Illinois Scouting: Belleville East vs Mascoutah
PrepHoopsIllinois opened up the season with a double header at the Centralia Thanksgiving Tournament. The first game featured quite a few ranked prospects between Belleville East and Mascoutah. Belleville East came out on fire right from the start behind their…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois opened up the season with a double header at the Centralia Thanksgiving Tournament. The first game featured quite a few ranked prospects between Belleville East and Mascoutah. Belleville East came out on fire right from the start behind their three headed monster of Javon Pickett, Rico Sylvester, and Malachi Smith. Belleville East took home the win 76-50. Let’s break down the prospects in the scouting report and give out our game awards!
SF Javon Pickett (Belleville East – 2017 – Committed to Illinois)
Pickett has made this event his personal show the last two seasons with his coming out party as a sophomore and dropping 40+ to begin the season last year. The top 5 senior and Illini commit was solid on Monday night. The 6’4” wing has a silky smooth perimeter game which allows him to score in multiple ways. Early on in the contest he was settling for jumpers and they weren’t falling. He started to get rolling as the game went along. Pickett gets elevation off the floor and has worked on getting a higher release point which will help when he gets to college. As the game went on Pickett drilled a handful of triples mostly off the catch. Also got out in the transition game where he got steals defensively and turned them into buckets on the other end. Handles it well in the open floor. Showed some nice body control at the rim late in the game. Length played well defensively throughout the night. Pickett had 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals while making it look easy.
PG Rico Sylvester (Belleville East – 2017)
Sylvester is a 6’2” point guard that has been Pickett’s running mate throughout their careers. He played extremely well in their opener. Sylvester has improved the consistency on his three point shot. Used to be more of a streaky shooter, but has shown he can hit them off the catch and pulling up off the bounce. Quick handles in tight spaces and makes crisp passes to his teammates. He had 16 points and 3 dimes. Worth checking out for D3/NAIA schools.
SG Malachi Smith (Belleville East – 2018)
Smith is a 6’3” shooting guard that had a strong summer with the Southwest Jets. He has continued the momentum into his junior campaign. Smith seems locked in early in the season on both ends of the floor. He is a smooth scorer that handles the rock in tight spaces getting to the hoop. Capable three point threat off the catch. Can even post up smaller guards on occasion. Potential to score at all three levels. Impressed with what he shows defensively getting in passing lanes, moving laterally, and having active hands. When Smith plays with the motor and focus he did on Monday he is a no doubt low-major prospect. He finished with 21 points and 4 steals.
SF Jordan Yates (Belleville East – 2018)
Yates is a tough and rugged 6’3” player that brings a physical presence to this team. He is a junkyard dog that is undersized, but fights against bigger opponents and is a good athlete.
SG Jaylen Lacey (Belleville East – 2018)
Lacey stands at 6’2” with an athletic build. Came off the bench and showed flashes. Solid rebounder.
PF Blake Weiss (Mascoutah – 2018)
Weiss is the top prospect for Mascoutah. The 6’5” power forward had his moments. He showed good hands catching some tough passes inside for finishes. Very mobile four man that runs the floor tremendously well and works well in the pick/roll game. Solid body control at the rim going around guys, but was tentative going through opponents at the rim. He drifted to the perimeter, but didn’t do much there with Pickett’s length bothering him not taking a single jump shot. Weiss had 13 points and 5 rebounds. D2 prospect.
PG Malik Green (Mascoutah – 2019)
This was our first chance to see Green. The 6’2” point guard is a solid athlete that has smooth acceleration. Gets in the lane and to the charity stripe. Strong body allows him to take a bump at the rim. Can be a bit lose with the ball at times. One to track. He had 8 points.
PG Noah Brandon (Mascoutah – 2017)
The 5’9” point guard is a little lefty that moves well away from the ball. He is a solid shooter both pulling up and off the catch. Possibly worth a look at the low D3/NAIA level.
PG Glen Gibbons (Mascoutah – 2017)
Like their other guard Gibbons is a tiny 5’10” that is best shooting it from the perimeter. He had 10 points.
Game Awards:
MVP – Malachi Smith (Belleville East)
Play of the game – Javon Pickett steal and slam
Best offensive performance – Malachi Smith (Belleville East)
Best defensive performance – Malachi Smith (Belleville East)
Best rebounder – Javon Pickett (Belleville East)
Best passer – Rico Sylvester (Belleville East)
Best catch and shoot guy – Javon Pickett (Belleville East)
Best guy off the bench – Jaylen Lacey (Belleville East)
Best intangibles – Jordan Yates (Belleville East)
Best under-the-radar performance – Noah Brandon (Mascoutah)
Best underclassmen – Malik Green (Mascoutah)