North Clay Shootout: Game Recaps
Saturday PrepHoopsIllinois was at the North Clay Shootout in Louisville, Illinois. This first year southern Illinois event featured 1A and 2A teams. Here are our game recaps of the contests we saw!
Ramsey defeats Webber 49-29
The morning opened up with Ramsey cruising to a victory behind their physicality inside. Junior wing Hayden Seaton was impressive with the way he rebounded and the crafty lefty has a knack for scoring in the paint. Went for 9 points. They had a pair of undersized enforcers in Koester Cook and Drew Carroll inside who got on the glass and finished. Each had 9 points. Ean Forbes brought a spark off the bench with a clean looking shooting stroke. The sophomore had 8 points. Webber presented the most intriguing prospect in the game with 2020 power forward Peyton Hill. Long and lanky four that hit a short jumper, had a tip in, and went coast to coast on a steal. Fluid running floor. Needs to get stronger physically and with his post moves. He had 7 points and 3 blocks. Sophomore shooting guard Ayden Buchanan is a tough wing that boards and scores from 15 feet in. He had 8 points.
Flora defeats Odin 58-39
The Wolves came to play in their 10:30 AM contest. We came away extremely impressed with how well this team shared the ball especially among their guards. Their senior backcourt led the way. Nick Schafer is a crafty guard that scored quite a bit in the paint and in transition. He had 14 points. Isaiah Kohn is a sound perimeter shooter with some athletic pop. Mixed in a pair of runners on his way to 12 points. Freshman guard Cole Young is one to track. Skilled guard with feel and a mid-range game. He had 10 points. For Odin they had a pair of 2020s that put themselves on the map. Ethan Finckbone is a lead guard that can shoot as he had 10 points. Lucas Schaffer is another junior with potential. Lefty wing has nice strength. Went for 6 points. Gage Roberts scored 8 points while Dylan Friend brought an inside presence with 5 points.
Cowden-Herrick Beecher City defeats Sandoval 77-47
Cowden-Herrick jumped out early behind their pressure defense. Sandoval pulled their starters and managed to tie it up at 21-21 at the end of the first quarter. As the game went on Cowden-Herrick’s guard play wore Sandoval down. Seniors Keegan Martin and Dylan Webster led the way each in double figures. Webster is more of a point guard with crafty handles and a solid jumper. Martin is their two guard who gets on the glass and finishes in the paint. Eddie Clearwater brought toughness inside. The undersized post eats up space inside and boards. Sound outlet passer and even hit a three on his way to 11 points. Senior Cristian Melton was the feature player for Sandoval. Well-built wing that shot it at a nice clip from the perimeter. Also got on glass for a few put backs. He had 16 points. Sandoval’s 2022 point guard Kaleb Calhoun is one to track. Thin and wiry guard that has skill & range on shot. Scored 8 points.
South Central defeats Grayville 56-25
It was all South Central in this one as the Cougars were dominant right from the jump! Senior guard Daniel Roberts was great finishing in the paint. Scrappy guard converted multiple and-1s on his way to 12 points. Their 2019 point guard Logan Lotz is a gritty floor general. Good passer that pushes the pace always having his head up to make a play. Mixed in some mid-range jumpers and runners. Lotz had 15 points. Hunter Brandt is a floor spacing 2020 forward that scored 8 points. For Grayville their most intriguing prospect was 2021 power forward Brayden Hatcher. Skilled forward with shooting touch and projectability. Drilled three 15 footers on his way to scoring 8 points. Cole Neely is a thicker wing that went for 7 points.
St. Elmo Brownstown defeats Cisne 59-44
The last game we caught at the shootout was the closest as this one was tied at the half 26-26. The third quarter was completely owned by junior big man Jacob Baron. The wide bodied undersized five scored at will on block. He sealed off his man and showed a soft touch around the hoop pushing his team to a huge lead while posting 17 points on the night. Bryton Pruett also contributed with his three point shooting. The junior bombed in three from deep for 11 points. Jaxson Tish and Jace McWhorter were also floor stretchers as Tish scored 9 points and McWhorter had 6 points. Nate Philpot was another crafty guard that contributed 7 points. For Cisne they were pushed by a pair of sophomores. Connor Brach is a versatile forward that did most of his damage from 15 feet and in as he netted 11 points. Brendan Potter was the other Cisne sophomore that stepped up with a couple threes along with a pair of runners for 10 points.