Grit Region Finals: Scotty B’’s Saturday Notebook
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The Grit Region Finals continued along on Saturday in Indy. We hit two different gyms and saw all three ages during the day. Check out what caught our attention in Grit Region Finals: Scotty B’’s Saturday Notebook! M14 Adidas…
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Continue ReadingThe Grit Region Finals continued along on Saturday in Indy. We hit two different gyms and saw all three ages during the day. Check out what caught our attention in Grit Region Finals: Scotty B’’s Saturday Notebook!
M14 Adidas Gold 17U Captures Win to Begin Day over Motion Elite
We started the day at Fishers High School to check out a couple of Illinois squads square off as M14 Adidas Gold netted a 60-54 victory over Motion Elite. Plainfield North 2023 combo guard Donovan Collins was the tone setter for M14. Smooth lead guard with a clean pull up game as he had 10 points while also setting his teammates up including Belvidere North point guard Ethan Andre Ethan Andre 6'0" | PG Belvidere North | 2023 IL . The 5’10” guard was lights out from three hitting five of them in a 17 point outing while also making the extra pass. Aaron Brown Aaron Brown 6'4" | PF Joliet West | 2023 State IL is a high energy forward that got on the offensive glass and played with bounce for 10 points.
On the Motion Elite side it was Moses Leblanc who dropped 29 points in a loss. He told us after he is committed already as a preferred walk on to Northern Illinois and will head there in the fall. Well built guard that can straight get buckets with his stop and pop shot from two or three. Jordan Lodygowski is a 6’5” power forward from Orr that scored 15 points while hitting the offensive glass and getting to the line. Solid post defender.
Team Rose 16U Survives Comeback Attempt by All Area Basketball
We then headed over to Noblesville to see some younger prospects beginning with Team Rose 3SBB. They were in control for the majority of this game until All Area Basketball came back late, but it wasn’t quite enough as Team Rose advanced 80-78. The guards stole the show for Team Rose in this one. Rockford Boylan point guard Tristian Ford Tristian Ford 6'2" | PG Chi-Prep | 2025 State #158 Nation IL made several absolutely spectacular plays with the rock in his hands on pull ups, getting to the rim, and throwing lobs. He had 12 of his 13 points in the second half. His lead guard running mate Emersen Davis Emersen Davis 5'11" | PG Brooks School | 2024 IL from Danville is a blur with the rock in his hands. Great acceleration with the ball slicing up the defense while hitting side step triples for 17 points.
For All Area Basketball out of Indiana it was the Myles Baker show. The new addition to this squad was straight money with his jumper from all over the floor. The smaller scoring guard hit them in bunches scoring 26 points in the loss.
Big 3 Basketball Shah 16U Wins Classic vs Next Generation Academy
It was another tight game on court four as this one went to the wire as well in a 68-67 win for Big 3 Shah against Next Generation Academy. York 6’3” shooting guard Max Burnison is a wing with good size that has a nice overall skill set. Got to the free throw line, hit a three, and went to work in the post against smaller defenders for 9 points. Lyons 6’1” combo guard Jimmy Pajauskas Jimmy Pajauskas 6'1" Lyons Township | 2024 IL was fantastic as a crafty finisher that got to the rim and the charity stripe throughout the game. Was consistently in attack mode for 15 points.
On the Next Generation Academy side it was 2024 guard duo of Artavious Smith and Jared Jackson that led the way. Richwood’s Smith is a 6’0” guard that was shifty with the ball getting in the lane for scores and pushed in transition with his speed. He had 18 points. His running make Jared Jackson also from Peoria Richwoods made dynamic plays in his own right racking up 19 points with the majority coming in a barrage during the second half.
Fundamental U 2024-2 Scores W Against Capital City Teamwork
In yet another all Illinois battle Fundamental U-2 16 won 64-61 against Capital City Teamwork. For Fundamental U it was the Cayden Mudd show! The Wauconda 5’11” point guard was a force getting to the hoop, hitting triples, and living at the foul line for 21 points.
Carlos Day from Springfield High School is a quick lead guard that gets to the rim with consistency. Pesky defender that turned steals into points on the other end. He had 19 points in the game. In the first half Riverton 2024 6’1” combo guard Antonyo Davis made an impression with his lengthy frame and ability to get in the lane.
Illinois Jaguars Guards Start Strong But Team Rose 16U Front Court Too Much
It looked like the Illinois Jaguars were going to upset Team Rose 3SBB, but the big men took over and Team Rose advanced 80-60. Rockford Lutheran top 10 rising junior Mike Jones Mike Jones 6'7" | PF Chi-Prep | 2025 State #164 Nation IL showed why in the second half. He put on an aerial assault with dunk after dunk running the floor and using his explosiveness around the hoop. Mobile on both ends and is a high level rebounder. He had 16 of his 18 points in the second half. Rockford Jefferson big man Randy Johnson played physical around the hoop pounding his opponent into the hoop for 14 points. Benet power forward Parker Sulaver Parker Sulaver 6'6" | PF Benet Academy | 2024 State IL showcased his mid-range game, passing, and rebounding a 8 point outing where most of his damage was done in the first half.
For the Illinois Jaguars we liked what Chris Hill brought early in the game. The Walther Christian rising senior is a smaller scoring guard that has spurt ability getting buckets as a microwave guy as he went for 10 points with 8 coming in the first half. Tommy Bredemann is a 5’10” lead guard from St. Ignatius that was a scrappy shooter that nailed threes at a good clip for 14 points including four triples.
Pair of 2024 Posts and Scorers Emerge for Both Road 2 Greatness and IHUSTLE
We caught the majority of this contest and new names in 2024 definitely emerged in a 72-69 Road 2 Greatness win over IHUSTLE. For Road 2 Greatness their go to bucket getter was Jaiden Heymond from Rich Township. The 5’11” guard has a nice frame and scored with athleticism in the paint while also hitting several threes. Up front 6’6” five man CJ Nichols is a big bodied post that creates space inside and finished on a couple dump offs and hit the offensive glass.
Another big man in 2024 made us take notice in Jayden Ingram from Hillcrest of IHUSTLE 16U. The 6’8” center has broad shoulders and moves very well. Showed flashes scoring on an out of bounds play and using his mobility on the interior. Morgan Park duo 2024 Dwayne Halliburton and 2025 Marcus Halliburton each made an impact. Dwayne is a long and lanky 6’5” slashing wing that loves to play in transition. His brother Marcus is a 5’11” point guard that was active defensively, threw bullet passes, and has a burst to the rim.
Team FVV 16U Showcases Depth, Athleticism, Defense, and Shooting
This one wasn’t ever in much doubt as Team FVV netted a 65-45 victory over Overtime Performance. They got contributions across the board. Perspectives wing Tim Handy opened up with an array of scores including a nice cross and pull up. Peoria High combo guard Dekwon Brown Dekwon Brown 6'4" | PG Simeon | 2024 #273 Nation IL was impressive with his ability to breakdown defenders and score from multiple levels. Also mixed in some nice passing in traffic while netting 14 points. Latin 6’2” shooting guard Ryan Mbounbou had a stretch where he looked unstoppable once he came off the bench getting to the cup weaving in and out over and over for 12 points. The most impressive physical prospect was Simeon 2024 wing Richard Lindsey Richard Lindsey 6'5" | SF De La Salle | 2024 State IL who has a strong frame that he used in the open floor. Went up above the rim for big dunks and slashed with power. Also a capable pull up shooter as he finished with 14 points.
Ian Reesor from Overtime Performance had a strong outing for his squad. The face up forward knocked in an array of threes while also putting it on the deck and handling in the open floor for 27 points.
Breland and Bowen Lead Way in Grind Family Chicago 15U Victory
Grind Family Chicago won 67-59 vs WM Lakers Blast in the 15U division. GFC was led by St. Patrick 2025 point guard EJ Breland EJ Breland 6'0" | PG St. Patrick | 2025 State IL . High IQ leader at the point that can shoot it very well from three. He also has a nice passing feel and is a quality defender. Breland went for 16 points. Lincoln Park 6’5” small forward Justin Bowen also had a nice outing using his size and strength to convert crafty takes to the rim in the half court and transition. Very skilled prospect who had 13 points. Cooper Kavanaugh Cooper Kavanaugh 6'1" | CG Saint Patrick | 2025 IL is a 6’0” point guard that can really shoot it from distance. Jalen Crues is a 6’6” power forward that brings athleticism up front blocking shots and finishing dump offs. Pure upside for this Wheaton North post.