Parham Perspective: Holiday Preview Pt 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>** Written by Steve Parham<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With most of the early season shootouts over this&nbsp;week we now get prepared for a bevy of Holiday Tournaments across the state. I breakdown some of the top Chicagoland tournaments, teams, and players to catch next week. We look at Proviso West, The Big Dipper, and Pontiac in <strong>Parham's Perspective: Holiday Preview Part 1</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Proviso West&nbsp;</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Team&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kenwood is by far the most talented team in this event. They are gifted 1 through 5 with talent and has the deepest bench in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='939050' first='Darrin' last='Ames'] leads this squad with help from [player_tooltip player_id='1401824' first='Tyler' last='Smith'] in the back court. The front court of [player_tooltip player_id='1285487' first='Calvin' last='Robins Jr'], [player_tooltip player_id='1157346' first='Jaden' last='Smith'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1385283' first='Aleks' last='Alston'] could probably start for some college programs in the state.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dark Horse&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Proviso East is a team that can come out of this and shock some of the top teams in the area. They have balanced scoring and toughness at multiple positions.&nbsp; Could be tough to beat with a heavy East crowd making every game a home game for the Pirates.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Player</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ames is the best player on a very talented team. He can either score 30 points or dish 15+ assists in any game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1157228' first='James' last='Brown'] '24 (St. Rita) If anyone should have a breakout performance it would be him. The top player in the junior class has had a rocky start to the season with some early foul trouble in games. Brown has the skill and size to change the outcome of games anytime he steps foot on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Unsigned Senior</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='939056' first='Bryce' last='Coleman'] Proviso East. Since making the transfer to East Coleman has been very assertive in games. Showing his versatility inside and on the perimeter.&nbsp; He has been very aggressive on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Big Dipper&nbsp;</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Team&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hilcrest has been playing very well at the start of the season behind Akron commit [player_tooltip player_id='939051' first='Darrion' last='Baker']. [player_tooltip player_id='939078' first='Bryce' last='Tillery'] has shown that he is able to lead this team and the additional help of [player_tooltip player_id='1279765' first='Quentin' last='Heady'] has stepped up in big games.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dark Horse&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perspectives Leadership&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deep guard squad who can catch fire at any moment in tournament settings like this. [player_tooltip player_id='1352590' first='Gianni' last='Cobb'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1371072' first='Jakeem' last='Cole'] are a tough backcourt duo. And wing [player_tooltip player_id='1541248' first='Tim' last='Handy'] is tough player to guard.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Player&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='939051' first='Darrion' last='Baker'] (Hilcrest)&nbsp;is the biggest threat to any team in this event. At his height Baker can make teams pay from inside paint or out on the perimeter.&nbsp; Can also change the game defensively.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1371072' first='Jakeem' last='Cole'] (Perspectives) is the reigning Catholic League Player of the Year. He has recently just been cleared to play for Perspectives.&nbsp; He only had a few games so naturally he's easing into the situation.&nbsp; He will have enough time to become the gamechanger his team needs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Unsigned Senior</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1113514' first='Evan' last='Jackson'] (DelaSalle) smooth 6'5 wing player that can make shots and is crafty enough to make plays at the rim. His length on defense can be a factor in most games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Pontiac</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Team&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simeon is easily one of the most talented teams in the state. They have a legitimate 5 D1 starters lead by the twins.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1048306' first='Miles' last='Rubin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1048305' first='Wesley' last='Rubin']. [player_tooltip player_id='939068' first='Sam' last='Lewis'] brings versatility on the wing and a tough backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='994687' first='Kaiden' last='Space'] and [player_tooltip player_id='939059' first='Jalen' last='Griffith'] rounds out how tough this team will be.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dark Horse&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joliet West I'm not sure we should say they are dark horse, but this team does have the best backcourt in the event with [player_tooltip player_id='1562176' first='Jeremy' last='Fears'], [player_tooltip player_id='1385291' first='Jeremiah' last='Fears'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1373437' first='Justus' last='McNair']. With a strong presence from forward Matt Moore West has the tools to beat any team in this event.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Player&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1562176' first='Jeremy' last='Fears'] (Joliet West).&nbsp; The Sparty commit has played in some big events and Pontiac tournament is no different.&nbsp; Will be fun to watch him battle in some intense holiday games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player to Watch<br></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157211' first='Carlos' last='Harris'] (Curie) has been ready to breakout this season what better way to do that with a string of games at Pontiac. He is a junior that can score in bunches and will be called upon this week.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Unsigned Senior</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='939059' first='Jalen' last='Griffith'] (Simeon) is by far the top unsigned player in the state at the event. Jalen is a floor leader and can change the pace of games in multiple ways. Should be interesting to see how things shake up for him after a good showing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->