Cape Girardeau Scrimmage: Top Performers

<p>This past weekend some of the top prospects from southern Illinois had a scrimmage in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  Prep Hoops Illinois took a look at the film which included several interesting prospects in <strong>Cape Girardeau Scrimmage: Top Performers</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="652790" first="AJ" last="Smith"] (Metro East Lutheran – 2021)</strong></p> <p>This was our first look at Smith since last high school season.  We really liked the progression he has made over the last year.  Big and strong shooting guard that has broad shoulders and a strong frame.  Not overly bulky though as he maintains his athleticism which he showed throwing down a pair of explosive one handed slams.  Smith was effective putting it on the deck with smooth ball handling getting to the rim where he converted with euro steps, off hand finishes, and reverse layups.  Hit a pair of threes including a pull up in transition and one off the catch.  Sound form with elevation and just the slightest hitch at the top.  Defensively he had a couple of swats coming from the weakside notching three of them to go with his 16 points.  Smith will get a nice bump in our next rankings update.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="821774" first="Noah" last="Franklin"] (Cobden – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Franklin is a 6’7” point-forward that is coming off an ankle injury this summer.  Not quite 100% as you could tell his usual bounce wasn’t quite there, but he was still very effective.  He is a high IQ forward that has a strong body.  Early on he had a couple turnovers, but then got it rolling when he had a hesi drive, jump stop, and floater.  Finishes well with either hand at the rim.  Crafty driver that scored well around the hoop on runners.  Also flashed to the post where he scored on Smith a couple times with quick moves.  Sound passer including throwing a 3/4 court pass on the money for an assist.  Went for 18 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Peyton Edwards (Carmi – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Edwards is a 6’8” post that put his name on our radar in this performance.  The senior big man is a floor spacer that knocked down a pair of threes.  Didn’t show a ton else, but with that size and touch from deep he is intriguing.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Elliot Lowndes (Cobden – 2022)</strong></p> <p>This was the biggest pleasant surprise of the event.  The 6’9” five man is rail thin, but he competed throughout the game on the boards.  Rebounded pretty well in traffic and in his area.  Offensively he drilled a pick/pop three along with a pair of mid-range jumpers showing nice form.  Can put it on the deck as well on a shot fake/baseline take/and-1.  Fluid post that runs the floor and looked smooth throwing down a dunk in the pick/roll.  Liked the upside here quite a bit.  Finished with 14 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863610" first="Demarkus" last="Bean"] (Metro East Lutheran – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Bean was another prospect that we were really looking forward to checking out in this setting as it has been almost a year since we have had the chance to evaluate him.  The post prospect has quality size, good strength, and retains mobility.  Versatile big man that made his biggest impact on the defensive end.  Shot blocking presence that blocked quite a few shots and altered others.  Good timing and anticipation on that end.  Also an intriguing rebounder with how he competes on the glass including rebounding outside of his area.  Offensively the lefty is a bit raw, but there are some tools to work with.  Flashed touch on his free throws and runs the floor hard for several of his 8 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="989273" first="Grant" last="Fridley"] (Trenton Wesclin – 2023)</strong></p> <p>Fridley is a known name as one of the better 2023 guards in the 618.  The lead guard is a slick ball handler that loves to connect on crisp pull up shots from mid-range and behind screens.  Knocked in an array of shots throughout the day.  Mixed in a couple of nifty takes for layups and scoop shots.  Active hands on the defensive end where he got quite a few deflections.  Had 15 points in the game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="939049" first="Cade" last="Altadonna"] (Highland – 2023)</strong></p> <p>The Highland 2023 guard did what he always does which is put up points.  The lefty hit a trio of triples in the game off movement, spotting up, and from the corner.  Quick and concise looking shot.  Nice step back shot inside the arc.  Like Fridley he competed defensively with his active hands.  Went for 15 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Tyler Franklin (Cobden – 2023)</strong></p> <p>Franklin is the younger brother of Noah.  Tyler is also a lefty small forward.  He has a strong body on the perimeter with a solid skill level.  Hit a pair of threes spotting up.  Rebounds well for his size on both ends of the floor.  Netted 12 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1055130" first="McGrady" last="Noyes"] (Triad – 2023)</strong></p> <p>Noyes has emerged this fall with several strong outings.  The Triad guard has good length and gets fouled when he puts it on the deck.  Smooth ball handler that scores at the line and in the lane.  Went for 8 points in the scrimmage.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Mason Shubert (Breese Central – 2024)</strong></p> <p>Shubert is a thin shooting guard that has a free and easy shooting stroke.  Connected on a pair of threes which he shot with confidence.  Quick cut on an out of bounds play for a layup and had a baseline take.  Finished with 10 points.</p>