Week 1: Junior Gems

<p>It is go time for 2022 prospects across the state to make noise heading into the spring during this shortened high school basketball season.  PHI takes a look at the best junior performances we saw in <strong>Week 1: Junior Gems</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863587" first="Jalen" last="Quinn"] (Tuscola – 2022)</strong></p> <p>We saw Quinn play twice during the opening week and a half of the season.  The 6’3” lefty point guard displayed most areas of his game very well.  In the first game he was more of a distributor netting 18 points and 6 dimes in a blow out win.  His ability to dish off a live dribble is very impressive for a young prospect.  The second game he ripped off 17 of his game high 32 points in the first quarter with a dominant showing.  He did pretty much whatever he wanted.  Shifty takes off the bounce where he scored at will and got to the foul line.  Also grabbed 12 rebounds and got the biggest stop of the game defensively to seal the win.  Jumper has been streaky early on this year, but we saw him shoot it well this fall in the Illinois Wolves workouts so we know it is in there. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863631" first="NJ" last="Benson"] (Mt. Vernon – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Benson is a big 6’8” five man that has a great frame with broad shoulders.  Rebounded well throughout the game getting three put backs en route to his 12 points.  Handled it well in spurts including a couple drives and had a high/low pass.  Wasn’t very assertive early in the game, but then got it rolling as the contest progressed.  Should be on the D1 radar.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Frank Decarlo (Lincoln Way Central – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Decarlo is a smaller guard that brought a spark for Lincoln Way Central in their win.  He complimented their two stars well with his gritty play.  Pushed it in the open floor.  Crafty scores around the hoop and consistently brought tenacity.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Mitch Logan (Springfield – 2022)</strong></p> <p>This transfer from Glenwood is one to track the rest of the season and beyond.  At 6’3” he brings plus athleticism to the table including skying high for a put back and a pair of explosive dunks.  One he stole it at half court and took it right to the rim.  Athletic developmental prospect to watch over time.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Nelson Reynolds (Peoria Notre Dame – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Reynolds was taken out of the last rankings because he and his brother briefly moved to Indiana.  He will get a nice bump when they are updated next.  The point guard shot lights out from the perimeter drilling four triples with most of them coming from the corners.  Also showed some passing feel including a bullet pass for a dime.  He had 16 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Colin Schuler (Peoria Notre Dame – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Came away intrigued with this 6’7” combo forward.  He has bounce to his game as he threw down a couple explosive dunks.  Plays well in transition and can guard multiple spots.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Mason Accidentale (Plano – 2022)</strong></p> <p>This 5’10” scoring point guard was the bright spot for Plano.  He drilled an array of threes both pulling up and off the catch.  Crafty guard that is a bucket getter.  Projects as a small college player.  Went for 20 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Orlando Thomas (Rolling Meadows – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Got my first look at the Rolling Meadows 2022 point guard.  Slick ball handler that was crafty with the rock.  Clean looking jumper that he drilled from three on a couple of occasions. Flashed athleticism on both ends of the floor as he was pesky on the defensive end with active hands.  He had 11 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863588" first="Kam" last="Craft"] (Buffalo Grove – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Craft is one of the top scorers in the state no question about it regardless of class.  Rolling Meadows was very aware of that putting a diamond and 1 on him.  It was tough for him to get anything going after he forced some early shots.  The wing did manage to sneak in for several put backs getting on the offensive glass.  Late in the game he did get really hot hitting a side step three with a man in his face, draining two free throws, and then going coast to coast for an and-1 to cut the lead to one.  He managed to score 14 points despite the entire defense focusing all their efforts on him.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="925218" first="Adidas" last="Davis"] (Buffalo Grove – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Davis is a lefty small forward who has seen his stock rise over the last year.  Clean looking shot and loves to get in the lane for floaters.  Crisp ball handler and drives with purpose.  Has the potential to develop into a quality defender.  Went for 9 points.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863619" first="Ben" last="VanderWal"] (Timothy Christian – 2022)</strong></p> <p>VanderWal is a top 20 junior in Illinois.  Good positional size at the small forward spot.  Connected on a trio from distance with a quick release and good shot prep.  One of them was from super deep and he was fouled on it.  The aspect of his game that is starting to elevate his stock is his ability to put it on the deck.  He is a plus athlete which is shown with some big dunks from time to time, but as he displayed in this game he is putting it on the deck aggressively and getting scores at the cup.  VanderWal had a reverse layup on one drive and another he split two defenders on a baseline take.  Finished with 20 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="996081" first="Trey" last="Keizer"] (Timothy Christian – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Keizer is a plus three point shooter that can let it fly from beyond the arc.  In this game the 6’2” guard was mostly utilized as a stand still shooter as he hit three from behind the arc for 9 points.</p>