1A State Finals: Prospect Evaluations

Did you miss all the 1A action in Peoria over the weekend? We have you covered! Check out our evaluations of prospects from all four teams at the Illinois 1A State Finals here!   SF Deion Jackson (Providence St. Mel – 2019) Jackson is a rangy 6’3” wing that plays bigger than his height with his length and athleticism. Definitely a slashing guard that loves to slice through defenses. Did just that both off the dribble and in transition for an array of scores at the cup. Uses shot fakes and crisp ball handling to get in the lane. His lack of a three point shot will hurt him some at the next level, but he can hit from 15 feet which he did twice in this one on his way to 20 points in the semis. Then went for 13 points in the championship.   SG Tyriel Nelson (Providence St. Mel – 2019) The 6’1” undersized two guard had a breakout summer with Chicago Select and that has carried over to the high school season. Bit of a slow start, but he was an important part of their run in the second half. Gets to the cup with runners, floaters, and layups. Also hit a three. Decent passer for an off guard. Scored 12 points in finals after 15 points in semis.   F Jason Mason (Providence St. Mel – 2019) Mason is a 6’5” combo forward that has length and projectability. Will find a home at the small college level with his ability to defend. Blocks and alters shots in the post. Walled up against Stadeli with Neal in foul trouble. Plus athlete catching a lob and running the floor. Quickness around the hoop. Can hit a one dribble pull up from mid-range on occasion. He had 9 points.   PG Tim Ervin (Providence St. Mel – 2019) Ervin is a super tiny point guard, but he was the leader of a team that would go on to win a state championship. The 5’6” floor general is a pesky on ball defender that puts pressure on the opposing team’s guards as soon as they cross half court. Slick passer that made several nice dimes to teammates for layups. Capable shooter that knows how to step behind a ball screen and let it fly. He had 6 points and 2 dimes in both games.   C Taeyon Neal (Providence St. Mel – 2019) At 6’9” 260 pounds Neal is one of the biggest players in the state and several 1A players found that out the hard way by running into him. He had a nice game on Friday night. The UIC signee got on the glass for multiple put backs. When he garners deep post position on the catch is when he is at his best as a scoring threat. He did a nice job on the glass on both ends and was a shot blocking presence. In the semis he had 8 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 3 dimes. Struggled with fouls in the championship.   SG Samuel Herenton (Providence St. Mel – 2019) Herenton is an energy role player for this St. Mel squad. Plus athlete with speed whose future at the college level will be in track. At times he was a bit out of control, but was impressive on one crossover that he finished with his off hand at the rim for two of his four points in the semis.   PG Eric Jordan (Providence St. Mel – 2019) This 6’1” point guard flies a bit under the radar with all the big names on the team, but he was an important part of their championship run. Shot maker from the perimeter that also got to the line where he knocked down his free throws. Decent defender. 8 points in the semis.   F Avonte Thomas (Providence St. Mel – 2020) Thomas didn’t play in the semis, but then recorded 11 minutes in the final. He is a strong bodied 6’3” kid that brings his biggest presence on the defensive end of the floor. Gave the twins fits for Cissna Park and contributed on the glass.   C Christian Stadeli (Cissna Park- 2019) This was our first time evaluating the first team all-state 1A selection over the weekend. He was impressive in their semifinal win. At 6’7” 210 pounds he is a load inside. Knows how to use his body to garner deep post position and seal off defenders. Soft touch in the paint and is extremely efficient with his touches on the block. Showed he could finish through contact with a couple and-1s. Rebounds well in his area. Tough kid. Needs to work on his free throw shooting. Went for 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Struggled some against length in the championship going for 11 points and 5 rebounds.   SG Bailey Sluis (Cissna Park - 2019) Sluis got things rolling for his squad in the semis on Friday. This 5’9” senior point guard was lights out shooting it from deep. Drilled three triples early and finished with four of them total for 12 points. Excellent spot up shooting threat!   C Julian Stadeli (Cissna Park – 2019) Julian isn’t quite the offensive threat that his brother is. He struggled to score throughout the two days shooting a low percentage from the field. Worked best in the high/low and getting on the glass for second chance opportunities. He is a nice area rebounder at 6’7” 215 pounds. 8 points and 9 rebounds in the semis. 4 points and 7 rebounds in title.   SG Brian Fehr (Cissna Park – 2019) Fehr is a 6’2” two guard that brought a high activity level on both ends of the floor. Tough kid who hit a three off the catch and was scrappy on the glass. 9 points and 7 boards in the semis. 7 points and 4 boards in the finals.   SG Connor Heaton (Central A&M – 2020) Heaton was the top prospect in the 1A event. He put together a pair of quality outings. At 6’5” he has positional size to play both wing spots at the next level. This kid can really score it. Uses his strength inside to score on tough takes to the hoop. Knack for getting it up on the glass for buckets or getting to the charity stripe where he is an excellent shooter. Didn’t show much of his perimeter shot. Most of his scores were at the rim on slick drives or free throws. Did a great job rebounding from his wing spot and is a quality passer from off the ball. He had 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 dimes against Triopia in the third place game. In the semis he had 18 points.   PF Griffin Andricks (Central A&M – 2020) Andricks is a tough 6’6” junior power forward. The 2020 post is a gritty four man. His bread and butter is using that toughness on the offensive glass for second chance points. Got four put backs for scores in their semifinal game. Quality area rebounder and runs the floor well. Tough post defender. Went for 12 points and 8 rebounds in the semis. In third place game Andricks had 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks.   SG Jacob Paradee (Central A&M – 2020) Paradee put on a show in the 3rd place game for Central A&M. The junior two guard is a fun player to watch. Scrappy defender with active hands. He can let it fly from three hitting four of them in the game. Also capable pull up jump shooter. Crafty layup maker as well. He went for 24 points.   SG Austin Sloan (Central A&M – 2019) It was a quiet opener for the 6’5” shooting guard in the semis, but he erupted for a great finish to his career during the third place game. Sloan drained 3-4 from beyond the arc. He has nice looking shot with range. Contributed in other areas doing a nice job on the glass, dishing out assists, and was an active perimeter defender. Went for 13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals during the 3rd place game.   SG Brycen Burgener (Central A&M – 2020) Burgner didn’t do much in the scoring department in the semis, but he was a key for his team’s effort on the boards. In the 3rd place game we thought he did a solid job of finishing through contact at the rim. Tough role player.   G Shawn Bell (Triopia – 2019) Bell is a 6’0” combo guard that made the biggest impact on the game for Triopia. Knocked down three triples in the contest. Sound form on the jumper. Creative passer and decent ball handler. Finished with 16 points in semis and 9 points in 3rd place game.   PG Zach Thompson (Triopia – 2019) Thompson had a nice game recording 13 points in the semis. This smaller point guard isn’t afraid out there. He got to the cup for some acrobatic layups and even knocked down a three.   SG Garrett Snow (Triopia – 2019) Snow is a lefty two guard with some size at 6’3”. Did most of his damage in the paint on layups, put backs, and getting out in the open floor. Finished with 9 points for Triopia in their 3rd place game on Saturday.