High IQ Fall League: Underclassmen Standouts
This weekend the High IQ Fall League concluded. I was able to see many of the top players in the state. Many of the top underclassmen played this weekend. Here is a recap of the top freshman and sophomores at the…
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Continue ReadingThis weekend the High IQ Fall League concluded. I was able to see many of the top players in the state. Many of the top underclassmen played this weekend. Here is a recap of the top freshman and sophomores at the event.
Kaiden Space Kaiden Space 6'2" | SG St.Rita | 2023 State IL 5’9 2023 St. Rita
Space was big again down the stretch of the first game for his team as he is earning the title of Mr. Clutch. Kaiden played well off the ball making a few shots in both tight games. Space was fouled while trying to tie the game with seconds expiring. He made the free throws to send the game in overtime and his team would win and advance.
Donaven Younger Donaven Younger 6'8" | C Bolingbrook | 2023 State IL 6’8 2023 Bolingbrook
Younger was very effective on the defensive side of the ball. He excelled on the boards in both games with the height advantage he made it difficult around the rim. In the first game Donovan forced many bad shots using his length inside. He block several shots in the process. As a scorer he made a top of the key three pointer and got a couple of put back rebounds. Solid effort from Younger.
Darrin Ames Darrin Ames 6'1" | PG Kenwood | 2023 State #99 Nation IL 6’0 2023 Kenwood
Ames managed to have a solid day despite being trapped and followed the whole game against Curie. Darrin made just a couple of shots on Sunday. He did a lot of dishing to his big men as they had the advantage in most matchups. Ames was steady this weekend.
Yarell Greer Yarell Greer 5'9" | PG Bogan | 2023 OH 5’10 2023 Bogan
Greer had a quick start in his game. He used his speed to blow pass defenders in the beginning of the game. Yarell forced several turnovers with quick hands in the passing lanes flipping those to transition layups. Greer is crafty around the rim he doesn’t back down from defenders no matter how big they are. As speedster Yarell didn’t take many shots if any but he was able to find guys while attacking off ball screens. In the loss Greer was a bright spot for Bogan.
Matas Buzelis Matas Buzelis 6'9" | SF Sunrise Christian | 2023 #2 Nation NLG 6’8 2023 Hinsdale Central
Another good showing for Matas this weekend. I have started to look at him as a wing instead of a stretch 4 man. He made some strong drives to the rim and finished with both hands at the rim. He made some big plays in the final 4 game as he knocked down some big shots to keep his team close. Buzelis also made some big plays on D swatting about four blocks on the day. Matas may look thin but he’s pretty fearless and doesn’t shy away from big moments. Potential top 5 player in the class.
Javonte Taylor Javonte Taylor 6'7" | PF Donda Academy | 2023 #41 Nation CA-S 6’7 2023. Kenwood
Taylor had it going for the Fire in the first game. He was a matchup problem often. Javonte moves well off the ball finding the right spots to get easy dunk and layup opportunities. In transition Taylor excels making the right play most often. He has good vision and nice touch on passes that makes him even more a weapon in the open court. In the Final 4 game Taylor made several big threes to keep his team in the game. But it wasn’t enough for the Fire to come back and win.
Jaedin Reyna 5’11 2024 St. Rita
Another strong showing for Reyna. The freshman has shown he is more than capable of being the lead guard as well as a scoring option. Jaedin plays with a ton of confidence. In the first game Thornton applied lots of pressure but Reyna didn’t fold has he made some big shots to keep to keep the game close. Using his shifty handles he got in the lane and made a tough scoop layups with defenders draped all over him and then the very next play he hit a three off a double screen. Jaedin has an above average IQ for a freshman point guard. He is a without a doubt among the better guards in the class.
Dalen Davis Dalen Davis 6'0" | PG Whitney Young | 2023 State #167 Nation IL 5’10 2023 Whitney Young
Davis had his moments on Sunday. He was mostly maintaining heavy pressure from the opposing teams and finding his teammates often racking up several assist in both games. Dalen’s highlight play of the day occurred in the first game when he split two guys attempting to trap him hard. Davis beat them and finished with a strong layup around a third defender at the rim. He controlled the pace for Young throughout the day and led them to the Fall league Championship.
James Brown 6’8 2024 St. Rita
Brown was held in check for most of his games as both times teams through multiple bodies at him to keep him from being as effective. Where James did excel was running the lanes hard in transition which is something he always does. In return his guards found him and like always he finishes well around the rim. The top freshman in the state will continue to see game plans like this the next couple of years and I anticipate his growth in these tough games.
Joshua Thomas Joshua Thomas 6'5" | PF Evanston | 2023 State IL 6’5 2023 Stevenson
The Stevenson wing played well in the second game of the day for his team. Playing alongside ( Tavari Johnson Tavari Johnson 6'0" | PG Lyons Township | 2022 State #171 Nation IL and Nick Martinelli Nick Martinelli 6'6" | SF Glenbrook South | 2022 State #235 Nation IL ) Joshua played a key role as fourth option on the court at times in the final 4 game against the Fire. Thomas made two big three pointers from the corner to keep his team up double digits. Joshua was also good defensively as he helped change shots using his length to cover ground and on strong closeouts. As a young sophomore Thomas has a lot to add to his game and has made considerable strides since I first saw him 3 months ago.
Daniel Johnson Daniel Johnson 6'6" | SF Whitney Young | 2023 State #231 Nation IL 6’5 2023 Whitney Young
Johnson came up huge for Young in the Championship game as he made big three pointers to keep his team ahead. Daniel made the move to Young from Fenwick and has been finding where he can fit in with his new squad. Daniel has tremendous upside and we will watch him grow as a player.
Eli Aldana St. Viator 2023
Eli made everyone take notice of him in his team’s matchup with the Fire. While teammates Martinelli and Johnson were the targets Aldana was the hidden weapon for the team. He made several key plays to keep his team on top. Eli made 5 threes in the game to keep the Fire at bay when they made runs. When they tried to switch bigger defenders on him Aldana made a nice high arching layup over the defense. Eli had another strong performance in the championship game. Hitting shots with defenders in his face. He plays with tons of confidence and makes the right decision if he’s the lead guard. D3s schools would benefit from having a sound player like Aldana.