10 Best: Naperville North vs West Aurora
Naperville North hosted West Aurora in a high scoring early season contest. Both teams pushed the tempo throughout and ran good offense. Naperville North pulled away in the second half to win by a final of 87-72. Here is our 10 Best: Naperville North vs West Aurora!
MVP
PG Camron Donatlan (West Aurora – 2018)
Donatlan is a 6’3” guard that might be one of the best athletes in the state. He is a standout in hoops, football, and track. The senior had a wrap on his off hand (right) as he dislocated his knuckles about a month ago in football. He is a pretty left hand dominant player to begin with so it didn’t bother him too much. Donatlan opened with a monster slash through the lane and threw down a huge one handed dunk. It set the tone early that this was going to be a fun one. Throughout the next four quarters he pretty consistently got in the lane at will. Long strides and powerful with the ball in his hands. Size allows him to power through weaker defenders. Finished well in the paint and got to the foul line. Struggled shooting from the line and didn’t make a jumper from outside of 15 feet. This is partially because of the guide hand, but in general he isn’t the best perimeter shooter. Made some nice passes including in transition, but also forced a few for turnovers. He really got after it on the glass with his quick second jump. Defensively he was active with his length and created several steals by swiping at the ball once his man got past him. He finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds. He isn’t sure what sport he is going to do at the college level. If he wants to go basketball he could have a chance to work himself into a D2 spot or is an elite small college player. This was the best we have seen him look in a while.
Play of the game
Best play in the game was Camron Donatlan’s early slash down the lane where he threw down a nasty one handed jam!
Best offensive performance
PG Jack Hill (Naperville North – 2018)
Hill was the breakout player for Naperville North. The 6’0” point guard was LIGHTS OUT from deep in the first half. He was in a zone shooting the ball from beyond the arc. Drilled them mostly off the catch. Hit at least a handful from the land of three. More than just a shooter he displayed crisp handles and the ability to work around a ball screen attacking the cup where he made some tough layups. He had 22 points. Needs to be a kid that D3 and NAIA schools start to track!
Best prospect
PF Tom Welch (Naperville North – 2019)
Welch is a 6’6” power forward that is coming off a strong summer with the Illinois Wolves. For Naperville North he plays as a face up four which is probably the position he is best suited for at the next level. Welch moves well without the ball to get open and is very skilled. Passed the ball well throughout the game making quality reads finding teammates for open threes or layups. Good athlete that can finish around the cup with an up and under along with a soft touch. Had a sweet right handed hook shot. Also stretched it out three once. Flies in on the offensive glass. Defensively he has the mobility to defend in a ball screen and his length bothers opponents on the perimeter. Blocked a couple shots. We had him for 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. Mid-major and low-majors need to be keeping tabs on him.
Best rebounder
PF Chris Johnson (Naperville North – 2018)
Johnson went all beast mode in the second half. He isn’t the most athletic or projectable kid, but he plays with an all-out motor and toughness. The 6’7” senior post is extremely physical down low carving out post position on the block. Time after time he went right up and through his man for scores and and-1s. Makes quick and aggressive moves when he has the ball in his hands. Very crafty including using a quick lefty hook shot. Really liked how he passed the ball as well to cutters and finding shooters on the opposite side of the floor. Quality rebounder that snatches them with strong hands. Not the best shooter and struggled at the line. Johnson had 17 points and a handful of boards. Projects toward the next level as a tough glue guy that will be productive at the D3/NAIA level.
Best passer
PG Traevon Brown (West Aurora – 2019)
Brown is a point guard that we really liked in July with the Illinois Stars. At 6’0” he has athleticism and quickness for the lead guard position. Usually plays well in and up and down game which this was. It wasn’t his night. Brown only recorded four points late in the contest. He had a charge called on him early and didn’t seem like himself after. Sat out for large portions of the game. Had a couple nice assists and scored on an out of bounds play. Seemed to be bothered by length on the perimeter. We will just chalk this up as a bad night for the top 50 2019 prospect.
Best catch and shoot guy
PF Ben Young (West Aurora – 2018)
Young is a thick bodied 6’5” big man that is best offensively stretching the floor. He has a quick release and accuracy on his shot. Made a trio of triples in this contest. Doesn’t show a ton as a post player. Mostly a stretch four that should find a nice home at the small college level. Went for 9 points.
Best guy off the bench
G Jared McIntyre (Naperville North – 2018)
McIntyre stands at 5’10” and this point guard wasn’t flashy, but made a few key plays throughout the game including a three and a strong drive. Tough kid.
Best intangibles
SG Ryan Laurenzo (Naperville North – 2018)
Laurenzo stands at 6’4” and his size helps him on the wing. Showed well as a perimeter shooting threat hitting a trio of threes off the catch. Also was a solid passer. Good team player. He had 11 points. Small college kid.
Best under-the-radar performance
SG Damian Virgen (West Aurora – 2018)
Virgen stands at 6’0” and is the glue guy for West Aurora. The lefty was productive early scoring on an out of bounds play, hitting a pull up jumper, and getting to the free throw line. He had 12 points.
Best junk yard dog
PF Jared Crutcher (West Aurora – 2018)
Crutcher is a junk yard dog! The 6’5” power forward is uber athletic and tough around the hoop. At times he can be a bit out of control, but most of the time his energy translates into good things happening. He got on the offensive glass for put backs and fought for deep post position. Also has the ability to block shots. Finished with 9 points. Quality small college prospect as he lacks skill.