#GritSZNKickoff: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook
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The Prep Hoops Circuit started up in the Midwest on Friday night in Louisville for the #GritSZNKickoff! Here is what we saw on opening night in #GritSZNKickoff: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook! Tri-State Knicks 15U Loaded with Long Term Prospects…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops Circuit started up in the Midwest on Friday night in Louisville for the #GritSZNKickoff! Here is what we saw on opening night in #GritSZNKickoff: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook!
Tri-State Knicks 15U Loaded with Long Term Prospects
We began the evening with a 15U contest which featured Tri-State Knicks out of Ohio. They were super impressive with their size up front and playmaking guards. Early on it was their front line that made a statement on the defensive end. They have a pair of 6’5” four men in Andre Holden and Mason King who each swatted an array of shots making it difficult for their opponent to get anything to the rim when in the lane. The wings then joined in as 6’2” 2024 James Franklin was outstanding with his ability to play multiple positions while finishing at the cup with his body control. He netted 14 points while his wing running mate Elijah Perry is a thin two guard who was very active all night always being around the ball scoring 10 points. Their best player was Deon’dre Tillery who is very projectable. Long and lanky frame and this kid knock down shots! He drained three after three including several contested ones on his way to 21 points.
Rush Academy Backcourt Set in 2024
Like what we saw out of Rush Academy’s 15U backcourt. A pair of St. Louis metro east guards in Jaeden Rush Jaeden Rush 6'0" | PG O'Fallon | 2024 State IL (O’Fallon) and Jakori Adams (Belleville West). Rush didn’t score a ton, but there are a ton of intangibles to like with the lead guard. Good feel for the game, changes pace, and is a solid passer. Belleville West 6’0” two guard Jakori Adams is a high energy two guard that brings toughness getting downhill whether in the half court or in transition. Also opened the spring up with a baseline jumper on their first trip down the floor. Finished with 23 points.
6’9” 2022 Center Luke Northweather Luke Northweather 6'9" | PF Blair Oaks | 2022 State MO Shows Out for Mid Mo Elite
Really like what we saw out of Mid Mo Elite 17U 6’9” post Luke Northweather Luke Northweather 6'9" | PF Blair Oaks | 2022 State MO . He is every bit that height if not more. HIT through several scholarship caliber big men at him and he was a load inside. What we liked about him was he knew how to use his body to finish in the paint. Played physical like an old school five with an array of back to the basket moves, went through his man, and sealed very well. Rebounded in his area and was a factor protecting the rim. He had 29 points and is a no doubt D1 post! His high school teammate Quinn Kusgen Quinn Kusgen 6'1" | SG Blair Oaks | 2022 State MO also had a nice evening posting 19 points knocking down triples and pushing off his steals on the defensive end.
HIT 17U Team Has Size and Shooters
Hoops Intensity Training out of Chicago made the trip down from Chicago. They return Batavia 6’7” power forward Ethan Ivan Ethan Ivan 6'7" | PF Batavia | 2022 State IL . Fits the new age game as a stretch four. He drained an array of triples in the pick and pop along with spotting up. Clean and easy stroke from the perimeter. Displayed his toughness as well getting on the glass for put backs on his way to 20 points. Low-majors and high D2s should have this 2022 power forward on their radar. Billy Bach Billy Bach 6'5" | PF Lyons Township | 2022 State IL is a 6’4” two guard from Lyons that can really shoot it from deep. Plus three point threat that knocked in five of them for 17 points. Max Love Max Love 6'5" | SF St. Charle North | 2022 State IL out of St. Charles North is a strong bodied lefty wing that just produces! Gets to the line and can shoot it well. He had 15 points.
Auburn Raptors 17U Completely Dominant in Team Effort on Night 1
The Auburn Raptors brought their A game to Louisville this weekend as they won by a score of 77-30. What was most impressive was their defensive intensity consistently flipping steals into points on the other end of the floor. Loved how this group played as a team not having one true star, but rather a collection of players that play well together. Hayes Sampson plays with a lot of flair dishing the rock and he can let it fly from deep going for 15 points. There was a stretch where 6’7” Caden Brown who is also from Auburn High School (AL) took over. Strong and athletic forward plays very hard getting on the glass and running the floor for dunks. He went for 12 points.
Different Styles of Posts Battle in Nightcap
Champaign Heat won behind a strong second half over All-Area Basketball Gold 17U 61-37. I enjoyed watching the battle inside in the first half between two vastly different types of post players. All-Area Basketball Gold has a 6’6” skilled four man Carter Abshear that can stretch the floor in pick and pop situations along with being mobile on both ends. For Champaign Heat it is the brute force of Mattoon center Sam Bradbury Sam Bradbury 6'8" | C Mattoon | 2022 State IL who plays with power as an old school post player. Champaign Heat also features a ton of under the radar prospects led by David Hubbard David Hubbard 6'4" | SG Champaign Centennial | 2022 State IL (St. Thomas More) who is a silky-smooth wing that can score from multiple levels. We got our first look at Danville 6’3” 2022 wing Martez Rhodes who has a strong body, can defend, and flashed shooting potential. Home School point guard Byron Carlo Byron Carlo 5'10" | PG Home School | 2022 State IL is the motor that makes Champaign Heat go with the way he pushes it and brings leadership.