Pure Sweat Basketball Back 2 School Camp: Monday Standouts

<p>The Pure Sweat Basketball Back 2 School Camp kicked off on Monday night in Carbondale.  Here we break down what prospects caught our eye in <strong>Pure Sweat Basketball Back 2 School Camp: Monday Standouts</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863611" first="Chase" last="Travis"] (Olney – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Travis is a 6’5” shooting guard with size and length.  Handles it well in the open floor and overall has a pretty fluid offensive game.  Put it on the deck, had a hook shot, and contested defensively on the perimeter.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921014" first="Nathan" last="Thompson"] (Effingham – 2021)</strong></p> <p>The small forward from Effingham has nice height and long arms at 6’5”.  He rebounded at a very high rate throughout the night playing with a high activity level.  Slashed off the dribble with straight line takes to the cup.  Handles it well in the open floor and is a capable spot up shooter with sound mechanics.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Caden Hawkins (Carterville – 2023)</strong></p> <p>The Carterville 5’10” point guard pushed it with speed and was a playmaker with the rock in his hands making good decisions as a passer.  Also drilled an array of pull up jumpers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="989273" first="Grant" last="Fridley"] (Trenton Wesclin – 2023)</strong></p> <p>This Trenton Wesclin 6’1” guard can flat out shoot the rock.  In the first game he drilled a pair of threes and then followed it up with a trio in the last game of the night.  Crisp and concise release.  Mixed in a couple drives and threw a fantastic left handed bounce pass for a dime.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="765214" first="Landon" last="Zurliene"] (Fairfield – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Zurliene is a 6’4” small forward who is one of the higher ranked southern Illinois prospects in the rising senior class.  Crisp ball handler that is more creative with the ball than we saw earlier in his career. Scored in the open floor, got on the glass, and drilled a few threes.  Was a bit more streaky shooting than usual.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="652797" first="Joe" last="Melton"] (Norris City Omaha Enfield – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Melton is one of the state’s best kept secrets at 6’7”.  Skilled face up four man that can score inside and out.  Hook shot, spin moves, and mid-range shots.  Can also stretch it out to three with ease.  Crashes the glass, rim runs, and is a good overall athlete.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Madox Billingsley (Herrin – 2025)</strong></p> <p>Yet to enter high school Billingsley stands at 5’10” and was very productive.  He showed a good basketball IQ using shot fakes.  Connected on mid-range shots, finished around the hoop, and went coast to coast for a score.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kyrese Lukens (Herrin – 2025)</strong></p> <p>Lukens is a smaller guard at 5’7” with some projectability because of his long arms.  Solid passer and is an active rebounder for a guard.  Can put it on the deck for buckets.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="996000" first="Eli" last="Downen"] (Carterville – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Downen stands at 6’5” with a thick body.  Very productive on the first night of the event.  Rebounded very well and was adept at taking it off the glass pushing the other way on his own.  Crafty small forward that can drill mid-range shots with consistency.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Brady Thrane (Hamilton County – 2022)</strong></p> <p>This Hamilton County product is a 6’0” guard that was lethal when he let it fly hitting jumpers from an array of spots on the floor.  Feathery looking shot.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="996083" first="Rayzhaun" last="Bardo"] (Marion – 2022)</strong></p> <p>The 6’2” Marion product has some developmental upside.  Slick ball handler that passes with flair including a no look dish.  Handles it well in space.  Drilled several jumpers including one from the top of the key.  Flies in for rebounds from the perimeter.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Buzz Ritzel (Nashville – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Expect big things from this Nashville 6’2” guard as a senior.  Sound shooter mechanically that drilled several of them when we were watching.  Also had a spinning layup in transition.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Dylan Harkins (Mt. Vernon – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Smaller point guard that can really shoot it from three.  The Mt. Vernon rising senior connected on four triples in his last game of the night including a couple from really deep.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="939049" first="Cade" last="Altadonna"] (Highland – 2023)</strong></p> <p>This Highland guard is one of the more crafty scorers in the 2023 class.  The 5’11” guard is a bucket getter!  He drills pull ups with a sweet lefty shot and is crafty taking it coast to coast.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920985" first="Parker" last="Wolfe"] (Effingham – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Solid, but not spectacular night for the Effingham star point guard.  We love the tenacity and intensity that he brings to the game.  Drilled quite a few three pointers in the last game of the evening.</p>