Midwest Collision: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook
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The PrepHoops Midwest Collision kicked off on Saturday in Minnesota. There are a quality group of Illinois teams playing this weekend in the twin cities. We dive into what we saw in our Midwest Collision: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook! …
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Continue ReadingThe PrepHoops Midwest Collision kicked off on Saturday in Minnesota. There are a quality group of Illinois teams playing this weekend in the twin cities. We dive into what we saw in our Midwest Collision: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook!
Canadian 2024 Flashes in Opener
We caught Illinois program God’s Gift in the first game of the day. They lost, but a big man for them emerged. James Bullock is listed as a 6’4” post from Calgary Academy in Canada. Not sure what the story is with him playing for the Illinois squad, but he is one to track regardless. Shot blocking presence that moves pretty well on the interior. A little raw offensively, but does flash on that end as well.
2023s Emerge for Windy City All-Stars 15U
We caught the Windy City All-Stars 15U group in their opener. Dundee Crown 6’4” power forward Kuba Senczyszyn jumped off the floor from the beginning of the game. Has some projection to continue to grow. Mobile big man that is quick on the interior and did a nice job putting it on the deck from the mid-range and baseline. Also displayed soft touch making a three and drilling turnaround mid-range shots. Larkin strong bodied guard 6’2” guard Armani Ivy loves putting it on the deck and slashing in both the half court and in transition. Another guard on this team is Adrian York of Larkin. The lead guard hit a three from the wing and crashed the glass from the perimeter. Hampshire 6’3” shooting guard Amar Adeshina is a power wing with size that can take smaller defenders down to the post and rebounds well.
CPS Trio Shine for Illinois Stars 16U in Loss
Despite the loss to a really good South Dakota Venom team there were a few bright spots for the Illinois Stars 16U. Whitney Young 2022 power forward Xavier Amos had a nice outing. We have had Amos as a D1 prospect for the last year despite him not playing much on the varsity level. He has good height at 6’7” with broad shoulders and plus athleticism. Quick around the hoop with his scoring moves and snatching rebounds. Runs the floor hard as well. Lots of upside. Simeon 6’7” power forward Lance Rodgers is a prospect that many colleges are intrigued by with his frame and long arms. He was very good on the interior defensively blocking shots. Curie 2022 shooting guard Phoenix Bullock put his name on our radar with a solid outing. The 6’1” guard plays bigger than his height with his length. Was fouled on a few explosive drives and displayed a capable three point shot. The Stars fell to the SD Venom 61-37.
Jakobi Heady Jakobi Heady 6'8" | SF Hillcrest | 2021 State IL is Upside Combo Forward in 2021
Hillcrest 6’7” combo forward Jakobi Heady Jakobi Heady 6'8" | SF Hillcrest | 2021 State IL is a prospect that we liked during the high school season. He didn’t get as much attention as some of the other wings/forwards on his team, but the kid just produces. Also has excellent projectability with his uber long arms. He opened up his first game for God’s Gift 17U with a long three. Smooth release, but it is definitely slow and needs to be sped up to get it off at the next level. Smooth driver with the rock in his hands accelerating to the basket off the bounce. Often got fouled on his takes that we saw in the first half. Low-majors need to be all over this upside forward!
Team RWA 16U Wings Impress in Close Loss
Minnesota Select edged out Team RWA 16U 73-70. There were a couple of wings for Team RWA that made an impression on us in the second half. Hillcrest 2022 6’7” small forward Kamryn Thomas made noise a week ago and continues to show his immense upside. Long and lanky forward with considerable bounce around the hoop. Put it on the deck several times where he was either fouled or converted at the cup. Length plays on the defensive end of the floor as well. Lowell (IN) 2022 6’5” shooting guard Cayden Vasko has been a revelation this summer for RWA. Plus shooters with size are coveted at the next level. That is exactly what this kid is with the way he lets it fly from three. Rebounds well for his position and had a strong drive finishing with a scoop shot.
HIT 15U Point Guard Fun to Watch
It was a tough opening half for HIT 15U, but we still enjoyed watching Plainfield Central 5’6” 2023 point guard Bryce Shoto Bryce Shoto 5'6" | PG Plainfield Central | 2023 State IL do his thing. Despite his size this kid has game. His jumper wasn’t falling, but he lived in the lane throughout the half. Regularly got to the foul line and has crisp handles. Ball is on a string. Quality passer that looks for others and pushes with speed in the open floor.
Illinois Outwork 17U Competes in Loss
One of the teams that has been a joy to watch game in and game out this summer has been Illinois Outwork 17U. They always bring the intensity and consistently play hard. That is started off by their point guard 2021 Jesus Perez. The tiny guard plays with big heart. He is a playmaker with the rock in his hands pushing it and finding his teammates. Also more than capable as a shooter stopping and popping along with winning off the dribble. Changes directions quickly. Acrobatic layups for conversations at the cup. Finished with 18 points. Small colleges in Illinois should be inquiring now. North Lawndale 2021 wing Dae’Quan Davis is an aggressive two way shooting guard that plays downhill attacking and getting to the line. Scored 9 points. Curie 2021 shooting guard Jermel Grigsby puts himself on the map with a strong outing. Athletic two guard that can showed flashes as a slasher. He had 11 points. They lost to West Central United 65-60.
Star Prospects Play well for the Illinois Stars 17U in Thrilling Win
Hillcrest Prep (AZ) 2021 shooting guard Brandon Weston was fantastic for the Illinois Stars 17U against JH1. The three level scorer showcased that winning off the bounce with his crisp handles and burst. Also connected on mid-range jumpers and stretched it out to three on several occasions looking confident letting it fly. One of the better wing finishers in transition nationally. Was tenacious on the glass and gets after it on D. Easy to see why he is a high-major wing. Bolingbrook 2021 shooting guard Kai Evans had the play of the day with a posterizing jam going baseline early. Big bodied wing that can excels in the open floor as a finisher. Also played quite a bit on the ball in this game which is something we haven’t seen a ton before. He hit the clutch shot on a deep pull up for three to send the game to OT where they eventually won by a point. Rockford East 2021 shooting guard Biggie Luster did what he best does which is bomb in threes. The lefty off guard is most effective as a spot up shooter. The angular rising senior also is a quality defender that gets into his man using his length. A couple of Rockford Jefferson 2021 names to keep an eye on in the future are 6’6” center Antonio Leavy and 6’4” two guard Brenden Moss. Leavy is a huge body inside and Moss has some projectability.
Stock Rising for Illinois Jaguars 16U Trio
We saw the Illinois Jaguars 16U opener on Saturday. Three prospects caught our eye. The first was OPRF 2022 6’5” four man Eric Locke. He is a long and lanky four man that brings above average athleticism to the table. His defense makes a major impact on the game every time he hits the floor. Really good shot blocker both weak side and recovering. Can defend out on the perimeter staying in front in switches. Explosive second jump on the glass. Offensive game flashes including a spin/short jumper in this one. Whitney Young 6’6” small forward Jordan Streeter is a pogo stick athlete that has excellent size. Love how he plays in transition as an explosive finisher always running the floor hard. He had several highlight plays in the open floor. Plus defender that blocks shots and gets steals. Like Locke he can also switch onto multiple positions. Lincoln Park 6’3” two guard Chris Hammonds is a projectable wing that has a smooth looking jumper and flies in for rebounds.
Sharks Basketball is Definition of a TEAM
I have always been a fan of when travel teams play as a group and cohesive unit. Those types of teams can beat squads with more talent. Every time I see the Sharks Basketball 17U squad they share the ball, play tough defense, and work together. That resulted in a blowout win on Saturday afternoon. Overall everyone played well, but we will highlight a few of the standouts. Maine South 6’2” shooting guard Sean Gallery Sean Gallery 6'2" | SG Maine South | 2021 State IL has greatly improved as a passer including throwing alley-oops across the court on the money. Gritty rebounder and diver. Caleb Corro Caleb Corro 6'1" | PG St. Patrick | 2021 State IL of St. Patrick is a high IQ point guard that was hot shooting it from the perimeter early in the game. Timothy Christian shooting guard Josh Harris Josh Harris 6'3" | SG Timothy Christian | 2021 State IL is a long and angular off guard that is impactful in transition, rebounds, well, and is a solid passer. Active defender and stat sheet stuffer. St. Patrick 6’6” post Michael Hamilton has elevated his stock this summer. Bouncy center that plays above the rim and is mobile in the post.
Keynan Davis Impresses Playing Up
The Windy City All-Stars 16U squad is playing up this weekend on the 17U level. Their go to player Romeoville 6’4” shooting guard Keynan Davis didn’t seemed fazed at all. The 2022 guard was aggressive from the jump. Volume scoring wing that isn’t afraid to let it fly. He missed a few deep jumpers early, but that didn’t stop his confidence as he worked his way inside for a couple finishes and free throws using his tight handles. Hit a fade away out of the mid-post along with a step back jumper. Gets good elevation off the ground on his shot and has sound form. Played a lot as the primary ball handler and made a couple nice dishes in the pick/roll. Genoa Kingston 2022 point guard Alec Golembiewski proved to be a plus shooter early on. He drilled three triples in the first half off the catch. Dundee Crown 6’3” small forward Kennon Cook is a power wing that is most effective getting downhill and playing bully ball around the hoop.
CD Elite Duo are 2021 CPS Prospects to Track
Hopefully there will be a senior season this year for 2021 prospects this winter. If so the CD Elite 17U team had a couple of rising seniors to track. In the first half we liked what Marshall 2021 6’2” combo guard Enari Thomas brought to the table. Thick guard that defends with tenacity. Powerful putting it on the deck and has a mid-range jumper. He isn’t overly projectable, but gets stuff done. On the other end is the ultra projectable Phillip Berryhill Phillip Berryhill 6'5" | SG Curie | 2021 State IL . The long and lanky 6’6” Curie small forward has always had the physical tools, but we have been waiting for the production. He flashed in the half we saw. Wasn’t dominant, but his length defensively blocking shots is impressive along with covering ground laterally. Offensively he drilled a smooth three. Just needs to put it all together!
Owen McManaman Puts on Show in Tight HIT 16U Select Loss to Archangels
This was a fun second half! The minute we got to this court Lyons 2022 guard Owen McManaman was going off for HIT Select 16U. He was phenomenal in the second half carrying his team for stretches. Up to 6’2” he is a high level three point shooter which was seen on several triples. When they flew at him he shot faked and stepped into a one dribble pull up. Also put it on the deck for a few nice finishes. It wasn’t quite enough however as the Archangels group we have really grown fond of over the last month took home the win 64-61. Galesburg 2022 point guard Jeremiah Babers made some big plays in this one. Banked in a three and used his quickness off the bounce to get in the lane. Also liked what his backcourt mate Eli Hofmann brought to the table drilling a key shot and knocking down free throws late.
RWA 17U Falls, but Trio From Last Weekend Still Show Promise
It was a rough night game for RWA’s 17U team falling 76-56, but on the bright spot three prospects that had good weekends in Omaha had solid ones again in Minnesota. Corliss 2021 jumbo combo forward Sincere Malone had a nice outing. Rebounded well on both ends of the floor. Snatched defensive rebounds and pushed on his own or threw strong outlets. Can put it on the deck and is a good transition finisher. Wheeling small forward Jaden Terrell had a few slithering drives along with his sweet lefty three. Homewood Flossmoor guard Tai Walters Tai Walters 5'11" | PG Homewood Flossmoor | 2021 State IL played more on the ball in this one with Fears out for this event. Made a couple nice passes on the move.
In-State Battle Closes Night as Illinois Stars Defeat HIT 17U
This was a fun game to finish the first night. The Illinois Stars held the lead most of the game, but HIT did make several runs at them in the second half. Not quite enough as the Stars got the win 61-55. The wings were dominant just as they were earlier in the day. Bolingbrook 2021 power wing Kai Evans got things started with a barrage of quick threes. Then he worked downhill with his strength getting to the cup for scores or fouls. Hillcrest Prep wing Brandon Weston was fantastic again. He was clearly the best player on the floor taking over whenever he wanted. Hit multiple threes and his bust to the rim was incredible. Made consistent trips to the foul line. Was relentless attacking! Rockford East shooting guard Biggie Luster showed he is more than just a shooter in this one. The angular two guard crashed the glass and was a force defensively getting into his man and contesting shots against bigger opponents. Rockford Jefferson 6’6” post Antonio Leavy was much better in the night game than afternoon. Wide bodied five man rebounded in his area, finished through contact, and flashed a hook shot. He was efficient when the ball touched his hands.
For HIT the standout was Mt. Carmel 2021 combo guard Jadyn Benson. The long and lanky guard was outstanding all night. Played on the ball running the show for the first time with this unit and you would have thought he had been there for years. His pull up jump shot was on point. Knocked it down from 15-18 feet all the way out to well beyond the three point arc. Slippery ball handler that made several nice plays off the bounce for scores. Benet 2021 small forward Tyler Van Eekeren Tyler Van Eekeren 6'5" | SF Benet | 2021 State IL continued his strong summer with HIT. He did hit a three, but as we have seen over the past several weeks his ability to slash and get out in transition paid off in this one. Made multiple trips to the charity stripe.