Fab 5: Althoff vs O’Fallon
The LOADED Belleville East 4A regional kicked off on Monday night with a pair of games. The first one featured Belleville Althoff and O’Fallon. Althoff is without their star from last year’s state title team in #2 2017 recruit Jordan…
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Continue ReadingThe LOADED Belleville East 4A regional kicked off on Monday night with a pair of games. The first one featured Belleville Althoff and O’Fallon. Althoff is without their star from last year’s state title team in #2 2017 recruit Jordan Goodwin. O’Fallon jumped out on them early in the game holding a five point lead after the first quarter. Althoff starting getting out in transition more in the second quarter to take a two point lead into the half. It was all Althoff in the second half. Their guards and wings took it to the rack over and over to get the 79-58 win. Check out our Fab 5: Althoff vs O’Fallon to see what players stood out.
MVP
PG CJ Coldon (Althoff – 2017)
Coldon is committed to Wyoming for football, but since Goodwin has been out he has been their best player. The point guard is a beast with the ball in his hands off the bounce. Great speed and explosiveness allows him to get in the lane where he finishes with body control and athleticism. Can convert with either hand at the rim. Consistently broke his man off the bounce or blew past them in transition in this game. Coldon is also a plus passer that makes quality reads once in the lane. Also really rebounded at about as high a rate as we have ever seen him. He had 24 points, 5 assists, and 11 rebounds.
Best Offensive Performance
PG Jalen Hodge (O’Fallon – 2018)
At 6’1” Hodge is a playmaker with the rock in his hands. He is quick off the bounce and uses hesitation effectively to keep the defense off balance. Really pushes it well in transition as he always has his head up looking to make a play. Passes it with flare and can also take it to the hoop with speed where he finishes with athleticism and body control. Streaky shooter. Hit one early and then struggled after that. Shoots it clean mechanically. Pesky defender that puts pressure on the ball and has active hands. Hodge finished with17 points and 4 dimes. He is a D2 prospect that has low-major potential with a strong spring.
Best Defensive Performance
SG Edwyn Brown (Althoff – 2017)
Like Coldon, Brown is headed to play football at the next level, but he is one of the key pieces for this Althoff team. He has great size and length on the wing. Really gets after it on the defensive end. We counted at least three steals that he took the other way for scores including two of them being and-1’s. Loves to get out in transition where he can use his athleticism. He absolutely poserized one of the O’Fallon defenders late in the contest with a huge one handed slam. Brown had 14 points. He will play wide receiver at Eastern Illinois.
Best Catch and Shoot
SF Marvin Bateman (Althoff – 2017)
Bateman is a 6’4” small forward that is one of the best shooters in the state. The uncommitted wing did exactly that early in this contest. He drilled three triples in the first half off the catch including one from really deep. Smooth stroke with a quick release. When he is rhythm and his feet are set he is money in the bank. We were impressed with how he showed some other areas of his game in this one. Hit a floater off the bounce and also had a sweet spinning and-1. Bateman was active defensively inside with his length and rebounded well in this contest. He finished with 16 points. As we have said all year this is a no brainer D2 kid!
Under the Radar Performance
SG Ryan Fulton (O’Fallon – 2017)
Fulton is a strong combo guard that came off the bench in this game. Quality slasher that finishes at the rim through contact. Good in transition. Small college prospect had 8 points.