Chicago Elite Classic: Friday Notebook!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chicago Elite Classic kicked off on Friday night with three games.&nbsp; It was a fun way to start off the event.&nbsp; Here we recap all the action from each contest in <strong>Chicago Elite Classic: Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lane Tech Scores Comeback Win Behind Solebo &amp; Scantlebury</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first contest Lane Tech scored a 51-46 victory against Taft.&nbsp; For most of the game Taft led, but in the second half Lane Tech got huge contributions from their top two prospects 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1373439' first='Shaheed' last='Solebo'] and 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1545128' first='Dalton' last='Scantlebury'].&nbsp; Solebo is a junior small forward that can slice and dice off the bounce scoring in the lane as he dropped 15 points.&nbsp; What might have been even more impressive was how well he dished the rock.&nbsp; Zipping passes all over the floor to shooters and quick dishes for dimes.&nbsp; Several of those dimes went to his big man 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1545128' first='Dalton' last='Scantlebury'].&nbsp; He struggled a bit early on but the skilled post got it going as a threat on both ends.&nbsp; Swatted shots, rebounded well in his area, and finished with touch for 16 points.&nbsp; Also got a nice outing from Parker Williams netting 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Taft we liked what we saw in the first half from 2024 6'3” wing [player_tooltip player_id='1598704' first='Frank' last='Paszkowski'].&nbsp; The strong bodied scoring guard is a crisp shooter with clean mechanics as he netted 10 points.&nbsp; We also learned about another junior on their squad in Lyle Scibor as the guard scored 17 points with his scrappy play getting buckets from 15 feet and in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fenwick wins Rivalry Game Over OPRF in Thriller</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the annual rivalry game that always seems to deliver.&nbsp; Both Fenwick and OPRF have younger rosters with bright futures.&nbsp; OPRF jumped out quick behind Max Jackson as the junior controlled the game early.&nbsp; Fenwick then bolted past them in the second quarter with a massive run leading 39-25 at the half.&nbsp; OPRF fought back in the second half to tie it at one point, but Fenwick closed it out late to win 64-60.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We really liked what we saw from 2024 small forward Darshan Thomas this fall.&nbsp; He continues to bring it as he went for 19 points in the win.&nbsp; The Fenwick bouncy combo forward that is super active on the offensive glass, got to the foul line at a high rate, and can put it on the deck for scores.&nbsp; Really like where his game is trending.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1598778' first='Ty' last='Macariola'] was magnificent in the victory.&nbsp; The 6'1” sophomore shooting guard was streaky from three, but his ability to get in the lane for floaters along with scoop shots led him to 22 points.&nbsp; Kameron Hogan is another young guard in the 2025 class that shined scoring 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For OPRF [player_tooltip player_id='1194776' first='Max' last='Johnson'] had it rolling early on draining a pair of threes along with getting loose in transition finishing with 13 points along with a handful of dimes.&nbsp; A new 2023 that made a mark was Rodney Murphy.&nbsp; Strong bodied 6'3” wing was a beast on the offensive glass recording 16 points.&nbsp; Really like how consistent 2025 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1545121' first='Justin' last='Bowen'] produces with his combination of toughness and skill as he had 16 points in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Benet 2023 Trio Play Flawlessly on Friday</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last game of the night was all Benet from the tip.&nbsp; They jumped out to an early lead and never looked back winning 58-42 over Riverside Brookfield.&nbsp; Do it all wing [player_tooltip player_id='1215311' first='Nikola' last='Abusara'] showcased why he is among the top uncommitted seniors in the state.&nbsp; Versatile wing that defended at a very high level, knocked in a couple threes early, passed in the half court, and played above the rim in transition for 15 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1371085' first='Brady' last='Kunka'] was lights out shooting the ball.&nbsp; Strong bodied wing has a consistent release as he dropped 20 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1537986' first='Brayden' last='Fagbemi'] is a slick passer that found his shooters and made some creative scores in the paint for 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverside Brookfield was led by Winona State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1170017' first='Arius' last='Alijosius'] as he scored 13 points, but only hit one three.&nbsp; Inside 2024 center [player_tooltip player_id='1285519' first='Stefan' last='Cicic'] rebounded at a high level in traffic and is a good outlet passer.&nbsp; He scored 6 points.&nbsp; Bit of an up and down game for talented junior [player_tooltip player_id='1157209' first='Will' last='Gonzalez'] as he showed flashes on a coast to coast take, rim run, and floater for 8 points.&nbsp; Also was a bit loose with the ball turning it over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->