EYBL: Meanstreets vs Mac Irvin Fire

Anytime the Mac Irvin Fire and Meanstreets match up it is very intense as the two Nike Chicago powers have had some great games over the years.  This year is a little different as there were only seven true Illinois 2019 in-state prospects in the contest with a lot of players from Indiana, Michigan, and reclassifying kids that will head to prep school.  That didn’t take anything away from this intense game to close out Saturday night at the Nike EYBL in Indianapolis. It looked like the Fire were going to run away with this one early as they led by as many as 15 points in the first half and were up 38-30 at the break behind a monster showing from Kahlil Whitney.  Meanstreets chipped away at the lead in the second half briefly taking the lead midway through the half.  Then it seemed the Mac Irvin Fire had taken control back.  West Aurora’s Marquise Walker made some key plays hitting clutch shots and had several important dimes for Meanstreets.  Romeo Weems gave them life in the second half after sitting out part of the first half with foul trouble.  It eventually went to OT tied at 72-72.  Meanstreets won a tight contest in overtime 83-80. Here are a few of the top performers from the game!   PG Marquise Walker (Meanstreets) Walker is a 2019 point guard that recently transferred to West Aurora.  The guard is also with a new team as he started off the spring on the other side of this rivalry.  Walker made some key plays in this contest.  He drilled a couple threes in their comeback along with an and-1 that put the pressure on in the second half.  He had some turnovers, but also made several outstanding dishes.   PG Joseph Yesufu (Meanstreets) Yesufu is a 2019 point guard from Bolingbrook High School.  The quick and shifty guard has good strength in his upper body.  He pushes the ball in the open floor with great speed.  Burst with the ball getting to the cup where he converted an array of layups.  Jumper was inconsistent.  Potential as a defender.   SG Armaan Franklin (Meanstreets) This Cathedral (IN) wing is a strongly built two guard that can shoot the rock when left open.  Franklin connected on an array of jumpers including several threes.  Tough kid that stuck his nose in for a couple 50/50 boards and also made an impression on D.   SG Brandon Newman (Meanstreets) Newman started the night off slow, but later in the contest this Valparaiso (IN) 6’4” shooting guard got it rolling.  He is a wiry guard that likes to attack with straight line drives.  He got to the charity stripe at a high rate and clinched the win with a pair in OT.  Newman is a sound catch and shoot guy.   SF Romeo Weems (Meanstreets) Weems is the top prospect on this team being from New Haven (MI).  The 6’7” small forward was aggressive early with a couple nice takes to the hoop.  He got in foul trouble which caused him to sit a portion of the first half.  Once he got back in there he made some key plays late including a slashing dunk to take the lead as well as swatting back to back shots on Kahlil Whitney.   SF Tray Jackson (Meanstreets) Jackson had his moments in this game.  The 6’8” Michigan native is a lefty with great size and slashing ability.  He likes to take it strong with his left hand for sweeping runners in the paint.  The combo forward had a few nice drives in this contest along with a tip dunk.   SF Kahlil Whitney (Mac Irvin Fire) Despite Meanstreets getting the win the best player on the floor was this Roselle Catholic (NJ) standout.  The 6’7” small forward looked like a legit McDonald’s All-American in this game.  He has improved so much over the last year with his skill level.  He is a freaky athlete that has now added a consistent jumper and tighter handles to his repertoire.  Whitney scored pretty much whenever he wanted on a variety of threes, and-1s, dunks, and strong takes to the hoop.  He was a monster in this one!   PG Markese Jacobs (Mac Irvin Fire) The Kansas commit has had a nice weekend for the Fire. I thought he played well in their morning game and he came back with another strong outing to finish the night against Meanstreets.  The compact and athletic Uplift 2019 point guard had his three ball working in this game.  He drilled multiple in that fashion from beyond the arc.  That included a clutch one to tie it in overtime.  Showed his burst in the open floor as well.   SF Terrence Shannon (Mac Irvin Fire) Shannon is a 6’6” wing from Lincoln Park that will reclassify and do a year of prep school at Woodstock Academy.  His recruitment is starting to pick up and it is easy to see why.  He played very well in their morning game.  It was a quiet first half for Shannon and then he opened the second half with a pair of monster Josh Smith style dunks that had the crowd hyped.  He was quiet the rest of the game other than that one stretch.   PG Chase Adams (Mac Irvin Fire) Adams is also a prospect that is going the prep route.  After winning a state championship at Orr he will head to Link Year Prep next season.  The quick and shifty point guard worked well in the pick and roll setting others up.  Also had his mid-range game on point connecting from that area of the floor with his pull up shots.   PF Rashaun Agee (Mac Irvin Fire) Agee is an intriguing post out of Bogan.  The broad shouldered post can really rebound the basketball in traffic.  Goes after it aggressively and snatches them with two hands.  Opened the game with a three although that isn’t really his game.  He is a junk yard dog type player on the interior.   C Sydney Curry (Mac Irvin Fire) Curry stands at 6’8 from Northrop (IN).  This kid is a physical enforcer on the interior and that is exactly what he did early playing bully ball in the post scoring efficiently with quick moves and powering his way through opponents.  For whatever reason they went away from him the rest of the game.