Jack Tosh: Scotty B’s Monday Notebook

The Jack Tosh Holiday Classic kicked off on Monday beginning their 32 team tournament.  This is always a fun event with multiple gyms going on at a time all day long.  Here we examine what we witnessed on the first day of the event in Jack Tosh: Scotty B’s Monday Notebook!

Sophomore Sensation Gill Leads Way in St. Ignatius Blow Out Win

Top seeded St. Ignatius came into the event at 10-1 including 4-0 in Catholic League play.  It was clear from the beginning there was not going to be a slip up in the opening round like last year as they beat Minooka 64-36.  Their top 5 2025 Phoenix Gill Phoenix Gill 6'2" | SG St. Ignatius | 2025 State IL came out firing impacting on both ends getting steals and taking them the other way for floaters, mid-range jumpers, and acrobatic layups.  He had 16 points.  Miami (OH) commit Jackson Kotecki Jackson Kotecki 6'9" | PF St. Ignatius | 2023 State IL did a nice job on the interior scoring on seals using his quickness around the hoop to score 12 points.  Fast rising junior Reggie Ray Reggie Ray 6'2" | PG St. Ignatius | 2024 State IL has been excellent early in the season.  That continued with how he impacted on both ends.  Got to the rim on a consistent basis and was a good defender netting 12 points.  Liked what we saw from their five star defensive tackle inside Justin Scott.  The five man on the hardwood did a nice job of rebounding in his area and passing it on the move.  George Mason commit Richard Barron Richard Barron 6'5" | SF St. Ignatius | 2023 State IL had a couple nice moments as well including a spin move for a bucket at the rim and a three off ball movement.  Went for 7 points.

Minooka was led by senior shooting guard Isaiah Dupree who netted 12 in the loss.  Creative scorer in the mid-range that hit several floaters and short jumpers.

Naperville North 2024 Guard Trio Carries Them to Win Over Glenbard West

It was all about the junior guards for Naperville North in their victory over Glenbard West 49-44.  Each had their moments in this one while playing well off each other.  Cole Arl Cole Arl 5'10" | PG Naperville North | 2024 IL was the leading scorer in the first half scoring 8 of his 10 points for the game.  Sound three point shooter off the catch that can push and has a nice floater game.  The third quarter Bryce Welch Bryce Welch 6'2" | PG Naperville North | 2024 State IL took over.  Shifty point guard is a smooth ball handler that weaves through the defense in transition and knocks in jumpers at a good clip from mid-range and three as he scored 16 points.  Dual sport star Luke Williams Luke Williams 6'1" | PG Naperville North | 2024 State IL is a big time athlete that is explosive off the bounce getting to the cup with his burst and acceleration in the open floor.  Capable three point shooter as well and good defender.  Liked what we saw as a ball mover and drive/kick distributor while scoring 18 points.

For Glenbard West it is a whole new squad after the Fab 5 won this tournament last year and the state title in March.  Senior big man Logan Brown is committed to Haverford.  The 6’6” post is a lefty with nice strength and athleticism up front.  He finishes well around the hoop on seals and put backs going for 12 points.  Breakout player of the game was 6’4” 2025 shooting guard Dominic Seaney Dominic Seaney 6'5" | SG Glenbard West | 2025 State IL who drained four triples for 12 points.  Like the upside here as a spot up threat with size that has projectability.

Rolling Meadows “Rolls” Behind Minnesota Commit Christie

We didn’t really expect this to be very close with Rolling Meadows coming in as one of the tournament favorites at 11-1 and they cruised to a 72-43 victory against Montini.  It was the Cameron Christie Cameron Christie 6'4" | SG Rolling Meadows | 2023 State #76 Nation IL show in the first half as the state’s #2 prospect in 2023 and Minnesota Gophers signee recorded 21 of his game high 26 points in the first half.  He had it all going hitting feathery jumpers off the catch and creating off the dribble.  Also passed it well and had a big dunk.  Rebounded very well too recording a double double in this one.  One of my favorite 2023 players who remains uncommitted is wide bodied point-center Mark Nikolich-Wilson Mark Nikolich-Wilson 6'7" | C Rolling Meadows | 2023 State IL .  He is such a skilled passer and playmaker with the ball in his hands.  In this one he went to work down low on crafty moves along with soft touch after garnering deep post position.  Can beat a team in so many ways.  He had 16 points.  Top 10 sophomore Ian Miletic Ian Miletic 6'5" | SF Rolling Meadows | 2025 State IL is a skilled wing that can really pass it.  Brings some athleticism and IQ on the wing being able to play both on and off the ball.  Finished with 9 points. The size, shot making, and passing of this team is very impressive.

St. Patrick’s Scores Win Over Glenbard North

St. Patrick’s was excellent defensively the first half of their opener winning over Glenbard North 64-52.  Their guards put so much pressure on Glenbard North turning them over one after another.  James Clay James Clay 6'2" | SG ST.Patrick | 2023 IL and Antoine Thomas are a pair of guards to track because of the value they bring on the defensive end as they consistently got steals and pushed the other way for scores.  Andrew Ayeni Andrew Ayeni 6'5" | PF St. Patrick | 2023 State IL is the ideal small college post who anchors inside for this team.  Agile undersized big man that finishes reverse layups, and-1s, and seals.  He rebounds well and is mobile on the defensive end.  In this one he scored 19 points.  Class of 2025 point guard EJ Breland EJ Breland 6'0" | PG St. Patrick | 2025 State IL is their top long term prospect.  He can play both on and off the ball.  Heady guard looked comfortable letting it fly from distance as he hit an array of them from three.  Was most effective in this game as a spot up shooter knocking in a quartet for 12 points.

Glenbard North 2026 small forward Josh Abushanab Josh Abushanab 6'5" | SF Glenbard North | 2026 State IL jumped off the floor to us.  The freshman 6’4” forward has a projectable frame and looked more than comfortable on the floor with players years older than him.  Length was effective defensively.  On the offensive end his athleticism played around the hoop on reverse layups and and-1 finishes.  Also can stretch the floor with his shooting hitting a couple of them beyond the arc.  Flashed as a passer, but was a bit wild at times with it too.  He had 15 points.  Glenbard North’s top upperclassmen prospect is 2024 JJ Hernandez JJ Hernandez 6'4" | PF Glenbard North | 2024 State IL .  He fought through foul trouble in this game, but did manage to show some intriguing tools especially defensively with how well he can block shots and use his length both vertically as well as laterally.  Crashes the offensive glass for second chance points and hit a couple threes ending with 10 points.

Jakstys’ Double Double Helps Yorkville Score Victory over Nazareth

Yorkville won their first game at the Jack Tosh by a final of 54-28 over Nazareth.  Their top prospect is 2024 center Jason Jakstys Jason Jakstys 6'10" | C Yorkville | 2024 State #149 Nation IL .  He recorded a double double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.  He anchored their defense with the way he protected the rim along with clearing the defensive glass all game long.  Offensively he couldn’t get the three ball to fall, but the 6’9” post had several sweet takes from the mid-post for scores using his long strides to get to the cup.  Got on the offensive glass for put backs and recorded an and-1.  Mid-majors should be on him.  Junior guard duo Dayvion Johnson Dayvion Johnson 6'1" | SG Yorkville | 2024 IL and Mike Dunn carried them in spurts each scoring 11 points..  Early on it was Dunn as the combo guard was feeling it from mid-range.  Johnson then had his moments in the second half attacking downhill converting tough layups.

Class of 2024 wing Talen Pearson Talen Pearson 6'5" | SF Nazareth | 2024 State IL is the prospect to track on Nazareth.  Good size and a projectable frame.  Clean looking three point stroke and can put it on the deck a little in a 9 point outing.

May Shows Out in December for Palatine

One of the best individual performances of the day came from Palatine 2024 small forward Connor May Connor May 6'5" | SF Palatine | 2024 State IL .  He opened our eyes with a strong close to the summer and had a breakout high school performance dropping 36 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a 55-43 Palatine victory over Wheaton North.  Known mostly as a plus shooter with good size he did that early hitting a pair from distance.  There is much more in his bag however as May put it on the deck for crafty finishes, athletic straight line takes, and sealed in the high/low posting up.  Also rebounded very well from his forward spot.  We were aggressive with his ranking and he is making us consider moving him even higher after this performance!

For Wheaton North a pair of 2024s are worth monitoring in Hudson Parker Hudson Parker 5'11" | PG West Chicago | 2024 State IL and Jalen Crues Jalen Crues 6'6" | PF Glenbard North | 2024 State IL .  Parker is a lead guard that can handle it and make floaters.  Crues is a bit raw at the power forward spot, but he made several impactful plays defensively blocking shots.  Even flashed a bit as a passer.

Lyons Looks Ready to Make Another Title Run at Tosh

Last season Lyons made it to the championship game.  This year they want to win it.  They looked the part of a contender for it in their opening round win against Batavia.  Penn commit Nikolas Polonowski is one of the bigger mismatches in the state with his size and ability to stretch the defense with his shooting along with driving game.  He did just that against Batavia in their 61-34 victory.  Polonowski showed off his feathery jumper off the catch and pulling up with a high release point on the regular.  Also can handle it in the open floor flashing passing flair and putting it on the deck with burst for 18 points.  Senior point guard Jackson Niego Jackson Niego 6'0" | PG Lyons | 2023 State IL is a heady floor general that makes excellent decisions in the half court as a distributor while also scoring on pull ups and cuts away from the ball for 10 points.  Louis Kaminski opened some eyes in this one as the senior was lights out from three for 11 points.

Top performer for Batavia was CJ Valente CJ Valente 6'5" | PF Batavia | 2024 State IL .  The junior wing was excellent in the first half from three draining a trio of them on his way to 13 points.

Bolingbrook Looks Impressive in Win

We caught the second half of Bolingbrook’s second half victory over Highland Park 77-41.  The Raiders were led by unsigned senior power forward Aries Hull Aries Hull 6'8" | C Bolingbrook | 2023 State IL who had 17 points.  Mobile post got to the line on the first four possessions of the second half.  Hull is one of three key members to their massive frontline with fellow seniors Donaven Younger Donaven Younger 6'8" | C Bolingbrook | 2023 State IL and Keon Alexander Keon Alexander 6'6" | PF Bolingbrook | 2023 State IL .  Each had their moments including Younger throwing a long outlet for a dime off a defensive board and then a transition dunk en route to 12 points..  Their guards really push it fast as their transition game is one of the best out there led by Miami (OH) commit Mekhi Cooper Mekhi Cooper 6'1" | PG Bolingbrook | 2023 State IL who pushed the pace while also draining pull up twos and threes in the third quarter for 5 points and 4 dimes.

York Pulls Off Upset to Close Night

Of course it would be the host York Dukes that pull off the biggest upset of the first round as they came in 5-7 and defeated St. Laurence at 8-4 by a final score of 74-54.  It was a three headed monster for York that got the job done.  Class of 2024 point guard AJ Levine is their top prospect.  He brings athleticism and penetration ability at the lead guard spot.  He was excellent in the first half draining mid-range pull ups for days along with getting to the rim finishing with 22 points.  Scrappy rebounder as well.  Kyle Waltz Kyle Waltz 6'6" | SG York | 2024 State IL was a pleasant surprise in this one as the lanky 6’2” two guard was lights out scoring in a variety of ways shooting and on the move for 16 points.  Inside it was all about Braden Richardson Braden Richardson 6'4" | PF York | 2024 State IL as the undersized four man outworked his opponents by using positioning and physicality.  Rebounded well and converted through contact for 21 points.

St. Laurence got most of their contributions from two guards in their backcourt.  On the ball EJ Mosley EJ Mosley 6'0" | PG Romeoville | 2025 State IL is a combo in the 2025 class with a silky smooth handle, stellar floater game, and has a clean looking three point stroke as he had 16 points.  Next to him was fellow sophomore Jacob Rice Jacob Rice 6'4" | SG Western Reserve Acadmey | 2025 OH .  Broad shouldered two guard has an effortless scoring game as he had a nice scoop shot going around his defender.  Pure mechanics on his jumper and overall is wired to score.  Went for 13 points.

Quick Hitters

Winona State commit Arius Alijosius Arius Alijosius 6'4" | SG Riverside Brookfield | 2023 State IL dropped 29 points including 7 triples on 9 attempts in a Riverside Brookfield victory over Schaumburg.  One of the best pure shot makers in the state has the kind of game that can carry a team on any given night and pull off an upset later in the bracket.

Lake Forest star and Clemson commit Asa Thomas Asa Thomas 6'6" | SF Lake Forest | 2023 State #91 Nation IL was out with an injury for Lake Forest.

The Catillo twins carried Lemont as usual combining for 25 points in their 37-28 win over Downers Grove South.  Rokas Castillo Rokas Castillo 5'11" | PG Lemont | 2023 State IL drops 15 points while Matas Castillo Matas Castillo 5'11" | PG Lemont | 2023 State IL had 10 points.

Conant got a nice performance from their young big man Bradley Biedke Bradley Biedke 6'6" | PF Conant | 2025 State IL scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a 58-42 win over Andrew.  Floor spacing post also hit a couple threes in this one.