3A State Finals Top Performers
PrepHoopsIllinois scouted the 3A state finals this weekend in Peoria. Belleville Althoff captured the championship behind a dominant performance in the championship game. Let’s take a look at the standout performers from all four teams in our scouting report! …
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois scouted the 3A state finals this weekend in Peoria. Belleville Althoff captured the championship behind a dominant performance in the championship game. Let’s take a look at the standout performers from all four teams in our scouting report!
SG Jordan Goodwin (Belleville Althoff – 2017)
The state’s top junior wing was dominant in Peoria. He was the best player on the floor all weekend. The 6’3” shooting guard has a strong and physical body. He plays with a never ending motor. The first aspect that always stands out with Goodwin is his relentless nature on the offensive glass getting second chance points on a consistent basis. He is a man-child from the guard position on the boards on both ends of the floor. Offensively he showed off his complete repertoire. When attacking downhill he is unguardable with his strength and craftiness in the lane along with his ability to finish through contact with ease. The jump shot continues to make strides. He hit multiple jumpers in the championship game from beyond the arc. When this becomes consistent it is over! Really needs to work on his free throw shooting. He struggled badly at the foul line especially in the semi. As much as he gets to the line these are easy points he should get. Goodwin showed his underrated passing ability in the lane as well as on several skip passes to open shooters. Defensively stood out both using his strength in the post and improved lateral quickness on the perimeter. He held Marco Pettinato to well below his average in the title game. Goodwin is a no doubt high major prospect that is in the conversation for the #1 spot in 2017, currently setting at #2 overall. He went for 25 points and 15 rebounds against St. Joe’s followed by 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists versus Lincoln Way West.
PG Tarkus Ferguson (Belleville Althoff – 2016)
The UIC commit was Mr. Versatility in both games. He did a little bit of everything to contribute to their wins. Defensively he stood out with his length making plays getting deflections and steals as well as blocks. He is good in the open floor both pushing the break and as a finisher. One impressive move was a behind the back finger roll in transition. Solid passer that should make the transition to playing on the ball more at the next level. Jumper has gotten better as he hit a few, but still needs to be steadier with it. Ferguson had 11 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 blocks in the semi followed by 11 points and 7 boards in the title.
SF Brendon Gooch (Belleville Althoff – 2016)
Gooch was much like Ferguson throughout the weekend. Contributed across the board. His length played well on the defensive glass in both games. Gooch was active defensively. On the offensive end his jump shot wasn’t connecting, but he got his points in the open floor and on quick drives on the interior. He had 10 points and 11 rebounds in the semi. Then came up with 6 points and 7 boards in the championship. He is signed to play at Southern Illinois.
SF Marvin Bateman (Belleville Althoff – 2017)
At 6’5” Bateman has a long and lanky frame. He is one of the best perimeter shooters in the state. The junior was ice cold however in their game Friday going 0-4 from beyond the arc. He changed that in the championship going 2-3 drilling a couple key catch and shoot threes. Plus shooter when his feet are set. Was a presence defensively blocking a couple shots and getting a steal. Offensively he needs to diversify his game this spring to elevate his recruitment, but he is a low-major recruit at this point. He had 8 points in the championship.
PG CJ Coldon (Belleville Althoff – 2017)
Coldon might be the most underrated player on Althoff. The talented junior is a stud wide receiver recruit, but he should have D1 options if he opts for basketball at the next level. Coldon has a feel for how to run his team from the lead guard position. At 6’1” he has size and strength for the position. His vision in the half court for finding teammates on the interior as well as hitting perimeter shooters is impressive. Takes care of the basketball and is a leader on the floor. Hit the offensive glass for a few put backs. Pushes it in transition and can get to the rim. Solid mid-range shooter. He had 8 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds in the championship. Should get low-major D1 consideration.
PF Jon Marotta (Lincoln Way West – 2016)
Marotta is among the best post prospects remaining on the board. He is a face up four man that can hit a catch and shoot three. He did just that in their game against Manual on Friday. Marotta can space the floor with his ability to hit a jump shot with a sound release from both mid-range and three. Moves well without the ball in the flow of the offense to get in positions to get his shot off. Fought hard on the glass against Manual rebounding well. Struggled on the glass in the championship game though. Has quality length, but is very thin. Needs to hit the weight room at the next level. Sound passer for a post. Marotta had 13 points (5-8 FG) and 13 rebounds in the semi. Only went for 8 points and 2 rebounds in championship. Marotta is a high D2 player in my eyes with his ability to shoot the ball from the power forward position.
SG Marco Pettinato (Lincoln Way West – 2017)
When we saw Pettinato earlier in the season he didn’t have one of his better games. He played well Friday against Manual. The 6’2” broad shouldered shooting guard is strong especially in his lower half. He excels at using his strength and craftiness to bully his way in the paint to score. Pettinato likes to use a spin move deep in the paint to get his shot off. All of his points came on the interior. Not the most athletic kid and he will need to show more of a perimeter game on the circuit this summer. I was impressed with his passing feel from the off guard position although Saturday he turned it over several times. Overall just a tough kid and fiery leader. Projects right now as a high D2/potential low D1 kid depending on his spring/summer. He had 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists on Friday. Finished with 10 points on Saturday.
PG Da’Monte Williams (Peoria Manual – 2017)
The state’s top junior was nonexistent in their semifinal game against Lincoln Way West. He got in foul trouble early and just never got in a rhythm on either end of the floor. It might have been one of his worst games of the season. We wanted to see how he would respond in their third place game Saturday. It was a slow start again for Williams against St. Joe’s. He got things going with a nice pass to Douglas-Watkins on the interior then looked to score. Williams converted a high/low finish and then went to the euro step in transition. He is best when he can use his athleticism in the open floor to score. Jumper wasn’t falling from mid-range or three throughout the weekend. He was effective using quickness on the interior Saturday. His stats were 2 points and 3 rebounds on Friday followed by 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 dimes Saturday. Illinois commit still remains among the elite prospects in the junior class.
SF Romon Douglas-Watkins (Peoria Manual – 2017)
RDW might be the most underrated recruit in the 2017 class. The 6’6” small forward has great height and length for the position. He knows how to use his physical gifts to his advantage. Douglas-Watkins handles the ball well and has incredibly long strides covering a lot of ground with his steps. Excels getting out in transition going end to end with the ball after grabbing it off the defensive glass. Good touch around the hoop finishing. Solid mid-range jump shot. Range not out to three quite yet. Factor defensively and should be a plus wing defender at the next level if he wants to lock in on that end. He had 18 points and 7 rebounds in the semi followed by 12 points and 5 rebounds in 3rd place game. Mid-major recruit that’s stock is rising fast after a big junior year! Could blow up this spring.
PF Nick Rakocevic (St. Joseph’s – 2016)
Rakocevic is the state’s top uncommitted prospect in 2016. He stands at 6’11” with long arms and a frame he should add strength onto when in college. The senior recorded a double double in every single game he played this season which is incredible. His rebounding was questioned after the spring/summer and more than proved he can be a quality rebounder at the next level. Has a feel for where it is coming off the glass and a solid second jump getting back to the rim for put back chance opportunities. Scored most of his points on dump off passes and put backs. Also hit a pair of threes in the 3rd place game. He has the ability to hit face up shots, but was asked not to do that as much this year and dominate inside which he did. Was a factor defensively blocking shots. He had 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks on Friday then 26 points and 13 rebounds Saturday. Should be one of the more coveted high major post targets this spring.
PG Jason Towers (St. Joseph’s – 2017)
The 6’2” point guard has flashed ability throughout the season, but hasn’t been consistent. He played well in Peoria. The junior is a plus athlete with a long and projectable body. Speed and smooth explosion with the rock in his hands. Has the ability to blow past his defender one on one to get to the rim. He did just that on one dunk where he went baseline and hammered it home. Very aggressive attacking the hoop going downhill. Mid-range jumper has also improved to where now it is a weapon he can use on a consistent basis. Hit a pair of threes on Saturday as well. Quality vision and feel for getting others involved. Big summer ahead for him. He had 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists Friday. On Saturday he had 13 points and 3 dimes.
PG Marquise Walker (St. Joseph’s – 2019)
Walker showed some of the much hyped ability we have heard about throughout the season. In the times we have seen him he hasn’t played particularly well, but was solid in Peoria over the two days. Walker is a physically mature freshman point guard that is strong and was given the keys to the car before he can technically even drive a real one. The point guard has slick handles where he gets in and out of tight spaces to make some outstanding plays. Burst of speed in the open floor. Mid-range shot proved to be a strength this weekend as he drilled pull up 15-18 foot jumpers for days. Range is not quite out to three point territory yet on a consistent basis. As a passer he is high risk/high reward. Walker makes some spectacular dishes where he threads the needle on passes few upperclassmen could make. On the other hand he tends to turn the ball over at an exceptionally high rate. One of the better 2019 point guards in Illinois. He had 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 turnovers against Althoff. Then in his last game went for 8 points and 2 assists.