Class of 2025: Northside Chicago

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Being a sophomore on a varsity basketball team isn't something you see often, but being a starter as a sophomore is a great accomplishment. Even though age and experience may be less compared to the upperclassmen, a sophomore brings that fire, youth, and nonchalant demeanor to the team. Below is a short list of sophomore ballers from the Northside Chicago area that you may or may not have heard of before. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1598681"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Loza can be described as a knock-down shooter. He holds a smooth stroke from behind the arc while adding in a quick release off pull-up jumpers. Loza has also showcased his three-point range extending a couple feet even beyond the arc. A nice and controlled crossover-to-step back move creates separation from his defender which allows for a good shot with his quick release. Even at the free throw line Loza shows poise and calmness with a good bend of the knees and follows through knocking down the shots with ease. Outside of jump shots, Loza has a quick first step with strong and controlled dribble penetration, allowing him to finish in the paint or find open teammates with solid, crisp passing. I'm excited to see Loza's game development over the next few years.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1545128"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cpu003eLane Tech's gameplay is amplified greatly when Scantlebury is on the court. His long and tall frame creates difficulty for shooters of any height. His presence in the paint, defensively, increases rim protection, shot contesting, and rebounding. In addition, he shows good timing on his release when going up to block shots. Offensively speaking, Scantlebury's solid build allows him to win battles in the paint (grab offensive rebounds or finish over defenders) and set wide, strong screens to open up opportunities for his teammates or himself. He shows a general talent of finding open spots to receive ball entries, and then finish shots within the paint, but I would like to see him become more assertive when posting up or sealing his defender. With a couple more years of practice and experience I am positive Scantlebury will generate a skillset of post moves and become a brick wall defensively.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2539000' first='Connor' last='Fortier']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Amundsen","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Fortier may not be a name that you have heard of before. Yet, he is a 6'5u0022 sophomore who has raw talent and has years to improve on his game. He is mobile around the paint to clear up space for guard drives and create opportunities for quick dump-off passes. Against smaller lineups he takes advantage of the height differential scoring over defenders in the post and maintaining activity on the glass. One thing I noticed was his natural instinct to run the floor during transitions creating possible fast scoring chances. When receiving entry passes Fortier keeps the ball high to avoid steals and digs from smaller guards. He also shows a strong eye when passing from the post to cutters or open spot-up shooters. Switching to the defensive side, Fortier extends pressure when guarding around or beyond the key, and is capable of keeping his opponent in front of him. He has shown promising signs when defending the perimeter, and his long arms allow for steal/deflection opportunities. Fortier has a bright future ahead if he keeps working on his craft. Can't wait to follow along with his progress for the next couple of years.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1385311"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cpu003eThe two pieces of Walls's game that stuck out to me right away was his continuous energy and raw defensive talent. Walls applies heavy on-ball pressure, playing tight to his opponent, and is strongly capable of staying in front of his man with quick lateral movement and active hands. His energy and passion show during the game when he is the first player diving for loose balls and not being afraid to hit the hardwood in hopes of gaining or saving a possession. Walls presents the ability to knock down three-point shots with a quick and smooth release. I would like Walls to improve his dribble penetration, by being strong with the ball, more controlled while driving, and deliver crisper passes to his teammates for catch-and-shoot and rim attacking opportunities. Only being a sophomore, I am certain Walls's basketball IQ will blossom with playing experience and becoming more confident in himself.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f5386777843"} /-->