Jack Tosh Holiday Classic: Tuesday Standouts

PrepHoopsIllinois finished our 7 tournament and 45 game week at the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic for three more games including the championship which was won by Bolingbrook. Let’s dive into our Jack Tosh Holiday Classic: Tuesday Standouts!   Kai Evans (Bolingbrook – 2021) Evans made his impact on the game with his physicality and strength on the wing. He is a powerful slasher with a strong frame. When going downhill in the half court or transition he is a tough cover. Especially in the open floor he was a beast in the championship game looking like a running back going to the rim for buckets. Played with a high motor and intensity level. One of his early dunks set the tone for the rest of the game. Quality wing defender that can check multiple spots. He had 18 points and 7 rebounds.   Isaiah Stafford (Bolingbrook – 2021) Stafford is a prospect that emerged back in the spring with his feathery jump shot. The guard did it again mostly playing off the ball for Bolingbrook. He drilled 2-3 from beyond the arc with such a free and easy release. Got an and-1 off a slip to the basket on an out of bounds play. Great free throw shooter! Scored 13 points.   Darius Burford (Bolingbrook – 2020) Burford is an Elon commit. He is the top ranked senior on the team that took home the Jack Tosh title. Burford showed off his elite athleticism and burst with the ball in his hands. Several times he just hit another gear with his burst getting to the rim off the bounce on straight line takes. Struggled a bit shooting from distance, but his all-around game made up for it. Quality passer, rebounder, and defender in addition to what he does scoring. He had 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists.   Nate Shockey (York – 2020) Shockey is headed to North Dakota next season. He has been spectacular throughout his career in the Jack Tosh Tournament. The gritty and intense leader of the Dukes did everything he could to keep them in the title game. Knocked down threes off the catch with his quick release. Improved ball handler opened up more avenues for him to get points and create for others. Quality passer that makes crisp dishes in both the half court and open floor. Struggled at the free throw line. He had 23 points.   Nick Hesch (York – 2022) Hesch opened our eyes with his play for York in the title game. The 6’5” power forward has some projectability to where he should grow a few more inches. Finished a dump off and caught an alley-oop. Thin kid with broad shoulders that can add strength going forward. He had 8 points.   Chris Hodges (Schaumburg – 2021) The Wisconsin Badgers commit came out of the gates strong for Schaumburg. The five man scored early on an and-1, put back, and even hit a rare three pointer from the top of the key. His power moves on the block are impressive. Best play of the day was a baseline spin finished off with a short jumper. Hit four free throws late to seal the deal at the foul line in the 3rd place game. He had 17 points and 6 rebounds.   Vaurice Patterson (Schuamburg – 2022) Patterson is a sophomore guard who is a plus shooter from beyond the arc. He shot 3-4 from three in the 3rd place game for 9 points. A sophomore that we will continue to track!   Billy Durkin (Hinsdale South – 2020) Durkin is a tough and wiry shooting guard that can knock down shots! He is at his best from mid-rage where he stops and pops for scores. Quality shooter off the catch as well spotting up or moving without the ball for shots. Played quite a bit more on the ball than we had seen in the past and did a solid job handing it. He had 16 points (7-12 FG) and 4 rebounds.   Aaron Tims (Hinsdale South – 2020) Tims was completely MIA in the first half. He missed a big portion of it on the bench, but when in there he wasn’t his usual self. We saw that player right out of the gates in the second half. The bouncy four man scored on quick touches on the block. Spin move and short jump shot. Left handed hook shot. Mid-range jumper. Caught the ball on the move for a layup. Bouncy kid that has a lot of upside. Didn’t rebound at as high of a rate as we are accustomed too in this one. Went for 10 points (5-7 FG).   Julian Campbell (Palatine – 2021) Campbell was a force in the consolation championship game! The 6’7” junior is absolutely HUGE! For how big he is the impressive thing is he actually retains pretty good mobility being able to get up and down the floor along with using quickness in the paint. Had a right handed hook shot and used the glass well on his post moves. Quality rebounder grabbing boards with his strong hands. Drilled one three which actually is one of the better assets of his game being able to stretch the floor some. At times forces it a bit from deep. Finished with 16 points and 6 rebounds.   Connor Aikman (Palatine – 2020) Aikman is a quality player for Palatine that had a strong afternoon. He scored inside and out with a pair of floaters along with going 2-2 from three point range on his way to 15 points.   Sebastian Miller (Wheaton St. Francis - 2022) Miller is an intriguing combo guard to track down the line. The rangy 6’2” guard has projectability and just an overall smoothness to his game. He also drilled a pair of threes. Displayed the ability to dish and has upside defensively. Miller had 8 points,5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.   Robert Nocek (Wheaton St. Francis – 2020) This senior four man is a prospect that small colleges should take a look at. Keeps the ball high on his post moves. Can seal off his man for scores. Quality offensive rebounder that gets second chance points. Recorded 12 points and 6 boards.