Havoc in the Heartland: Top Illinois 2022 Standouts Part 3

We were at the Prep Hoops Havoc in the Heartland event in Indianapolis May 15-16. It was a great event full of talent from across the state line in Illinois. Here is a look at some of the prospects that caught our eye in Havoc in the Heartland: Top Illinois 2022 Standouts Part 3!   [player_tooltip player_id="863598" first="Bobby" last="Durkin"] (Breakaway) What a weekend for the new Glenbard West wing. Durkin was absolutely on fire from beyond the arc all weekend. He was 24-42 for 57% from three. The 6’6” small forward has more than proven himself as among the elite snipers in the Midwest this spring. He hit nine of them in the game we saw against the Illinois Bears. Also mixed in some nifty finishes at the rim on cuts. Mid-majors and low-majors in need of a shooter Durkin is that dude!   [player_tooltip player_id="863619" first="Ben" last="VanderWal"] (Breakaway) VanderWal is the other splash brother for Breakaway. The Timothy Christian 6’7” small forward has good strength and is a plus athlete. Also a really high level shot maker, but he is making it a point to prove he is more than just that this spring. Putting it on the deck with more consistency on straight line takes. Rebounds very well for his position and cuts well to the basket for scores. Elite free throw shooter! Mid-major all the way in our eyes.   [player_tooltip player_id="925230" first="Zeke" last="Williams"] (Breakaway) Williams is an athletic point guard that impacts the game on both ends with his defense and transition scoring. Also hit a three in the game we saw. Two sport star as he is a recruited football prospect as well.   [player_tooltip player_id="863605" first="Justin" last="King"] (Illinois Bears) Long and rangy 6’4” combo guard that has really improved his percentages as a three point shooter over the last six months. Good pull up shooter that is letting it fly with confidence. Smooth ball handler that can get in the lane making plays for himself or others. Low-majors and mid-majors should be showing interest here!   [player_tooltip player_id="1210416" first="Trent" last="Tousana"] (M14) Smaller point guard from Batavia that can really shoot it. Made an array of threes in the game we saw along with taking a steal coast to coast down the stretch giving his team a chance to win the game. Small college guard.   [player_tooltip player_id="1106948" first="Lane" last="McVicar"] (M14) Dekalb 6’5” small forward was at his best putting it on the deck for runners in the lane, turnaround jumpers, and baseline scores at the cup. High level small college wing.   [player_tooltip player_id="771517" first="Jaylen" last="Drane"] (Mac Irvin Fire) The Simeon star combo guard has a solid weekend where he was content at stuffing the stat sheet. Drane was active on the defensive end getting steals and then flipping them ahead to teammates for assists. Wiry guard is an explosive ball handler that has a burst off the bounce.   [player_tooltip player_id="925178" first="Kyle" last="Thomas"] (Mac Irvin Fire) Thomas who played last year at St. Joseph’s will be finding a new home next year with that program closing. The top center in the 2022 class is a big man with a ton of physical tools you have to love. Strong body and athleticism up front at the five spot. Rim runner that gets up and down the floor very well at his size. In the paint he sealed off his man and was powerful on the offensive glass for second chance points. High-major all the way!   [player_tooltip player_id="1210369" first="Trey" last="Pettigrew"] (Mac Irvin Fire) First look at Pettigrew since he moved out west for his junior campaign. The point guard was absolutely electric with the rock in his hands scoring off the bounce over and over again with crafty scores and reverse layups. Works well around ball screens getting what he wants out of them. Pushed in transition on a regular basis. Hit a couple threes. Overall though it was the athleticism and tight handles that have made the biggest growth over the last year. No question a high-major lead guard.   [player_tooltip player_id="925233" first="Caleb" last="Hannah"] (Mac Irvin Fire) Long and rangy forward from Orr that popped off the floor to us at the end of the high school season for the Spartans. He flashed over the weekend for the Fire. Transition athlete that uses his length both ends. Also can hit a three on occasion showing solid mechanics.   [player_tooltip player_id="863631" first="NJ" last="Benson"] (Southwest Jets) Listed at 6’7” the Mt. Vernon five man looked taller than that. Broad shouldered post that was an absolute force in the 24 point and 14 rebound performance that we saw late Saturday night. Opened the game up with an alley-oop jam and it was on from there. He threw guys around inside like rag dolls, snatched rebounds in traffic, and had an array of put backs including one where he hammered it on multiple defenders. Sealed on the block showing nimble footwork. Also hit a pair of threes displaying a solid shooting stroke. Looked like a mid-major prospect from what we saw in Indy.   [player_tooltip player_id="863602" first="Jamauri" last="Winfrey"] (Southwest Jets) Super strong bodied wing that is a plus athlete. Loves to crash the offensive glass for put backs and is a scorer in transition. His skill set fits the JUCO game to perfection!   [player_tooltip player_id="863600" first="Brylan" last="Phillips"] (Southwest Jets) Phillips is a skilled point guard with a good IQ for the game. Crafty scorer in the lane that gets to the line and can hit mid-range shots. Solid passing feel overall. Possibility at the D2 or NAIA level.   [player_tooltip player_id="863636" first="Mekhi" last="Phillips"] (Southwest Jets) Smaller point guard that can really let it fly. The Springfield Lanphier lefty was throwing fire in the second half for the Jets. Quick release and has deep range especially off the catch.