Ridgewood: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook
In this article:
The Ridgewood Shootout concluded on Sunday with quite an epic day of basketball! We went to both sites and break it all down here in Ridgewood: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook! Lincoln Way East 2023 Prospects We began the morning…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Ridgewood Shootout concluded on Sunday with quite an epic day of basketball! We went to both sites and break it all down here in Ridgewood: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook!
Lincoln Way East 2023 Prospects
We began the morning by getting a look at Lincoln Way East. This program has had its share of prospects over the last few years and that remains the case led by their 2023 group. Long and angular wing Khalil Ross Khalil Ross 6'6" | SF Brother Rice | 2023 State IL is quick off the bounce, active on the offensive glass, and excels running the floor in transition. George Bellevue George Bellevue 6'5" | PF Lincoln Way East | 2023 State IL fits the new age four with his bounce and activity on the offensive. Big time finisher above the rim and tenacious rebounder. Kyle Olagbegi Kyle Olagbegi 6'5" | SF Lincoln Way East | 2023 State IL is rangy wing defender with toughness on the boards and skill as a passer. A fourth junior is Jayden Cook. The point guard finishes through traffic in the paint and hit mid-range jumpers.
Sleepers on Downers Grove South
Nick Terry from DGS opened up our eyes at 6’7”. The 2022 four man has a lengthy frame with quickness on the offensive glass and the lefty rim ran well. Also liked what we saw out of another senior sleeper in Jaylen Montgomery. Smaller guard at 5’9” that is a creative driver and has range on his shot. More of a volume scorer. Pat Laurich is a young big man that has some upside. Snatches rebounds and brings mobility on the offensive end.
OPRF Wing Duo Make Noise This Weekend
It was a great weekend for OPRF! They advanced to the elite 8 and both of their D1 prospects elevated their stock. Class of 2023 shooting guard Sam Lewis Sam Lewis 6'5" | SF Oak Park River Forest | 2023 State IL was about as good as we have seen him on Sunday morning. Plus shot maker with a free and easy release. What stood out most was his ability to get to the cup and convert through traffic in both the half court and transition. Justin Mullins Justin Mullins 6'4" | SF Oak Park-River Forest | 2022 State IL is a 2022 wing that had many college coaches eying him and he performed. Versatile wing that does a little bit of everything. Shot it better than we had previously seen. Knocked in mid-range jumpers and had a nice passing feel. Plus rebounder and wing defender that will be a great utility guy at the next level.
New Trier’s Fiegen Lights Out……Again
Continue to love what New Trier 2023 guard Jake Fiegen Jake Fiegen 6'3" | SG New Trier | 2023 State IL has done this spring. Elite and I mean ELITE shooter from deep. He had the entire court 4 gym in the palm of his hand with his knock down shooting in a 26 point performance where he also threw down a dunk we have never seen out of him before. Emerging as a legit D1 prospect. Class of 2022 power forward Jackson Munro Jackson Munro 6'8" | C New Trier | 2022 State IL is a skilled four that runs the floor and was often fouled on the block on dishes to him. One to continue to monitor.
Simeon’s Rubin Twins Just Scratching Surface of Potential
The 2023 Rubin twins from Simeon have no idea just how good they can be. Miles Rubin Miles Rubin 6'7" | PF Homewood Flossmoor | 2023 State #243 Nation IL is the lefty who is a rangy four that is so explosive off the floor throwing down dunks inside. Wesley Rubin Wesley Rubin 6'7" | PF Homewood Flossmoor | 2023 State IL is the right handed thicker and more skilled twin. Plus passer and has a great feel on the offensive end. Both are trending as mid-major plus guys. Jalen Griffith Jalen Griffith 5'9" | PG Simeon | 2023 State IL also had a fantastic day for the Wolverines. The 2023 floor general was a playmaker dishing the rock, knocking down threes, and hitting floaters. Jayquan Adams Jayquan Adams 6'6" | SG Simeon | 2022 State IL might have been their biggest stock riser of the weekend. Athletic two way wing was a force in transition putting himself on the map of college coaches.
Indrusaitis Official Arrival on Recruiting Radar
Sunday the player I was most looking forward to seeing was Lemont 2024 wing Nojus Indrusaitis Nojus Indrusaitis 6'5" | SG Brewster Academy | 2024 State #79 Nation NLG . He went up against national power Simeon and the young prospect looked every bit of a top 5 player in the 2024 class. Skilled two/three with plus athleticism. In the first half he went for 14 of his 18 points draining crisp and clean shots from all over the floor. Mixed in a few drives and displayed a nice passing feel. Good understanding of the game. He is projecting as a high-major prospect! Couple of others on Lemont to watch are 2023 twins Rokus Castillo and Matas Castillo. Each of the 5’11” point guards can shoot the rock from deep and penetrate.
Big 10 Teams Come to See 2023 Big Man
In a side gym at Ridgewood a ton of coaches from the Big 10 went over to check out Bradley Bourbonnais 2023 post Owen Freeman Owen Freeman 6'10" | C Moline | 2023 State #179 Nation IL including Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan State, and Illinois. Freeman is a prospect that has a lot of buzz right now after picking up several high-major offers. In the game we caught against Oak Lawn he had 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Really liked the timing and anticipation on the defensive end clearing shots. Quick post move, corner three, fadeaway off a spin in the lane, and snuck in for a put back. A lot of physical tools to like here!
Under the Radar Benet Sleepers
Niko Absara is a thin and wiry wing that caught our attention on Benet. Made plays over and over again in transition at 6’4”. Under the radar 2023 that is one to monitor. Brady Heckman Brady Heckman 6'1" | PG Benet Academy | 2022 State IL is a 2022 knock down shooter that hit threes along with spinning layups. Also liked what Brady Kunka did as a shooting specialist in the games we saw. Best prospect long term is probably 2024 combo forward Parker Sulaver. At 6’6” he has a strong frame with good instincts and toughness.
Kenwood Edges Out St. Ignatius in Instant Classic
One of the top games of the day was Kenwood vs St. Ignatius in the Sweet 16. St. Ignatius came out with an awesome game plan and held Kenwood down with their defense. Richard Barron Richard Barron 6'5" | SF St. Ignatius | 2023 State IL is a 2023 stock riser from the weekend. Big bodied wing that knocked in an array of threes and had a couple straight line takes. Kolby Gilles Kolby Gilles 6'7" | PF St Ignatius | 2022 State IL is a sleeper 2022 post that might have worked his way into a D2 opportunity with his play over the weekend on both ends. Good motor and versatile defender. AJ Redd AJ Redd 6'3" | SG St. Ignatius | 2022 State IL won off the bounce with his usual slithering drives for scores in the mid-range and at the cup. In the end it wasn’t quite enough as Javonte Taylor Javonte Taylor 6'7" | PF Donda Academy | 2023 #41 Nation CA-S durned it on when he needed. Feathery threes, monster dunks, and intensity on the defensive end. Freshman Bryce Heard also made a name for himself as the highly touted incoming freshman wing made several key triples.
Whitney Young Co-Champions
Whitney Young was crowned co-champions of the event after a nice day of work including wins over Benet and Curie. With Dalen Davis Dalen Davis 6'0" | PG Whitney Young | 2023 State #167 Nation IL out AJ Casey AJ Casey 6'8" | PF Whitney Young | 2022 State #55 Nation IL did a lot more ball handling than he is used to. Pushed off defensive rebounds. Couple big slams and used his athleticism off the bounce. Xavier Amos Xavier Amos 6'7" | PF Whitney Young | 2022 State #233 Nation IL has put together an awesome two week stretch with his dominance on the boards, aggressive play out of the post, and impacting the game defensively. Daniel Johnson Daniel Johnson 6'6" | SF Whitney Young | 2023 State #231 Nation IL is going to land many offers over the next few weeks as the 3 and D wing drained feathery threes all day long. Against Curie role players Matt Somerville Matt Somerville 6'6" | SF Whitney Young | 2022 State IL and Jordan Streeter Jordan Streeter 6'6" | SF Whitney Young | 2022 State IL each threw down thunderous slams.
Glenbard West Captures Co-Championship in Wins over City Powers
The other co-champion of the event was Glenbard West who went undefeated during both live periods looking like one of the premier teams heading into next season. They scored victories over Simeon in the quarters and Kenwood in the semis. The Big 3 for Glenbard West brought it with a PACKED house of college coaches. Bobby Durkin Bobby Durkin 6'6" | SF Hinsdale South | 2022 State IL drained three after three. The fact he doesn’t have a D1 offer is absolutely INSANE! One of the top shooters in the state that understands how to get open. His wing running mate Caden Pierce Caden Pierce 6'5" | SG Glenbard West | 2022 State IL displayed his versatility at his size hitting a three, fadeaway, and getting to the rim. In the second half the state’s #2 overall prospect in 2022 Braden Huff Braden Huff 6'11" | PF Glenbard West | 2022 State #58 Nation IL turned it up when his team needed it. Crafty takes, mid-range flicks of the wrist, three balls, and snatched key rebounds. On the Kenwood side in the semis Javonte Taylor Javonte Taylor 6'7" | PF Donda Academy | 2023 #41 Nation CA-S did his usual thing knocking in an array of bombs along with a massive dunk. Top junior point guard Darrin Ames Darrin Ames 6'1" | PG Kenwood | 2023 State #99 Nation IL was hitting tough threes and getting to the rim. Also the #1 senior point guard Trey Pettigrew Trey Pettigrew 6'3" | PG Hillcrest Prep | 2022 State #143 Nation IL connected on a pair of threes.
Coaches Make Trek to See Quinn to Finish Off Weekend
With the championship game being cancelled many made the drive over to St. Patrick High School to check out Jalen Quinn Jalen Quinn 6'3" | PG Tuscola | 2022 State #136 Nation IL and Tuscola. There were a host of mid-major and a pair of high-majors in the house to see the top 10 prospect. We caught the very end of a close loss to Evanston as they fell by just a bucket. Got a full look at him against Stevenson. Good size and has definitely added strength since we last saw him in person. Love how he gets in the lane with a quick first step converting floaters with either hand, spinning layups, and acrobatics in the paint. Hit one three on a pull up early. Knocking down shots consistently is the next step in his development. Great vision as a distributor getting his teammates the rock in positions to succeed including long outlets and dropping off inside.
Stevenson Trio Core of Patriots
Stevenson won the game behind their trio of prospects. Evan Porto Evan Porto 6'2" | PG Stevenson | 2022 State IL is the vet of the group. Guard that brings scoring pop with his jumper and is improving off the dribble. Rangy 2023 forward Josh Thomas had a high/low finish along with draining a three. Christian Uremovich is an intriguing long-term prospect in the 2024 class. Skilled four man that got up on a transition dunk.