Centralia Holiday Tournament: Saturday Standouts

Saturday PrepHoopsIllinois was at the Centralia Holiday Tournament for morning and afternoon action.  It was a great round of games with tons of Illinois prospects.  Here are the players that stood out on the final day at the CHT!

PF EJ Liddell (Belleville West – 2019)

It wasn’t a classic dominant performance out of the state’s top senior in their semifinal victory over Champaign Central, but more of a workman like effort with a little flash in the second half.  The metro east power blew out Champaign Central in the game.  Liddell had a quiet first half only recording 4 points, but in the second half he turned it up a notch.  Baseline turnaround, ran the floor hard for a dunk, up and under, and finished the game off with a couple powerful flushes.  So quick and athletic on the high school level he is tough to stop.  Didn’t shoot it great from the three point arc.  Got in multiple passing lanes for steals.  The Ohio State commit went for 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals. 

PG Lawrence Brazil (Belleville West – 2019)

Brazil just continues to quietly go about his business and do what he is best at.  Gets others the ball in spots to succeed.  Quality passer especially in the half court.  Pushes in transition.  Consistent mid-range shooter stopping and popping on a dime.  He recorded 12 points and 4 assists.

SF Donovan Clay (Alton – 2019)

Clay was the best player on the floor in the second semifinal against Evanston.  At 6’6” the unsigned senior has projectability with his size and length.  Plus shooter with a feathery pull up game that stretches to three.  He was about as good as we have ever seen him as a rebounder in this contest.  Cleared the defensive glass over and over again.  Was also active defensively swatting shots and getting in passing lanes.  He had 21 points.  JUCO priority.

SG Malik Smith (Alton – 2019)

Smith was right there with his running mate Clay in this one.  The athletic two guard is a flat out bucket getter.  Slippery drives to the cup and difficult scoop shots in the lane.  Also nailed several threes on his way to 17 points.

PG Moory Woods (Alton – 2020)

Woods is the unsung player on this Alton squad.  He is an angular guard that makes an impact on both ends of the floor.  In transition is where he shines with the way he converts at the cup.  Woods came up with a huge 19 points in their semifinal win.

SG Lance Jones (Evanston – 2019)

Jones who is a Southern Illinois commit played well close to his future college home in their semifinal defeat.  Power two guard did everything he personally could do to keep them in the game.  So strong attacking off the bounce where he has a great knack for scoring through defenders by shielding the ball with his body.  Runner game was on point.  Sound mid-range jump shooter.  Jones had 27 points.

SG Blake Peters (Evanston – 2021)

Peters is a top 20 sophomore that can really let it fly from deep.  The shooting guard is lethal off the catch as he drilled several including an insanely tough one to close out the third quarter.  Mixed in a runner.  He did struggle though at the free throw line which is very unlike him.  Peters scored 18 points.

SF Johnny Roeser (Carmel – 2019)

Roeser is a wing at 6’4” that has added strength in his upper body over the last year.  This has allowed him to be more effective in the paint.  The senior was aggressive early in the first half with how well he scored on quick post ups and crashed the glass for second chance points.  Effective as a mid-range shooter that can occasionally stretch it out to three.  Has always flashed as a passer especially out of the high-post.  Roeser will be a nice fit for a small college.  He had 24 points.

F Damone Williams-Gray (Carmel – 2019)

Williams-Gray is a 6’4” undersized four man that plays the three at times.  High motor kid.  Thick bodied forward that hits the glass hard and plays physical around the hoop.  Stretched it to three once, but most of his damage was done in the paint.  He went for 15 points.

G Crue Walker (Centralia – 2021)

Walker was a pleasant surprise for Centralia.  Don’t really remember him from when we saw the Orphans earlier in the season, but the combo guard can really shoot the basketball.  Plus shot from three as he connected on a handful.  Potential to play both on and off the ball as time goes on.  He had 15 points.

SF Bradyn Kilby (Chatham Glenwood – 2019)

As much as we are out on the road constantly there will always be players that fall through the cracks.  That is what happened with Kilby.  This was the first time we have evaluated the Illinois-Springfield commit and man was he impressive.  At 6’6” with long arms and strength he presents a mismatch nightmare for opponents on the high school level.  Clean looking stroke from three.  Also displayed athletic pop with an alley-oop off an out of bounds play along with another big dunk.  Brought toughness and grit on the interior with several tough offensive rebound put backs.  He had 17 points.