Most Intriguing Prospects: Curie vs Niles Notre Dame

<p>What. A. Game. That is how you close out the season in style as Niles Notre Dame hosted Curie in a top 5 Chicago area matchup that was added to the schedule in recent weeks.  It was a great environment, fast paced, action packed, and the stars brought it!  Both teams made runs at each other, but Curie had the last one winning by a final of 76-69.  Both teams got what they wanted out of this game which was a competitive state championship type feel that will only help them in their respective runs for the 3A and 4A state crowns!  Here are our <strong>Most Intriguing Prospects: Curie vs Niles Notre Dame</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ramean-hinton/">Ramean Hinton</a> (Curie – 2020)</strong></p> <p>The SEMO commit is the heart and soul of this Curie squad.  He has squarely put himself in the conversation for Mr. Basketball by leading this team to the #1 overall state ranking heading into the playoffs.  Hinton is an impactful two way defender that did a nice job on Lesmond throughout the night then switched over to D’Amico for spurts.  His toughness and tenacity are what he hangs his hat on.  The skill level has improved considerably over the last year.  He is an above average shooter off the catch that drilled four of them from deep.  Physical driver and finisher around the cup.  Went for 21 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/saiveon-williams/">Saiveon Williams</a> (Curie – 2020)</strong></p> <p>If we had to give an MVP of this game we would go with Williams.  At the next level he is more of a three man at his size, but plays inside for Curie with their lack of height.  Williams brings a high activity level and physicality around the hoop for scores.  He was all over the glass throughout the night.  Finishes well through contact and was excellent in the pick/roll game as a finisher at the rim.  Quick and athletic in the paint allows him to play bigger than his height.  Showed this summer he has wing skills on both ends of the floor.  D2s should be all over him.  He had 22 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/elijah-pickens/">Elijah Pickens</a> (Curie – 2020)</strong></p> <p>Pickens is a quick twitched point guard that has seen his stock rise as a senior.  The floor general for Curie is small, but is afraid of no one.  He is at his best using hesitation and shifty handles to get in the paint for conversions.  Scoop shots are his forte.  Pesky on the defensive end and really has a feel in the pick/roll game.  He finished with 16 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nick-owens/">Nick Owens</a> (Curie – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Owens is a junior that played primarily on the ball.  The tiny point guard was at his best however when spotting up knocking down open threes drilling a trio of them.  Sound passer and makes winning plays.  Owens had 11 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/troy-damico/">Troy D’Amico</a> (Niles Notre Dame – 2021)</strong></p> <p>D’Amico continues to be the best player that nobody talks about in the stellar Illinois junior class.  The 6’6” small forward is uber skilled with a feathery perimeter stroke.  He knocked in four of them from deep.  D’Amico has excellent shot prep and is ready to fire as soon as it hits his hands.  Also displayed his versatile skill set being able to post up making quick moves for scores and put it on the deck on a number of occasions for straight line takes.  Rebounds well for his position and is a sound distributor from his wing spot.  Mid-majors in the Midwest need to be all over him!  He had 29 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/louis-lesmond/">Louis Lesmond</a> (Niles Notre Dame – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Lesmond is the most nationally hyped of the ND 2021 trio.  Plus size and athleticism on the wing.  Silky smooth shot drilling a pair, but failed to connect late.  We saw the flashes of his all-around game in this one.  Thought he passed it very well whether it was making the extra pass to his shooter or finding teammates for dump offs in the paint.  Flew in out of nowhere for a monster one handed tip dunk.  Defensively he was solid getting in passing lanes showing his anticipation.  Lesmond had 12 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/anthony-sayles/">Anthony Sayles</a> (Niles Notre Dame – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Sayles is the top 2021 point guard in the state.  In this game he displayed what he brings as a prospect.  High level athleticism at the lead guard spot with his burst off the dribble and in transition.  Knack for making acrobatic layups and/or getting fouled.  Crisp passer that makes the simple play over and over, but they lead to points.  Sayles had 16 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jason-bergstrom/">Jason Bergstrom</a> (Niles Notre Dame – 2020)</strong></p> <p>Bergstrom is the ultimate x-factor for this team come March.  He is a mismatch as he plays as their “big man”, but is a high level three point shooter.  The Illinois-Springfield commit put that on display hitting several off the catch early to get Niles Notre Dame rolling.  Gritty glue guy rebounds, passes, and can lay out his opponent on a screen.  He had 9 points.</p>