Centralia Holiday Tournament: Friday AM Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHI spent the first part of the final day of hoops in 2022 at the Centralia Holiday Tournament.&nbsp; One of the most historic tournaments in the state featured a pair of close semis as well as a couple of consolation games that we took in.&nbsp; Read about it here in <strong>Centralia Holiday Tournament: Friday AM Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carmel Tops Belleville West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First game of the day in the main gym was Carmel vs Belleville West.  Good contest as both teams wanted to advance to the 5^th place game.  Carmel had just a little too much as they won and advanced.  Class of 2024 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1183048' first='Kaleb' last='Jackson'] is a wiry guard who shot it well from distance draining a trio of threes. Also got some crafty scoring in the lane and shot making from 6'3” junior Jacob Chajet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We came away impressed with Belleville West 2024 6'3” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1374272' first='David' last='Marshall Jr'].&nbsp; The junior has a good frame with plus athleticism.&nbsp; Crashed the offensive glass for put backs and hit a couple threes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Champaign Central Scores Comeback vs Kipp (TN)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was over to the annex gym for the next contest.&nbsp; Champaign Central got down big early, but chipped away and won it 51-43.&nbsp; The prospect to watch here is [player_tooltip player_id='1545129' first='Chris' last='Bush'].&nbsp; The 2025 6'5” power forward has broad shoulders, strength, and long arms.&nbsp; He recorded 14 points and double digit boards.&nbsp; Rebounded at a high level on both ends of the floor snatching them in traffic with his strong hands.&nbsp; Offensively he converted dump offs and worked well out of the mid-range as a quick driver as well as passer.&nbsp; Also keep an eye on 2025 point guard David Riley.&nbsp; Well built guard can play on or off the ball and showed a good feel as a distributor.&nbsp; Ben Bandy knocked in some huge shots for Champaign Central in their win draining an array of spot up threes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Veteran Evanston Holds On in Semis vs Marist</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pair of Chicago area teams met up in the first semi final contest.&nbsp; Evanston and Marist are each loaded with PHI ranked prospects.&nbsp; The difference in this one was [player_tooltip player_id='1215286' first='Prince' last='Adams'].&nbsp; The Evanston big man was an absolute force especially in the first half recording 16 of his 20 points.&nbsp; The state's top uncommitted big man got second chance points on the boards, utilized a stellar spin move, and displayed growth as a passer making quick decisions.&nbsp; Quality post defender as well.&nbsp; Low-majors and D2s should take a long look!&nbsp; He also got help inside from 2023 power forward Josh Thomas.&nbsp; The bouncy four man played above the rim finishing dump off passes out of the dunker spot along with a nice floater for 10 points. &nbsp;Lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1279759' first='Hunter' last='Duncan'] had a strong first half where he recorded 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marist got a big game from their backcourt players.&nbsp; Senior Kaden White pumped in 15 points as the 6'3” two guard shot it well from three hitting several key shots.&nbsp; Class of 2025 combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1598743' first='Keshaun' last='Vaval'] is a scorer that is slick off the bounce showcasing that on multiple occasions winning off the dribble en route to 11 points.&nbsp; Their 2026 point guard Adoni Vassilakis is a high IQ guard that plays with an advanced IQ.&nbsp; He finishes with creativity at the cup and really passes it.&nbsp; Went for 11 points.&nbsp; They got a nice outing from 2025 6'4” small forward Achillies Anderson.&nbsp; The big bodied forward rebounded well and always seemed to be around the ball while scoring 7 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cardinal Ritter Overcomes Slow Start vs Centralia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing you know for sure is Centralia is always going to be well coached and grind it out defensively.  They did that holding Cardinal Ritter to five points more than mid-way through the second quarter.  They cut into the lead at the end of the half and made their move in the third quarter.  Star 2024 shooting guard Clayton Jackson exploded knocking in an array of pull up twos and threes while also winning off the bounce for 23 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Centralia got a good game from Titus Ashford as the stretch forward knocked in three triples for 10 points.&nbsp; Saw flashes from 5'9” 2024 point guard Cruz Harlan.&nbsp; Heady guard is an excellent distributor with shifty handles.&nbsp; Cardinal Ritter focused their defensive effort in on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->