Highland Shootout: Top Illinois 2023 Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Illinois was at the Highland Shootout over the weekend.&nbsp; The one day basketball extravaganza featured many of the top teams and players in the state of Illinois.&nbsp; Here are some of the best seniors in <strong>Highland Shootout: Top Illinois 2023 Performers</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alex Connoyer (Quincy Notre Dame)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liked what we saw from this four man from Quincy Notre Dame.&nbsp; Connoyer was clearly QND's go to player in their contest against Highland.&nbsp; He was effective posting up on seals and finishing on slashes when facing up converting several and-1s.&nbsp; Very efficient player as he scored 17 points (8-12 FG) and grabbed 6 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939051' first='Darrion' last='Baker'] (Hillcrest)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top 10 prospect from Hillcrest was a bit slow to start but then got it rolling.&nbsp; The Akron signee is such a physical and athletic post at the next level.&nbsp; He finished through contact for several and-1s, ran the floor, and passed it very well from the mid-post.&nbsp; Line read 17 points (7-14 FG), 5 rebounds, and 3 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939078' first='Bryce' last='Tillery'] (Hillcrest)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This unsigned point guard is having an outstanding senior campaign.&nbsp; He is a lethal pull up jump shooter from both two and three.&nbsp; He went 4-8 from distance in their game against Belleville East.&nbsp; Solid passer that finds his big men in positions to succeed.&nbsp; Quickness off the bounce getting in the crease of the defense as he finished with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939071' first='Jordan' last='Pickett'] (Belleville East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SIU-Edwardsville signee shot it as well as we have seen him going 4-8 from beyond the arc in the win.&nbsp; Strong combo guard that isn't a true one or two but rather a scoring guard that can flash as a passer but also turn it over at times.&nbsp; Also liked how he was willing to take it to the rack for trips to the line.&nbsp; He had 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 7 turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1371087' first='Antwine' last='Wilson'] (Belleville East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson is a major sleeper out of the metro east.&nbsp; The 6'4” small forward didn't shoot it well from distance, but made his money finishing downhill and getting to the charity stripe where he went 7-8 in a 15 point outing while also grabbing 6 boards.&nbsp; Small colleges and JUCOs get on him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939073' first='Macaleab' last='Rich'] (East St. Louis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rich was a grown man for East St. Louis.&nbsp; The Kansas State signee was relentless attacking the rim for scores on slashes banking in short runners on the regular.&nbsp; He used his power and improved handles to break down defenders.&nbsp; Also hit a couple threes and showed improved passing that we hadn't previously seen.&nbsp; This will open up even more with his elite athleticism and strength.&nbsp; Rich had 22 points (9-21 FG), 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113521' first='Zack' last='Hawkinson'] (Sacred Heart Griffin)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Springfield product is putting up absolutely absurd numbers on the season after leading his team to the 3A title last year.&nbsp; The undersized four man was an unstoppable force in a 33 point (9-16 FG), 17 rebound, and 3 assist game.&nbsp; He scored at will on the interior with and-1s one after another getting to the line for 13-15 from the charity stripe.&nbsp; Combination of skill, quickness, strength, and unrelenting motor make him an elite priority at the D2 level!&nbsp; Hawkinson is also putting himself in the player of the year conversation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='989267' first='Jake' last='Hamilton'] (Sacred Heart Griffin)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hamilton is headed to Quincy and they are getting a good one.&nbsp; The lefty is a gritty and skilled wing that can knock down spot up threes while still finishing well on the interior.&nbsp; He has a great spin move off the bounce scoring in the lane through traffic while having a knack for getting to the foul line.&nbsp; Went for 22 points (6-11 FG) (8-10 FT) and 3 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1048306' first='Miles' last='Rubin'] (Simeon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rubin is a wiry power forward headed to Loyola next season.&nbsp; He was a force on the interior for the Wolverines on both ends finishing out of the dunker spot, hitting the offensive glass, and protecting the rim on the defensive end.&nbsp; Won MVP honors of their win over Imhotep by netting 14 points (7-9 FG), 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1048305' first='Wesley' last='Rubin'] (Simeon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rubin is a skilled post that is going to see a jump in our next update because in addition to continuing to progress offensively he has made strides as a defender.&nbsp; Has a knack for getting steals as a big man along with being a much-improved post defender.&nbsp; The Northern Iowa commit had a top 5 Kentucky commit in foul trouble and shaking with his skilled offensive game which included feathery mid-range jumpers, turnarounds, and dunks in transition.&nbsp; He had 13 points (6-9 FG), 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 3 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939068' first='Sam' last='Lewis'] (Simeon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good outing from the Toledo signee.&nbsp; Lewis did a nice job defensively guarding Justin Edwards making him work all game long.&nbsp; Also offensively he was good with his floater game, got on the offensive glass, and hit a three in a 12 point and 5 rebound performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939059' first='Jalen' last='Griffith'] (Simeon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top uncommitted guard in the state showed for the second night in a row that low-majors are missing out.&nbsp; He is a wizard with the ball in his hands throwing great passes and shaking defenders off the bounce on the regular.&nbsp; Plus shooter pulling up from two and three.&nbsp; He had 11 points, 4 dimes, and 5 turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='989265' first='Owen' last='Freeman'] (Moline)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freeman is a five man that is an excellent get for the Iowa Hawkeyes.&nbsp; The Moline post consistently produces game in and game out.&nbsp; He finishes well out of the dunker spot, has mobility in the pick/roll game, and rebounds very well in traffic with two hands.&nbsp; It was a big time performance against Vashon going for 24 points (8-14 FG) (7-9 FT), 14 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='989274' first='Brock' last='Harding'] (Moline)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harding is headed to Iowa as their future point guard.&nbsp; Heady floor general with shifty moves off the bounce.&nbsp; He shakes defenders on the regular with his game off the bounce throwing bullet passes and playing with a lot of flair.&nbsp; It wasn't his best shooting night going 0-5 from three, but he still managed 9 points, 5 dimes, and 5 steals in the win.&nbsp; Turned it over quite a bit with 8 turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->