Week 1: Senior Standouts Part 1

What 2021 prospects left the biggest impression in the games we caught during the first week of the high school basketball season? We dive into them here in our Week 1: Senior Standouts Part 1!   Grant Hardwick (Tuscola – 2021) Hardwick opened eyes with an impressive first couple games. The senior is a sharp shooter that knocked down multiple threes in both games we caught of him. He is a stocky guard that has a knack for making big shots at key times. He compliments [player_tooltip player_id="863587" first="Jalen" last="Quinn"] very well. [player_tooltip player_id="921014" first="Nathan" last="Thompson"] (Effingham – 2021) Thompson opened up the season with 31 points in his first game against Vandalia. He is coming off a strong winter season with the Illinois Bears and has continued that momentum into the high school season. Plus shooter with a clean looking stroke and the 6’5” small forward has greatly improved his ability to put it on the deck and get scores at the rim. Elite small college prospect that will be a part of a winning program at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id="920985" first="Parker" last="Wolfe"] (Effingham – 2021) Wolfe is a lefty point guard for the Hearts that is the “heart” and soul of the team. Such a competitive guard that loves to push in the open floor and always has his head up looking to make plays for himself and others. Creative finisher that makes up for his lack of ideal size by getting in the lane for crafty floaters and draws contact. Went for 26 points. Priority small college target. [player_tooltip player_id="921066" first="Carson" last="Prost"] (Mt. Vernon – 2021) Prost is a player that is productive every time out. He can knock down shots off the catch from distance. Also brings grit and toughness to the table. Will sneak in for an offensive rebound, gets steals, and will do the little things to help his team win. He finished with 13 points.   [player_tooltip player_id="765176" first="Quani" last="Rudd"] (Mt. Vernon – 2021) Rudd is one of the higher ranked wings in the state that remains uncommitted. We caught him in their opener against Mt. Carmel. He has nice size at 6’5” with good athleticism. He opened up with a mid-range jumper, but that was about it from the perimeter. The rest of his production came in transition and crashing the offensive glass for put backs. Also had a nice post up finish on a high/low. The athleticism definitely pops and the skill is a work in progress. Low-major, D2+, and top JUCOs should monitor Rudd. He had 12 points.   [player_tooltip player_id="821806" first="Kaleb" last="Applebey"] (Mt. Carmel – 2021) Applebey is a prospect that we hadn’t seen in a while as he is a high level baseball recruit, but wow did he put on a show against Mt. Vernon. The Aces big man opened his season with a 31 point outing. The physical five man took it right at his opposing post [player_tooltip player_id="863631" first="NJ" last="Benson"]. He mauled on the offensive glass with a surprisingly impressive second jump considering his thick body. Applebey got a ton of second chance points. He also made many trips to the foul line where he shot it at a very high clip. On the block he displayed sound footwork and touch. He will be going to Wabash Valley to play baseball.   Elijah Tidwell (Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin – 2021) Tidwell had a huge game against Tuscola. Lefty two guard knocked down an array of triples. He caught fire helping his team take the lead into the fourth quarter. Showed some creativity as a passer as well. Crafty scorer and shooter that could find a home at the D3 level.   [player_tooltip player_id="765214" first="Landon" last="Zurliene"] (Fairfield – 2021) Zurliene is one of the better uncommitted prospects in the 618. In their opener against Woodlawn he didn’t need to flex his full muscle as they rolled to an easy win. He finished with 15 points and 8 rebounds. The shooting guard has a silky smooth release on his shot with nice arc on it. He was clearly head and shoulders above everyone on the floor in that game athletically which was shown altering a few shots, blow by left handed take, and a transition dunk. Feathery scorer that brings sneaky pop to the table. Elite small college prospect that should also be under consideration at the D2 level.   [player_tooltip player_id="920991" first="James" last="Ogrodnik"] (Lincoln Way Central – 2021) Ogrodnik recently announced that he will be attending BigTyme Prep in Texas next year doing a prep year. He has made so many strides in the last year it will be exciting to see where his game is a year from now. Bouncy 6’8” power forward that can really stretch the floor. Did exactly that knocking in four triples in the game we saw while also playing some point forward handling the rock. Was very effective on the glass throughout the night recording double digit boards as well. Continuing momentum from the summer on the PHC. Went for 18 points.   [player_tooltip player_id="1049060" first="Nick" last="Tingley"] (Lincoln Way Central – 2021) The Elmhurst commit had a very productive outing. The thick built combo guard has always been known as a plus shooter and he did hit one in this game. It was more his ability to get in the lane for runners, layups, and drawing fouls that led to his 21 points. Crisp ball handler that more than proved he can be an excellent small college guard playing on or off the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id="995969" first="Bennie" last="Slater"] (Springfield – 2021) Slater is a point forward at 6’5” who checks in at #30 in the PHI 2021 Rankings. First thing that stands out is his frame, size, and length. Plus athlete as was shown throwing down a dunk off the backboard. The competition they were playing wasn’t great so it was hard to get a true eval. He looked silky smooth on a couple drives including a euro step. High level passer especially on outlets. The jumper didn’t fall when we watched in the first half. He had 12 points barely playing in the second half.   Jalen Axibal (Loyola – 2021) Axibal looked like the best prospect of the Loyola group that played. At 6’1” the shooting guard has a thin and angular build. He is an aggressive defender, slick ball handler, and solid passer.   [player_tooltip player_id="921067" first="Sean" last="Gallery"] (Maine South – 2021) Gallery took over the game in the second half for Maine South. The senior combo guard didn’t do much damage on the perimeter as almost all his points were at the rim or free throw line. Was aggressive taking it to the hoop and has a knack for finishing difficult shots in the paint. Went for 16 points. Good small college player.   [player_tooltip player_id="569369" first="Matthew" last="Williams"] (Peoria Notre Dame – 2021) Williams is a multi skilled combo forward and his best asset is probably his passing. He did a nice job of distributing out of the post to shooters and cutters. Got to the line and had an and-1. Should be a productive small college player.