Vikings United Fall League: Monday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monday night I made the trip to Flossmoor to catch some exciting teams that were getting ready for the upcoming season at the Vikings United Fall League. I took some notes from some of the teams playing at HF field house.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marian Catholic&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most already know this but Marian Catholic has a strong two headed monster in [player_tooltip player_id='1371065' first='Quentin' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1371074' first='Tre' last='Davis'].&nbsp;&nbsp;Jones very athletic and smooth scoring wing player (Cal Poly commit) and Davis is the skilled heady point guard that can score as well as make plays for guys around him. These two are dynamic players that will have some special nights in the south burbs!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andrew&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a sleeper team in the south suburbs this upcoming season. Class of 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1295570' first='Austin' last='Kulig'] is the stud on this team as he made some outstanding plays on both sides of the ball starting with a chase down block . Kulig is more of a wing than a post at 6'7”. He can stretch defense with his shooting but will get to the rim if you under estimate him. Kulig is surrounded by 6'6 shooter [player_tooltip player_id='1295502' first='Nathan' last='LaPlant'] (2023) and&nbsp;the space eater 6'8 [player_tooltip player_id='2318139' first='Grantas' last='Sakenis'] (2024) who is very mobile with good hands around the rim. This is a team with some solid blocks to scare teams in March.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kenwood&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing with most of its sizeable players sitting out the Broncos will be a load to deal with this upcoming season. With a guard heavy lineup on Monday [player_tooltip player_id='939050' first='Darrin' last='Ames'] (Kansas State commit) was the main scoring threat on the court. He is tough to guard in iso situations and he has nearly perfected the spin over the right shoulder fadeaway. Ames seemed to be getting a grove with his new backcourt mates [player_tooltip player_id='1401824' first='Tyler' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1285479' first='Isaiah' last='Green']. Smith is a quick guard who gets to the rim easily and uses steady hands on defense&nbsp;as to Green who is a stronger guard who is gritty on D and is capable of making big shots when the teams needs them most. The fall games will help get this squad learn each other game before the upcoming season in the tough Red Central- South conference.&nbsp; This young and very talented team will put numbers up in bunches this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bloom&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another team that I saw throughout my night in HF was Bloom. A team that will be led by committee has a nice group of players to depend on. [player_tooltip player_id='1279766' first='Jayden' last='Watson'] is the first guy that stands on for this team.&nbsp; He impacts the game on both ends of the court in positive ways. Watson made some shots and got a few dunks but his biggest impact to me was his rim protection. Jayden blocked several shots that sent a message to the opposing teams. His length and athleticism is top notch. Teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1048314' first='Jordan' last='Brown'] was also spectacular as his ability to get downhill and finish around the rim through tight spaces was clutch in tough moments. Brown is another guard who has good anticipation skills on defense and is able to gets steals either on or off the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='939060' first='Raeshom' last='Harris'] is the glue guy for this squad. Tough minded defender who will hit a shot or two if left open. And the transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1436513' first='Leirre' last='Collier'] is&nbsp;another steady guard who can help in the back court with controlling the tempo and looking to get others involved. Collier can score from all three levels but won't have to put that burden all on his back because he has some talented teammates help shoulder the scoring load.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quick notes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Homewood Flossmoor is a young but very athletic team that will be a year away from making major noise again. With new coach JD will bring his unique motivation tactics to this&nbsp; young squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hillcrest didn't have [player_tooltip player_id='939051' first='Darrion' last='Baker'] suited up but they are another team with some young talent that can make a crazy off season having their fans looking to the bright side of things during the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->