Illinois Scouting: Conant vs Highland Park
Conant is prepared for one of their best seasons in a while with Bucknell commit Jimmy Sotos at the helm to go with two legit bigs in Michael Downing and Ryan Davis. All three showed up in their win over…
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Continue ReadingConant is prepared for one of their best seasons in a while with Bucknell commit Jimmy Sotos at the helm to go with two legit bigs in Michael Downing and Ryan Davis. All three showed up in their win over Highland Park on Tuesday night by a final of 59-44. Check out our scouting report and game awards from this one!
PG Jimmy Sotos (Conant – 2017 – Committed to Bucknell)
Sotos ranks as the #3 point guard in the state after a monster spring and summer with Young Legends on the circuit. He isn’t a flashy player, but just gets the job done. The senior point guard is a plus perimeter shooter that can really knock them down off the catch. He hit a quartet of threes in this game. Also ran the show from the jump. Crisp passes and understands where his teammates are going to be in the half court. Sotos had 14 points and 5 assists in a win.
PF Michael Downing (Conant – 2017)
Downing played outstanding! The 6’7” long and lanky post has always been a bit raw especially offensively. He wasn’t tentative at all catching passes in traffic and finishing with thunderous slams. Runs the floor very well beating his man down to the other end consistently. Played with a higher energy level than we had seen out of him in the past. Defensively has potential as a shot blocker. Downing had 15 points. Would be best going to a prep school or a JUCO to continue development, but liked the progress we saw.
PF Ryan Davis (Conant – 2018)
Davis is a 6’9” thick bodied center that is a sound area rebounder. He boxes out and grabs balls in traffic. The junior post had some trouble finishing at times throughout the contest, but also flashed skill including a sweet spin in the lane. Not the greatest athlete he showed that is improving with a steal and slam. Davis is a work in progress, but projects as one of the better 2018 centers in the state. Potential LM/D2 kid. He had 8 points and 8 boards.
G Ben Schols (Conant – 2018)
Schols is a 2018 wing that is best in the catch and shoot. He had 6 points. One to continue to monitor.
SG Jack Zeidler (Highland Park – 2017)
Catch and shoot specialist that plays hard, but isn’t overly athletic. Finished with 8 points.
PG Ziv Tal (Highland Park – 2018)
Tal is a fun player to watch at 6’0”. The point guard finishes with acrobatic layups in the lane and even hit a wing three. Tal had 9 points.
Game Awards
MVP – Michael Downing (Conant)
Play of the game – Jimmy Sotos three at buzzer to close first half.
Best offensive performance – Jimmy Sotos (Conant)
Best defensive performance – Michael Downing (Conant)
Best rebounder – Ryan Davis (Conant)
Best passer – Jimmy Sotos (Conant)
Best catch and shoot guy – Ben Schols (Conant)
Best guy off the bench – Daniel Michelon (Highland Park)
Best intangibles – Danny Ranallo (Conant)
Best under-the-radar performance – Ziv Tal (Highland Park)