Show Me Showdown: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook

<p>The Prep Hoops Show Me Showdown kicked off Friday evening in St. Louis.  We were at the Center of St. Louis to breakdown the action.  Here is our night one recap in <strong>Show Me Showdown: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Gateway UA 17U Big Man Carries Load Early Then Wings Take Over in W over Illinois Hoopville Warriors</strong></p> <p>In the opener Gateway UA 17U looked the part in a 68-48 victory over Illinois Hoopville Warriors.  Early on it was all about Cape Central (MO) 6’8” five man [player_tooltip player_id="1070085" first="Cameron" last="Williams"] who went to work early and often in the post scoring 12 points in six possessions.  Physical big man that anchors and punishes opponents down low with his skill.  He had 24 points.  The wings started to get going as well.  Vashon (MO) athletic two guard [player_tooltip player_id="981142" first="Jayden" last="Nicholson"] is a slashing wing that seems to hang up in the air forever on his acrobatic plays at the cup.  He went for 9 points.  Chaminade (MO) wing Nilavan Daniels did what he is best at which is lining up spot up triples in bunches as he hit four en route to 12 points.  Westminster (MO) 6’3” guard [player_tooltip player_id="1070097" first="Kobi" last="Williams"] brought the transition scoring and defense.  Whitfield (MO) point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1070091" first="Jorden" last="Williams"] was super quick off the bounce in the win.</p> <p>For Hoopville Warriors it was Demetrius Phillips who went to work.  The 6’5” combo forward is a lefty with a thick body.  He was a decent three point shooter and made a couple plays off the bounce in a 15 point outing.  He goes to Lutheran St. Charles in Missouri.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Illinois Bears Gunter 17U Scores Win Over Illinois Basketball Club as Sleepers Emerge</strong></p> <p>This was a game where it looked like the Bears were going to run away and hide, but Illinois Basketball Club charged back to make it close until the Bears Gunter squad won 53-47.  Reid Harriss was the story for the Bears.  The Steeleville 6’4” combo forward had an excellent showing.  Face up forward that can hit a mid-range shot, put it on the deck for flying layups, and finished dump offs inside.  He had 12 points.  Really like what we saw from [player_tooltip player_id="1436932" first="Gavin" last="Smith"] as well.  The 6’1” Mt. Carmel guard always seemed to be around the ball making key plays getting steals and taking them the other way for 19 points.  Crab Orchard 5’11” point guard Robby Rooker also had a nice game scoring in the open floor and hitting a three for 11 points.</p> <p>Sathvik Thatikonda was a standout for Illinois Basketball Club.  The 6’3” small forward ran the floor extremely impressively recording probably over half his points by sprinting down the lane.  He was efficient with his post opportunities showing touch around the basket and good hands.  Rebounded well in his area on both ends.  Went for 18 points.  Rantoul 6’4” wing Jackson Adkins might be a little more projectable long term with his lanky frame and athleticism converting in the paint going for 8 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Team EVOL 16U Nets In-State Victory Over Illinois Bears Shubert</strong></p> <p>The finale of the night was not the best shooting performance from the perimeter by either team, but Team EVOL scrapped out a 49-46 win late.  Hillcrest 2024 point guard Nehmiah Fowlkes has speed to burn!  Jet quick and was at his best going end to end off steals as he was a force on the defensive end.  He had 9 points.  Johnny Wiggins is a 5’10” strong bodied guard from St. Laurence who was the guy they went to when the needed a bucket.  He had 12 points.  Jyaveion Hudson is another Hillcrest guard that made an impact as the 6’0” guard had a knack for sneaking in on the offensive glass for put backs recording 11 points.  Most projectable looking prospect was Santana Flowers of Bloom.  The 6’4” wing was a bit wild offensively but made up for it on the defensive end using his length to swat shots and cause havoc on that end.</p> <p>Top prospect for the Illinois Bears Shubert squad was Owen Treat.  The Vienna 6’1” point guard has a nice feel for dishing the rock with his passing in both the half court and transition.  Crafty scorer also chipped in 7 points.  Carterville strong bodied wing Aiden Hinton plays with a super high motor as he runs the floor and crashed the glass for 11 points along with hitting a corner three.</p>