5 Takeaways: Mascoutah vs Highland
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We caught a metro east battle on Monday night between two up and coming squads in Mascoutah and Highland. It was close throughout, but Mascoutah’s Justin King Justin King 6'4" | PG Mascoutah | 2022 State IL had the best…
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Continue ReadingWe caught a metro east battle on Monday night between two up and coming squads in Mascoutah and Highland. It was close throughout, but Mascoutah’s Justin King Justin King 6'4" | PG Mascoutah | 2022 State IL had the best game of his career and that was the difference as Mascoutah won on the road 51-45. We look at the game in our 5 Takeaways: Mascoutah vs Highland!
Justin King Justin King 6'4" | PG Mascoutah | 2022 State IL Performance of Career
I have seen Mascoutah 6’4” point guard Justin King Justin King 6'4" | PG Mascoutah | 2022 State IL play about as much as any prospect in the 2022 class. Monday night was absolutely the best I have ever seen him. He was dominant from the jump, did it on both ends, and most importantly played with the dog that we have been waiting to emerge! It started off with his defense as he got three steals early where he converted for two dunks and an assist. Utilizes his length to pick the pocket of his opponent. So smooth in transition turning defense to offense. Silky smooth driver that had several slithering drives for layups. Passing was on point as well dishing off to his teammates in the paint when the defense collapsed on him. What is left? Oh yea lets let it rain from deep. He has been a streaky shooter in his career, but as this game went along it was clearly on! Drilled back to back pull up threes. Mixed in a couple more including one off the catch. Rebounded very well from his guard spot all night. He had 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 steals. He looked every bit the part of a mid-major prospect in this one.
Cade Altadonna Cade Altadonna 6'0" | PG Highland | 2023 State IL Just Produces
Highland 2023 point guard Cade Altadonna Cade Altadonna 6'0" | PG Highland | 2023 State IL is a tough as nails lead guard that gets buckets. He isn’t the most athletically or physically impressive, but he absolutely knows how to use his strength and skill to their maximum value. Very crafty in the lane scoring on runners which he can make with either hand. Has a knack for finishing through contact in the paint. Crisp mid-range pull up jumper. Makes sound passes in the half court including a great bounce pass for an assist. Went for 13 points.
Adversity for Both Programs
Both programs have gone through a lot over the last year. Mascoutah lost their leader as head coach Justin Love shockingly passed away this offseason. He had helped build this program up to where it is now under new head coach Cole Schomaker. Highland also faced adversity with their head coach Deryl Cunningham who had a fight with COVID-19 that had him in the hospital for a significant amount of time. It is great to see him back on the sidelines doing what he loves.
Future Bright for Both Squads
With everything both programs have gone through they are each trending upward beyond this year. For Mascoutah King will be back along with Darien Singleton Darien Singleton 6'1" | SG Belleville East | 2023 State IL who will form perhaps the best backcourt in the 618. Jack Seibert is a 6’5” post that presents good size down low. Altadonna leads the way for Highland, but there is much more. We came away very impressed with 5’11” 2024 point guard Jake Ottensmeier. The freshman has a good feel for the game and some projectability long term. Free and easy jumper along with nice athleticism. He had 9 points. Joe Jansen is a sophomore post that will be a monster at the high school level going forward with his big body and how he can score in the paint. Went for 10 points.
Highland Gym
There are special places for me across the basketball world. One of them is the Highland gym. It is a favorite of mine as I went to the Highland Shootout as a kid watching players like Thaddeus Young and Brandon Wright. I have been lucky enough to help select the teams for the shootout over the last decade with director Matt Powers. There is absolutely nothing like the atmosphere in that gym when it is packed at 8 AM and those people are not leaving the seats for 14 hours. This was vastly different as they had senior night so there were some parents in the house, but it was like a ghost town compared to what it is usually like and will be again on January 8, 2022!