10 Best: Niles Notre Dame vs St. Viator
Friday night PrepHoopsIllinois checked out Niles Notre Dame as they went on the road to face St. Viator. Both teams combined for several quality unsigned seniors along with a pair of intriguing sophomore prospects. Niles Notre Dame led wire to…
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Continue ReadingFriday night PrepHoopsIllinois checked out Niles Notre Dame as they went on the road to face St. Viator. Both teams combined for several quality unsigned seniors along with a pair of intriguing sophomore prospects. Niles Notre Dame led wire to wire in this one. They went on the road to win by a final of 53-38. Check out our 10 Best: Niles Notre Dame vs St. Viator.
MVP
PG Matt Stritzel (Niles Notre Dame – 2017)
Stritzel is having another solid high school season. The 6’1” point guard sometimes flies a bit under the radar. He has good size and strength for the position. The kid can shoot it from three as he did to open this one with a really deep three. Stritzel flashed a little more shake off the bounce than we have seen in the past. Was strong with the ball through traffic. Also passed it well in this one setting up Wilson and his bigs several times. He had 17 points. D3/NAIA prospect.
Best offensive performance
SF Jeremiah Hernandez (St. Viator – 2019)
Hernandez stands at 6’3” with a long and wiry frame. Like his long term potential. Smooth with the rock in his hands as he showed in this one. Scored off the bounce attacking from the wings. Gets in the lane and is slippery with it through traffic. Scored on a post seal. Hit one mid-range jumper. The three didn’t fall. Shoots a good ball. He had 10 points. Potential D1 recruit in 2019.
Best defensive performance
SF Jeameril Wilson (Niles Notre Dame – 2017)
Wilson is one of the more intriguing wings at the D2 level available in the state. He has great size at 6’6” with good strength and plus athleticism. In this game he did most of his damage around the hoop. The senior forward got on the offensive glass for a put back early. Then had a couple nice takes in transition where he showed quality body control finishing at the rim. Overall played physical inside through contact. Finished with 13 points. Would have liked to see more of a perimeter skill set to see how that has progressed, but he used his strength inside to post numbers. Like his upside as a defender at multiple positions at the next level.
Best rebounder
C Addison Lubert (St. Viator – 2017)
Lubert is a 6’9” post that is currently the top uncommitted center in a really down class for five men. He has the physical tools with length and solid strength. Liked what he did during the summer, but struggled when we saw him the previous two times this year. He was better in this game, but far from dominant. Lubert flashed potential as a rim protector. He was quiet early as he missed a few bunnies. Got it going a little in the second quarter with back to back buckets inside. Traveled a few times and struggled finishing through contact. He was solid on the boards getting several offensive boards on his misses. Lubert had 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Right now projects as a low D2 prospect with upside. Might be a kid that prep school or JUCO could improve his stock.
Best passer
Matt Stritzel for Niles Notre Dame made several great passes in this one.
Best catch and shoot guy
Matt Stritzel was the best pure catch and shoot guy in this game.
Best guy off the bench
PG Malik Jenkins (Niles Notre Dame – 2017)
Jenkins impressed us when we saw them earlier in the season. He is a strong power point guard that can score a little. Came off the bench in this one. Instantly hit a mid-range jumper and followed that up with some quality defense. Small college player.
Best intangibles
PF Sean Johnson (Niles Notre Dame – 2017)
Johnson stands at 6’9” with length. He is a solid area rebounder that fights hard on the interior. Was a tough matchup for Lubert with his length and toughness in the paint. Offensively doesn’t get many touches, but has a soft touch around the hoop and shoots a high percentage. Johnson should be on small college radar.
Best under-the-radar performance
SG Peter Lambesis (St. Viator – 2018)
The 6’2” junior wing had a stretch where he made play after play. The lefty got on the offensive glass for three put backs in a couple minute stretch.
Best underclassmen
PG JR Cison (St. Viator – 2019)
Cison is a 5’10” point guard that plays with a lot of toughness and swagger. He is a quick and shifty ball handler that gets in the lane where he can make plays for himself and others. Loves to hit a floater/runner after getting dribble penetration in the lane. He had 12 points. One to continue to track.