Summer Challenge: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook
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Saturday was jam packed with high level play at M14 in Aurora where the Prep Hoops Summer Challenge was held. Let’s dive into what biggest impression on us in Summer Challenge: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook! RISE wins Saturday Opener…
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Continue ReadingSaturday was jam packed with high level play at M14 in Aurora where the Prep Hoops Summer Challenge was held. Let’s dive into what biggest impression on us in Summer Challenge: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook!
RISE wins Saturday Opener over EBA Ice 17U
In the opening game of the day we caught RISE score a 60-55 win over EBA Ice 17U. De La Salle 2022 lead guard Dajuan Bates Dajuan Bates 6'1" | PG De La Salle | 2022 State IL is a wiry floor general that is explosive off the bounce. Major burst of the speed off the dribble accelerating to the basket. Runners, acrobatic layups, and threes for 18 points. His high school teammate Caleb Jenkins Caleb Jenkins 6'6" | C North Central | 2022 State IL played the best we have seen him. Undersized five man was a force on the offensive glass with put backs and even hit a mid-range jumper for 15 points. EBA Ice was paced by Orr forward Caleb Hannah Caleb Hannah 6'7" | PF Orr | 2022 State IL . Long and rangy four that can let it fly with threes and swat shots on the defensive end netting 11 points. Lockport off guard Ethan Gallagher Ethan Gallagher 6'4" | SG Lockport Township | 2022 State IL is a rock solid wing that does the little things well and good things happen with the rock in his hands.
Archangels 17U Bounce Back with W against Chicago Lockdown
Last night the Archangels had a tough loss, but they rallied in their morning contest against Chicago Lockdown winning 57-46. It was a balanced effort in this one. Their backcourt did lead the way with Alexandre Egipciago posting 14 points. Crafty and physical combo that can get downhill and hit an open shot. Mercer County guard Eli Hofmann Eli Hofmann 5'11" | PG Mercer County | 2022 State IL showed he is more than just a shooter getting in the lane for several creative layups en route to 14 points. On the Chicago Lockdown side it was all about Owen Schneider Owen Schneider 5'10" | PG Prospect | 2022 State IL as the 5’10” Prospect point guard was unconscious from deep netting 26 points. Small college gem!
Illinois Hoopstars Rhymes Make Statement in Victory over EYBL Power Fire
The Illinois Hoopstars Rhymes 17U had one of the best wins on the Prep Hoops Circuit this spring/summer recording a 62-49 victory over the Mac Irvin Fire. They shared the ball well in this one. Marian Catholic shooting guard Jeremiah Jones Jeremiah Jones 6'4" | SG Marian Catholic | 2022 State IL only has one D1 offer with many more coming in July. Utility wing that defends, shoots, and brings athleticism scoring 14 points in the win. Tinley Park win Nick Harrell Nick Harrell 6'6" | SF Brother Rice | 2022 State IL played about as well as we have seen him in his career. Athletic wing came out aggressive scoring from multiple levels. KJ Debrick KJ Debrick 6'7" | C Springfield Lanphier | 2021 State IL was a beast inside. The wide bodied five man who is going prep next season sealed on the block for multiple scores, hit the glass, and overall played with a ton of physicality on the block. For the Mac Irvin Fire it was their superstar Kenwood’s Javonte Taylor Javonte Taylor 6'7" | PF Donda Academy | 2023 #41 Nation CA-S who scored 15 points. The 2023 forward shined knocking down corner threes with his quick release along with a big alley-oop jam. Once again unsigned senior Grant Newell Grant Newell 6'7" | PF Whitney Young | 2021 State IL played well. He brought the motor flying in for some contested rebounds and spotted up draining threes.
Epic 16U Clash Between Two of Best in Illinois
Two of the premier squads on the PHC regardless of state at the 16U level met on Saturday in Full Package and Young & Reckless. The two Illinois squads had quite the shootout with Young & Reckless recording a narrow 59-56. That extended their winning streak to 23 consecutive victories this spring/summer. Ahmad Henderson Ahmad Henderson 5'10" | PG Brother Rice | 2023 State #291 Nation IL is one of the most fun players to watch. The Brother Rice point guard is a big time shot maker from deep draining threes, being pesky on the ball, and pushing in the open floor. Went for 20 points. Emondrek Ford Emondrek Ford 6'8" | PF Bloom | 2022 State IL is coming off a strong June with Bloom. Angular post that rim runs, hits the glass, and swats shots. St. Rita’s Kaiden Space Kaiden Space 6'2" | SG St.Rita | 2023 State IL and Proviso East’s Jaloni Johnson Jaloni Johnson 6'4" | SG Proviso East | 2023 State IL each contributed in the win. For Full Package the elite shooting of New Trier guard Jake Fiegen Jake Fiegen 6'3" | SG New Trier | 2023 State IL continued. He was absolutely on fire from beyond the arc going for 25 points. One of the truly elite snipers in the state who is primed for a monster July! Benet 2023 wing Nikola Abusara Nikola Abusara 6'5" | SF Benet | 2023 State IL opened our eyes in June and has continued into July as the wiry small forward scored from multiple levels in this one. Also love the passing that Rolling Meadows center Mark Nikolich-Wilson Mark Nikolich-Wilson 6'7" | C Rolling Meadows | 2023 State IL brings out of the pivot position.
Mac Irvin Fire 2024s Play Up in Close Defeat to Wisconsin Playground UA 16s
The majority of the Mac Irvin Fire 16U squad this weekend is comprised of 2024 prospects led by a trio that will debut in the top 10 in the class rankings. They fell 64-63 against an older Wisconsin Playground squad, but the young prospects showed they are ready. St. Rita’s James Brown James Brown 6'9" | C Link Academy (from Chicago) | 2024 #66 Nation MO is about as elite as it gets when it comes to young post prospects. The 6’8” five man is quick with his moves. Spins, hooks, and overall sound footwork with touch. Works well in the pick/roll. Snatches rebounds in traffic. Went or 15 points. Kenwood small forward Christopher Riddle is a physically imposing attacking wing that gets to the rim. The skill continues to come along rapidly. Very intrigued by the upside of Jaden Smith Jaden Smith 6'10" | C Kenwood | 2024 State IL of Lincoln Park with his skill, athleticism, and physical potential. For Wisconsin Playground 16U croup Cal Klesmit shined as a lefty two guard with a creative scoring game. Mid-range shot, hesi drives, and pushing off steals. Colin Hardrick is a guard that scored from all three levels with runners and threes. Robert Peters crashed the glass with authority and finished dump off dishes inside.
Basketball Paradise Plays Team Ball in W over Mac Irvin Fire
The other major statement win on Saturday came courtesy of Basketball Paradise 15U. They knocked off the Mac Irvin Fire 65-45. This team plays like a high school squad with how well they share the ball and make the extra pass to get an even better shot. Luke Kinkade from Neuqua Valley is a point guard with a big time three point game. He drained them at a super high rate en route to 15 points. Nick Schroeder from Metea Valley matched him shot for shot scoring 19 points in the victory including five beyond the arc. Others that contributed to the three point barrage were Colin Gerrity, Patrick Walsh, and Aaron Cook. The Mac Irvin Fire 15 squad was mostly comprised of 2025 prospects. Kenwood’s Bryce Heard was the best of the bunch. Wow what an impressive two guard with three level scoring pop and such an ease to his game. He scored 16 points. His high school teammate Robert Walls is a point guard that gets buckets using his jumper from mid-range and three. A pair of rangy forwards that have the prospect look are 6’5” Kenwood forward Aleks Alston and Rolling Meadows forward Ian Miletic. Kenwood 2024 power forward Calvin Robbins brings a ton of athleticism and power up front and should be a great role player this season for the Broncos with his energy.
Central Illinois Sleepers Continue to Prove They are Legit on Illini Magic
Illini Magic scored a 49-38 victory over Sharks Basketball on Saturday. The best prospect who is a complete unknown to most Illinois hoops fans is Home School 2022 power forward Joseph Fitch Joseph Fitch 6'8" | PF Christian Homeschool Assn. | 2022 IL . Uber bouncy 6’7” four man that has an elite second jump on the offensive glass. He also displayed improving skill with hook shots and a couple of clean looking jumpers. Dominant on the defensive end with his shot blocking. Went for 19 points. Bennie Slater Bennie Slater 6'5" | SF Springfield | 2021 State IL is an unsigned senior from Springfield High that will be a steal a the JUCO level. The top 30 prospect is a point forward with explosive athleticism off the bounce as he got to the rim at will scoring 20 points.
The Work Foundation Use Inside Outside Game
The Work Foundation had an inside/outside game they displayed in the game we caught. Jaybari Moore and Tywan Jackson Tywan Jackson 6'6" | PF Goode | 2022 IL were active on the defensive end along with getting to the rim for scores. Inside Simeon’s Lance Rodgers Lance Rodgers 6'7" | PF Simeon | 2022 State IL and Perspective MSA’s Keshan Ramsey anchored things. Ramsey is an intriguing 6’6” rim runner with skill potential that caught our attention for the first time.
Fundamental U Grey 17U Stacked with Impact Small College Talent
We saw the Fundamental U Grey team in action on Saturday night. Tons of small college steals that will be impactful players at the next level. Rolling Meadows point guard Orlando Thomas continued his strong play from June. Combo guard is a smooth scorer that knocks down spot up threes and ones pulling up. Sick passer and playmaker scored 12 points. Daniel Hong Daniel Hong 6'2" | PG Barrington | 2022 State IL of Barrington is another scoring point guard that hit multiple threes along with getting others involved. Huntley’s Ben Ahmar put himself on our radar with a strong outing as a shot making two guard. Up front Glenbard West power forward Ryan Renfro Ryan Renfro 6'7" | PF Glenbard West | 2022 State IL and Barrington post Nathan Boldt Nathan Boldt 6'9" | PF Barrington | 2022 State IL anchored inside and used their length on the defensive end.
Wisconsin Playground Club UA 17U Show Out in Pool A Win
Last game of Saturday was dominated by Wisconsin Playground Club UA 17U as they scored a 70-49 win over Young & Reckless/Authentic Basketball. Sharp shooter Jack Rose led the way with 15 points. Strong bodied two guard is straight money from distance! He wasn’t the only one. Chevalier Emery also hit several triples in the contest. Point guard Jack Campion is a 5’10” point guard that is crafty with the ball and a capable shooter. Maximus Nelson did a nice job of scoring inside and out from his power forward position. Looked every bit of a mid-major prospect with the way he shot it, played above the rim, and used skilled post moves for 13 points. Culearic Davis threw down one of the best dunks of the night for Playground! On the Y&R side they were pushed by Lyons 2022 point guard Tavari Johnson Tavari Johnson 6'0" | PG Lyons Township | 2022 State #171 Nation IL . He is an ultra-smooth floor general that works well in the pick and roll. Drains mid-range pull ups and floaters like they are going out of style. Elite distributor that has such a natural feel as a passer. Went for 21 points and should be at the top of every mid-major point guard board heading into July. Fenwick small forward Gabe Madej Gabe Madej 6'5" | SF Fenwick | 2022 State IL is a big time shot maker from three that also brings toughness on the interior. The small college gem had 13 points.
Quick Hitters
For Illinois Stars Johnson 17U we were impressed with a trio of their prospects in Drew Meyers Drew Meyers 6'1" | SG Aurora Christian | 2022 State IL (Aurora Christian), Zach Smith Zach Smith 6'3" | SG Chicago U-High | 2022 State IL (Chicago U-High), and Josh Ademsel (Hope) who led them to a victory over Chicago Lockdown. Trio that small colleges need to monitor in July.
Gabriel Wright from All In Athletics Hale is an unsigned senior from Proviso East that showed more versatility than we had previously seen. The power forward looked super comfortable letting it fly from deep.
For Illinois Supreme 17U Lavell Nash popped off the floor to us. The Corliss 6’2” rangy guard has a feathery touch from distance.
Chicago Impact 5’3” point guard from Joliet West Anthony Nava was the spark early for them in their night contest.
Champaign Heat point guard Jaydin Dunlap Jaydin Dunlap 6'1" | PG Bolingbrook | 2022 State IL netted 15 points in a narrow loss to Minnesota Heat Grow who were paced by their duo of Kobe Kirk and Sam Zilmer each scoring 16 points.
A player that has seen his stock soar in recent months is WIllowbrook combo guard Marquel Saleek Marquel Saleek 5'9" | PG Willowbrook | 2022 State IL . The 2022 guard from Illinois Hoopstars Taylor had 35 points against ABC Young Lions on Saturday.