Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook

<p>The Prep Hoops Circuit was back at it on Friday with the Chi-Town Tip Off in the Chicago Suburbs.  I was at Romeoville where we caught three fun contests on opening night including starting the evening with a jam packed gym of fans and cameras!  Here is <strong>Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook!</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Mac Irvin Fire EYBL 17U Outlasts All-In Athletics in Front of Big Crowd</strong></p> <p>First game of the evening was the Mac Irvin Fire talented EYBL squad against All-In Athletics from Adidas.  AIA came out firing right away especially Willowbrook point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1173451" first="Noah" last="Campbell"] who put on a show!  The smaller guard drained an array of threes and made tough layups through huge defenders inside.  His energy and leadership led them for a while before Kenwood’s [player_tooltip player_id="939050" first="Darrin" last="Ames"] took over for the Fire.</p> <p>Ames is the top 2023 prospect in Illinois and he played like it winning on slick straight line takes, getting to the line, hitting contested jumpers, and also passed it well.  Very complete showing for the high-major lead guard as we had him for 19 points.  Jalen Hooks who is originally from Indiana is a top 50 prospect nationally that gave them a spark late in the first half.  The broad shouldered small forward had a strong take and baseline jumper.  Carried it over to the second half where he got pretty much whatever he wanted on explosive takes with his long strides.  He had 15 points.  Javonte Taylor showed flashes as well in the second half.  The five star from Chicago had a feathery triple and three dunks in a row including a nasty reverse dunk for 10 points.  Big man [player_tooltip player_id="1210375" first="Chinedum" last="Okpukpara"] is a physical defensive presence inside as a shot blocker and finishes with toughness around the hoop.  Mac Irvin Fire would go on to win 81-61.</p> <p>Another couple guys caught our attention on All-In Athletics included Warren 2023 guard Amaris Stephens.  The combo guard was effective hitting a couple threes and had a sweet floater.  Huntley 6’2” shooting guard Noah Only made a name with a nice frame and his ability to score around the basket while being a sound passer from his off guard spot.  Competed defensively.  One of the better unsigned wing shooters was on All-In Athletics as 2022 two guard [player_tooltip player_id="1210394" first="KJ" last="Vasser"] showed off his sweet stroke along with getting loose in transition.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The Work Foundation 17U Wins Double OT Thriller Over Illinois Jaguars</strong></p> <p>This one literally went until the last point was scored!  The Work Foundation won in double OT on an Orlando James free throw in sudden death.  James also hitting a crazy shot to send it into OT.  The Morgan Park 5’11” point guard put himself on the map with a huge night as he hit four threes en route to 18 points.  Loved the top of the key on his three balls and was fearless on sweeping layups.  His running mate was 6’4” 2023 Englewood STEM combo forward Jacob Williams.  Powerful kid with a high motor that mauled on the offensive glass.  Can handle it a little with some shake off the dribble and the strength to finish with his thick frame.  Went for 11 points.</p> <p>On the Jaguars side Montini guard [player_tooltip player_id="1279770" first="Emory" last="Marshall"] picked up right where he left off last weekend.  The slick handling guard loves to play in transition off his defense for scores in the open floor.  Does most of his damage in the paint winning in one on one situations.  Went for 11 points.  In the second half they got a huge spark off the bench form TF South 6’1” point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1295658" first="Caleb" last="Newman"] who scored11 of his 12 points in the second half.  Was silky smooth taking it to the cup where he finished with either hand along with floaters.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Next Generation 17U Guards Too Much for Size of Illini Magic </strong></p> <p>The Next Generation 17U team has a pair of unsigned senior guards from Bolingbrook.  [player_tooltip player_id="1048730" first="Jaydin" last="Dunlap"] is one of the better guards still out there.  He put in work netting 20 points all on two point field goals.  He got to the hoop over and over again often ignited by his defense getting steals and taking them the other way.  Finished well through and around contact.  His backcourt mate with the Raiders and here is [player_tooltip player_id="1210396" first="MJ" last="Langit"].  The combo guard always seems to be around the basketball making things happen.  Finished several contested finishes and rebounded well for a guard.  He had 8 points.  A 2023 guard to track on this team is Hinsdale South shooting guard Nathan Marcopulos.  The 6’2” junior has a sweet looking stroke off the catch as he drained three for his nine second half points.</p> <p>Illini Magic have three prospects which have positional size to project at the next level.  Glenwood 6’6” 2023 small forward Josh Jones has a good frame and showed some athletic pop throwing down a nice dunk.  He had 7 points.  Lincoln 6’6” 2023 Peyton Cook small forward also had 7 points while snatching a ton of rebounds.  Long strides slashing and has a projectable body with the athleticism.  Intrigued by 6’5” 2024 JT Alexander who is a four man that presents mobility inside and flashed touch around the basket.  Just like his upperclassmen teammates he had 7 points.</p>