Havoc in the Heartland: Top Illinois 2023 Standouts
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We were at the Prep Hoops Havoc in the Heartland event in Indianapolis May 15-16. It was a great event full of talent from across the state line in Illinois. Here is a look at some of the prospects that…
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Continue ReadingWe were at the Prep Hoops Havoc in the Heartland event in Indianapolis May 15-16. It was a great event full of talent from across the state line in Illinois. Here is a look at some of the prospects that caught our eye in Havoc in the Heartland: Top Illinois 2023 Standouts!
Darrin Ames Darrin Ames 6'1" | PG Kenwood | 2023 State #99 Nation IL (Mac Irvin Fire)
Ames more than lived up to his lofty status coming into the event. The Kenwood southpaw was dominant in both games we saw him play. Absolutely nobody was stopping him from getting in the lane where he finished with an array of acrobatic layups on slick takes. His quick handles and ability to maneuver through tight quarters is so impressive. Drained an array of threes throughout the two games pulling up on a dime doing so. Showed explosion in the open floor dunking it on several occasions playing off his defensive intensity consistently picking the pocket of his opponent and taking it the other way for scores. Mixed in some drive and kick passes to shooters as well. The high-major prospect looked every bit the part in Indy!
Davius Loury Davius Loury 6'8" | PF Phhoenix Prep | 2024 State AZ (Mac Irvin Fire)
Kenwood 6’8” power forward was a bit up and down in the first game although he got it going late. In the second one he came out super aggressive from the jump. What makes Loury so intriguing is his size, athleticism, and skill combination. Can handle it very well for his size taking his man off the dribble getting downhill. Snatched rebounds in traffic and also does a nice job of securing difficult passes from his teammates in the lane for buckets. Versatile high-major combo forward.
Solomon Mosley Solomon Mosley 6'8" | C Kenwood | 2023 State IL (Mac Irvin Fire)
Wide bodied center from St. Rita that rebounded very well in the first game of the day on Saturday. Rebounds in his area and is a decent post defender.
Jackson Kotecki Jackson Kotecki 6'9" | PF Saint Ignatius | 2023 State IL (Mac Irvin Fire)
Kotecki has a lot of intriguing tools with his size, length, and athleticism. Did his usual thing spotting up from the corners for a pair of threes. Best play was a shot fake where he put it on the deck for a bucket. We would like to see the St. Ignatius power forward be more assertive on the boards and as a post scorer. Those two aspects would really elevate his stock.
Mekhi Cooper Mekhi Cooper 6'0" | PG Bolingbrook | 2023 State IL (Mac Irvin Fire)
Bolingbrook point guard is quick with the ball in his hands and an adequate passer. Good at getting dribble penetration off the bounce
Evan Jackson Evan Jackson 6'6" | SF St Rita Chicago | 2023 State IL (Mac Irvin Fire)
Long and rangy combo forward that screams upside especially on the defensive end with his long arms altering shots and getting in passing lanes. Quick to the offensive glass.
DeAndre Craig DeAndre Craig 5'11" | PG Mt. Carmel | 2023 State IL (South Cook Jaguars)
The Mt. Carmel 2023 point guard was playing up on the 17U level over the weekend for the Jaguars. Good decision maker as a distributor getting his older wings the ball in positions to succeed. Hit a three from the top of the key and mixed in a couple of explosive takes off the bounce where he converted with athleticism at the rack.
David Douglas (Sport-Prep Nothing But Athletes Inc)
My first extensive look at this Yorkville combo guard and we came away impressed. Rangy 6’2” guard has a silky smooth game handling it with ease, good mechanics on his shot, and likes the runner game. One to continue to monitor.
Datavion McClain (Next Generation)
McClain is a smaller point guard at only 5’8” that can really shoot it from deep. Playing up on the 17U level we were impressed with the confidence he played with letting it fly and handling the ball.