Salem Invitational: Thursday Standouts

<p>The Salem Invitational Tournament continued on Thursday night!  In the first game Effingham mounted a comeback to defeat Mt. Vernon behind the sharp shooting of their junior guard.  In the finale Teutopolis grinded out a victory behind their defense and gritty offense.  Check out our <strong>Salem Invitational Tournament: Thursday Standouts</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/parker-wolfe/">Parker Wolfe</a> (Effingham – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Effingham’s star junior guard had a quiet scoring first half by his standards, but he was still doing a nice job getting his teammates involved.  The point guard went off in the second half leading his team to a comeback victory.  Wolfe is a 6’0” lefty point guard that when he gets rolling can carry a team offensively.  That is exactly what he did in the second half.  Wolfe was on fire from three hitting them one after another some of them from well beyond the arc.  Drilled four of them in a row in the second half.  Also mixed in some floaters and layups off spin moves.  Wolfe went for 24 points with 19 of them coming in the second half.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/drew-thompson/">Drew Thompson</a> (Effingham – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Thompson had it working in the first half for Effingham.  The junior combo guard is a scrappy guard with skill.  He knocked down a trio of threes and showcased the ability to handle it making passes and scores on the move.  Probably the best outing we have seen from him in his career.  Went for 21 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Nate Thompson (Effingham – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Thompson is a bigger wing with some size at 6’5”.  Like the length he brings defensively as he was active with his hands getting deflections.  Offensively he is a sound spot up shooter that hit multiple jumpers and had a layup as well.  Finished with 12 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Brayden Pals (Effingham – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Pals is a new name that emerged on our radar with his play.  The 6’5” power forward has some projectability and should continue to grow.  Sealed for a score in the paint and had an and-1.  Pals had 10 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quani-rudd/">Quani Rudd</a> (Mt. Vernon – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Rudd is a 6’6” small forward that is one of the better Illinois wing prospects in the 2021 class.  He brings size, athleticism, and improving skill to the table.  The Mt. Vernon wing glides to the hoop and makes it look effortless at times.  Excellent attacking off the bounce from the mid-range with a couple quick dribbles for scores at the cup.  Can post up smaller defenders for high/low conversions.  Jump shot continues to look better each time we see him showing consistent mechanics and a clean stroke.  Solid wing rebounder and defends multiple spots from the two through four.  Rudd had 21 points and 5 rebounds.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jackson Creel (Mt. Vernon – 2020)</strong></p> <p>Creel has continued to evolve his game throughout his career.  The 6’4” two guard has always been a sound perimeter shooter and he did it again knocking down a pair of triples.  We came away impressed with how he handled it scoring off the bounce and passed it on the move.  Creel went for 14 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carson-prost/">Carson Prost</a> (Mt. Vernon – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Prost is a 6’3” two guard that had a breakout performance.  He had several tough drives where he scored taking it to the rack with authority.  Gritty guard that made several nice passes in the lane.  He had 13 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/simon-wilson/">Simon Wilson</a> (Mt. Vernon – 2020)</strong></p> <p>Wilson has plus size at 6’5”.  The senior knocked down a pair of threes off the catch.  Also converted a pair of finishes at the cup on a pick/roll and a dump off pass for 12 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/julius-byrd/">Julius Byrd</a> (TF North – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Byrd is a rangy two guard at 6’4” with long arms.  At times he is a bit wild with the ball, but he has a smooth offensive game overall.  Byrd drilled two from beyond the arc and a smooth mid-range jumper.  Potential on the defensive end as a wing defender and is a good rebounder for his size.  Byrd had 10 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Khaje Branch (TF North – 2022)</strong></p> <p>A year ago Darrell Reed had his coming out party at the SIT.  He transferred to a school in Indiana.  Now comes this 6’8” center.  Strong body with a wide frame.  A bit slow, but moves pretty well for his size.  The five man posted up very strong in the first half calling for the ball.  He scored on a left handed hook shot and a dump off pass.  Missed a few bunnies, but displayed solid footwork.  Really like the potential here long term.  Rebounded well in his area and played tough post defense.  He had 6 points and 5 rebounds.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Devonte Hall (TF North – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Hall was the other sophomore that caught our attention.  At 6’0” he is a speedy guard that got in the lane.  His mid-range game was on point knocking down multiple pull ups for 7 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-hardiek/">Jordan Hardiek</a> (Teutopolis – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Hardiek was the star of the night for T-Town.  The 6’1” junior point guard was impactful on both ends of the floor.  He is a tough as nails guard that can shoot it from three, but also put it on the deck for difficult scores in the lane on scoop shots and layups.  Finished with 17 points.</p>