Show Me Showdown: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook

<p>The Prep Hoops Show Me Showdown concluded on Sunday with another great day of hoops in St. Louis!  Here is our recap of the last day in <strong>Show Me Show Down: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Gateway UA Scores Comeback Victory at 17U Level to Open Morning</strong></p> <p>It looked like the T-Wolves were going to knock off Gateway UA, but they stormed back to win 65-62.  It was their wing play that really got it done.  Vashon 2023 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id="981142" first="Jayden" last="Nicholson"] is an athletic lefty that was a lights out three point threat hitting several along with slippery drives for 19 points.  Also got help from his running mate [player_tooltip player_id="1070097" first="Kobi" last="Williams"] who brings so much athleticism and burst off the bounce getting to the line in bunches as he netted 9 points.  Both lived up to their lofty state rankings in Missouri this weekend!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Illinois T-Wolves 17U Has Several Prospects With Strong Sunday</strong></p> <p>Despite losing a pair of close contests several prospects shined for the Illinois T-Wolves 17U in the pair of games we caught.  Lockport shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id="1168383" first="Adam" last="Labuda"] had a monster day particularly from distance as he hit four threes in the first half of their morning game scoring 20 points.  Lincoln Way East small forward [player_tooltip player_id="1048379" first="Kyle" last="Olagbegi"] is a high-motor forward that attacks with force in transition and uses his combination of strength/quickness to score in the paint.  Went for 17 points against Rush Academy.  Also in that game we came away very impressed with Plainfield East 2023 6’7” face up four [player_tooltip player_id="1159876" first="Andrew" last="Soenksen"] who dropped 14 points using his length and mobility around the hoop and blocked three shots defensively.  Solid day overall for an former Illinois prospect [player_tooltip player_id="1048378" first="Jelani" last="McGregor"] who is now playing his high school ball in Hammond.  Two guard has a clean three point shot., crisp pull up, and mixes in a floater as he went for 12 points in second game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Southern Illinois 2023 Sleepers Emerging in Frontcourt for Rush Academy</strong></p> <p>Rush Academy scored a 65-60 win against the Illinois T-Wolves.  Like what we saw out of their front court in this one as they have a pair of sleepers from the 618.  Their 6’9” center [player_tooltip player_id="1215304" first="Bennett" last="Briles"] from Nashville has legit size and presents skill as well.  Finished dump offs, was fouled around the hoop, also shot it well hitting a mid-range jumper along with a pair of threes for 12 points .  Kolby Wilmoth is a prospect we have been waiting to see play this spring from Centralia.  The 6’8” four man has a great frame and can stretch with his shooting knocking in several threes as he connected on a trio of them along with a ton of free throws.  Only a couple threes but Salem sharp shooter [player_tooltip player_id="1416500" first="Rolen" last="Adams"] is primed for a breakout senior campaign as he can be a spot up shooter and showed flashes of playmaking.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Hardwood Elite 17U Duo Impresses</strong></p> <p>We heard a ton of buzz all weekend about Hardwood Elite and had to check them out Sunday as they picked up a 54-42 victory over Team Iowa.  Darrion Sutton is the story here.  The reclassified 2024 long and lanky 6’9” Gateway City power forward has a ton of tools to work with.  Explosive athleticism finishing above the rim and his quickness in the paint on both end was apparent as he got on the offensive glass.   Threw down alley oops running the floor with ease.  Also flashed some passing feel going for 12 points.  Matthew Haefner from Lafayette is another big forward at 6’8” with skill.  Hit threes, turnaround jumpers, crashed the glass, and ran the floor for 20 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Lustenberger and Altadonna with 19 Point Outings for Illinois Bears</strong></p> <p>Despite the 64-63 defeat to Mo Thunder we liked what we saw from a couple of the better prospects in the 2023 class in southern Illinois.  Carterville small forward [player_tooltip player_id="1048391" first="Kade" last="Lustenberger"] has such a feathery shooting stroke and it was on display in a 19 point outing draining threes off the catch, baseline jumpers, and slicing for some flying layups.  Highland combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="939049" first="Cade" last="Altadonna"] also had 19 points with his toughness and creativity off the bounce along with three from beyond the arc using his compact shooting stroke!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Quick Hitters</strong></p> <p>Caiden Gourley from Team Iowa 17U caught our attention on Sunday in the first half of their game.  The 6’5” wing displayed a combination of strength and skill.  Got in the lane for runners, hit the glass, and was an adequate passer.</p> <p>Josh Williams of JH1 Indy Elite 17U was at it again on Sunday.  We saw a stretch of one of their games where the effortless scorer completely took over draining crisp threes and scoring with acrobatics at the rim.  Competes defensively and had an LBJ swat too!</p>