Run N Slam: Sunday Illinois Notebook

PrepHoopsIllinois closed out another outstanding Run N Slam on Sunday in Fort Wayne! Here is what we saw on championship day in our Run N Slam: Sunday Illinois Notebook!   Young & Reckless 16U Falls in Opener Sunday Morning We started the day off with getting another look at Y&R 16U. They would ultimately lose this game, but did some good things. Neuqua Valley 2021 small forward John Poulakidas has established himself as one of the best wings in the class. Lefty is a big time perimeter shooter both from three and pulling up. He has gotten so much better off the bounce and with his athleticism over the past year. Able to create his own shot on a more regular basis. Also like how he passes from his small forward spot. A pair of point guards played well as Hyde Park’s Jalen Houston used his pull up game from three to connect on several as well as put his head down getting to the rack. Jaehshon Thomas played a ton over the weekend at both the 16U and 17U levels. The 2021 point guard is a strong guard that is a tough driver finishing with both hands at the rim and can knock down triples.   Meanstreets 15U Impressive Again As AJ Casey Shows Out What a weekend for Meanstreets 15U group as they reached the finals falling just a little short to Indiana Elite. We caught their quarterfinal win over Nova Village. The top 2022 prospect in the state Simeon’s AJ Casey had a dominant performance. He has all the physical tools you could ask for in a post and “Big Ticket” as they call him delivered a 20 point outing. Great combination of size, skill, and athleticism. He was excellent sealing on the low block and finishing with slams. Continues to improve his low post game each time we see him. Also hit a three and was a force defensively. Elite high-major prospect. His twin tower mate Jalen Washington from Indiana was outstanding on the glass. Probably recorded 15 rebounds in the game high pointing them in traffic defensively and scoring on put backs on the other end. Kanye Smith is an intriguing name from Whitney Young with his projectable frame at the small forward spot along with his quickness on the offensive glass. Smooth player! Dalen Davis is a 2023 point guard that starts on this team. The future Whitney Young Dolphin is a smaller guard that is tough attacking the rim and runs the show. Kam Kraft knocked down shots from deep. Buffalo Grove wing is one of top wings in class.   Wolverines 17U Make Run in Bracket Play It was an impressive run for the Wolverines getting to the quarterfinals including knocking off host Indy Heat in the first game of bracket play. We saw them lose to All-Ohio Red, but they gave them everything they had! Niles Notre Dame small forward Jason Bergstrom is one of the more underrated wings in the 2020 class. He is a top 70 player in the class, but we don’t feel most casual high school hoops fans know about him. Good sized wing that can really shoot the basketball! He has a quick and fluid stroke knocking it down from multiple levels. Went for 15 points in the game against All-Ohio. Running next to him on the wing Matt Kaznikov from Stevenson is a thick lefty small forward that is scrappy and can hit an occasional three. Another Stevenson Patriot that made an impact was EJ Alexis. Undersized 6’4” power forward with quickness around the hoop. He got on the offensive glass for second chance opportunities and did a nice job defensively competing against taller opponents blocking shots and competing on the defensive end.   Meanstreets Roll in 16U Bracket to Championship It was a 3-0 day for Meanstreets 16U squad rolling to the championship game including a forfeit win in the title over NEO True Game who we saw them beat in pool play on Saturday. The game we caught was their quarterfinal blow out win against Breakaway. They blitzed them with their overall talent across the board. Whitney Young 2021 power forward Grant Newell didn’t do much when we watched him on Saturday. Sunday was a different story as the top 10 face up forward was a beast! He was dominant on the offensive glass. Rebounded at a high rate on both ends of the floor. Set up a mid-range jumper with a jab step. Threw down a couple ferocious dunks! Evanston 2021 shooting guard Jaylin Gibson lived up to his status as one of the best guards in the class. Athletic wing that shot it well from a variety of levels on the floor. Got to the cup finishing with his off hand. Plus passer, defender, and rebounder!   Illinois Irish 17U Shoot Lights Out We finished out our day at Run N Slam with a Gold Bracket game watching Illinois Irish get a 80-68 win over Wisconsin Dynasty. They won the game behind their perimeter shooting. Peoria Notre Dame 2020 combo guard Connor Dillon is a sniper from deep and that continued on Sunday knocking down several from three. His brother Declan Dillon also got in on the fun from deep. Normal U-High 6’2” two guard Drew Wollenschlager might have had the best display of perimeter marksmanship as he hit four threes in the first half. The fiery competitor on the wing can really let it fly! A lot of those threes were set up by the passing inside of El-Paso Gridley post Jack Weber who is an outstanding post distributor!   Amari Bailey Goes Off We only caught the last 10 minutes of Amari Bailey's game with the Fire 16U on Sunday, but he put on a clinic scoring in every way imaginable! Jumper has become much more consistent, the passing is on point, and he explodes at the rim! Dropped 44 points against NEO Tru Game!