5 Key Questions: Peoria Manual vs Belleville West

<p>Peoria Manual and Belleville West both made trips to state last season in their respective classes.  Friday afternoon the two met at the Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions.  It was a close one at the half as the game was tied 22-22.  Then Manual opened the second half on a massive 15-0 run and it was pretty much a wrap.  Peoria Manual cruised to a 59-41 victory.  Here are our <strong>5 Key Questions: Peoria Manual vs Belleville West</strong>.</p> <p>;</p> <p><strong>What is the program getting that lands Pee Wee Brown?</strong></p> <p>Manual wing <strong>Pee Wee Brown</strong> is one of the most dynamic scorers in central Illinois.  He did it all summer and continues to roll into his senior season.  This tough as nails wing is a big time competitor and winner.  He might not wow you with his athleticism or physical tools, but the kid just gets it done.  The two guard is a monster scoring from 15 feet and in.  Loves pull ups from 15 feet and gets to the rim for creative finishes.  A JUCO or D2 would be wise to get on him ASAP.  Brown had 14 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Who are some small college seniors that impressed?</strong></p> <p>Several unsigned seniors that can make an impact at the small college level were in this one.  Manual point guard <strong>Myriece Byrd</strong> is a smaller guard that plays with speed pushing in the open floor often off a steal he created.  He had 9 points.  <strong>Andreas Bailey</strong> is a 6’0” athletic two guard that seems to always be around the ball and is athletic in transition.  Went for 7 points.  <strong>Storm Hagen</strong> stands at 6’4” with strength.  Quality spot up shooter hit a pair from deep for 6 points.  Belleville West shooting guard <strong>Greg Wells</strong> is a lefty smooth scorer that had a nice first half hitting an array of jumpers and scoring with creativity.  Finished with 10 points.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>How did junior wings Emaryon Byrd and Tommie Williams perform?</strong></p> <p>Two 2021 wings that we have pretty highly ranked were in this one.  Belleville West shooting guard <strong>Tommie Williams</strong> played better than we saw him earlier in the week.  The junior took it right at his opponent on straight line drives.  Scored 14 points in the game.  Was nice to see him be more aggressive as he has the ability to be this teams go to scorer.  Also played quite a bit on the ball.  <strong>Emaryon Byrd</strong> is a big wing with length that has a world of potential.  He sometime plays with a low motor and isn’t as involved as he should be.  It was a nice effort out of him on Friday as he knocked down a pair of threes from the wings and was active on the defensive end.  Went for 9 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What under the radar prospects put themselves on the map?</strong></p> <p>Peoria Manual guard <strong>Brian Tyler</strong> has made a name for himself the first week of the season.  The 2021 guard is an athletic wing that gobbled up second chance points on the glass with his second jump and hit a three for 7 points.  Belleville West sophomore point guard <strong>Jadin Brazil</strong> burst on the scene late in this game rattling off 7 points.  Drilled a mid-range jumper, three, and used his speed to push in the open floor in limited minutes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What is ceiling for these two teams in March?</strong></p> <p>For Manual it will come down to their road to state, but they should have a decent shot to make it back to the 3A final four.  Belleville West is looking like a team that will need things to fall right to win a regional title in the always tough metro east 4A bracket.</p>