PHI Friday Afternoon Scouting Notebook
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Prep Hoops Illinois checked out a couple games from different tournaments on Friday afternoon as Moline took on Madison and East St. Louis played Rockford Auburn. Take a look at what we thought in PHI Friday Afternoon Scouting Notebook! …
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Illinois checked out a couple games from different tournaments on Friday afternoon as Moline took on Madison and East St. Louis played Rockford Auburn. Take a look at what we thought in PHI Friday Afternoon Scouting Notebook!
Harding Lives Up to Hype
We haven’t got to see Moline 2023 point guard Brock Harding Brock Harding 6'0" | PG Moline | 2023 State #222 Nation IL play since last high school season and in our first look at him as a junior he lived up to the billing of a D1 prospect. First aspect that stands out about Harding is his elite court vision in the half court. He made so many excellent reads finding teammates with crisp on the money passes from difficult angles. Skipped it across to shooters and dished it off inside for finishes on the move. Advanced basketball IQ. The athletic pop was definitely on display with his quickness and change of directions on drives to the cup. Regularly got to the rim avoiding defenders with his body control. Clean looking shot from three that he can hit at a nice clip. Got after it defensively as well with probably four or five steals which he took the other way for points or dimes. Can see why mid-major and low-major programs would be intrigued here. He had 24 points in the Moline 74-48 victory.
Moline Guard Play is Deep
This group was much more than just Harding. Senior shooting guard Robert Pulliam is a plus athlete with a lanky build. Pushes it in transition and regularly got to the rim for acrobatic layups. Converted a euro step, big dunk, and mid-range jumper. Went for 14 points. Nice looking small college prospect. Kyle Taylor is another 2022 guard who should be under consideration at the D3/NAIA level. Point guard is a decent athlete with passing instincts and is a capable shooter. The other 2023 guard who shined was Grant Welch Grant Welch 6'3" | PG Moline | 2023 State IL . Liked what we saw out of him over the summer and he is primed for a big junior campaign. Combo guard with good physical tools that can really let it fly off the catch. Plus shooter with a nice all around skill. Went for 17 points. Could break into D2 territory if his progression continues.
East St. Louis Team to Beat in Metro East
We caught the first half of East St. Louis’ game against Rockford Auburn on Friday afternoon which the Flyers won 64-45. Mizzou commit Christian Jones Christian Jones 6'4" | SG East St. Louis | 2022 State IL is the star on this squad. Long and athletic combo guard brings a lot of intriguing tools to the table. He has been adamant that he is a point guard and after watching him on Friday we will be moving him to point guard in our next update. His passing vision and instincts were very apparent from the jump. Quick left handed dishes in traffic and passes with steam on them right in the hands of his teammates. Plays well off his defense swatting shots and getting steals often taking them the other way for finishes. He had a big dunk in transition and won off the bounce for scores.
The Flyers are more than just Jones. Physical 2023 combo forward Macaleab Rich Macaleab Rich 6'5" | SF East St. Louis | 2023 State #261 Nation IL brings a linebacker mentality to this team. Rugged rebounder and elite defensive player that intimidates opponents inside with his athleticism and strength. Quick second jump on the glass. Demarion Brown is the x-factor for this squad. The five man has a big frame at 6’8” 230 pounds. Moves well for his size and finishes inside on dump offs with his strong hands catching passes and soft touch. Interesting 2023 to track!
Transfer Headlines Rockford Auburn
Not too often does a transfer of a top 10 prospect fly under the radar so much that we hadn’t heard about it. That was the case on Friday when I looked the roster and saw Mike Jones Mike Jones 6'7" | PF Chi-Prep | 2025 State #164 Nation IL a 2024 forward from Rockford Auburn. I had no idea that he had made the move over from Lutheran for his sophomore campaign. Confirmed it with his Team Rose travel team director. Jones is a lanky four man that is active on the glass, bouncy, and has a stellar hook shot. Potential to be a very good defender down the line. The other player that caught our attention for Auburn was senior 6’1” guard Robert Chaney. Spark plug guard got to the rim for acrobatic layups and was a decent three point shooter. Plays with speed and energy. Worth a look at the small college level.