State Finals: Top 2023 Performers
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The Illinois high school basketball season concluded over the weekend with the state final four and championship. Here we examine the best juniors at the event in State Finals: Top 2023 Performers! Brayden Long Brayden Long 6'4" | SF…
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Continue ReadingThe Illinois high school basketball season concluded over the weekend with the state final four and championship. Here we examine the best juniors at the event in State Finals: Top 2023 Performers!
Brayden Long Brayden Long 6'4" | SF Yorkville Christian | 2023 State IL (Yorkville Christian)
Long had an outstanding showing for Yorkville Christian in the semis. Strong bodied small forward has been injured for a while and it was great to see him have a breakout 23 point performance against Steeleville in the semis. He brings grit scoring on the interior with put backs and can post up smaller defenders. Also is an effective spot up shooter which is really his forte. Will be interesting player to track this spring and summer.
Zack Hawkinson Zack Hawkinson 6'4" | PF Sacred Heart Griffin | 2023 State IL (Sacred Heart Griffin)
Hawkinson will see his stock boost after his play in Champaign particularly in the semis. He was so physically dominant as an inside/outside threat. Attacked downhill with force. Posted up smaller defenders. Punished his opponents on both the offensive and defensive boards. Capable shooter from distance hitting both his three point attempts. Went for 22 points and 13 rebounds against St. Ignatius. He topped in the championship game netting 27 points and grabbing 13 boards including several huge post ups for buckets to win the state championship.
Jake Hamilton Jake Hamilton 6'3" | SG Sacred Heart Griffin | 2023 State IL (Sacred Heart Griffin)
Hamilton is a crafty two guard that might now wow you with athleticism, but he is a fundamentally sound all-around player. Made good decisions as a passer on the move and was effective finishing in the paint on nifty finishes at the cup. He had 15 points against St. Ignatius. Wasn’t quite as effective in the championship game shooting 4-12 but did manage 9 points.
Jalen Griffith Jalen Griffith 5'9" | PG Simeon | 2023 State IL (Simeon)
Griffith set the tone early in their semi final game against Metamora. The shifty point guard hit a three and won consistently on drives. Gets in the lane and finishes with floaters or runners. Also a quality set up man that should be on the D1 radar heading into the spring. He had 12 points and 3 dimes.
Ethan Kizer Ethan Kizer 6'6" | SF Metamora | 2023 State IL (Metamora)
Kizer started off strong in the opening minutes of the semis against Simeon with a pair of threes. He has excellent size on the perimeter with very good athleticism. Would have liked to seen him contribute more on the glass. He hit a huge shot late to give his team the lead and send them to the state title game with 9 points. In the championship game he opened with a three and then was held scoreless the rest of the game going 1-6 from deep. Would like to see him assert himself more inside with his athleticism. He showed that off on the defensive end swatting six shots and grabbing seven rebounds. Low-major prospect.
Tyson Swanson Tyson Swanson 6'2" | SG Metamora | 2023 State IL (Metamora)
Swanson is the x-factor for this squad. He is a sound three point shooter that also does a great job of cutting away from the ball to get open for scores in the paint. Did all of that in a 15 point outing against Simeon in the semis. Swanson got hot again in the championship carrying his team for a key stretch with an array of pull ups from 15 feet out to three point land. Went for 17 points.
Dalen Davis Dalen Davis 6'0" | PG Whitney Young | 2023 State #167 Nation IL (Whitney Young)
Davis had a solid showing in the semi final game against Barrington. The lead guard is a high IQ floor general that is steady. He can make the spectacular play at times with his passing. He does a nice job of playing off his defense getting steals and pushing the other way. One of the most effective parts of his offensive arsenal is as a pull up jump shooter from mid-range. He had 11 points in the semis.
Marcus Pigram Marcus Pigram 6'3" | SG Whitney Young | 2023 State IL (Whitney Young)
Pigram might have saved the Dolphins season when he came in and impacted the game late in the first half against Barrington. He is a tough perimeter defender that every now and then will have a big offensive outing. That’s what happened as he drained an array of mid-range jumpers for 12 points. Low-major combo guard.
Daniel Johnson Daniel Johnson 6'6" | SF Whitney Young | 2023 State #231 Nation IL (Whitney Young)
Three and D wings are all the rage! I pointed toward Johnson as the breakout player coming into the season and if he would have been healthy all year would have been. We liked what we saw out of him in semis with his spot up shooting, defense, and activity level. Mid-major guy.
Mekhi Cooper Mekhi Cooper 6'0" | PG Bolingbrook | 2023 State IL (Bolingbrook)
Cooper was fast to start out the semis from distance as the shooting point guard bombed in an array of threes finishing with 4-9 from distance for 16 points. Not only does the quick guard have deep range on his shot, but has shown growth as a passer throughout the season.