Holiday Tournaments: Top Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the holiday season PHI covered tournaments all across the state.&nbsp; I personally took in 42 games from York, Hinsdale Central, Pekin, Collinsville, Kankakee, State Farm, and Centralia.&nbsp; Wanted to examine some of the best I saw including here in <strong>Holiday Tournaments: Top Performances</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939055' first='Cameron' last='Christie'] (Rolling Meadows – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christie was magnificent all week for Rolling Meadows.&nbsp; No more so than the championship game where he led his team to the victory at Jack Tosh by dropping 26 points and showing off an all-around game.&nbsp; His feathery jumper was on point from two and three as was his ability to work around ball screens and pick apart defenses with his passing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1541230' first='Connor' last='May'] (Palatine – 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We really liked what we saw out of May during the summer, but he took it to a whole different level at York.&nbsp; The small forward is a plus shooter from three that can really let it fly, but his versatility and improved all around scoring repertoire were what caught our attention.&nbsp; He made it look easy putting it on the deck with improved athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nikolas Polonowski (Lyons – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Penn commit is one of the more underrated scorers in the state.&nbsp; He has a feathery jumper with a high release which was falling from all over in their first round win.&nbsp; When we saw him in the title game later in the week the J wasn't connecting, but he was still effective using his toughness getting to the rim and finishing with physicality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='989265' first='Owen' last='Freeman'] (Moline – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We caught the Iowa commits first game from Pekin.&nbsp; He pretty much did whatever he wanted dictating the game in his three quarters of play.&nbsp; Dominant rebounder on both ends of the floor.&nbsp; Quick finishes with power including a pair of jams where he had to help unbend the rim after them.&nbsp; Rim runs, can shoot it from mid-range, and was a shot blocking presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1371065' first='Quentin' last='Jones'] (Marian Catholic – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cal Poly commit turned it up a notch when his team needed him in the second round at Hinsdale Central.&nbsp; Athletic scoring wing can beat a defense from all three levels.&nbsp; Explosive straight line takes, crisp pull ups, and a pair of threes in a 21 point outing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben Oosterbaan (Hinsdale Central – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oosterbaan led his team to the title at Hinsdale Central.&nbsp; He went for 30+ in their opener.&nbsp; The Michigan baseball commit will move into our next ranking even though he will never step on the hardwood for the Wolverines.&nbsp; As a skilled four he was unstoppable on the block with his spin moves and touch around the hoop.&nbsp; Also can work as a face up player shooting it out to three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Makhi Wright (Decatur MacArthur – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wright was phenomenal in their first round matchup against Madison.&nbsp; He scored 15 points finishing well out of the dunker spot and hitting short jumpers.&nbsp; What was most impressive was how high of a level he rebounded and blocked shots.&nbsp; Was an absolute force as a rim protector blocking everything that came near him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordan Lewis (Belleville Althoff – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewis almost had one of the more incredible one man comebacks I've ever seen as the Althoff senior guard dropped 32 points scoring at will in the second half getting his team back in the game against Rockford East.&nbsp; Athletic 5'10” guard that can really shoot it from two and three elevating over the defense.&nbsp; Was unrelenting in his will to bring his team back!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='989264' first='Ty' last='Pence'] (St. Joseph Ogden – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Illinois State commit was very good in a 25 point semi final performance to lead his team on to the title game.&nbsp; Athletic and skills shooting guard that excels with his shooting from two and three.&nbsp; He has range out to beyond the arc with ease and pushes in transition with his speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Walter Hill Jr (Rockford Lutheran – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one came out of nowhere!&nbsp; Hill Jr dropped 42 points in the semis against Pence and SJO.&nbsp; Athletic combo guard that has a burst with the ball in his hands going coast to coast.&nbsp; Killer crossover move which opened up so much for him.&nbsp; Capable shooter out to three point range!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1215286' first='Prince' last='Adams'] (Evanston – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams was a monster in the semis at Centralia against Marist.&nbsp; In the first half he could not be contained.&nbsp; Hit the offensive glass, used a spin move on the block, and passed it really well for a big man.&nbsp; This was the kind of performance we have been waiting for out of Adams on a big stage.&nbsp; One of the best unsigned posts in Illinois had 20 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113521' first='Zack' last='Hawkinson'] (Sacred Heart Griffin – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hawkinson is another one of the best uncommitted players on the board.&nbsp; The 2023 undersized four man absolutely willed his team at times in the title game against Romeoville in Bloomington.&nbsp; He is a physical post that uses his strength and quickness inside to win.&nbsp; Gets on the offensive glass and utilizes his body control to maneuver in the lane.&nbsp; He had 22 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->