#HardWorkSZN Kickoff: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook
Friday night began the 2020 PrepHoops Circuit! Action kicked off in Appleton, Wisconsin for the #HardWorkSZNKickoff! Check out what we saw in our #HardWorkSZNKickoff: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook! Illinois Hoopstars Central 15U Open with Comeback Win over Minnesota Crossfire…
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Continue ReadingFriday night began the 2020 PrepHoops Circuit! Action kicked off in Appleton, Wisconsin for the #HardWorkSZNKickoff! Check out what we saw in our #HardWorkSZNKickoff: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook!
Illinois Hoopstars Central 15U Open with Comeback Win over Minnesota Crossfire
This was a fun one to start the night with! A couple of talented 15U squads battled in their first game on the PHC. MN Crossfire led until the final minute when Illinois Hoopstars and Bloomington 2023 shooting guard John Shuey drilled a three from the wing to tie the contest for three of his nine points. They got the ball back and then point guard Adam Beasley put his man in a spin cycle for an acrobatic finish to win the game 67-65. Beasley was very good all night long with his speed and ability to get in the paint scoring 21 points in the win. Intrigued by a pair of projectable four men on the Hoopstars 15U Central squad in Demarcus Wesley and Davon Prude. Wesley is a 6’4” four from Bloomington with a projectable frame, can put it on the deck a little, and protect the rim. Prude is a long and lanky 6’5” forward that is active inside defensively getting on the glass. Gurmane Springfield is a 6’4” power forward with a thick body that plays with a ton of physicality. He mauls on the glass, finishes through contact, and is a tough post defender. Netted 17 points in the win! Chris Chen from Champaign Central is a 5’10” point guard to track in the 2023 class.
For MN Crossfire Brown we came away extremely impressed with what Henry Skinner did. He had moments of brilliance in the second half. Bouncy small forward that has long strides attacking off the bounce. Also mixed in some step back shots. Rebounds out of his area. John Mueller is another upside scorer for the Minnesota squad being able to get buckets from multiple levels with good size on the perimeter.
Wisconsin 15U Battle between Wisconsin Crusaders & World Hoops Elite
Early on in this 15U game World Hoops Elite was dominating! They put on a show behind a nice trio led by Will Starks Will Starks 6'4" | SF Kenosha Tremper | 2023 State WI . The 6’4” small forward is a broad shouldered combo forward that has a quick second jump, can handle it on straight line drives, and uses athleticisim in the paint. Jordan Parker is another wing that flashed. Jamisen Young ran the show at the point winning off the dribble and was a solid distributor. He had a great moment swatting a shot and then taking it coast to coast for a score.
In the second half Wisconsin Crusaders came back strong and a major reason was the play of 6’1” guard Kyle Wisnewski. Creative scorer that can handle it off the bounce and hit an occasional open shot. He helped lead his team to a win in the battle of Wisconsin 2023s.
Unsigned 2020 Shines for Evolution
Kenosha Tremper (WI) unsigned 2020 6’4” small forward Blake Hoffman put his stamp on the game late on Friday night. Hoffman has an inside/outside game that allowed him to live at the foul line. Good footwork around the hoop. Burst off the dribble getting to the hoop. On the opposite side Sharks Basketball Academy White had a 2021 that showed some intriguing skills in Hinsdale Central shooting guard Vincent Lynch. Plays with a lot of intensity and grit. He threw a bullet pass from out bounds that led to scores and hit a mid-range jumper.
Illinois Talent on Display in Illinois Hoopstars Willis vs Team M.O.R.E. Smothers 17U
We caught the second half of this contest between a pair of Illinois squads. It was a close one early in the second half as Longwood’s Damarcies Moore was really impressive for Team M.O.R.E. Smothers 17U. Great size on the perimeter with a long and lanky frame. Hit a pair of deep threes and showed athleticism on the glass for put backs. Upside prospect to track! Also liked what shooting guard Adam Claybourne Jr from Longwood brought to the table. He was aggressive on straight line drives finding the weakness in the defense.
In the end though the depth of the Hoopstars was just too much. They turned up the defensive pressure creating turnovers and flipping them into points on the other end. Kankakee 2021 shooting guard AJ Storr AJ Storr 6'3" | SG Kankakee | 2021 IL showcased his upside as a big time slasher. He had it going in the second half with several strong takes and reverse layups. Mac Parmlee hit a three and Bloomington wing Rickey Woods Rickey Woods 6'5" | SG Bloomington | 2021 IL also displayed his scoring pop. A new name on our radar was Nick Spannos. The Decatur native is a strong bodied 6’7” four man that can stretch the floor hitting a three and mid-range jumper. The Hoopstars pulled away to win 76-56.