Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Chi-Town Tip Off began on Friday night in Romeoville with a big slate of games.&nbsp; Here I breakdown what I saw in <strong>Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B's Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Rose 3SSB 17U Tops AUSA Brook in Competitive Opener</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first game we caught it was a comeback win for Team Rose as they knocked off the top program out of Australia AUSA Brook in a 17u contest 62-56.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1352590' first='Gianni' last='Cobb'] had it cooking for Team Rose.&nbsp; The Perspectives transfer will play his senior season at Homewood Flossmoor.&nbsp; One of the better lead guards in the Illinois 2024 class.&nbsp; Jet quick with the rock in his hands winning on straight line takes and using his speed to get to the cup in transition.&nbsp; Has body control shielding defenders finishing or getting it up on the rim drawing a foul.&nbsp; Also mixed in some mid-range jumpers and floaters.&nbsp; Their other two highly ranked wings showed flashes as well.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1285492' first='Lee' last='Marks'] from Mt. Carmel is a high-motor small forward that crashes the offensive glass, scored on cuts, and put it on the deck.&nbsp; De La Salle wing [player_tooltip player_id='1285485' first='Richard' last='Lindsey'] is a strong bodied wing with a feathery perimeter game knocking in jumpers while showing athleticism.&nbsp; St. Rita shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2104990' first='Graham' last='Lathan'] showed two way potential as a spot up shooter with a sweet stroke and defending well on the perimeter.&nbsp; Michigan combo guard Daniel Smythe caught our attention as a plus three point shooter with feel as a secondary ball handler/passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AUSA Brook had several prospects that made impressions on college coaches.&nbsp; The group from Australia full of 2023 unsigned prospects boast a quality group of players that will play at the college level.&nbsp; Really liked the play of point guard Tyler O'Neil.&nbsp; The strong bodied O'Neil showed an excellent feel for the game as a distributor and making those around him better.&nbsp; Inside Tasman Goodrick used his 6'10” size to pound the offensive glass for put backs and showed touch around the hoop.&nbsp; Also blocked several shots.&nbsp; D2s should take a look.&nbsp; Lucas Morgan is a high-motor wing that impacted on both ends of the floor.&nbsp; Sound shooter, nifty finisher at the cup, and was a gritty wing defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pair of Unranked 2025s Go Back and Forth</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up we saw Fundamental U UA Rise against M14 Adidas Gold 16U.&nbsp; In this one there were a pair of prospects that jumped off the floor.&nbsp; Prairie Ridge 2025 shooting guard Ben Gablenz put his name on our radar with a strong performance.&nbsp; Shot it well from three, won on straight line takes, and was outstanding as a defender.&nbsp; Moved his feet and got steals.&nbsp; We saw Batavia's [player_tooltip player_id='1295579' first='Jax' last='Abalos'] the night before at a M14 workout.&nbsp; It was more of the same as he will make a nice debut in our next update.&nbsp; Plus shooter with size at 6'6”.&nbsp; Quick release and is automatic off the catch.&nbsp; Also is a decent athlete the can make plays off the move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Davis and Brooks Jr Live Up to Billing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was very much looking forward to this matchup coming into the event.&nbsp; Illinois Central Elite vs Chicago Grit N Grind 17U.&nbsp; The interesting part is the top prospects on both sides were playing up.&nbsp; Illinois Central Elite's star [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] is a 2027 incoming freshman at Warren while for Grit N Grind it is top 10 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] Jr.&nbsp; The game wasn't very close as Illinois Central Elite won 72-40.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had been told by reliable sources that Davis is the top 2027 to watch.&nbsp; He showed it recording 40 points playing up three age levels.&nbsp; It was one of those wow moments as a scout.&nbsp; It was my first look at him and he put on a show!&nbsp; Started off hitting a corner three right in front of me banking it in.&nbsp; The perimeter jumper was on point as he hit a couple other threes along with getting in the mid-range for multiple pull up twos.&nbsp; The lefty has a quick release and repeatable mechanics every time off the catch or pulling up.&nbsp; Shifty ball handler that showed creativity scoring at the rim in both the half court and transition.&nbsp; Very high IQ player that makes sound decisions.&nbsp; Changes gears and directions on a dime.&nbsp; Also is a good passer that had several dump off passes and moved the ball in the half court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also for ICE in their win we liked what we saw from [player_tooltip player_id='1295522' first='Davee' last='Flowers'] of Niles West.&nbsp; The two guard was effective with his all-around game as a scorer, passer, and rebounder.&nbsp; Solid athlete that showed handles off the bounce getting to the cup for 10 points.&nbsp; Niles North 6'6” power forward Aidan Ashley was a prospect that caught our attention as a rebounder and shot blocker while finishing out of the dunker spot for 6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grit N Grind was led with a massive outing from top 10 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] Jr.&nbsp; He went from unknown to a major buzz about him after a massive sophomore campaign.&nbsp; As always he stuffed the stat sheet for 23 points, 10 rebounds, 6 blocks, and 2 steals.&nbsp; The size at 6'6” with broad shoulders and plus athleticism jump off the floor to you.&nbsp; Totally looks the part and then he plays up to his physical tools.&nbsp; As a scorer he can get you a bucket in almost any way possible.&nbsp; Very effective putting it on the deck from the high-post, loves to play in transition, and is a major factor as an offensive rebounder.&nbsp; His quick second jump got him quite a few points.&nbsp; Defensively he is a force as a shot blocker and has all the tools to be a monster defender at the college level.&nbsp; Mid-majors should be involved NOW!&nbsp; High-majors need to monitor him.&nbsp; His brother [player_tooltip player_id='1766465' first='Ikee' last='Brooks'] is a scoring point guard that can shoot it as he hit several jumpers going for 15 points.&nbsp; Flashes passing feel, but is best as a scoring guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->