Standouts: John A Logan vs Rend Lake
Last night we checked out some Southern Illinois JUCO prospects. John A Logan went on the road Wednesday night for a game in the GRAC against Rend Lake. The host Rend Lake has struggled early in the season, but you wouldn’t have known it by the way they played. They absolutely controlled most of the game with their tenacity and ability to get to the rim. The under dogs were up double digits with three minutes to go and then Logan’s guards took it up about three notches on both ends of the floor creating turnovers and hitting key shots to send the game to OT. Logan jumped out quick in overtime, but let Rend Lake back in by not making their free throws. John A Logan held on to win by a final of 96-94. Check out what the key prospects did in Standouts: John A Logan vs Rend Lake!
SG Ronnie Carson (John A Logan – Sophomore)
Carson came into the game as Logan’s leading scorer, but he didn’t get it going until late in the game. Carson is a wing scorer that is best attacking downhill and getting in the lane. Had strong drives to the hoop off the bounce that he finished with runners and floaters. Finished well as the game went along at the rim. Made a few key plays down the stretch including a big offensive rebound as well as a steal that he turned into points. Carson had 19 points. Low-major prospect.
SG Jaiveon Eaves (John A Logan – Sophomore)
Eaves was a prospect that jumped on our radar during the fall JUCO Jamboree season. The 6’3” shooting guard is a transfer from Evansville. Strongly built body. He is best as a shooter especially pulling up. Loves to work in the 15-18 foot range with his one dribble pull up. Hit several of them in this contest. At times though he settles for this shot. He has such a physical frame you would like to see him take it to the hoop and get to the line. He had 15 points. Low-major plus/mid-major prospect.
PG David Sloan (John A Logan – Freshman)
Sloan is the best prospect on Logan. The 6’0” point guard has explosive speed with the ball in the open floor. When he decides to use the jets in transition he runs right by the defense. Keeps his head up and makes passes up the floor. Explosive first step off the bounce in the half court getting in the lane. He has a good feel for the game of when to find teammates and look for his own offense. Sloan had a few bullet passes in the lane for assists and a several others his teammates didn’t convert. Capable three point shooter that drilled multiple threes in this game with height off the floor and a lot of arc on it. Defensively when locked in he is a force with his active hands and athleticism causing havoc at the point of attack. Will get burned on occasion by taking risks on defense too. Late in the game he struggled shooting free throws to put the game away. Sloan had 25 points. With another year at Logan he has a chance to be a high-major point guard.
SG Derek Hawthorne (John A Logan – Sophomore)
Hawthorne is another one of Logan’s power wings. The 6’3” native of Indianapolis shows flashes, but the consistent activity level and production throughout the game weren’t there. He got on the glass and made a few plays in transition. Hawthorne did show he was clutch hitting the shot that would ultimately send the game to OT. Finished with 11 points. Low-major prospect.
PF Melo Burrell (John A Logan – Freshman)
Burrell is a rangy 6’6” freshman forward from Morgan Park in Chicago. He flashes ability by high pointing occasional rebounds and getting some impressive blocks. Athleticism around the hoop presents some upside and he can hit a mid-range jumper. He was very wild around the hoop finishing and streaky at the free throw line. Dropped a few passes. Burrell finished with 9 points.
SF Vonnie Patterson (John A Logan – Freshman)
Vonnie Patterson is an angular and athletic 6’5” small forward who is uber bouncy. He didn’t play a ton in this game, but down the stretch he made several impactful plays including a pair of quick finishes inside. He had 6 points.
PF Delvonte McCloud (Rend Lake – Freshman)
McCloud was outstanding in this game! The 6’6” face up four man absolutely went to work against Logan and they had no answer for him on the interior. McCloud is a quality athlete that makes quick and aggressive moves with the ball in his hands. Works well from the mid-post and in. Had a couple quick drives and drilled a pair of mid-range jumpers. Finished well around the hoop including a sweet left handed and-1. Solid area rebounder. Defensively showed potential defending in a ball screen and blocking shots. He had 24 points. This is a prospect that could develop into a low-major player after two years at Rend Lake.
SG Juwan Moore (Rend Lake – Freshman)
Moore was Rend Lake’s leading scorer coming into the game and for most of the contest he was nonexistent. The 6’2” shooting guard got it going in the second half. The lefty started by scoring on some short jumpers and runners in the lane. Seemed to work best from the mid-range and in. Then he started bombing in threes including a pair in overtime that got them back in the game. He had 20 points.
PF Zen Goodridge (Rend Lake – Freshman)
Goodridge is a pretty raw prospect, but flashed on the defensive end. The 6’8” post blocked shots at a high rate. Made it tough for the Logan bigs to score inside. Offensively he had a hook shot and got on the glass for a put back. Plays a bit upright. Finished with 6 points.
SF Jordan Doss (Rend Lake – Freshman)
Doss is an athletic small forward from Chicago with size at 6’5”. He plays well in the transition game showing off his athleticism. Solid shooting stroke hitting a pair. Went for 10 points.
SF David Hunt (Rend Lake – Freshman)
Hunt is a tough and physical wing that gets after it on the defensive end. The former Kenwood standout is a junk yard dog that plays with a lot of toughness and grit. His ball handling has definitely made strides since we saw him last season. Had a couple of impressive takes combining his power and shake to score in the paint. Shot has shown some growth as well. That will never be his thing, but he did hit a three and showed a better looking shooting stroke mechanically. Hunt had 16 points.