UAA Finals: Wednesday Notebook
PHI was in the house at UAA Finals as they are in Chicago. Here we look at what we saw from both a local and national standpoint. Check out UAA Finals: Wednesday Notebook! Illinois Notes Illinois Wolves 17U Grit Out…
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Continue ReadingPHI was in the house at UAA Finals as they are in Chicago. Here we look at what we saw from both a local and national standpoint. Check out UAA Finals: Wednesday Notebook!
Illinois Notes
Illinois Wolves 17U Grit Out Win With 6 Players vs AZ Select
The Wolves role guys really stepped up in their win against AZ Select 67-56. With only six guys and their star not having his best game it was crucial getting help across the board. Curie big man Chikasi Ofoma is a strong bodied post that brings energy on the offensive glass, finished dump offs, and ran the floor so well en route to 18 points. Sacred Heart Griffin shooting guard Jake Hamilton was the one dishing Ofoma some of those quick passes. Great feel passing on the move and outlets. Crafty scorer in the paint on scoop shots for 12 points. Glenbrook North shooting guard Ryan Cohen did what he does knocking in a pair of spot up threes along with mixing in a couple runners and layups. Thought Romeoville lead guard Troy Cicero had a nice outing. He was effective the offense, knocking in jumpers, and getting in the lane. Recent Clemson commit Asa Thomas bombed in a couple threes, but we liked how he put it on the deck and got to the line for 15 points.
The prospect that jumped off the floor to us for Arizona Select was Jahki Gupton. The 6’7” combo forward has a college ready body with plus athleticism and the ability to get on the glass with an explosive second jump. Also skied high for a pair of monster jams! Best basketball is ahead of him as he had all 12 of his points in the second half.
Wolves 15U Fall As New Names Emerge
The Wolves youngest group fell down really big early, but fought back getting it close before falling 51-46. Brother Rice 2025 shooting guard Marcos Gonzales put himself on our radar with a 14 point outing. Wing with a slender frame and good length. He was good at slithering through the defense getting in the lane and to the line. Also showed potential as a shooter. DePaul Prep 2025 four man Jonas Johnson did a nice job on the glass rebounding in his area. A 2026 name that caught our attention was Rocco Pagliocca. The incoming freshman who will attend Stevenson is a high IQ guard that can really handle the rock.
Comeback Victory for Illinois Wolves 16U As Certa Takes Over Late
The Wolves 16U group was down early in this game, but they came back to score a win comfortable 66-52 win against the Riverside Hawks. The closer was Bloomington Central Catholic guard Cole Certa. He was fantastic late as he netted 15 of his game high 22 points in the fourth quarter. Such an easy ball handler that can get to his spot for floaters and is a big time shot maker from beyond the arc. Pushes in the open floor and has some passing flair! Despite not scoring a ton Normal Community big man Jaheem Webber lived up to his top 10 ranking as he was a physical force on the glass snatching rebounds in traffic with two hands. Passed it well out of the post and then put an exclamation point with a big jam late. Mt. Carmel wing Angelo Ciaravino is a versatile wing that can do a little bit of everything. He is constantly moving and can dish it well for a wing as he had 7 points. DePaul Prep 2024 power forward Jaylan McElroy continues to get better and better. Excellent rim runner and defensive player that flashed some skill on a jab step and drive by from the high-post. Notched all 7 of his points in the 4th quarter.
National Notes
Middlesex Magic Opens With Win Against West Coast Elite NorCal
This game opened up the day. Middlesex Magic looked in trouble early, but then they woke up against West Coast Elite NorCal to record a 64-57 victory. Ryan Mela is a 6’6” wing that is a major sleeper. He was fantastic in this game with his ability to knock down shots, be crafty scoring around the hoop, and using his bounce for dunks. He had 16 points. Their star center JP Estrella didn’t have his best game, but we still saw flashes of a young Walker Kessler type post. Long arms and a similar frame. He hit a three and got on the offensive glass for put backs including dunks. Good shot blocker as well. Finished with 9 points.
For West Coast Elite NorCal Jamar Howard and Ryan Beasley were the standouts. Howard is a well built wing that wins on straight line takes and gets to the rim consistently finishing with euro steps and through contact. He had 16 points. Beasley is a lead guard that is nifty finishing with the ball in the paint going for 20 points.
Atlanta Xpress Put on Dunk Show Against Riverside Hawks
It was an absolute areal assault for Atlanta Xpress in their win against Riverside Hawks at the 17U level as they won 80-68. Big man Braden Pierce was excellent as the 7’0” five man told us he will do a post grad year at IMG Academy. He hit a three from top of the key, finished with force on two handed slams, and swatted everything in the lane as he had 15 points. Class of 2023 6’9” power forward Jordan Burks stood out with his athleticism around the hoop. Ran the floor for monster dunks. In a 22 point outing he was so fluid getting his points around the hoop. Carl Cherenfant is a prospect we have seen several times over the years. Continues to get stronger in his upper body. The slashing ability and stop/pop mid-range shots were on point for 13 points. UConn commit Stephon Castle didn’t have quite as dominant of an effort as we saw in ATL a few weeks back, but there is no doubting his explosiveness and multi level scoring pop as he dropped 12 points.
Adam Njie led the way for Riverside Hawks out of New York. The 2024 guard was playing up. Combo guard that got to the rim and hit in rhythm pull ups and spot up corner threes for 18 points.
Houston Defenders Wing Showcases Diverse Game
We saw the first half of this game. Liked what we saw from Houston Defenders wing Jamari McDowell. The shooting guard is a smooth scorer finishing euro steps and reverse layups. Good passing feel as a secondary ball handler. Nice length as well.