Hard Work Live: Scotty B's Sunday Notebook

On Sunday we went to check out 16U action. There were a lot of standout performances from the state of Illinois! Check that out here in our Hard Work Live: Sunday Illinois Notebook!   Team RWA 16U Has Lots of Players Making Moves Enjoyed watching Team RWA’s 16U squad to start the morning on Sunday. This group has a lot of prospects that will be added into the 2021 rankings in our next update in June. Let’s start with the one who is ranked in Von Steuben’s Ola Ajiboye who currently sets at #39 overall. He came off the bench for his team in this game and provided an instant spark. Long and angular four man that flashes immense potential. Can step out and knock down jumpers as he hit a mid-range jumper and three. Uses his quickness inside to grab rebounds. Runs the floor very well and is a shot blocking presence. Kenwood point guard Caleb Horton is off to a nice start this spring. Solid shooter both off the catch from three and pulling up from 15 feet. Works well in the pick and roll. AJ Coleman was very good early on defensively getting steals and taking them the other way for scores. Intriguing combo guard. Ryan Sucha (Lincoln Way East) is a tough small forward that can really shoot it from three. Ahmad Tims (Hinsdale South) is similar in many respects to his older brother with his activity level and quickness in the paint as an undersized four man that uses his athleticism to make plays. He is a righty as opposed to Aaron and he knocked down a three showing good form.   All-In Athletics 16U Were Fun to Watch Really enjoyed watching this AIA – Balaban 16U team. At the point Daniel Reed (Marist) proved to be a sound mid-range shooter knocking them down with consistency. Jacob Morris (Stevenson) is a thicker point-forward that passes the ball with flair and always seemed to be around the basketball at all times. Jabari Hill (Marist) is a physical undersized post that is efficient with his post touches and shoots a high rate from the paint. Aidan Brayboy (New Trier) is the younger brother of Ciaran who is headed to the Ivy League next year. The younger brother is a 6’4” power forward with soft hands and projectability!   Fundamental U Grey 16U group Shows Toughness in Defeat Despite a 63-54 loss to the Michigan Goonies there were a couple bright spots for Fundamental U Grey 16U. The most productive player was Elk Grove 2021 shooting guard Brandon Burns. Scorers mentality that is a crisp pull up shooter and can create his own shot off the dribble. Also had a nice spin move in the lane. Roman Sudimac (Loyola) is a 6’1” combo guard that is a solid ball handler with decent athleticism. Can hit an open three. Josca Schabacker (Lake Forest) stood out with his perimeter shooting.   James Dent Primed for Massive Ranking Debut as Capital City Team Work Gets W One of the prospects I was most looking forward to evaluating this weekend was Springfield Southeast shooting guard James Dent. He was extremely impressive when we saw him at the O’Fallon Shootout back in February. Dent lived up to our belief off his initial eval going for 20 points in a win against Iowa Dynasty. Silky smooth two guard with positional size. Big time feathery jump shot from three. Gets elevation on his shot and knocks them in with ease. Smooth ball handler that takes long strides off the bounce. A few others to note for Capital City Team Work.16U. Michael Ousley from Springfield Lanphier is a thick two guard that can handle the ball attacking the basket. He had a sweet spin move in the lane and knocked in a baseline J. His high school teammate Maki Rose is a smaller point guard that pushes the rock with his quickness off the bounce and defensive intensity. Tyvin Garrison (Springfield High) is intriguing as a combo forward with his rangy body, potential defensively, and projectability.   Illinois T-Wolves and Sharks Basketball 16U Game of Day The top game of the day I saw as the Illinois T-Wolves and Sharks Basketball. The T-Wolves 16U group won 58-56, but the Sharks gave them a run for their money. For the T-Wolves their 2021 wing trio of Jaiden Lee (Joliet West), Cameron Mallory (Lincoln Way East), and Andrew Johnson (Joliet West) all have long term potential with their length and ability to shoot the ball. Mallory shot it best in this game knocking down several from deep along with being active defensively swatting shots and getting in passing lanes. Lee is the highest ceiling prospect of this group with the way he can shoot, defend, and put his head down getting to the rack. Johnson brings athleticism and a versatile two way game to the table. Their backcourt trio of Terrance Moncrief (Joliet West), Jhei-R Jones (Lincoln Way East), and Antonio Hughes (Oswego East) all had their moments. Moncrief is the distributor at the point. Jones is a tough scoring guard with range on shot. Hughes stepped up hitting difficult triples including a four point play. Inside Daine Hanson (Nazareth Academy) was a beast on the glass. Physical rebounder that gets put backs. On the other side the Sharks were impressive in the two point loss. Jackson Gitterle (St. Patrick) jumped off the floor with the way he defended Lee containing him way better than anyone did last weekend in Iowa. He also did a nice job offensively being scrappy always having a nose for the ball and being in the right spot to make a play. Hit a three and another baseline jumper. Nicholas Galati (St. Patrick) hit several big shots from three to get them back in the game. Caleb Corro (St. Patrick) is a slick point guard with an excellent passing feel throwing several sweet dimes. Also hit a pull up three and got out in transition. Sean Gallery (Maine South) is a crafty scoring guard with good handles. Inside Oscar Antanaitis (Hinsdale Central) is a long and lanky post that finished well on his touches inside. Long term play! Keaghan Elmiger is a thick bodied undersized four man who was a tough inside presence on the glass with an and-1 and euro step.   A Few Standout in B&B Elite vs Illinois Future 16U Contest We caught a couple of Illinois teams going head to head on Sunday. For Illinois Future I was intrigued by J Brewer (Evanston). This 6’0” lead guard has length and knows how to use it putting pressure on the ball defensively. Offensively he is at his best in the open floor getting to the rim with acrobatic layups. Perrion McClinton (Loyola) is a crisp passing point guard that gets others involved. B&B Elite point guard Kaden Chapa (Waukegan) only stands at 5’5”, but he can shoot it from three. I enjoyed watching their 6’1” big bodied wing Cole Patrick (Warren). He might not look like the most projectable prospect, but he was always around the ball and made plays getting downhill.   The Work Foundation 16U Makes Statement Their 17U made a statement on Friday when we saw them. Did the exact same thing on Sunday with their 16U group. The minute I sat down Lashawn Glover (Orr) got three steals in a row that he finished for layups. Also the lefty can knock down threes. Another Orr guard of note was Terrance Ford. Speedy point guard with the ability to get to the rim and has a nice looking three knocking down several from DEEP! Corliss 6’6” power forward Stanley Adams is a strong and super athletic four man that was a monster on the glass and finished above the rim. He had the dunk of the day for sure! Hillcrest 6’2” wing LeQuan Washington is a rangy two guard that was active crashing the offensive glass. Perspectives 6’4” thick bodied and undersized power forward Jovon White had his moments in the paint including a tough and-1.