Scouting the State: Saturday’s Top Performers

It was a busy day for Prep Hoops Illinois on Saturday as we took in four games from around the state. They were Lyons vs Downers Grove South, Bolingbrook vs Joliet West, Glenbard West vs Glenbard South, and Rolling Meadows vs St. Rita. Tons of high level prospects and breakout performances. Here is the best of what we saw in Scouting the State: Saturday’s Top Performers!   [player_tooltip player_id="1048712" first="Tavari" last="Johnson"] (Lyons Township – 2022) The first game we caught was a unique one for sure as LT played Downers Grove South where they played 20 minute halves and had a 5 in and 5 out platoon system. The reason we wanted to watch didn’t disappoint. Johnson is a 6’0” lead guard that has elite feel in the half court. He works tremendously well around ball screens and knows how to set others up. Pick/roll, pick/pop, cross court passes off live dribbles. This kid has “it”. The scoring game was working too as he drilled an array of jumpers from mid-range and three. Shoots it with balance and confidence. His defense was a plus as well. Got his hands in passing lanes for deflections that he took the other way. Mid-major guard at this state after only playing two varsity games.   [player_tooltip player_id="920978" first="Kyonte" last="Thomas"] (Bolingbrook – 2021) Thomas is the ultimate winner at the high school level. The smaller guard plays much bigger with his tenacity on both ends of the floor. Big time on ball defender getting steals. His offensive game has taken off as a senior being more effective as a shooter and using his athleticism to score at the rim. Always seems to be around the ball to make a play. Growth has been made in his decision making as a point guard. Trinity International is getting a stud as he went a 18/5/4 slash line.   Mekhi Cooper (Bolingbrook – 2023) Cooper is point guard that can really let it fly from the perimeter. The Bolingbrook sophomore guard is a plus shooter from distance that also mixes in pull ups and brings some athleticism in transition. His overall floor game is still rounding out, but this kid can really fill it up with the jump shot. He had 8 points.   [player_tooltip player_id="939035" first="Donaven" last="Younger"] (Bolingbrook – 2023) Younger I thought played with a higher activity level than we saw earlier in the week. The 6’9” top 5 sophomore in Illinois tends to have the motor run a little low at times. When he is engaged you see his immense potential start to become realized. High pointed rebounds in traffic. Defensive rebound and long outlet. Put back on the offensive glass for an and-1. Up and under move. He had 6 points and 8 rebounds. Sky is the limit here.   [player_tooltip player_id="920983" first="Ashawn" last="Burbridge"] (Joliet West – 2021) Burbridge gets the absolute most out of his ability. The power forward from Joliet West is only 6’5”, but plays so hard and has such a knack for grabbing rebounds. Plays a little taller than his height with his long arms. Snatches rebounds in traffic and cleans up for second chance points on the offensive glass just like he always does. The JUCO or small college that gets him is getting a winning player that will compete every single night! He had 13 points on the afternoon.   [player_tooltip player_id="821734" first="Jaiden" last="Lee"] (Joliet West – 2021) Lee is a long and lanky two guard that is mostly known for his sniper ability from deep. Didn’t really do to much of that in this game. It was more about his athleticism being able to get on the glass for second chance points, steal the ball for transition points, and overall playing well in the open floor. He had 9 points.   [player_tooltip player_id="925183" first="Braden" last="Huff"] (Glenbard West – 2022) Huff is among the best junior prospects it the state currently checking in at #5 overall. He is an uber skilled 6’9” four that can play inside and out. On the block he displayed spin moves, back ins for and-1s, and runners. From the perimeter he ran into a three in transition along with knocking down a spot up one from the corner. Plus passer that hits his teammates on cuts. Did a nice job on the boards including using his second jump on the offensive glass. Shot blocking presence with his bounce around the hoop. He had 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 dimes in the win.   [player_tooltip player_id="996070" first="Paxton" last="Warden"] (Glenbard West – 2022) Warden stands at 6’3” and the junior had an outstanding showing on Saturday afternoon. He connected on several threes along with a couple of acrobatic finishes at the cup. With Huff and Pierce getting all the attention Warden is a sleeper to track in the junior class as he had 13 points on Saturday.   [player_tooltip player_id="1105722" first="Troy" last="Glover"] (Glenbard West – 2021) Glover is a senior power forward listed at 6’8” that brings length and athleticism to the front line. He turned away quite a few shots on the afternoon protecting the rim. Offensively he had a sweet up and under move, a put back, and converted a dump off pass in the paint. Efficient player offensively that rebounds and boards. Upside that can be tapped into at the small college or JUCO level. Went for 6 points.   [player_tooltip player_id="1106936" first="Ryan" last="Renfro"] (Glenbard West – 2021) The big men just keep coming at you one after another for Glenbard West. This 6’7” junior post had a very productive game scoring 11 points and grabbing quite a few boards. Tough around the hoop being gritty on the glass. Finishes dump off passes and second chance points. Also flashed some skill on a hook shot and has mobility getting up and down the floor.   Aryton Temico (Glenbard South – 2021) Temico is a 6’3” two guard that is at his best utilizing his feathery jump shot. Knocked down a trio of threes along with a pair of mid-range jumpers. Silky smooth shot. Finished with 15 points. The top 100 prospect would be an ideal fit for a small college in need of a shooter!   Cade Hardtke (Glenbard South – 2021) Hardtke also had a solid outing hitting his perimeter shots including three from beyond the arc. Mixed in some points in the paint as well for 13 points.   [player_tooltip player_id="529033" first="Max" last="Christie"] (Rolling Meadows – 2021) Christie broke the school’s all-time scoring record on a half court shot to close out the first quarter. Those would be his only three points in the first eight minutes. It would be his jumper that he would heavily rely on the rest of the night. The state’s top senior and Michigan State commit got in foul trouble sitting out almost the entire second quarter. In the second half however, his jumper was on point as he drilled a plethora of 15-18 footers including several turnaround fadeaways. His handle wasn’t as good as it usually is as he had a few turnovers in traffic, but still managed 18 points on the night.   [player_tooltip player_id="939055" first="Cameron" last="Christie"] (Rolling Meadows – 2023) The younger Christie stepped up in the second quarter with Max on the bench. His jumper was feathery as well connecting on three mid-range shots along with a pull up trey. Crisp shot that can get it off with ease from anywhere on the floor. Keeps getting better each and every time out. He had 12 points.   [player_tooltip player_id="1048317" first="Foster" last="Ogbonna"] (Rolling Meadows – 2023) Ogbonna only scored a single point, but it was his work on the glass that we made note of. The strong bodied 2023 power forward was mauling on the glass all night ending possessions for St. Rita. Can’t wait to see where his game is a year from now.   Daniel Sobkowicz (Rolling Meadows – 2021) This 6’2” shooting guard was the star early for Rolling Meadows. He was assertive seeking his shot with the defense focused on the Christie brothers. The senior drained a trio from beyond the arc. Also mixed in a couple of nifty drives when the defense was flying at his shot. He had 18 points. Worth a look for small colleges.   James Brown (St. Rita – 2024) What a performance in his second high school game. The 6’8” center posted 14 points and 7 rebounds in his first ever road game. Opened with a seal and score on a baseline move. Pounded the offensive glass for a pair of put backs. Finished dump offs around the hoop including a monster flush. Even hit a baseline 12 foot jumper. He was a major factor on the boards clearing everything around him all night.   Morez Johnson (St. Rita – 2024) Johnson also shined in his first road game of his career. He is a 6’7” power forward with a long and lean frame. Bouncy athlete that ran the floor hard for a dunk, had a jump stop finish in traffic, and was active on the offensive boards as well. Like what we have seen early this year of what he can be as a passer too especially in the high/low. Went for 8 points.