3A State Finals Evaluations
PrepHoopsIllinois covered the state finals this past weekend. Morgan Park won the 3A state championship over Springfield Southeast on Saturday. We take break down the evaluations of all of the prospects in the 3A final four!
2018
PG Ayo Dosunmu (Morgan Park)
The state’s top 2018 prospect showed out in his final high school game. He didn’t have his A game in the semis, but with the ship on the line he had his A+ one. Dosunmu scored in a variety of ways doing pretty much whatever he wanted. The 6’4” future Illini guard drilled a variety of jumpers with Brad Underwood in the front row. He also got in the lane where he scored with floaters and got to the charity stripe at a high rate. Made several crisp passes on the money. He had 28 points and 4 boards in the championship. What a career for Ayo!
PF Cam Burrell (Morgan Park)
Burrell is an uber bouncy 6’6” power forward. As a senior he elevated his stock in our eyes in a major way. He embraced who he is as a player with his high energy overcoming his lack of height and skill on the perimeter allowing him to be a legit low-major prospect at the next level. In the semifinals he was the best player on the floor with his ability to offensive rebound. Was all over the glass with a handful of put backs. One thing he has improved skill wise is being able to connect from 10 feet. He did that well again at state. In the semis he had 22 points and 10 rebounds. Finals he recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds. Picked up first offer from UL-Monroe on Friday night.
SF Kenyon Duling (Morgan Park)
Duling is a player that was the ultimate glue for this team. He isn’t flashy, but does exactly what they need from him. Tough and physical wing that is a tenacious defender and quality rebounder. Gave them a lot in the semis taking it to the cup, playing through contact, and passing it. Connected on a big corner three as well. He had 12 points in the semis. Headed to Tennessee State next season.
PF Tamell Pearson (Morgan Park)
Pearson returned from an eye injury that held him out all year to play at state. He was far from his top 15 self, but the UAB commit definitely gave Morgan Park size up front with his intimidating 6’8” frame. Offensively he displayed a right handed hook and seal/score in the paint. Pearson forced some jumpers as well which is not his game. Great to see him back out there. He had 7 points in the semis. In the title game he went for 3 points and 5 boards.
SG Kobe Medley (Springfield Southeast)
Medley came off a big game in the super sectional that helped his team get to state. Struggled in the semis being wild with the ball and never really got in the flow of the game. We saw more in the championship game as he hit a pair of threes from the wings and mixed in a runner game as well. Not the most athletic or explosive kid. Small college or junior college player. He had 10 points in the championship game.
2019
SG Anthony Fairlee (Springfield Southeast)
Fairlee displayed why he is a top 10 prospect in the state with his play in Peoria. I have been the conductor of the Fairlee train from back to his 15U days. He is an absolutely electric athlete that plays above the rim with monster dunks and blocks. Fairlee showed both of those off in the two games he played at state. Posterized defenders and had four huge blocks in the semis. The skill showed through more in the championship game as he hit three jumpers including one from beyond the arc. If he can do this during the spring and show that it is a consistent weapon he will have mid-majors knocking down his door. Athleticism is off the charts which helps on the glass. At 6’3” he rebounds exceptionally well with his strong hands grabbing them in traffic. Flashed improvement as a passer. Struggled shooting it from the foul line. In the semifinals he had 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks. For the championship Fairlee went for 16 points and 10 rebounds. With the Illinois Irish this spring he should elevate his stock and reel in a handful of offers.
PG Terrion Murdix (Springfield Southeast)
We saw Murdix for the first time back in November and put himself on our radar then making his debut in the top 100 in our last update. After this weekend it is clear that we have him way too low in the rankings. The thin and rangy 6’0” was lights out in the semis against North Chicago. They had no answer for him. Murdix has the ball on a string with exceptional ball handling getting in and out of the defense. He weaves through defenders making tough shots in the paint or finding teammates for assists. So quick off the bounce. Rebounds very well for his size. As a shooter he showed he could hit one from deep, but wasn’t a plus shooter. Just a great feel for the game and his leadership is off the charts. Defensively he has length and active hands. Struggled a little more in the championship as Morgan Park focused their D on him. Still a huge weekend for Murdix’s stock. His stat line in the semis was 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 steals. In the championship he had 12 points (3-10 FG), 7 dimes, and 5 rebounds. Can’t wait to see him this spring!
PF Michael Tyler (Springfield Southeast)
Tyler is a rangy and thin 6’7” post that has mobility. Runs the floor well. Hit several short jump shots which has a hitch in it. Got on the offensive glass. Efficient with his touches and brings a shot blocking presence inside. Interested to see how he develops over the next year. Right now more of a small college player, but can see an avenue to be a scholarship player at a D2. Tyler went for 9 points in the semis. In finals he had 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
PF Raeshaun Samoa (North Chicago)
Samoa is a 6’6” four man in the junior class that showed some things in the semis. He is an active rebounder that plays with a solid motor. Angular and projectable frame. Quick to the glass with his second jump. Displayed he could hit the short corner and baseline jumper on a consistent basis. He projects as a small college prospect.
G Malik Tidwell (Marian Catholic)
Tidwell didn’t have his best game against Morgan Park. He did show some positive things in his game that we like. The smaller combo guard has a knack for making runners over bigger defenders. Mid-range is the area he excels the most. Tough kid. Didn’t shoot it as well as he usually does. Finished with 12 points. D2 prospect at this stage.
PF Chris White (Marian Catholic)
White is a prospect that we have ranked in the top 40. He flashes and shows you every now and then the potential that he possesses. White stands at 6’6” with a solid build and quality athleticism. Consistency has to improve, but he brought it in the semis against Morgan Park. He was very active on the glass and showed a feel for knowing where the ball was coming off the rim. Quality area rebounder that got on the glass for several put backs. Hit a pick and pop three which we had not seen before. Would be nice to see him add this to his game. Solid post defender. White had 14 points and 8 boards. D2 prospect right now that could definitely elevate into low-major territory this spring.
2020
PG Adam Miller (Morgan Park)
The state’s top sophomore prospect was the one that got the Mustangs going in both games. The Peoria native was aggressive coming out drilling threes to begin both contests. At times he settles for triples too much I feel like. He is an elite scorer off the bounce with his 6’4” size and athleticism being able to score in the lane at will. Showed that on occasion. Effective in the 10 foot range with a high floater shot he is starting to perfect. He scored 9 points in the semis. In the championship he finished with 11 points. High-major prospect.
PG Marcus Watson (Morgan Park)
I thought Watson played excellent in Peoria. Watson is a rangy left handed point guard that has good length being able to get after it on the defensive end. That is exactly what he did especially in the championship keeping Murdix in check. Offensively he got others involved with his passing and feel. Had several slick takes to the hoop. Once the jumper becomes more consistent he is going to be really good. Watson had 11 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals in the championship.