Kevin Brown TOC: Tuesday Scouting Notebook
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Tuesday we took in the action from the Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions in Washington. One of the nations top Thanksgiving week events. Dive into what we saw from the four games we evaluated in Kevin Brown TOC: Tuesday…
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Continue ReadingTuesday we took in the action from the Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions in Washington. One of the nations top Thanksgiving week events. Dive into what we saw from the four games we evaluated in Kevin Brown TOC: Tuesday Scouting Notebook!
Springfield Lanphier Comes Back to Win Opener over Metamora
Early on it looked like Metamora was going to run away with this game, but Lanphier fought back to capture the win 62-57. Their star senior Tye Banks Tye Banks 6'3" | SG Springfield Laphier | 2022 State IL is one of the top uncommitted prospects in the senior class. Strong bodied shooting guard got downhill on a regular basis throughout the game slashing for scores with runners and floaters. Banks went for 19 points in the win and looked every bit the part of a low-major/D2+ prospect. His running mate Tevonta Jackson Tevonta Jackson 6'1" | PG Roosevelt | 2023 State IA is a coveted 2023 point guard with a long and slender build. Took him a while to get going in this one but in the second half he was electric with the rock. Made plays off the dribble putting in multiple tear drop shots along with a key three in the fourth. Pushes the pace with his speed and defensive intensity on the other end. He had 12 points. Two other guards left their marks as Cam Kincaid is a 6’2” senior that notched 7 points by using his athleticism at the cup. Welcome to the PHI radar JaiQuan Holman as the 5’11” 2025 shined in his first high school game draining a trio from deep en route to 11 points. Definitely one to watch moving forward. Also liked what we saw out of Lanphier 6’6” 2023 power forward Austin Robinson. Well built post is a good area rebounder and displayed some touch around the hoop.
On the Metamora side the show was 2023 6’2” shooting guard Tyson Swanson. This new name to PHI had a breakout performance. Shot it well from distance early and as the game went on he was relentless taking it to the cup for crafty finishes. Not the most explosive athlete, but he has body control and a knack for getting through traffic. Went for 25 points. Senior Zack Schroeder Zack Schroeder 6'2" | SG Metamora Township | 2022 State IL showed a lot of toughness in this game. Gritty defender and was good at converting in the lane with nifty finishes on euro steps, spinning layups, and reverses. He got hurt pretty bad at the end of the first half, but came back in the second half to help his team. Went for 9 points. Worth a look at for a small college. Metamora’s top prospect is 2023 6’6” forward Ethan Kizer Ethan Kizer 6'6" | SF Metamora | 2023 State IL . Struggled to get things going offensively. He did rebound pretty well though as he utilized his elite athleticism high pointing boards in traffic. Two best plays were flying in for a tip in during the first half. In the second half he sealed on the block for a dunk. He had 6 points in the loss.
Pence Impresses on Big Stage
One of the players we were most looking forward to evaluating at the TOC was St. Joseph Ogden 2023 shooting guard Ty Pence Ty Pence 6'4" | SG St. Joseph Ogden | 2023 State IL . This was our first time seeing him since late June at the UIC Team Camp. He looked every bit the part of a mid-major plus recruit in this game. Pence ended the first three quarters with buzzer beaters. First quarter was a two handed poster dunk. The next two quarters ended on a pair of threes as the horn sounded. The 6’6” wing was effective playing on and off the ball in this game. Love how well he moves without the ball to get open as he is constantly on the running his defender all over the floor. When it is in his hands he almost gets a running start at his defender where he can either shake them or pull up for a jumper. He has a super quick release pulling up for clean looking shots. Solid passer that made several nice dishes and will be an effective secondary ball handler/distributor at the next level. Good athlete that got to the line late by being aggressive with the rock along with his excellent body control. Defensively he competes moving his feet and had a nice swat. Also got in the passing lane a few times for steals including a monster dunk late to seal the deal. Pence went for 36 points in the win.
He got some help especially in the first half from his sophomore 5’9” point guard Logan Smith. The competitive guard drained several threes and fought on the glass despite his lack of size. Finished with 11 points. For Denmark (WI) their go to man was Wisconsin Green Bay commit Donavan Short. At 6’10” this five man displayed excellent feel for scoring from the mid-post and in. Can put it on the deck with skilled takes along with using advanced footwork to finish at the cup. He had 18 points.
Schutt Lives Up to #1 Ranking
Yorkville Christian 2022 shooting guard Jaden Schutt Jaden Schutt 6'5" | SG Yorkville Christian | 2022 State #42 Nation IL has the target on his back this year. He took over the top spot in the class after a big summer. Committed to high profile blue blood Duke. In his teams first game of the season on a stage they haven’t played in before he was fantastic. The 6’6” shooting guard is so skilled, athletic, and versatile on the offensive end. Of course he is known as one of the premier snipers in the country with the way he shoots it from deep. Quick and easy release. He made a a few but wasn’t overwhelming with his shooting like he is sometimes. Opened the game up with a back cut for a dunk which we saw this summer consistently with the Illinois Wolves. What separates Schutt from being just an elite shooter is the athletic pop he has as he posterized a guy getting to the cup with burst. Sound passer from his two guard spot and really liked how well he rebounded all night as the tallest player on his team. He went for 27 points.
This 1A squad is much more than just their superstar senior. KJ Vasser KJ Vasser 6'3" | SG Yorkville Christian | 2022 State IL is a name to know in the senior class. The top 100 recruit in Illinois is an athletic two way player that can really shoot it when spotting up. Scorched the nets all game long off the catch hitting seven threes in the opener. High level small college recruit that could sneak into D2 consideration if he has this kind of season all year. He notched 24 points in the game. Tyler Burrows Tyler Burrows 6'3" | SG Yorkville Christian | 2022 State IL is another small college guard to track on this team. Athletic and stocky guard that does the little things well, hits shots, and plays defense. Hit mid-range shots and threes throughout for 18 points. David Douglas David Douglas 6'5" | SG Yorkville Christian | 2023 State IL is coming off a strong summer on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Lanky two guard that is slippery through traffic and is an adequate spot up shooter. He had 13 points. Really like the potential of Jehvion Starwood Jehvion Starwood 6'3" | SG Oswego East | 2024 State #269 Nation IL . The top 15 2024 prospect plays a complimentary role on this squad, but his projectability and how well he shoots it are two traits that jump off the table along with his passing flair.
Washington came up short in this one to Yorkville Christian 92-69. The standout player in this contest for the host squad was Isaac Mapson. The 6’6” post isn’t the biggest vertical athlete but has strength inside along with solid footwork. Tough on the boards and even stretched it out for a three to close the first quarter. Went for 19 points. Should find a home at the D3 or NAIA level.
St. Rita Young Stars Show Up
First game of the year and St. Rita looked the part. Maybe the most anticipated team for casual high school basketball fans across the state this season are the Mustangs. They feature five D1 recruits including three of the top five sophomores in the state. Let’s start with James Brown James Brown 6'9" | C Link Academy (from Chicago) | 2024 #66 Nation MO who is the top ranked 2024 in Illinois. Strong and extremely skilled five man. Ran the floor well, passes out of the high/low, and mauls on the offensive glass. His advanced skill is apparent at a young age. He had 12 points and numerous rebounds. His fellow five-star post Morez Johnson Morez Johnson 6'9" | PF Thornton | 2024 State #33 Nation IL is a fan favorite in Washington as he recently committed to Illinois for his college choice. Broad shouldered and athletic freak! He hammered a high/low seal for a slam to open the season. Showing fluid post moves and playing with a ton of confidence. Quick twitched power forward that is a good offensive rebounder and versatile defender. In his first game as a Big 10 commit he netted 18 points.
The best point guard in the sophomore class is St. Rita floor general Jaedin Reyna Jaedin Reyna 6'0" | PG Bishop Noll | 2024 State IN . High IQ guard that plays with such an advanced feel. Always in control and pushing the pace. Shot it well from three along with an array of acrobatic layups. Pesky defender that got his hands on several steals. He had 18 points. High-major all the way! In his debut freshman phenom Melvin Bell had several highlights including his first high school points coming on a nasty baseline dunk. Major bounce around the hoop was shown all night along with a crisp pull up J. Scored 10 points in debut.
For Urbana the story was their 6’7” 2024 center Malcolm Morris Malcolm Morris 6'7" | C Urbana | 2024 State IL . He tangled with the St. Rita twin towers and managed 11 points and quite a few rebounds. Left handed dominant as he struggled finishing with his right. Good rebounder on the offensive end as he regularly grabbed his misses and put them back in. Top 40 prospect we will continue to track.