Central Illinois Scouting: 2024s Shine on Tuesday
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Tuesday night PHI checked out a pair of central Illinois contests between Peoria Notre Dame and Pekin along with Bloomington Central Catholic vs IVC. It turned into a night all about the sophomores! We talk about them in depth here…
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Continue ReadingTuesday night PHI checked out a pair of central Illinois contests between Peoria Notre Dame and Pekin along with Bloomington Central Catholic vs IVC. It turned into a night all about the sophomores! We talk about them in depth here in Central Illinois Scouting: 2024s Shine on Tuesday!
Cooper Koch Cooper Koch 6'8" | PF Metamora | 2024 State #81 Nation IL (Peoira Notre Dame)
What a show the top 5 sophomore put on against Pekin. He was unstoppable in the first half as he had 21 of his game high 26 points in the first half while not even playing in the fourth quarter. In the paint he was most effective constantly being on the move catching passes and putting them in for layups or short floaters. Great touch and footwork in the paint. He is so efficient with his post touches. Good offensive rebounder. Has a Nowitzki step back out of the post which is one of his go to moves. Also stepped out to hit a pair of threes. Excellent passer both in the paint and facing up on the perimeter finding cutters. Looked every bit the high-major prospect he is!
Eoin Dillon (Peoria Notre Dame)
Dillon has a ton of projection as a legit 6’7” power forward with a good frame, athletic pop, and mobility. Like his passing on the interior helping Koch get some of his points inside. Good area rebounder that also gets on the offensive glass for put backs. As a scorer he was best as a finisher catching passes in traffic for buckets around the hoop as he had 6 points.
Matthew Jurgens Matthew Jurgens 6'3" | SG Pekin | 2024 State IL (Pekin)
Jurgens is a name that first jumped on our radar after his freshman season. That has carried over into his sophomore campaign. The shooting guard impressed early with the way he shot it from distance nailing four triples in the first half. Strong and stocky guard was bombing them in off the catch. Tough kid that was most of the offense for Pekin.
Cole Certa Cole Certa 6'4" | SG IMG Academy | 2024 State #129 Nation FL (Bloomington Central Catholic)
We caught a little of the first half and all of the second half of this 6’4” combo guard on Tuesday. Certa has great size and length at a young age. Projectable frame to add strength and has an all-around smooth game. Clean looking three point stroke. He hit at least four of them just in the time we were watching. Effortless off the catch as soon as it hits his hands. Along with a textbook jumper he handles it with fluidity and passed it well on the move. Solid athlete that has long term potential looking early on like a D1 prospect. Certa dropped 19 in the win.
Colin Hayes (Bloomington Central Catholic)
First look at this 6’6” power forward from BCC. He has a good frame and strength on the interior. Finishes with power inside going through his man. Gets nice position down low and is light on his feet for his size. One to continue to monitor. Finished with 14 points.