Havoc in the Heartland: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook
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What a day it was at the PrepHoops Havoc in the Heartland! Full day of hoops with tons of talent from across the state of Illinois. We dive into it all here in our Havoc in the Heartland: Scotty B’s…
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Continue ReadingWhat a day it was at the PrepHoops Havoc in the Heartland! Full day of hoops with tons of talent from across the state of Illinois. We dive into it all here in our Havoc in the Heartland: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook!
Illinois Jaguars and HIT Battle in In-State 16U Opener
First game of the event was a good one as the Illinois Jaguars narrowly defeated HIT 16U in a nail bitter. Both teams had prospects that shined. For the Jaguars OPRF 6’5” 2022 power forward Eric Locke is a long and lanky four man that uses his quickness around the basket for scores and offensive rebounds. High-motor kid that is a good defender and closed the game with several key free throws. Whitney Young jumbo wing Jordan Streeter opened our eyes with his performance. The 6’6” wing has long strides and used that to get to the rim for some impressive drives. Also connected on a three. Versatility on the defensive end. Fenwick small forward Gabe Madej showcased his well-rounded game as usual. Knocked down a mid-range jumper, got on the glass, and had a reverse layup. His high school teammate Denium Juette also made a name with his long arms and how often the lefty got to the charity stripe. Lane Tech 2022 shooting guard Sean Molloy got loose a couple times in transition and made three clutch free throws late as he was fouled on a triple. One other name to mention is Leo 6’1” point guard Austin Ford. Quick handles as he consistently lived in the paint.
For HIT 16U Oswego East 2022 shooting guard Patrick Robinson continues to see his stock rise. The powerfully built 6’5” wing attacks the hoop with physicality slashing with relentlessness. Hit a pull up jumper, rebounded well for a guard, and we saw some intriguing passing skills in this one. Batavia 2022 face up four Ethan Ivan had it working early converting several times around the hoop and using his mobility in the paint. Also drilled a corner three. Fits the new age game! Taft 6’5” small forward Joseph Rodriquez is one to watch. Big and strong wing that gets downhill with the rock in his hands. Daniel Penosky also connected on a pair of threes for HIT in the loss.
Illinois Hoopstars National 16U Fall to Team Flyght
Early on this was all about Team Flyght pushing in transition off steals and missed baskets. Then down the stretch they made several key plays including the game winner with not much time left on the clock to win 53-51.
Let’s dive into how the Illinois prospects played. Solorio 2022 Donovan Jones Donovan Jones 6'0" | PG Solorio | 2022 IL is among the top guards in the rising junior class. His jumper wasn’t falling other than one three from the top of the key, but the athletic and compactly built combo got to the rim at will. Jones’ strength and athleticism allow him to finish well through and around defenders while absorbing contact. Once he turns the corner off a ball screen he is a problem! Westinghouse 2022 center Martell Webb Martell Webb 6'7" | C Tinley Park | 2022 State IL emerged in this one as well. Big bodied five that is a bit raw, but has tools to work with. Rebounds well in his area and was a tough post defender. Played with power offensively including a sweet spin move going through his man. Simeon wing Jayquan Adams Jayquan Adams 6'6" | SG Simeon | 2022 State IL had his moments on a nice and-1 baseline take. The shot was inconsistent. Not as impactful of a game as usual, but Homewood Flossmoor power forward Christian Meeks Christian Meeks 6'6" | SF Homewood Flossmoor | 2022 State IL did have some junk buckets around the hoop and a big dunk. Love his toughness, motor, and effort he brings every game.
Illinois Jaguars 17U Fall to Team Iowa Despite Inside/Outside Duo
Usually it has been his twin brother that has made the bigger impact for the Illinois Jaguars, but today Lane Tech 6’6” power forward Chris McQueen played about as well as we have seen him. He displayed improved athleticism and the ability to put it on the deck with some consistency. Got to the hoop finishing well off drives. Was also active on the glass. Played with a lot of confidence. Dorien Little from Holy Trinity is a prospect we didn’t know much about coming in. The 6’3” wing is worth monitoring with his defensive capabilities and long strides attacking. The real story here was the play of unsigned Orr 2020 lead guard Jamari McClendon. The 6’2” guard was excellent with his tenacity winning off the bounce on straight line drives for scores. Tough finisher through contact. Hit a three and rebounded well. Pesky defender at the top of the key.
On the winning side there were several Team Iowa prospects we liked. Kalden Gage is a lanky wing that can really shoot it from deep. Quincy Underwood proved to be a big bodied post that had nimble footwork around the hoop. AJ Wegener is a 5’11” point guard that can knock down shots. Those three came up big for Team Iowa.
Central Illinois 17U Matchup as Illinois Hoopstars Willis Take on Peoria Area Elite
This was an interesting game between a pair of programs with primarily central Illinois prospects. For the Illinois Hoopstars Willis team Kankakee 2021 shooting guard AJ Storr continues to elevate his stock after a strong showing in Wisconsin two weeks ago. The jumper has become much more consistent. Connected on threes and mid-range shots. Also used his athleticism around the basket on drives for scores. Plus wing rebounder. Rickey Woods out of Bloomington had moments of three level scoring as well. Aggressive off guard that has scorer’s mentality. The Hoopstars took home the bragging rights win 68-58.
For Peoria Area Elite we continue to like the potential of Emaryon Byrd. The Peoria Manual 2021 wing has the type of frame you look for. Athletic pop around the hoop was shown off on a big tip slam. Did all of his damage scoring in the paint. Washington point guard Andrew Lewis is a lefty combo who can pass with flair on the move and had a sweet and-1. Danial Duncan out of Peoria Christian emerged in this one. The 6’3” lefty wing scored off the bounce with slashes taking quality angles. Plays bigger than his height. Hit a three, but was streaky from deep. Gavin Johnson is a 2022 product also from Peoria Christian who is a great glue guy on this team. Rebounds well for his size at the guard spot and is a capable shooter.
Big Boys Dominant in HIT 17U Win
It was the dynamic duo inside for Hoops Intensity Training 17U that came up big in their win over Indiana Red Storm 61-47. DePaul Prep 2021 center Brian Mathews Brian Mathews 6'8" | C Depaul Prep | 2021 State IL showed why he is a mid-major target in this one. The 6’8” five man was dominant for stretches anchoring on the interior. Strong rebounder that grabs them with both mitts in traffic. Very good area rebounder that gets second chance points. Used his power inside to score through defenders all day long. Defensively he was a shot blocking presence either swatting or altering multiple shots. Also liked how he dived after loose ball. Good screener. If you want an old school center in Illinois this year he is your guy! His running mate up front Roanoke Benson 6’9” center Luke Braman Luke Braman 6'8" | C Roanoke-Benson | 2021 FL shined in spurts as well. He flew in for a few rebounds out of his area. Blocked several shots. Late in the game he had a beautiful spin move for a lefty finish off deep post position. The perimeter standout for HIT was Connor Davis Connor Davis 6'4" | SG Nequa Valley | 2021 State IL . This Neuqua Valley wing stands at 6’4” and can really shoot it from three knocking down a trio of them when we were watching. Extremely efficient off the catch. Also gets after it on the glass for a wing.
Illinois Outwork 17U a Program on Rise
We really liked what we saw out of this group in Wisconsin two weeks ago and in a limited viewing on Saturday afternoon it was more of the same. Morton 2021 point guard Jesus Perez Jesus Perez 5'10" | PG Morton | 2021 State IL is going to be a priority small college lead guard. Quick and shifty with the rock in his hands. Has it on a string. Gets in the lane making plays for himself and others. Also like what Argo 2022 small forward Shallah Davis brings to the table as a rising junior. Physical wing that converts around the hoop and can hit an occasional jumper. One to track over the next two years!
Fun All-Illinois Contest in Chi-Town Warriors & Illinois Hoopstars Central 17U
We learned a lot of new names in this game. Let’s start with one we were very well aware of coming in and that is Springfield 6’2” 2021 point guard Shane Miller. The combo guard can really score off the bounce slithering through the defense over and over again. He knows how to manipulate defenders and slice up the defense. Next to him in the backcourt for the Hoopstars was a pair of Champaign Central wings in Isaiah Roosevelt and Diego Sanchez. Roosevelt was a silky smooth 6’3” two guard that netted points from multiple levels with a feathery jumper. Sanchez can hit a three along with mixing in a nice looking floater game finishing with 26 points. Yet another Champaign Central prospect that made a name was 6’6” power forward Henry Hamelberg. Stretch four that can really shoot it from three with a lanky frame.
On the Chi-Town Warriors side their guard play was very good. Chicago Christian lefty guard Phoenix Smith was a playmaker scoring in a variety of ways. For Thornridge 6’1” guard Jaha Jackson it was all about winning off the bounce with acrobatic conversions in the lane. Thornwood 2022 product Donzelle Cooke shined early with his strength and physicality from his guard spot. A player to track this year is Argo 2021 power forward Gavin Akoto. The 6’5” big man flashed as a shot blocker and using his quickness inside. Little raw, but has potential!
A Few Names Emerge in Chi-Town Warriors vs Illinois Storm 16U
New prospects put their name on our radar in this game. For the Chi-Town Warriors we came away impressed with Chicago Christian 2022 shooting guard Evan Ortiz. Plays bigger than his 6’0” height with his angular frame. Slick ball handler that can score off the bounce as well as in transition off his defense.
On the Illinois Storm side it was Hinsdale South 6’5” four man Garrett Bolte that stood out. Well-built kid that has bounce around the hoop with an explosive second jump especially considering how physical he is. One time he grabbed three consecutive rebounds on one possession. Lockport Khari Carpenter has the “prospect” look with size at 6’4” with a thin and lanky frame. Drilled a smooth two dribble pull up.
Hoopstars 16U Battle Showcases Upside Talent in 2022
The Illinois Hoopstars North Williams and Illinois Hoopstars Central 16U teams met up on Saturday. A couple new prospects impressed us. Sullivan 6’8” center Fawaz Sukurat is a long and projectable post who is a rim protector defensively, quick off the floor to the glass, and even showed some skill stretching the floor hitting a three. Fits the new age mobile post to perfection! Tons of upside here. Another prospect that flashed long term potential was Bloomington 2022 6’6” wing Famious French. Wing with athletic pop that can be an impactful prospect on both ends of the floor. He has bounce around the hoop!
Old Gold 16U Led By Kenwood Duo Shine
In our first look at Old Gold 16U it was a pair of Kenwood High School prospects that jumped off the floor to us. Let’s start with 2022 6’2” Niel Davis. The combo guard has a long and rangy frame. He came out super aggressive from the very first moment of the game! Slick taking it to the rack with euro steps and runners. Burst on his initial step was outstanding with smooth acceleration. The other Kenwood product we liked was 6’4” 2022 Dallon Morton. Projectable frame with long arms. Runs the floor with ease as a rim runner. Sound mid-range shooter. Bouncy on the offensive glass. These two should do some damage in the future for Kenwood!
Illinois Hoopstars Loaded 17U National Team Impressive vs St. Louis Blazers
This game was quite chippy between the Chicago and STL Squads, but in the end the Illinois Hoopstars just had too much winning 69-51. Balanced effort from this group. Evanston 2021 point guard Isaiah Holden did an excellent job of pushing in transition and hitting threes. Springfield Southeast shooting guard James Dent is a plus shooter from three with one of the best perimeter strokes in the class. His overall playmaking and passing are making strides as well. Springfield Lanphier center KJ Debrick anchored down low on the defensive end blocking shots. New John A Logan CC commit Donald Coats snatched rebounds in and out of his area along with showing a fluid game off the bounce handling it in space. DePaul Prep star TY Johnson got it rolling as the game went along. Made quite a few trips to the charity stripe in this game, knocked down a pair of threes, and showed flashes of why so many mid-major plus programs are coveting his services!
Brandon Hall Brandon Hall 6'6" | PG Thornton | 2021 State IL Shows Well Early for Team M.O.R.E. 17U
Thornton had one of their best seasons in recent memory last season. They were led a veteran group of senior guards, but one of the key juniors was Brandon Hall Brandon Hall 6'6" | PG Thornton | 2021 State IL . The big bodied and physical combo guard can play both on and off the ball effectively. He shined early for Team M.O.R.E. 17U early in their game on Saturday night. Like what he brings to the table defensively getting after it using his size against other guards. When he gets going downhill he is a tough cover using strength and scoop shots to score. Also looked confident on a pull up three from the top of the key.