Fab 5: Thornton vs Bradley Bourbonnais
Tuesday night was our first chance to see Alonzo Verge in a high school game since his return to the state as Thornton hosted Bradley Bourbonnais. Thornton controlled the game from the jump and easily won by a final of…
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Continue ReadingTuesday night was our first chance to see Alonzo Verge in a high school game since his return to the state as Thornton hosted Bradley Bourbonnais. Thornton controlled the game from the jump and easily won by a final of 69-41. Let’s look at how the prospects in this one played.
MVP
PG Alonzo Verge (Thornton – 2017)
Verge is the top uncommitted prospect in the state of Illinois as he sits at #11 overall in the class of 2017 rankings. He spent the first half of last season at Arlington Country Day in Florida before transferring back to Illinois and not playing. He is an exciting playmaker with a long and wiry frame. The junior is at his best when he can break down defenders off the bounce with his killer crossover and make plays in the lane. Verge hit a few runners and got to the rim being slippery through traffic. Jump shot is a bit inconsistent. He did make a couple, but it is a slow release with no elevation off the floor. His ability to hit the outside shot at a higher rate will make him even more of a threat. Verge is a great passer that is particularly spectacular in the lane. He had multiple sweet passes that were not converted by his teammates. Great speed in transition end to end. Potential defensively when locked in. He also rebounded well in this one. Really fun player to watch when he gets going. Verge finished with 19 points. Most likely will have to go the JUCO route.
Play of the game
Verge had a sick crossover where he shook his man and got in the lane finishing with a runner in the paint.
Best defensive performance
PF Orlando Allen (Thornton – 2018)
The 6’6” power forward from Thronton was solid, but didn’t have his best game. Bradley Bourbonnais played a zone for a good portion of the night and Allen couldn’t get a feel for how to score within it. He hit a deep corner jumper early in the contest and got on the offensive glass for a put back on the offensive end. That was the extent of his scoring in this one. Would like to see him take that next step offensively and be more of an assertive player. He has D1 ability if he plays to his potential. One area he was effective was pressuring the ball after scores. He used his length and quickness to make it tough to get the ball in bounds and was good in their traps. Potential low-major to D2 prospect.
Best catch and shoot guy
SG J Thomas (Bradley Bourbonnais – 2017)
This 6’3” shooting guard was the majority of the offense for Bradley Bourbonnais on the night. Good athleticism, but what he does best is shoot it from the perimeter. Thomas drilled multiple threes off the catch from the wings. Has a bit of a slow release, but when he was open Thomas drilled them. Thomas had 18 points. D3/NAIA prospect.
Best under-the-radar performance
PG Dazhee Horton (Bradley Bourbonnais – 2017)
Horton is a 5’10” left handed point guard that is quick and shifty with the ball in his hands. Gets in the lane with ease and most of his points came on layups. Horton had 8 points.
Bonus Prospect
PG Christian Simmons (Thornton – 2019)
Simmons is a 6’1” combo guard that really got after it on the defensive end of the floor. Active hands and great quickness. He turned several steals into buckets on the other end. The point guard is a solid passer and has great speed in the open floor. Struggled at the free throw line and was streaky shooting, but he did hit a three. One to track.