State Finals: Top 2022 Performers Pt 2

<p>The Illinois high school basketball season concluded over the weekend with the state final four and championship.  Here we examine the best seniors at the event in <strong>State Finals: Top 2022 Performers Pt 2</strong>!</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1106946" first="Will" last="Grudzinski"] (Barrington – Wash U)</strong></p> <p>What a show the Washington University face up four put on in the semis against Whitney Young.  The top 50 prospect showed those who didn’t know his name what he is all about.  Mobility on the interior, but is at his best spotting up and draining threes which he did at a super high clip.  Can also step in with a crisp mid-range shot.  He had 24 points against Whitney Young.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1106932" first="Daniel" last="Hong"] (Barrington)</strong></p> <p>Hong is a point guard that is steady.  He makes sound decisions with the basketball and can really shoot it both pulling up and off the catch.  Connected on three triples along with a reverse layup for 11 points.  Small college gem!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863585" first="Xavier" last="Amos"] (Whitney Young – Northern Illinois)</strong></p> <p>Amos was the most consistent producer for Whitney Young in the two games.  The Northern Illinois commit uses his quickness on the interior along with his athleticism to score.  The skill has come along a ton over the last year with the way he utilizes his hook shot and has very good footwork.  Went for 10 points in semi and 14 points in final.  Also like the energy he brings along with his versatility.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="925183" first="Braden" last="Huff"] (Glenbard West - Gonzaga)</strong></p> <p>What can you say about Huff that we haven’t already said?  The PHI Player of the Year left no doubt with his play in the championship game scoring 19 points getting anything he wanted at any time.  Scored in the post, 15 footers, threes, and sliced up the Whitney Young defense with his passing.  The Gonzaga commit is one of the most unique post players we have had in the state over the last decade.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863598" first="Bobby" last="Durkin"] (Glenbard West)</strong></p> <p>With the label as the top uncommitted prospect in the state on him he showed out!  In the semis against Bolingbrook he tied a state final four record for number of made threes as the 6’7” forward went for 30 points on 7-12 from deep.  Free and easy shooting stroke that is one of the most elite shooters we have seen anywhere in the 2022 class.  Mid-majors looking for a shooter this is your guy!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="996060" first="Caden" last="Pierce"] (Glenbard West - Princeton)</strong></p> <p>The Princeton commit was rock steady at state just like he was all season long.  What you have to like about him is how well he passes for his size.  Made several incredible passes as a secondary playmaker.  Great decisions on the fly over and over again hitting his teammates for easy shots.  In the semifinal game Pierce had 10 points and 4 dimes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1106936" first="Ryan" last="Renfro"] (Glenbard West - Army)</strong></p> <p>Renfro is a great glue guy.  He is a terrific rebounder that fights hard on the interior for extra opportunities for his teammates.  Has some skill too with his passing and is a good post scorer when opportunities present themselves.  Committed to Army West Point.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="996070" first="Paxton" last="Warden"] (Glenbard West)</strong></p> <p>Warden was the perfect fifth starter for this team.  He would have games where he barely scored and be effective while other games he went off scoring.  Either way he always brought the defensive intensity and was a constant ball mover.  In the championship he caught fire from distance scoring 19 points including 3-4 from distance.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1210405" first="Michael" last="Osei-Bonsu"] (Bolingbrook)</strong></p> <p>Osei-Bonsu is an undersized four that at 6’4” plays taller than his height because of his motor and how well he uses his body.  Carves out space inside like he did in the second half against Glenbard West.  Physical finisher that is light on his feet for how thick he is.  He had 16 points with the majority of his damage coming in the second half.  Look for him to be an impactful JUCO or small college post!</p>