10 Best: Bolingbrook vs Lockport
Thursday night PrepHoopsIllinois checked out Bolingbrook as they hosted Lockport. The host Raiders jumped out to an early lead on Lockport behind the scoring of their talented seniors. Lockport got back into it with a strong surge in the second…
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Continue ReadingThursday night PrepHoopsIllinois checked out Bolingbrook as they hosted Lockport. The host Raiders jumped out to an early lead on Lockport behind the scoring of their talented seniors. Lockport got back into it with a strong surge in the second quarter. Bolingbrook turned up the defensive intensity in the second half, got out in transition, and the route was on. They won 63-38. Take a look at our 10 Best from the night!
MVP
PF Malik Binns (Bolingbrook – 2017)
This was our first time seeing Binns play in a while as he opted to participate in baseball over the summer. Binns stands at 6’6” with a physical body. He is your classic junk yard dog big man for the next level. Little undersized, but out plays his opponent. Good position defender that holds his ground in the post. He is not overly skilled offensively at this stage, but did have a right handed hook. Most of his dunks came on explosive alley oop slams or jams around the hoop. Binns had 18 points. Quality D2 prospect that if a low-major would take him at 6’6” could turn into something.
Play of the game
Both Nana Akenten and Malik Binns had high flying alley-oop finishes.
Best offensive performance
SF Nana Akenten (Bolingbrook – 2017 – Nebraska)
The Nebraska commit came out aggressive from the jump. After a dominant summer that saw him leap into the top 10 overall in the class of 2017 Akenten has taken that confidence into his senior year. On a team full of D1 and D2 prospects he is the guy and he knows it. Akenten got to work early drilling a pair of threes in the game’s opening minutes. The 6’6” wing has great elevation off the floor with a pure shot mechanically. As the game went on the future Cornhusker displayed his elite hops as he had a few monster dunks. Was solid defensively both inside and on the perimeter. Akenten had 21 points.
Best defensive performance
PG Tyler Cochran (Bolingbrook – 2019)
Cochran is a sophomore combo guard at 6’1” that has strength. He was a beast on the defensive end. Moves great laterally, has active hands, and anticipates passes very well. Turned steals into points on the other end.
Best rebounder
PF Brandon Lawani (Bolingbrook – 2017)
Lawani came off the bench for Bolingbrook and provided some energy on the defensive end. The angular 6’7” power forward plays bigger than his size with his length. The senior swatted several shots around the hoop while also playing tough interior defense. Had a nice offensive rebound put back. Solid rebounder. Didn’t show much of his offensive game in this one. Lawani is a D2 prospect and one of the better posts left in the state.
Best passer
PG Kaleb Thonton (Bolingbrook – 2018)
Thonton transferred to Bolingbrook as a junior after playing his first two years at Nazareth. He is fitting in quite nicely. The junior is especially effective on the defensive end of the floor where he is extremely active getting in passing lanes. He cuts off passes and takes them the other way with lightning speed in transition. Best in the open floor. Slick ball handler that can get to the hoop in one on one situations. He had a few turnovers, but overall has nice vision as a point guard. Low-major prospect in 2018.
Best catch and shoot guy
SF Trevor Ross (Bolingbrook – 2017)
Ross is a thick bodied 6’4” senior wing that brings toughness to the table. The 2017 prospect competes on the defensive end inside blocking a shot on occasion and also contests on the perimeter. Offensively he is best as a spot up shooter from three. He had 6 points. Potential D2 prospect in right spot.
Best guy off the bench
PG Demari Grant (Bolingbrook – 2019)
Grant is a 5’9” sophomore that is one to add to the radar of guards at Bolingbrook. Speed in transition and is a willing passer.
Best intangibles
SG Chase Travis (Lockport – 2017)
Travis was the go to guy for Lockport. The 6’3” power wing is a solid rebounder. Did most of his offensive damage inside with put backs and scores down low. Potential D3/NAIA. He had 7 points.
Best under-the-radar performance
PG Matt Smietanski (Lockport – 2017)
The Lockport point guard is a slick handling guard that made a few nice moves off the bounce. Also had an acrobatic layup at the rim.
Best underclassmen
PG Joseph Yesufu (Bolingbrook – 2019)
Yesufu is a 5’9” point guard with lightning speed in the open floor. Had a few unforced turnovers in this game, but the talent is undeniable. He is slippery through traffic and got in passing lanes for several steals. Potential D1 prospect.