Around the State: Thursday Holiday Notebook

We were all around the state on Thursday covering 7 games from Jack Tosh, State Farm Holiday Classic, Kankakee, and Collinsville.  Make sure you read all about it here in Around the State: Thursday Holiday Notebook!   Thomas Leads Lake Forest over Timothy Christian   In our first game of the day we took in Lake Forest vs Timothy Christian from the Jack Tosh.  Lake Forest's star [player_tooltip player_id='989263' first='Asa' last='Thomas'] is coming off an injury, but showed a solid all-around game in a 21 point and 7 rebound outing in their 63-40 victory against Timothy Christian.  The Clemson Tigers signee started off a bit slow then got it going banking in a mid-range shot from the wing, euro step, and threw down a big transition dunk.  Also hit 4-8 of deep threes in the win.  Wing with plus size at 6'6” that can really shoot it.   Normal Community 2024s Impress   Next was over to State Farm Holiday Classic to catch a pair of D1 juniors in Normal Community's [player_tooltip player_id='1157233' first='Jaheem' last='Webber'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1172774' first='Braylon' last='Roman'].  They defeated North Lawndale 63-46.  Webber is a top 10 prospect and a huge reason why is how well he rebounds the basketball.  That was on display in this one as he snatched rebounds in bunches.  Physical boxing out and grabbing them with two hands in traffic.  Offensively he plays with a lot of power, but has some improving skill as well showed on a couple seals, turnaround J on deep post position, and a lob dunk.  Finished with 17 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='1172774' first='Braylon' last='Roman'] is coming off an injury where he was out when we saw them a couple weeks back.  The junior two guard is a smooth ball handler that can create his own shot off the bounce particularly being exceptional with his floater game.  He also showed he can be a quality secondary distributor with nice passing as he had 14 points.   Funk Impacts Game Across Board   El Paso Gridley class of 2025 post [player_tooltip player_id='1576619' first='Jonah' last='Funk'] jumped off the floor to us when we saw him in the fall for the first time at the Prep Hoops Top 250 Camp.  He has go-go gadget type length and a thin build.  He made impactful plays on the defensive end with his great timing and anticipation on the defensive end swatting a ton of shots while also recording several steals.  Rebounds well high-pointing the ball and keeping it alive on the offensive end.  Capable three point shooter with a good stroke.  Runs the floor, can push on his own, and has quickness when he gets post touches.  His team fell to Quincy Notre Dame 49-46 in the small school division at State Farm.   First Look at Hansberry 2025 Brothers   Our guy Steve Parham has been raving about the Brooks brothers from Hansberry and I got my first glance on Thursday afternoon checking out the last three quarters of their win over Schurz. Al Brooks Jr is the bigger of the 2025 twins at 6'6” with legit size, strength, and a frame to continue to build on. Liked how he got to the rim with burst using his explosiveness off the bounce. Threw down a couple dunks in transition. Very good wing rebounder and passer that initiated the offense at times. According to their twitter he had 15 points, 20 rebounds, 3 dimes, 6 steals, and 3 blocks! That is stuffing the stat sheet! His brother Ikee Brooks is more of a scoring guard at about 6'0”. Showed quickness off the dribble, crisp passing, and acrobatic finishes at the cup had 17 points. Both will make nice debuts in our January rankings update!   Longcor and Thomas Comes Up Huge for Quincy   Big time players step up in big time games.  That is what happened in the quarters for Quincy with their 2025 star [player_tooltip player_id='1385298' first='Bradley' last='Longcor'].  Silky smooth two guard that handles it well in both the half court off the bounce and in the open floor.  Mid-range pull up game is on point and he brings athleticism to finish above defenders in traffic.  Led them to a win over Collierville in the quarters at Collinsville by a final of 63-48 while he scored 22 points (9-13 FG).  Inside [player_tooltip player_id='1385308' first='Keshaun' last='Thomas'] continues to play like a grown man for Quincy.  The 6'6” strong bodied power forward is a beast on the glass and finishing inside with physicality.  He outworks and mauls on the glass going for 12 points in the quarters.   Pence and Hill Put On Epic Performances in Scoring Duel   It was back to Bloomington for St. Joseph Ogden vs Rockford Lutheran in the first of two small school semis at State Farm Holiday Classic which was truly a “classic”.  St. Joseph Ogden looked like they were going to run away at times with it, but Rockford Lutheran hung around making things tight late.  SJO made just a few too many plays down the stretch to win 72-69.  Illinois State signee [player_tooltip player_id='989264' first='Ty' last='Pence'] did what he always does.  Big time skilled wing that can shoot it with the best of them including a ridiculous turn around three to close the 3rd quarter.  Also hit several other threes and mid-range jumpers.  Pushed it and showed nice passing for an off guard while scoring 25 points. [player_tooltip player_id='1373454' first='Logan' last='Smith'] also scored 25 for SJO in the victory.  Tough as nails 2024 lead guard that at 5'10” is a good set up man that can also get his own when needed.   Walter Hill Jr from Rockford Lutheran is a 2023 6'2” combo guard that made a name for himself in this one.  Athletic guard was a pure bucket going coast to coast, using a sick cross to set up moves off the dribble, and was a more than capable shooter off the catch and pulling up.  He had 42 points including seven threes.  [player_tooltip player_id='1541240' first='Vontez' last='Dent'] is a strong bodied junior wing that has a future at the college level as he netted 16 points.   Normal U-High Duo Too Much for BCC Star   We took in the other semi of the small school bracket in Bloomington to close the night.  This was a fun one with high scoring wings on both side.  Normal U-High advanced to the title by a final of 63-58.  Class of 2023 wing Ty Blake emerged with a monster performance scoring 22 points in the victory.  Sound shooter, active defender, and good athlete playing well in transition.  His fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1215294' first='Mason' last='Funk'] also stepped up recording 15 points in the win.  Plus shooter from distance that made some key free throws.   Bloomington Central Catholic was led by top 5 junior [player_tooltip player_id='1157235' first='Cole' last='Certa'].  He scored 24 points in the defeat.  Long and rangy two guard that can shoot it from distance, has a floater game, and passes well for a secondary ball handler.  We are sold on him as a high-major prospect.  Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1373447' first='Colin' last='Hayes'].  The bouncy BCC junior post plays with a good motor and athleticism around the hoop as he had 13 points on a few nice spins.

We were all around the state on Thursday covering 7 games from Jack Tosh, State Farm Holiday Classic, Kankakee, and Collinsville. Make sure you read all about it here in Around the State: Thursday Holiday Notebook!