Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic: Wednesday Notebook
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PHI began our holiday tournament coverage on Wednesday taking in the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic. All of our thoughts from the date are below in Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic: Wednesday Notebook! Stevenson’s Depth and Passing Shine in Win In…
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Continue ReadingPHI began our holiday tournament coverage on Wednesday taking in the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic. All of our thoughts from the date are below in Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic: Wednesday Notebook!
Stevenson’s Depth and Passing Shine in Win
In the opening game of the event Stevenson captured a 70-46 win over Morton. It was a bit of a slow start early but then they started to swing the ball against Morton’s zone and making shots. Their point guard Evan Porto Evan Porto 6'2" | PG Stevenson | 2022 State IL was the facilitator that made everything go early with his drive and dish to shooters and skipping it around the perimeter. In the second half he got in the scoring action by getting buckets on crafty takes and using his handles to get in the paint for 16 points and 6 dimes. Nice small college senior. Class of 2023 David Sulnius was the breakout player for the Patriots. The 6’4” shooting guard was lights out off the catch from the perimeter for 14 points. Shooters with size find a home at the college level! Bouncy power forward Joshua Thomas Joshua Thomas 6'5" | PF Evanston | 2023 State IL is a junior with good physical tools that played above the rim for a tip in, lob, and went coast to coast for a dunk en route to 8 points. The top long term prospect on Stevenson is 2024 6’6” power forward Christian Uremovich Christian Uremovich 6'5" | PF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL . Skilled four that passed it well out of the paint for shooters. Efficient scorer down low with hook shots, bank ins, and several put backs scoring 14 points and 8 rebounds. For Morton Victor Garrett Victor Garrett 6'5" | PF Morton | 2023 IL flashed some intriguing tools. Lanky power forward that scored 13 points.
Meeks Powers Homewood Flossmoor Over Willowbrook 75-59
Two of the better unsigned seniors in the state battled in this one trying to lead their teams to the winner’s side of the bracket. Homewood Flossmoor 2022 power forward Christian Meeks Christian Meeks 6'6" | SF Homewood Flossmoor | 2022 State IL has been a PHI favorite for a while because of how hard he plays and the consistent productivity level he brings to the table. Athletic undersized four played above the rim with an array of monster slams, put backs, and snatching rebounds in traffic. Always seems to be around the ball. Went for 29 points and 14 rebounds! D2s and JUCOs should be all over him. In the backcourt Nashawn Holmes Nashawn Holmes 6'1" | SG Corliss | 2022 State IL is a prospect that keeps peaking our interest each time we see him play. Combo guard in the 2023 class that can shoot it and brings athleticism in the open floor as he netted 16 points Luis Acevedo Luis Acevedo 6'4" | SG Homewood Flossmoor | 2022 State IL is a nice small college point guard that plays with pace and makes the simple plays as he had 10 points and dished out 7 assists. There are a pair of upside 2024 forwards to track. Really like what we have seen from 6’5” angular sophomore Lee Marks Lee Marks 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL . Very good defensive player that blocks shots and brings versatility on that end. Offensively he had a nice spin, put back, and an alley-oop for 7 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. Best basketball is ahead of him. New name that caught our attention was Jurrell Baldwin a 6’5” well put together four in the sophomore class. Rebounded well in his area and flashed some upside.
Willowbrook’s star Marquel Saleek Marquel Saleek 5'9" | PG Willowbrook | 2022 State IL did everything he could to carry them in this game. Athletic combo guard that brings creativity with his handles slashing to the rim where he finishes well through contact. Capable shooter as he hit several from distance and even dished it well in the drive/kick. Finished with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals looking more than worthy of a D2 offer. Noah Campbell Noah Campbell 5'10" | PG Willowbrook | 2023 IL is a tough guard that provides some help for Saleek in the backcourt. The smaller guard is a solid shooter who had 11 points.
St. Rita Guards Step Up in Blowout Win
If I told you the top two overall prospects in the state combined for 2 points and one didn’t even play you would think that team might have got upset. Not even close as St. Rita won their opener huge over Lincoln Way Central 63-35. Top 2024 point guard Jaedin Reyna Jaedin Reyna 6'0" | PG Bishop Noll | 2024 State IN got it going early with an array of pull up threes and mid-range jumpers. We often talk about the passing and feel from Reyna, but he has proven over and over when he needs to get a bucket he can create it for himself if the situation requires it. Dropped 18 points. Melvin Bell has had a couple eye popping games early in his freshman season as he is trying to stake claim to the top spot in 2025. The rangy two guard displayed his feathery jumper from both three and mid-range along with his springy bounce at the cup for 15 points. High level defender as well for a young prospect with no doubt high-major ability. Kaiden Space Kaiden Space 6'2" | SG St.Rita | 2023 State IL was the other guard that stepped up in this one. The 2023 guard brings toughness and stability in the backcourt as a veteran presence. Couple put backs, three, and and-1 for 10 points.
Lincoln Way Central was led by Denison commit Jack Vegter Jack Vegter 6'4" | SG Lincoln Way East | 2022 State IL who has grown since we last saw him now standing at 6’4”. Rose up for a couple of mid-range jumpers and displayed some toughness. Will be a nice small college player.
Marian Catholic Senior Shows Why He’s Among Top Uncommitted 2022s
There are quite a few players remaining uncommitted who think they are D1 players and only a few that actually are. Marian Catholic shooting guard Jeremiah Jones Jeremiah Jones 6'4" | SG Marian Catholic | 2022 State IL is one that should be getting looks at the low-major level. He led his team to a 61-32 win over Richards on Wednesday. The angular wing brings it every game on both ends of the floor. Let’s start defensively where he is a monster on the perimeter with his hands getting steals and deflections. Moves his feet so well and makes play on that end. Blocked several shots of opposing guards. Offensively he loves to get points in transition off his defense while also having a clean looking shooting stroke and can win on straight line takes. Overall efficient on the offensive side. Went for 19 points. Low-major and D2s should be all over him. Type of player that impacts winning!
Richards power forward Deven Jiles Deven Jiles 6'6" | PF Richards | 2022 State IL is a 6’6” four that brings a solid frame and nice athleticism up front. Big that can stretch the floor with his shooting. Look for him to find a home at the small college or JUCO level!
Oswego East Gets Contributions Across the Board
Early in the season Oswego East has looked very good. They got contributions from a variety of players in their win. Class of 2023 shooting guard Mason Blanco stepped up in a major way with his perimeter shooting. The two guard nailed an array of threes on his way to 15 points. They also got help from Devon Oregon Devon Oregon 6'0" | PG Oswego East | 2022 State IL and Darren Oregon. Devon is the more well known of the brothers but after seeing Darren a couple times early in the season they both should be nice fits at the D3 level! UMSL commit Patrick Robinson Patrick Robinson 6'4" | SG Oswego East | 2022 State IL is a power wing that can get downhill and finish with toughness in the paint. Also made a couple nice passes in the win. Oswego East 2023 forward Mekhi Lowery Mekhi Lowery 6'5" | SF Oswego East | 2023 State IL has a bright future. Long and angular forward that can check multiple spots defensively and brings his athleticism on the offensive end. Went for 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals.
For Rockford Auburn the prospect we were paying most attention to was their 2024 power forward Mike Jones Mike Jones 6'7" | PF Chi-Prep | 2025 State #164 Nation IL . The well built four has a great frame and is instinctual on the defensive end blocking and contesting shots. Rebounds well in his area and has touch around the paint. Went for 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Hinsdale Central and DePaul Prep Cruise in Final Two Games of Night
Host Hinsdale Central showed well against St. Charles East in their first round win 72-57. Emerson Eck led the way as he scored 22 points draining 6-9 from three point land. Senior guard Jake Quast Jake Quast 6'3" | SG Hinsdale Central | 2022 State IL also stuffed the stat sheet for 11 points and 6 rebounds. Trent Warren Trent Warren 6'5" | SF St. Charles East | 2022 State IL who recently committed to Aurora University was bombing in threes going for 28 points on 7-17 from deep in the loss.
DePaul Prep won the last first round game over Glenbard East 50-20. The Rams moved to 10-0 with the victory. UW-Milwaukee commit Dylan Arnett Dylan Arnett 6'9" | PF DePaul Prep | 2022 State IL had an efficient night going for 18 points (9-13 FG), 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Upside sophomore Jaylan McElroy Jaylan McElroy 6'7" | PF DePaul Prep | 2024 State #262 Nation IL came off the bench to chip in 10 points and 9 rebounds.