O’Fallon Shootout: Saturday Notebook

The O’Fallon Shootout concluded on Saturday with four games including powerhouse programs from Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri with ranked players all over the floor.  Here we dive into the day in O’Fallon Shootout: Saturday Notebook!

Belleville East and Pickett Flex in Blowout of Lanphier

The opening contest of the day wasn’t really ever close as Belleville East was dominant in the first quarter jumping out 27-4 putting it away early as their starters were able to set the fourth quarter recording a 66-33 victory.  SIU-Edwardsville commit Jordan Pickett Jordan Pickett 6'2" | SG Belleville East | 2023 State IL had a dominant showing coming out on fire draining a pair of triples coming over to the bench making it known it was his game!  He continued to take over scoring on jumpers, getting to the rim off the bounce, and pushing in the open floor.  He had 22 points (8-18 FG) (4-9 3 PT) and 6 rebounds in the win.  After a slow start their other standout wing Antwine Wilson Antwine Wilson 6'4" | SF Belleville East | 2023 State IL brought it as the game went along.  The 6’4” small forward who recently jumped into the rankings did his damage in the paint finishing off athleticism for 9 points and grabbed 7 boards.  TJ Montgomery provided a spark for the Lancers scoring in the paint on and-1 and floaters in addition to a three for 8 points.  Mason Mosley put a ton of pressure on the ball defensively and played off his defense scoring 6 points and dishing out 3 dimes.

Lanphier just never got it going as they shot 30% for the game.  Still really like Austin Robinson Austin Robinson 6'5" | C Springfield Lanphier | 2023 State IL as a small college big man.  Crafty scorer around the hoop that is efficient with his touches scoring 9 points (3-5 FG).

O’Fallon Goes 2-0 in Event Winning Narrowly over Chaminade

Next up O’Fallon completed their sweep of Missouri foes at the event with a 55-50 victory over Chaminade.  Game was tight throughout going back and forth, but O’Fallon made key plays late to get the win.  Neither team shot it well with both teams in the 37% range missing a lot of bunnies.  Koby Wilmoth Koby Wilmoth 6'8" | PF O'Fallon | 2023 State IL once again showcased why he should be considered heavily for JUCO programs and small colleges.  Legit size and strength to go with skill scoring on the block with hook shots and racked up trips to the line.  He had 14 points and 5 rebounds despite only shooting 3-12 from the field.  Class of 2024 point guard Jaeden Rush Jaeden Rush 6'0" | PG O'Fallon | 2024 State IL made key plays with the rock in his hands going coast to coast and using his handles to create for himself and others as he had 11 points and 7 rebounds.  Rini Harris Rini Harris 6'3" | SG O'Fallon | 2024 State IL continues to be a player we are intrigued by despite not having his best game.  Final line in this one read 12 points (4-6 FG), 8 rebounds, 4 dimes, and 2 steals.  I think what we are realizing with him is that is value is as a box sheet stuffing role player instead of a go to type scorer.

Chaminade got a big outing from their combo guard B.J. Ward B.J. Ward 6'0" | PG Chaminade | 2023 State MO .  The SEMO signee is a strong bodied guard that gets downhill with force.  Finishes with strength around the hoop and has burst in the open floor.  He is a solid three point shooter as he knocked in a trio from deep.  Really like his growth as a passer as he sees the game one step ahead.  Played every minute going for 20 points (8-15 FG) (3-4 3 PT) and 5 dimes. 

Vashon Tops Simeon in Battle of #1 Teams in Illinois/Missouri

This game featured a matchup of the top team in Illinois against the top team in Missouri.  The Show Me State showed out as Vashon scored a 56-46 victory behind a strong fourth quarter.  Their star Southern Illinois commit Kennard Davis Kennard Davis 6'5" | PG Vashon | 2023 MO had a big night.  Combo forward always brings the motor putting it on the deck for straight line takes and getting to the cup in transition.  Hit some tough jumpers including a sweet step back.  Recorded a double double of 17 points (7-10 FG) and 10 rebounds.  Another senior forward Cameron Stovall Cameron Stovall 6'5" | SF Vashon | 2023 State MO made the difference in the second half.  He worked well out of the mid-post as a shooter and driver while also stepping out to hit a three along with swatting a shot.  Finished with 13 points (3-5 FG) (6-7 FT).  He is a sleeper that not a lot of people talk about, but always comes up big for Vashon.  Sophomore Dierre Hill Dierre Hill 6'0" | CG Vashon | 2025 State MO Jr. had a very nice outing as well.  The 2025 point guard put pressure on the Simeon guards defensively while showing growth as an offensive weapon.  Drained a couple threes and hit the offensive glass for put backs for 15 points (6-10 FG) (2-3 3PT) and 4 rebounds.

Simeon was once again led by their senior star Jalen Griffith Jalen Griffith 5'10" | PG Simeon | 2023 State IL .  The unsigned high IQ guard continues to shine game in and game out for the Wolverines.  He scored on spinning layups, floaters, and a three.  His passing was on point as well making some spectacular dishes setting up others.  Finished with 10 points (4-8 FG) and 4 assists.  The problem was outside of Griffith creating for himself and others nobody could really get their own offense going.  Inside the twins each had flashes.  Northern Iowa commit Wesley Rubin Wesley Rubin 6'8" | PF Simeon | 2023 State IL hit a pair of threes and netted an and-1 for 9 points.  Miles Rubin Miles Rubin 6'7" | PF Simeon | 2023 State #243 Nation IL is a Loyola signee that swatted a handful of shots and played off his athleticism for several bouncy conversions for 9 points (4-7 FG) and 4 blocks.    

Joliet West Gets Signature Win as Michigan State Commits Dazzle

The finale had a pair of McDonald’s All-American’s, top ranked seniors in Illinois and Indiana, along with each being signed to Michigan State.  The Spartans duo put on a show as Joliet West got a signature win over Indianapolis Cathedral 60-56.  Joliet West star Jeremy Fears Jeremy Fears 6'1" | PG Joliet West | 2023 State #31 Nation IL looked every bit the #1 senior in Illinois with his performance on Saturday night.  The lead guard controlled the game with his IQ, pace, feel, and athleticism.  Really liked what he did defensively setting the tone getting several steals and blocking shots from his guard spot.  Offensively he was excellent off the bounce slicing and dicing for scores in the paint or going to the charity stripe.  Hit a pair of threes as well.  His feel for running a team in the half court with his poise and vision is college ready as he makes others better making great decisions in ball screen situations.  He had 20 points (6-12 FG), 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks.  It wasn’t his best shooting night for sure but top ranked 2025 point guard Jeremiah Fears Jeremiah Fears 6'2" | PG Joliet West | 2025 State IL still managed to score 12 points in the win despite shooting just 2-15 from the field because he got to the rack.  Also contributed on the boards and was solid as a distributor grabbing 6 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists.

Xavier Booker Xavier Booker 6'11" | PF Cathedral | 2023 State #4 Nation IN was an absolute force for Cathedral.  The Michigan State signee had a pair of massive two handed slams in the early going.  Will need to add strength and learn to use his right hand more, but there is so much to like here.  The athletic pop off the ground along with quickness to the glass is impressive.  Unlike when I saw him in previous games he didn’t settle for jumpers going 1-2 from three.  Rather he dominated inside while also owning the glass on both ends of the floor.  Booker had 20 points (9-18 FG) and 18 rebounds.  Another Big 10 commit impressed except his future is on the gridiron.  Purdue wide receiver signee Jaron Tibbs Jaron Tibbs 6'4" | SF Cathedral | 2023 State IN is a broad shouldered two guard on the hardwood that can really score it.  Won off the bounce finishing with athleticism at the cup on the regular while also draining a pair of threes for 22 points (9-17 FG) ,8 rebounds, and 3 assists.