10 Best: Libertyville vs Conant
Two of the premier 2018s in the state battled it out on Wednesday night as Libertyville and Conant tangled at the Joe Majkowski Classic. Drew Peterson is the top uncommitted senior and Vermont commit Ryan Davis is one of the best posts in the senior class. The both put on a show in a competitive game that went to OT. Libertyville took home the win 59-56. Here are our 10 Best from the contest!
MVP
SF Drew Peterson (Libertyville – 2018)
Drew Peterson showed why he is the top uncommitted prospect in the senior class from Illinois. The 6’7” small forward displayed a diverse offensive game on Wednesday night. He is a plus perimeter shooter as he showed by knocking down one three, but most of his shooting was done out of the high post. He regularly drilled step back shots from 15-18 feet. Quick release and gets height off the floor. Worked well out of that area on the floor as a passer as well finding open teammates. Late in the game Peterson used his size to post up smaller defenders making regular trips to the foul line. Will need to continue to add strength, but there is no doubt he is a mid-major prospect in our eyes. Ability to score at multiple levels with good athleticism. Finished with 29 points.
Play of the game
The play of the game was when Drew Peterson stole the ball and took it the other way for a thunderous slam that he converted while being fouled for an and-1.
Best offensive performance
C Ryan Davis (Conant – 2018)
Davis is the #3 center in the state and he showed why against Libertyville. A night after going for 38 points he didn’t quite put up that many, but still had a big night. He is a big bodied 6’9” post that continues to get in better shape and his mobility improves because of it. He handled the ball quite a bit during this game bringing it up and playing at the top of the key. Had a couple takes to the hoop. Nimble footwork in the post using skill and size to get buckets in the paint. Very efficient player. Struggled with some foul trouble in this one that to be honest weren’t great calls. In overtime he hit his only three of the game. The Vermont commit is a quality perimeter shooter, but did most of his work in the paint in this one. Davis was a BEAST on the glass rebounding well at both ends of the floor. Feel for where it is coming off the glass. Davis had 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Best rebounder
Ryan Davis (Conant – 2018)
Best shooter
Drew Peterson (Libertyville – 2018)
Best guy off the bench
PG Brandon Simberg (Libertyville – 2018)
Simberg came off the bench for Libertyville, but the competitive point guard was their best guard in this contest. He was instant offense off the bench drilling three triples including a pair in the first half which kept them in the game. Competed on D and made a couple nice passes. Went for 9 points. Small college prospect.
Best intangibles
SG Ben Schols (Conant – 2018)
Schols is a player that is quietly very productive. Did it again on Wednesday! Thick bodied wing plays physical slashing to the hoop and getting in the lane. Had a couple strong straight line drives and mixed in a spinning layup along with a floater. Hit a three from the top of the key. Schols had 13 points. Quality D3 or NAIA player.
Best under-the-radar performance
SG Jonathan Kolev (Conant – 2019)
This 6’4” junior presents good size on the perimeter and moves well without the ball. Hit a three off the catch and was an overall skilled player handling it and making a few nice passes. He had 7 points. Small college prospect.
Best junk yard dog
F Brendan Cook (Libertyville – 2018)
Cook is a tough and scrappy forward that plays bigger than his size. Thick bodied kid got on the offensive glass and positioned himself well on the glass. Fought hard against Davis inside. He had 6 points. North Dakota State football commit.
Best role player
SF Chase Eyre (Libertyville – 2018)
Eyre flashed with a nice baseline take and got on the glass for some tough rebounds. Role player for his team.