4A State Finals: Saturday Top Performers
Saturday night the high school basketball season ended in the state of Illinois. Belleville West came back to win a thriller over Evanston 71-59. With this win they go back to back as the Maroons won 4A last year as…
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Continue ReadingSaturday night the high school basketball season ended in the state of Illinois. Belleville West came back to win a thriller over Evanston 71-59. With this win they go back to back as the Maroons won 4A last year as well. In the 3rd place game Curie bounced back to get a victory over Rockford East 64-55. Check out the top performers from 4A on Saturday.
PF EJ Liddell (Belleville West – 2019)
Liddell cemented his legacy as one of the most dominant high school basketball players in recent Illinois prep history. When Belleville West needed buckets one last time they went to their superstar and he delivered. Early in the game they played him at point guard where he hit a step back three along with beating his man off the dribble. Then he went to work in the post. Such a fundamentally sound post player! He is unguardable on the high school level when given space and time to make a move. Uses the glass so well and banged in monster slams. His passing was phenomenal once again. Protected the rim and rebounded at solid clips. The PrepHoopsIllinois Player of the Year went for 24 points, 10 rebounds, 6 dimes, and 3 blocks to close out his epic career.
SF Will Shumpert (Belleville West – 2019)
Shumpert stepped up huge in the second half scoring all of his 21 points in the last two quarters. He is a physical 6’5” small forward that can hit jumpers. What he did best in this contest was impose his will inside with offensive rebounds and so many dunks! He was about to tear the rim down on a few of them! Found openings in the D when they were focused on Liddell and perimeter threats. The Maroons do not win the title without him.
SG Jaylin Mosby (Belleville West – 2019)
Once again the silent assassin comes up in key moments for Belleville West. Mosby hit a key three in the fourth quarter to stretch the lead. One they would never give back. This utility guy is a solid spot up shooter that is great at being sneaky finding the weak spot in the defense. Also a gritty defender. Went for 18 points and 8 boards.
PG Jaheim Holden (Evanston – 2019)
Holden did everything he could for his team in the championship game. The Evanston senior floor general is a quick lefty playmaker that is shifty with the ball in his hands. He took it right at the Belleville West frontline with four layups in the early going. Also hit a corner three and mid-range pull ups. Was in attack mode all night long going for 20 points.
SF Louis Lesmond (Evanston – 2021)
Lesmond was a well-known name at the state tournament before even hitting the court because of his commercials being played every five minutes on the broadcast. He showed he is more basketball player than actor in the championship. Such an intriguing prospect at 6’5”. This is his first year in America after moving over from France. Plus shooter with range on his three point shot. Knocked down a couple threes. Also was scrappy inside with put backs, rebounding, and contesting shots. Went for 12 points and 5 boards.
SG Dajuan Gordon (Curie – 2019)
The Kansas State commit didn’t have his best outing the last two games, but was ready to play in the 3rd place game. Sometimes it is hard to get up for a consolation game. This Chicago wing was up for it scoring nine points in the first three minutes. Long and lanky shooting guard that started off with a three. He was active on the glass for second chance points and used his toughness inside for three point plays the old fashion way. Rebounded well. Gordon had 24 points and 10 rebounds.
SG Justin Harmon (Curie – 2019)
Harmon is the ultimate utility player for this team. The two guard does a little bit of everything. Athletic and is a problem in transition for opponents. Got loose for multiple finishes in the open floor en route to 10 points.
SG Sincere Parker (Rockford East – 2020)
Parker is one of the more intriguing two guards in the 2020 class. Great size and length to go along with a plus jumper. At times he can force it, but he proved on a couple of his triples he has deep range to well beyond the college arc. Pair of put backs with some scrappy play inside as well. He had 11 points.
SF Sha’Den Clanton (Rockford East – 2019)
This angular 6’6” forward has a long wing span which allows him to cover a lot of ground defensively. On the offensive end he used his quickness inside converting dump off passes and throwing down an alley-oop dunk. 8 points on the night.