Best 2019-2020 Illinois HS Games Evaluated Part 3
With the high school season over and still awaiting the beginning of the circuit we thought this would be the perfect time to look back at the best games we saw during the year. Prep Hoops Illinois scouted 152 high…
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Continue ReadingWith the high school season over and still awaiting the beginning of the circuit we thought this would be the perfect time to look back at the best games we saw during the year. Prep Hoops Illinois scouted 152 high school games during the season. In this series we look at the 30 best! Check out Best Illinois HS Games Evaluated Part 3!
Simeon vs Joliet West
This was the thrilling game on the second day of the Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Heading into the day there was an expectation that this could be and exciting contest and it most certainly lived up to those expectations. Joliet West could not miss shooting the ball from deep which was led by Jaiden Lee. The junior star proved to be an elite three point shooter netting 17 points. Jamere Hill continued to raise his stock with his dynamic playmaking scoring 19 points. Big time freshman Jeremy Fears stepped up on the big stage with 11 points. Joliet West got the win 71-66. Simeon’s back court played well in this one. DePaul commit Ahamad Bynum proved his electric scoring ability racking up 17 points. Jaylen Drane also had his moments winning off the bounce getting 14 points.
Fenwick vs Zion Benton
This was one of the most exciting games we saw all season. Who says third place games aren’t fun? This Proviso West Tournament third place game was an epic thriller. Amar Augillard Amar Augillard 6'5" | SF Zion Benton | 2021 FL for Zion Benton proved he was one of the best junior wings in the state. The power wing was phenomenal playing without Damontae Taylor Damontae Taylor 6'7" | PF Zion Benton | 2020 State IL . He carried his team powering his way to the rim and bombing in deep threes on his way to 30 points. Floyd Bailey Floyd Bailey 6'0" | PG Zion Benton | 2020 State IL also stepped up. The senior netted an array of threes for 22 points. Fenwick traded punches with ZB and they got the knockout on a three pointer at the buzzer by Bryce Hopkins Bryce Hopkins 6'7" | PF Fenwick | 2021 State #32 Nation IL . The Louisville commit was about as good as anyone we saw all season. He notched 41 points scoring at will from all three levels. Also grabbed 17 rebounds. Trey Pettigrew complimented Hopkins perfectly. The #2 sophomore got to the rim in the half court and open floor for 19 points.
Tinley Park vs Eisenhower
The next night we went off the beaten path to catch the championship game at the ICCP/Westmont tournament. This small tournament featured the top sophomore in the state Tinley Park’s AJ Casey AJ Casey 6'8" | PF Whitney Young | 2022 State #55 Nation IL . It was a unique environment different from all the high profile tournaments with tons of fans all week. This was a small gym, but still a really good atmosphere especially once the game got under way. Casey was awesome. The best we had ever seen him. The 6’8” power forward opened with a three on the wing. He scored off the bounce, mid-range shots, post ups, and more. He played with confidence and swagger. AaReyon Munir-Jones AaReyon Munir-Jones 6'2" | SG Hillcrest | 2022 State IL broke out in the sophomore class. The 6’2” guard sliced and diced his way to 15 points. Despite all of this Eisenhower led until late because of the play of Jemel Jones. This completely unknown 6’2” guard had the game of his life lighting up the nets for 36 points. Casey and Tinley Park made a comeback late to win the championship.
York vs Bolingbrook
This was the matchup in the championship at the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic. You can never go wrong with York on their home floor in this tournament. Their star Nate Shockey Nate Shockey 5'11" | PG York | 2020 State IL had a nice game recording 23 points playing with his usual high motor. In the end though Bolingbrook was just too much. Their athleticism and defense in the backcourt were overwhelming. Kai Evans slashed to the rim over and over for 19 points. Elon commit Darius Buford displayed an elite burst getting to the rim for 14 points. Bolingbrook won the championship!
Neuqua Valley vs Bolingbrook
The next week we caught Bolingbrook again against Neuqua Valley. The Raiders would fall in this game in a super high scoring game. Sharp shooter Isaiah Stafford Isaiah Stafford 6'1" | PG Crispus Attucks | 2021 IN went for 20 points. Darius Burford and Kyonte Thomas each contributed as well going for 15 points and 14 points respectively. It wasn’t enough as top 10 junior John Poulakidas had one of those spectacular games. The lefty wing did whatever he wanted. He hit his usual pull up jump shots, slick drives, and put combination moves together. Poulakidas scored 49 points which could have been more if he wasn’t injured late in the game. His running mate Connor Davis also had a big outing with 17 points doing most of his scoring in the paint.