Illinois Bears 2023/2024 Scrimmage: Standout Performers
Sunday afternoon the Illinois Bears travel team had a scrimmage combining their 2023 and 2024 prospects. The Illinois Bears program has been a staple in southern Illinois for a long time under the direction of Justin Barrington. Let’s dive into…
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Continue ReadingSunday afternoon the Illinois Bears travel team had a scrimmage combining their 2023 and 2024 prospects. The Illinois Bears program has been a staple in southern Illinois for a long time under the direction of Justin Barrington. Let’s dive into our evaluations from the event!
Cole Peppenhorst Cole Peppenhorst 6'4" | PF Breese Mater Dei | 2023 State IL (Breese Mater Dei)
Peppenhorst is a prospect that intrigued us over the last few months and this might have been the best he has played yet. The 6’4” four man is a mobile post that has a long and lanky frame with projectability. Should continue to grow. He can beat a defense in so many ways. Skilled around the basket with a soft touch. Nice looking hook shot. Stretches the floor with his perimeter shooting knocking down a handful of them off the catch throughout the day. Can put it on the deck slashing from the high post and is more than comfortable taking it off the defensive glass and pushing it on his own in transition. Good area rebounder that once he adds strength will be even better. Length plays well defensively as he can block a shot with good timing.
Cade Altadonna Cade Altadonna 6'0" | PG Highland | 2023 State IL (Highland)
Altadonna is a high level scorer that was one of the most productive bucket getters in the state last year among freshman. The crafty lefty might be an even better facilitator. He passes it with a ton of flair, but also makes sound decisions with the ball. Hits guys running the floor hard on the break. As a scorer he did most of his damage in the paint on nifty layups and creative finishes.
McGrady Noyes (Triad)
Came away intrigued with this 6’3” guard. Early on it was his passing that made an impression in the drive and kick along with hitting a rim runner in stride. The solid athlete is a capable shot maker from beyond the arc and gets out in transition for finishes. Has some projectability.
Caden Hawkins (Carterville)
Hawkins is a prospect that can fill it up inside and outside of the arc. Did just that at the scrimmages. Like how he can slash and finish tough layups and also crashes the glass for second chances from his guard spot.
Ben Maki (Ballard Memorial, KY)
Maki might be the most intriguing long term prospect here. The Kentucky big man is a 6’6” post that has legit size and a frame to continue to get stronger. He moves pretty well and has decent footwork. He is still learning how to use his body and is a bit raw, but there are a ton of tools to work with. Maki rebounded very well in this setting. Unfortunately when he would grab the board he would always bring it down to the floor and got it stolen away several times. Did have a few nice put backs and in the final game of the day flashed some offensive moves.
Grant Fridley Grant Fridley 6'1" | PG Wesclin | 2023 State IL (Trenton Wesclin)
Fridley was among the highest ranked prospects in the event. The 2023 6’1” point guard showed why displaying an all-around floor game. Pushes in the open floor and is an excellent passer with a feel for when to score and when to dish. Strong ball handler that can get to the rim where he would score at the cup or was fouled. Plus shooter that drilled an array of threes both pulling up and off the catch. Has a knack for finding open spots in the defense to get his shot off.
Kade Lustenberger Kade Lustenberger 6'5" | SF Carterville | 2023 State IL (Carterville)
Another projectable four that has some upside. Only 6’4” right now, but should continue to grow. Has touch around the hoop with a hook shot, runs the floor with fluidity in the open floor, and can crash the offensive glass.
Colten Arnold (Breese Central)
This 6’2” broad shouldered guard had a couple of strong drives where he was fouled and also hit a three although he was streaky from deep.
Seth Macke (Trenton Wesclin)
Macke is a 6’4” big bodied forward that has some skill that he mixes in with his physicality. Hit a three off the catch. Showed some touch in the paint on a hook shot and spin move.
Owen Treat (Vienna)
This 6’2” guard is a point that is a slick ball handler showing tight handles in the lane. Solid passer making good decisions when they presented themselves. We saw a couple strong takes and a three.
Seth Winkeler (Breese Mater Dei)
This 5’10” point guard was a fun player to watch. Competed on the defensive end with his scrappy nature including blocking a shot on a recover. Offensively he is a capable shooter off the catch and had a sweet scoop shot in the paint.
Reid O’Brien (Triad)
O’Brien is a 6’0” guard from Triad that can knock down threes at a pretty decent clip and got loose a few times in transition.
Drew Barrington (Carterville JH)
The youngest player at the event was this 2025 point guard. Had a nice little Manu Ginobili like euro step and scoop shot in one of the scrimmages along with connecting on a step back three.
Joe Jansen (Highland)
This big bodied and undersized 6’3” post played with physicality around the hoop. Did all of his damage in the paint throughout the day.
Connor Henshaw (Harrisburg)
The Harrisburg rising freshman guard stands at 6’0”. He is a crafty point guard with crisp handles.