Pontiac Holiday Tournament: Friday Standouts

What a day of basketball at Pontiac! My favorite day to take in the action at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament is always the second day because you can see everyone and the quarterfinal matchups are usually pretty compelling. That was true again this year! Check out our Pontiac Holiday Tournament: Friday Standouts!   Jamere Hill (Joliet West – 2020) The game of the day was the last one we saw as Joliet West pulled off the upset of Simeon. A major reason was the play of their point guard. This combo set the tone early with his confidence and perimeter shooting knocking down a pair of early threes. He is a creative ball handler that can win off the dribble making plays for himself and others. Has a burst on straight line takes. Solid passer that should see his recruitment continue to rise as he doesn’t hold any D1 or D2 offers at this stage. Went for 19 points and 4 assists.   Jaiden Lee (Joliet West – 2021) We have tabbed Lee for a while as “baby DaJuan Gordon.” He reminds us so much of the former Curie and current Kansas State star. Long and lanky frame. Their games have progressed in very similar trajectories. Lee is a plus shooter with a lightning quick release. That was on full display connecting on three from beyond the arc with his free and easy stroke. Showed he is more than just a shooter with a reverse layup and got on the glass for a put back. Lee had 17 points (6-9 FG).   Jaylen Drane (Simeon – 2022) Drane is a scoring combo guard that had one of his more efficient nights. The state’s #2 sophomore hit from mid-range on a pull up and put combination moves together to win off the bounce. High upside guard that’s best basketball is ahead of him. He had 14 points on 6-9 from the field.   Sincere Callwood (Simeon – 2020) Callwood did a nice job especially early keeping Simeon in the game. Physical undersized post that scored on several moves around the hoop on baseline spins, put backs, and just going right at his man. Got to the charity stripe as well with his physicality. He had 13 points on 5-6 shooting.   Ahamad Bynum (Simeon – 2021) Bynum is another microwave scorer. The DePaul commit and top 5 junior is one of the best pure bucket getters in the state. He definitely forced a few shots in this game, but also connected on several incredibly difficult threes that were deep and contested shots. Shot maker that can also knock in shots from mid-range and score on runners as well. Bynum had 17 points (5-14 FG).   Colin O’Rourke (Plainfield North – 2020) We began the day at 8 AM with this UW-Parkside commit. The D2 power forward is the prototype new age four man. He is most effective facing up and working in the mid-range area where he flashes to the free throw line for jumpers or can dish the rock on quick passes for scores. Can post up on occasion as well using assertive moves with toughness and skill. He had 15 points on 6-10 from the field.   Nathanael Hoskins (Danville – 2021) Danville’s standout Tevin Smith got hurt early against Manual so their other 2021 star had to step up. Hoskins is a 6’2” lefty point guard with a thicker body. He is crafty with the ball in his hands. Got in the lane with spin moves and just has a knack for finding openings in the defense and exploiting them for scores. Didn’t shoot it at all from three. Hoskins had 22 points on 9-18 shooting.   Pee Wee Brown (Peoria Manual – 2020) Brown is going to be a coveted JUCO prospect as the season goes along. The competitive two guard isn’t the most explosive kid, but he just knows how to get stuff done. Struggled shooting it in this game especially from three, but what he did do well was get in the paint drawing fouls where he racked up points finishing with 16 points on the night.   Dante Maddox (Bloom – 2020) The Cal State Fullerton commit has earned a move into the top 10 in the soon to be updated 2020 rankings with his play early in the season. He did it again on Friday with another monster outing in the quarterfinals. The thing we love about Maddox is how he can rip off these scoring runs in a short period of time. Did that against OPRF dropping 31 points (9-14 FG) (2-3 3PT) (11-13 FT). This was also probably the most efficient we have seen Maddox play. He was extremely effective from all three levels. Put combination moves together to get to the rim. Hit step back jumpers. Drilled threes with his patented deep range! He has become a complete and dynamic scoring weapon in the backcourt!   Christian Shumate (Bloom – 2020) Shumate in top performers……what is new? The bouncy forward has started out his season in absolute dominant fashion. He is one of the best offensive rebounders in recent memory. Shumate’s second jump is just insane. He flies in from out of nowhere to snatch boards at their highest point. His motor this season has been off the charts. Explosive finisher above the rim catching lobs and using quick moves to convert buckets. Such an intimidating presence on the high school level. Shumate had 16 points. Still waiting on more mid-major and low-majors to jump in on this elite level athlete.   Isaiah Barnes (OPRF – 2021) Barnes had his moments against a stacked Bloom squad. The most memorable was a posterizing dunk that had everyone out of their seats! The smooth two guard with size also knocked down a pair of feathery triples. Got to the foul line at a nice clip and was pretty assertive throughout finishing with 15 points (4-10 FG).   Colin Crothers (Benet – 2020) Crothers is headed to John Hopkins next season. He is the ideal small college five man. He struggles with athletic posts, but at the D3 level will thrive. Uses his size and hands to score in the paint. Right handed hook shot, baseline jumper, and a reverse layup were a few of his best plays of the day. Went for 17 points (7-8 FG) and 10 rebounds.   Ramean Hinton (Curie – 2020) Hinton is going to be such an impactful player at SEMO. They landed possibly the most competitive and toughest D1 player in the state. We have long thought an underrated part of his repertoire is his three point shooting. Opened up their quarterfinal contest knocking down a pair from three to set the tone. The rest of the game he played off his energy, defense, and rebounding. Mauls on the offensive glass for second chance opportunities from his two guard spot. High level perimeter defender that can lock down all three perimeter spots. Hinton had 14 points and 8 rebounds.   Elijah Pickens (Curie – 2020) Pickens is going to be an outstanding find for the lucky small college that lands him. He isn’t the biggest guard, but he can flat out go! Speed in the open floor pushing in transition. Scores in the paint despite his lack of height on scoop shots and floaters. This kid is fearless! Defensively he was excellent constantly putting pressure at the point of attack. He had 13 points (6-9 FG), 3 assists, and 4 steals.   Connor Linke (St. Charles North – 2020) This Bradley commit played very well in front of his future head coach! The legit 6’9” big man has great size and strength. His mobility is such an underrated part of his game. The two things he is best at Linke showcased against Curie. Offensively he garners deep post position on the catch and finishes with quick moves on spins or hook shots. Wish he would have got more touches as he was 3-3 from the field. Defensively he was outstanding protecting the rim including going up at the highest point for several swats. His line was 9 points and 10 rebounds with a handful of swats.   DeMarco Clayton (Bloomington – 2021) Clayton burst on our radar during the summer with All-In. The two guard is a high level athlete with his best plays often coming in transition. Slick ball handler that had a couple sweet conversions on scoop shots and euro steps. As the game went on he started to settle in shooting it as well knocking in a pick and pop three along with another three ball. Clayton had 18 points.   Carter Dawson (Pontiac – 2020) Dawson will play baseball at the next level, but this 6’6” point-forward would be worthy of D2 consideration if he wasn’t. Every year we see him at Pontiac we have been impressed. He has gotten stronger being able to post up smaller defenders with his strength and quickness. Playmaker with the ball in his hands that went for 23 points on the night.