Top Performers: Fenwick vs Mt. Carmel

<p>Monday night kicked off action in the Chicago Catholic League.  Well kind of.  Fenwick was supposed to play Loyola, but because of covid precautions they hosted Mt. Carmel.  It was a thriller that went to OT and came down to the best player on the floor making the play of the game as the clock ticked down.  Here are our <strong>Top Performers: Fenwick vs Mt. Carmel</strong>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="529051" first="Bryce" last="Hopkins"] (Fenwick – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Hopkins is a Kentucky signee and the #2 prospect in the state.  He is preseason co-favorite for Mr. Basketball and PHI Player of the Year.  Early on he was a little tentative, but then he got it going by taking it right at Mt. Carmel splitting the defense.  For such a physically player he is actually very light on his feet and shifty in tight spaces.  That was what he was most effective at throughout the game.  Getting the defense back peddling and then having a go either way for buckets.  Scored on numerous occasions going right at his man then making a move at the last minute.  Finished with either hand at the rim.  Played quite a bit as the primary ball handler for Fenwick especially in key situations.  Threw down a big dunk early in the contest on the break.  His jumper he hit one from distance, but he didn’t shoot it particularly well especially from the foul line where he struggled.  Did manage one slick step back three ball.  Played with his usual energy and intensity on the glass and swatted quite a few shots on the defensive end.  His biggest play of the game was when his team was down a point with the game on the line.  He took it to the hoop, spin move, and then a quick dish to Reese for the game winner.  Finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Max Reese (Fenwick – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Reese is a 6’3” power forward that’s future is gridiron as he already holds six offers, but he came up clutch early and late in this game.  At the beginning of the game Reese used his physicality on the interior to body up his opponents.  Broad shouldered forward finished inside on junk points and got on the glass.  He also hit the game winner as he was ready when Hopkins dished him the rock.  Finished with 10 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049061" first="Denium" last="Juette"] (Fenwick – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Juette is a lengthy combo guard that is a two way player.  Flashes passing feel on the offensive end.  He owned the overtime session getting to the foul line over and over again including an outstanding and-1.  Bright future here heading into the spring.  Went for 15 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863601" first="Gabe" last="Madej"] (Fenwick – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Madej is one of the more productive forwards in the junior class.  Versatile 6’5” small forward can play inside and outside.  Plus shooter that can stretch the floor as a spot up option.  Did just that with a key triple late.  Also had a couple nifty conversions in the lane.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>TJ Stephenson (Fenwick – 2022)</strong></p> <p>New name to put on the 2022 point guard watch list.  Stephenson was aggressive early on as the 5’10” guard took it straight to the rack on multiple occasions and used his burst in the open floor to get to the rack.  He had 8 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="989268" first="DeAndre" last="Craig"] (Mt. Carmel – 2023)</strong></p> <p>Craig has played up and down early in his career when we have seen him.  In the first half he was down.  The second he put on a show carrying his team.  Listed at 6’1” he is a thin guard that has decent length.  Shifty ball handler that uses his handles to set up his jumper.  Hit some big time perimeter shots including a trio from beyond the arc.  Also got in the mid-range for some scores and in the paint despite his lack of size he shielded the ball from defenders including Hopkins for scores.  Slick ball handler in traffic.  Went for 19 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920994" first="Jadyn" last="Benson"] (Mt. Carmel – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Benson shined this past summer for Hoops Intensity Training on the Prep Hoops Circuit.  The 6’4” combo guard has continued to boost his stock bringing plus athleticism and length to the table.  High energy guard that crashes the glass on the offensive end with relentlessness from his guard spot.  Knocked down one jumper, but most of his damage was off energy inside and flashed as a defender.  Went for 13 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921054" first="Matthew" last="Hawkins"] (Mt. Carmel – 2021)</strong></p> <p>It looked like Hawkins was going to be the hero as he connected on a triple with under 30 seconds left to give Mt. Carmel the lead.  That was one of several treys he hit on the night.  Thick bodied 6’0” two guard that has a clean and compact shooting stroke.  Finished with 18 points.  Worth a look at the small college level.</p>