Best 2019-2020 Illinois HS Games Evaluated Part 5
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 5!
Bloom vs Thornton
The Chicago south suburbs were pumped for this matchup. Fantastic crowd for this monumental game. Bloom took control and didn’t let up. It might have been the most complete effort we saw out of their Fab 5 of D1 seniors all year long as Bloom won 74-57. Tulsa bound Keshawn Williams Keshawn Williams 6'3" | SG Bloom | 2020 State #88 Nation IL went for 21 points getting loose in transition and using his athleticism at the cup. Cal State Fullerton commit Dante Maddox Dante Maddox 6'2" | SG Bloom | 2020 State #254 Nation IL hit an array of jumpers for 19 points. Christian Shumate Christian Shumate 6'5" | PF Bloom | 2020 State #376 Nation IL played above the rim including two spectacular jams for 13 points. Donovan Newby Donovan Newby 6'0" | PG Bloom | 2020 State IL and Martice Mitchell Martice Mitchell 6'9" | C Bloom | 2020 State #153 Nation IL each contributed as well with 10 points and 8 points respectively. Ari Brown Ari Brown 5'11" | PG Thornton | 2020 State IL had it rolling for Thornton in this game. The 6’0” shooting guard drilled four triples en route to 23 points.
Whitney Young vs Marian (AR)
The Dolphins got everything they could handle from Marian (AR) at the O’Fallon Shootout. Duke star DJ Steward DJ Steward 6'2" | PG Whitney Young | 2020 State #22 Nation IL was under the weather, but in his flu game he came up magnificent. He netted 26 points displaying his smooth all-around offensive skill set. His backcourt running mates were on point as well. Georgetown bound Tyler Beard Tyler Beard 6'3" | PG Whitney Young | 2021 #140 Nation VA got to the hoop and played very assertive with his burst. He scored 20 points. Standout junior point guard Jaehshon Thomas Jaehshon Thomas 6'1" | PG Whitney Young | 2021 State IL shot the ball well from the perimeter for 16 points. Detrick Reeves was outstanding for Marian. The combo guard got to the hoop and charity stripe consistently against the Dolphins for 33 points. Whitney Young survived though capturing the win.
Collinsville vs Simeon
This was the finale for the O’Fallon Shootout. Ray’Sean Taylor looked like he was going to put his team on his back again as he had it rolling early, but a box and 1 slowed him down as he finished with 12 points. Nathan Hall Nathan Hall 6'7" | PF Collinsville | 2021 State IL is a face up four that contributed 15 points for the Kahoks. Simeon’s defense and balanced scoring attack helped them pick up the win in this game. Their senior small forward Jeremiah Williams was hitting his stride at this time as he made an impact on both ends of the floor for 15 points. DePaul commit Ahamad Bynum dropped 15 points while junior wing Fred Poole played nice defense and mixed in 7 points.
Oak Forest vs Lemont
This season Oak Forest had one of their best teams in school history. Lemont didn’t care as they came out on all cylinders especially their star senior Kyle Lillwitz. The lefty two guard was feeling it from the jump with the way he shot it from all over the floor drilling threes like they were going out of style. Also mixed in several crafty drives for 25 points. It took 2 overtimes, but Oak Forest would survive this one 63-58. It took everything their big three could bring to win. Elite sophomore Robbie Avila scored inside and out while hitting the glass at a high rate for 19 points and 14 rebounds. His senior brother Juan Avila scored 16 points on threes and post ups. Jayson Kent went for 14 points displaying his smooth offensive game.
Simeon vs Morgan Park
This game was for the city championship. Jordan Brand built a whole court and stands for the title matchup. The Battle of Vincennes would be played on the biggest stage in the city. It would be defined early by the foul trouble of Adam Miller. The Illini commit picked up three fouls in the first quarter which limited his production, but he still managed 15 points. Brandon Weston was consistent all night long both scoring and on the boards for 20 points. Wake Forest bound Marcus Watson turned it up a notch in the second half doing everything he could do to get his team back in the game scoring 25 points. On the Simeon side it was their dynamic 1-2 punch Jeremiah Williams and Ahamad Bynum. Williams displayed his complete game scoring, rebounding, defending, and passing while going for 21 points. Bynum got really hot for a stretch with his jumper notching 22 points. Simeon won 81-76 to capture the CPS championship.