O’Fallon Shootout: Saturday Standouts
The O’Fallon Shootout concluded on Saturday with four more games. All pretty competitive contests with a lot of young prospects in starring roles. Here we look at the Saturday Standouts! PG DJ Steward (Whitney Young – 2020) Steward played…
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Continue ReadingThe O’Fallon Shootout concluded on Saturday with four more games. All pretty competitive contests with a lot of young prospects in starring roles. Here we look at the Saturday Standouts!
PG DJ Steward (Whitney Young – 2020)
Steward played like the high-major player that he is on Saturday. The ultra-smooth combo guard didn’t shoot it particularly well from deep going only 1-7 from beyond the arc, but he went to work in the lane! Excellent at manipulating ball screens and setting his opponents up off the bounce to get what he wants out of each situation. Lived in the lane all night where he finishes with an array of acrobatic layups including up and unders along with and-1s through traffic. So fast with the ball in the open floor just flying down the floor! Got on the offensive glass for a few second chance points. He was very impressive defensively using his length to get steals and alter shots. Combination of quickness and length are going to allow him to be a plus defender. He had 23 points (11-22 FG), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals.
PG Tyler Beard (Whitney Young – 2020)
Beard was extremely efficient in the Dolphins win against Iowa City West. The state’s #3 junior prospect is your classic tough Chicago point guard that has strength and athleticism. He is a plus pull up mid-range shooter knocking down a pair of them. Powerful getting to the rack both in transition and off the bounce in the half court. Burst and power with the ball in his hands. Beard went for 14 points (7-11 FG).
C Even Brauns (Iowa City West, IA – 2020)
Brauns is a 6’9” big man from Iowa that has excellent size and strength. He was a complete beast on the glass! I mean so dominant! He snatched rebounds in traffic with two hands consistently. Got on the offensive boards for tons of put backs. Physical finisher that can slam home dunks, but also showed touch. Has a feel around the hoop. Decent passer as well. He had an insane 17 points and 17 rebounds. No doubt high-major big man.
PF EJ Liddell (Belleville West – 2019)
The state’s top senior prospect looked like he was going to have an epic career defining game early as he was completely dominant in the opening minutes against Simeon with monster dunks and swatting shots in the stands. He scared everyone when he came down with a serious ankle injury. After missing about half a quarter getting checked out by the medical team he came back in to a roar from the crowd. You could tell he wasn’t 100%, but the Ohio State commit gutted it out. He was still the best player on the floor. Connected on mid-range jumpers, runners, and scored a couple huge hoops on the block. Such an elite offensive rebounder. Also protected the rim on the interior. In the end like we saw on Friday it was his passing that stood out as he threw a skip pass to a teammate when he was doubled for the game winner. He had 21 points (8-15 FG), 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
PG Lawrence Brazil (Belleville West – 2019)
Brazil stepped up especially early in the game. The point guard who continues to see his stock rise and is starting to receive some D2 interest drained an array of threes in the first half. Plus shooter off the catch and is also effective pulling up for three. Would like to see him diversify his scoring game a bit. All of his attempts were from three. High IQ point guard who runs the show and gets others involved. Brazil had 12 points and 4 dimes.
SG Antonio Reeves (Simeon – 2019)
Reeves is one of the hottest names on the recruiting trail in the senior class. The long and lanky 6’4” two guard did what he does best in this game knocking down 3-6 from beyond the arc. Fluid shot with a soft landing. In the overtime session he displayed his improving game off the bounce getting in the paint for a floater and a couple other scores. Handles have definitely improved. Love his length defensively getting in passing lanes. He had 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals.
PG Jaylen Drane (Simeon – 2022)
Drane projects as one of the top freshman in the state of Illinois. The combo guard is starting for one of the most prestigious programs in the state in his first year. He is a long and wiry guard that gets anywhere he wants on the floor. Tremendous speed in transition pushing end to end. He scored several times on coast to coast takes blowing past defenders. Hit a corner three early. Potential to be an elite perimeter defender. Quietly showed well as a passer too getting his weapons the ball in positions to succeed. Drane’s line read 8 points and 4 dimes.
PG Caleb Love (CBC, MO – 2020)
Solid game from the top ranked junior in the PrepHoopsMissouri rankings. The jumbo combo guard has excellent size on the perimeter along with a feel for the game. Didn’t show much in the way of a jumper in this one going 0-2 from deep, but he did damage in the paint. Love is a slick ball handler that is slippery through traffic getting to the cup where he finishes well with either hand. Also has an effective euro step and runner to score. Solid free throw shooter. He showed flashes as a passer with a couple quick dimes, but also had his share of turnovers. Love rebounds well from his lead guard spot. Finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.
PG Shea Cupples (Normal West – 2019)
Cupples is a senior point guard with the potential to play at the small college level. Sound perimeter shooter with a clean looking stroke from beyond the arc. Hit them both off the catch and had a couple impressive step back triples. Shows creativity as a passer with several nice finds, but also like when we saw him at Highland he struggles with turnovers. He went for 22 points (7-18 FG), 5 assists, 10 turnovers, and 4 steals.
SG Nate Winslow (Triad – 2020)
Winslow has a wiry frame and good size at 6’4”. Plus shooter from deep with a clean looking shot. Also had a layup off a curl. Sound defensive rebounder for a wing. Winslow scored 10 points and grabbed 8 boards in a low scoring game.
PF Shaun Riley (O’Fallon – 2021)
Riley impressed again on day 2. This 6’5” forward has bounce and athleticism. Works best from the mid-post in. Hit a short jumper. Can handle it on quick slashes from the mid-range. Had a steal and big dunk in transition. Prospect with potential for sure. He had 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals.