The Stage: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook

Scott Burgess April 9, 2022 @ 09:23 PM

Saturday was day two of the largest live period event in the country The Stage in Indianapolis. What were our takeaways from the day? Here is The Stage: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook! Chi-Town Bulldogs Veterans Knock Off NEBC 17U Started off the day with a 17U game between Chicago and Buffalo. The Windy City scored the win with a 73-68 victory. Ralph Gordan is an unsigned senior from Morgan Park that put his stamp on the game by using his physical body getting downhill. Dovonte Richardson helped mixing in his toughness with shot making! Couple guys caught our attention for NEBC. Wide bodied five Declan Ryan crashed the glass hard and displayed an array of finishing moves. Damani Bailey is a lengthy and projectable small forward that checks a lot of boxes. Most of his points came on slick drives to the basket or using his second jump for put backs.   Carson’s Scoring Leads Way Again for EG10 17U Over New Mexico D1 Last week we saw Ahmere Carson drop 45. In a W on Saturday the fast rising guard had 26 points. Scored in a variety of ways with two threes, pull ups inside the arc, and his crafty finishes in the paint. Also threw two amazing full court one handed outlets on the money for layups. Devon Woods is shifty lead guard that has a killer mid-game with floaters along with stop and pop 15 footers. Despite the loss New Mexico D1 guard Nick Sanchez impressed with his passing and shot making at a smaller size.   Basketball Paradise 16U Puts On Clinic This is a program that has made huge strides. They broke out last year and continued with a blowout win over Alabama Celtics. It starts with the inside play of Yorkville 6’9” five Jason Jakstys. Multi skilled big that has a sweet hook shot and can throw it down as well. Force defensively swatting shots. His point guard Luke Kinkade is a shot creator and maker that did it several times from distance.   Wisconsin Crusaders 17U Depth Too Much for Chosen Few Can’t say enough about how impressed we were with the Wisconsin Crusaders 17U group. Levi Birkholz went for 16 points including crisp takes and sweet looking shooting off the catch. Combo forward Alex Sherwoid made us take notice. Ran the floor, handled it in space, and played good defense in a 16 point outing as well. Chosen Few have a star in Alijah Adem. The 2024 scoring combo guard wins off the dribble and was a magician at the rim finishing with 18 points.   Minnesota Select 17U Wins Classic Over Hoops4Health What a game as Minnesota Select captured an OT win over Hoops 4 Health. It was the Jordan Malmlov who had an epic performance draining nine threes on his way to 31 points. The guard was in a Steph Curry type zone were everything he threw up you thought was going in. Another high scoring early season tally for Leo 2023 guard Jakeem Cole who netted 20 points with a ton coming in transition. His 2025 running mate Jetemiah Fears from Joliet West also had a big game with 17 points.   Mac Irvin Fire EYBL 15U Smash New Mexico D1 The Mac Irvin Fire EYBL team is loaded with top prospects led by perhaps the top 2025 in Illinois Bryce Heard. Took him a bit to settle in then he took over scoring 17 points from all three levels with relative ease. Niles Notre Dane center Stefan Cicic has officially decided to reclass to 2025. He was a manchild as the imposing front court player swatted shots, grabbed every rebound, and threw opponents around like rag dolls for 13 points. On the other side it was scrappy Domanic Martinez who shined with his shooting and flair for the game.   Chicago Lockdown 17U Impresses With Win Over Florida Suns Lockdown cruised to a 60-43 win over the Florida Suns. Love the progress we continue to see from Hillcrest 2023 power forward Matthew Moore. Inside/outside threat that makes an impact off his explosiveness in the paint on both ends. Stepped out to hit a three in the 15 points performance. Always enjoy the energy that Jarrod Gee brings crashing the boards, defending, and having a nose for the ball.