O’Fallon Shootout Takeaways

<p>It was a tremendous day of hoops at the O'Fallon Shootout.  We learned quite a bit at the event.  Get our thoughts in <strong>O'Fallon Shootout Takeaways</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Millikin Getting Impact Twins</strong></p> <p>Chaminade has a pair of senior twins who are going to be impactful players at the small college level.  [player_tooltip player_id="1312400" first="Walter" last="Straughter"] and [player_tooltip player_id="985419" first="Nate" last="Straughter"] gave early commitments to Millikin and the Big Blue are getting steals.  Long and lanky wings that play much taller than their 6'2” size.  These are the types of players that can elevate your program as two-way threats.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Mascoutah Trio Makes Them Go in First Half</strong></p> <p>Mascoutah had a nice showing at the O'Fallon Shootout in the first half before Chaminade blitzed them in the second.  It was their 1-2-3 punch that led them in the first half.  UMSL commit [player_tooltip player_id="863605" first="Justin" last="King"] gives this team a ceiling in March to make a run with his ability to impact across the board.  His backcourt mate junior [player_tooltip player_id="1113516" first="Darien" last="Singleton"] can flat out go and score in spurts.  [player_tooltip player_id="1210406" first="Jack" last="Seibert"] is a junk yard dog four that finishes inside.  They just need to put a full game together as they were clearly the better team against the St. Louis power in the first half. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Bolingbrook's Cooper Continues to Produce</strong></p> <p>We were slow to jump on the [player_tooltip player_id="989271" first="Mekhi" last="Cooper"] train, but now are definitely on board as a potential low-major prospect.  He can really score the ball with his speed, burst in the half court on his first step, and deep range on his perimeter shot.  Also uses his quickness well on the defensive end.  He is the clear go to scorer for this Bolingbrook squad!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>O'Fallon Sophomore Harris Emerging in 2024</strong></p> <p>There are several prospects we like on O'Fallon, but the one who keeps popping to us each time we see them this season is 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1373443" first="Rini" last="Harris"].  Fluid athlete that can score from multiple levels with an effortless pull up game and ability to finish in the paint.  The Panthers should have a go to scorer for the next two seasons in Harris.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>CBC Floor General Martin is So Undervalued</strong></p> <p>CBC point guard Robert Martin is a smaller guard that is just a gamer.  Four year producer and winner at the high school level.  Why is he still unsigned?  Heady floor general that proved over the summer when he has high level players around him he can make them better.  When he needs to score for his high school team he does it whether it is with his stop and pop shot or acrobatic finishes at the cup.  Low-majors should definitely get in here!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Match Up of 2024 Posts Never Gets Steam</strong></p> <p>At Highland I helped put the matchup together between the top three posts in Illinois' 2024 class.  Did the same with my friends at O'Fallon here as we thought seeing [player_tooltip player_id="1157228" first="James" last="Brown"], [player_tooltip player_id="1157230" first="Morez" last="Johnson"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1125608" first="John" last="Bol"] on the floor at the same time would be a blast as all three have five star potential in the 2024 class.  It never really materialized as they cancelled each other out scoring 6 points, 5 points, and 2 points respectively.  Doesn't take anything away from their college prospects as all have huge ceilings.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Vashon's Davis Primed to Breakout This Summer Nationally</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1362685" first="Kennard" last="Davis"] from Vashon has impressed me each of the four times I have seen him as a junior.  Right now he only has a pair of offers from SEMO and Western Illinois.  He has interest from Mizzou, Tulsa, Loyola, and Indiana State.  Expect his recruitment to skyrocket this spring and summer playing with MoKan.  He has what all colleges are looking for in the modern combo forward with his ability to score from all three levels and really defend across the board. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Key Returner for Whitney Young</strong></p> <p>There were others that scored more for Whitney Young, but for their long-term goals this season no one was more important to see on the floor than [player_tooltip player_id="1048324" first="Daniel" last="Johnson"].  The Whitney Young small forward is a 2023 top 10 prospect that has been out most of the year with injuries.  Got out in transition for four points in limited minutes.  For Whitney Young he will be the x-factor for them to make a state run in March.</p>