Around the State: Holiday Championship Notebook

It was a great close to the holiday tournament week on Friday with championship games from York, Collinsville, and Bloomington.  We let you know what prospects shined the most in Around the State: Holiday Championship Notebook!

Jack Tosh

Just like #1, #2. #3 Bolingbrook Takes Home 3^rd Place at Jack Tosh

It was the guard trio of Mekhi Cooper Mekhi Cooper 6'1" | PG Bolingbrook | 2023 State IL , DJ Strong DJ Strong 5'9" | PG Bolingbrook | 2024 State IL , and Josh Aniceto Josh Aniceto 5'9" | PG Bolingbrook | 2024 State IL who wear those numbers above who led Bolingbrook to a 68-58 victory in the third place game over St. Ignatius at Jack Tosh.  All week at Tosh the guards did an excellent job of pushing the tempo and knocking down shots.  That was evident again in this one.  Cooper who is headed to Miami (OH) dropped 17 points by being shifty off the bounce and scoring in the lane.  DJ Strong DJ Strong 5'9" | PG Bolingbrook | 2024 State IL is a rangy guard that defends and shot it well for 9 points.  Crafty sophomore Josh Aniceto Josh Aniceto 5'9" | PG Bolingbrook | 2024 State IL came up big using his handles to get wherever he wanted for scores particularly at the rim finishing over much bigger opponents en route to 16 points.  Aries Hull Aries Hull 6'8" | C Bolingbrook | 2023 State IL is an athletic 2023 post who had 9 points and 9 rebounds.  Great frame and played with a high motor.

For St. Ignatius they were led by sophomore sensation Phoenix Gill Phoenix Gill 6'2" | SG St. Ignatius | 2025 State IL .  The top 5 sophomore had 17 points in the loss.  Smooth scorer that likes to utilize runners in the lane and is a capable shooter off the catch.  The other Miami (OH) commit in this game Jackson Kotecki Jackson Kotecki 6'9" | PF St. Ignatius | 2023 State IL had 15 points for St. Ignatius.

Rolling Meadow Star Christie Has Signature Performance in Jack Tosh Title

In the championship game at the Jack Tosh it was the best player who took over in what might have been the best game we have seen in his career.  Cameron Christie Cameron Christie 6'4" | SG Rolling Meadows | 2023 State #76 Nation IL made a statement for Mr. Basketball with the show he put on.  The Minnesota Gophers commit was exceptional!  He utilized his feathery jumper from all over the floor.  Threes off catch, creating his own three point shots off the bounce, and rising up over defenders for 15 footers.  His passing was the best we have seen from him as he worked tremendously well around ball screens slicing up Lyons with his pin point passing.  Rebounded and played tough defense.  Went for 26 points in the win.  He got help from Mark Nikolich-Wilson Mark Nikolich-Wilson 6'7" | C Rolling Meadows | 2023 State IL inside.  The point-center anchored down low and went to work with his nifty footwork and soft touch for 11 points.  Also liked what Ian Miletic Ian Miletic 6'6" | SF Rolling Meadows | 2025 State IL brought as the top 10 sophomore had a nice second half.  Plus shooter with size on the wing and can go to the hoop on straight line takes.  He had 11 points.

Nikolas Polonowski was the leading scorer for Lyons with 17 points.  The Penn commit only hit one three in this one which is usually the small forward’s strength.  He was effective showing improved handles being able to put it on the deck for and-1s and an array of scores.

Collinsville

Decatur MacArthur Storms Back to Win Title at Collinsville

It looked like it was going to be Quincy’s night early as they raced out to a 12-2 lead to begin the championship game at Collinsville.  Decatur MacArthur came right back with a run of their own to keep it close at the half.  They made key plays in the second half and won by a final of 57-53.  The story for the champs was 2023 strong bodied 6’3” guard Azarion Richardson.  He shot it really well from distance along with playing tough defense and getting to the charity stripe in a 19 point outing.  Loved the energy that Kris Walker brought inside for MacArthur as a high-motor forward that has a nose for the ball as he went for 16 points.  It wasn’t his best offensive night but we still think it was quite a week for 6’7” center Makhi Wright.  Emerged as a potential top 100 senior with his shot blocking and dominance on the glass.

Early on for Quincy Ralph Wires Ralph Wires 5'9" | PG Quincy | 2024 IL made some key plays as a passer and shot maker including pull ups and scoop shots.  He didn’t play late and that hurt Quincy as he finished with 12 points.  Class of 2024 emerging talent Camden Brown had a solid night keeping his team in the game with his three point shooting and passing well.  Speaking of dishing the ball we continue to like the development of top 10 2025 Bradley Longcor Bradley Longcor 6'3" | SG Quincy | 2025 State IL as a passer.  Last year he was more of an elite shot maker, but in this one again he made several outstanding reads on the move while scoring 9 points.

State Farm Holiday Classic

Hawkinson and Hamilton Lead Way to State Farm Classic Championship

Final game of the week was the State Farm Holiday Classic large school team championship between Sacred Heart Griffin and Romeoville.  SHG is the defending champion of this event and the 3A state title.  They got out to a huge lead and despite a couple small runs from Romeoville it was always in SHG’s control as they won 57-41.  Unsigned 2023 power forward Zack Hawkinson Zack Hawkinson 6'4" | PF Sacred Heart Griffin | 2023 State IL was just too much on the interior!  He used his combination of quickness and tenacity to make quick post moves dominating at will on the interior.  High IQ player that is tough!  Went for 22 points in the win.  Quincy commit Jake Hamilton Jake Hamilton 6'3" | SG Sacred Heart Griffin | 2023 State IL had a nice outing as well.  He netted 15 points doing damage in a variety of ways per usual.  Slashed it to the rim, hit a three, cleaned up on the glass, post ups, and acrobatic layups. 

For Romeoville they were led by 2024 guard Meyoh Swansey Meyoh Swansey 6'3" | SG Romeoville | 2024 State IL .  Athletic combo was dynamic with his mid-range shooting in this one recording the majority of his 15 points getting in the 15-18 foot range elevating over defenders for jumpers.  High energy big man Aaron Brown Aaron Brown 6'5" | PF Romeoville | 2023 State IL chipped in with 10 points.