and playing for a championship you go. Good call! This was one of the best games of the week as Tinley Park had an epic comeback to win behind #1 2022 AJ Casey’s 34 points. On the other side 2020 Jemel Jones breaks out as a scoring machine with 36 points of his own.
December 31 – Jack Tosh Holiday Classic
Wheaton St. Francis vs Palatine
Big boy Julian Campbell goes to work down low showing mobility and touch for Palatine.
Schaumburg vs Hinsdale South
Schaumburg survives in the 3rd place game behind Wisconsin commit Chris Hodges play on the interior. Billy and Bobby Durkin shoot lights out for Hinsdale South.
York vs Bolingbrook
Bolingbrook scored the championship on York’s home floor behind the athleticism of Darius Burford, Kai Evans, and Isaiah Stafford.