Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook

It was quite a long day on Saturday at the Prep Hoops Chi-Town Tip Off.  Here I examine what I saw in detail in Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!   Metro East Prospects Shine as Illinois Orange Opens Day with W   First game of the day we saw Illinois Orange 17U defeat AUSA Ed.  Illinois Orange under Malcolm Hill Sr is quickly becoming the one of the top Illinois programs in the metro east as far as getting talent from that area.  They continue to build year after year.  They won 50-29 in their Saturday morning contest.  The prospect that put his name on our radar the most was East St. Louis small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1978581' first='Taylor' last='Powell'].  Look for him to emerge over the next few months as a go to player for this team.  Good frame and size on the wing.  Plays above the rim in transition and is quick to the offensive glass.  Needs to refine his shot and become consistent with that to take his game to the next level.  Belleville West wing [player_tooltip player_id='1750610' first='David' last='Marshall'] caught our eye at the Centralia Holiday Tournament in December.  Like where his game is trending.  Two guard that slashes to spots then rises up for jumpers.  Also a quality defender.  They got all around solid guard play.  Belleville East's [player_tooltip player_id='1874870' first='Tallis' last='Lowery'] is an angular guard that was very impactful turning defense into offense.  Freeburg's Cole Stewart is a gritty guard that scored in transition.  Belleville East's [player_tooltip player_id='1978595' first='Christian' last='Jenkins'] is a compact guard that made key plays as well in the win.  Long term keep an eye out for Belleville East 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1539291' first='Nate' last='Smith'] who was playing up.  Projectable wing that hit a top of the key three and was a force defensively with his length.   Flight Soars Past Illinois Elite   Next up was Flight Athletics 17U against Illinois Elite.  Flight handled Illinois Elite by a final of 68-43.  It was all about their guard play and a potential breakout wing.  [player_tooltip player_id='1978582' first='Jaziah' last='Harper'] from OPRF is a 6'5” small forward that presents size and three level scoring ability.  The southpaw has range on his shot creating and off the catch.  Went for 11 points.  Homewood Flossmoor wing [player_tooltip player_id='1488791' first='Carson' last='Brownfield'] is a thick bodied wing that wills his team scoring baskets with his power and skill combination off the bounce.  Bolingbrook's [player_tooltip player_id='1541243' first='DJ' last='Strong'] is a sound defender at the lead guard spot and has a sweet lefty shooting stroke.    Illinois Elite was led by [player_tooltip player_id='1928970' first='Jack' last='Hiveley'].  The 2024 wing scored 12 points in the loss flashing athleticism in the open floor and on the glass.  Also hit a three.   Greater Purpose Athletics 17U Tops AUSA in Tight Contest   This one came down to the wire with GPA taking home a 76-74 win.  Kenosha (WI) guard [player_tooltip player_id='1289066' first='Dejuan' last='Graise'] came up huge for his squad netting 22 points in the win.  He drained five triples off the catch and swished in step backs.  Also got to the line where he converted free throws.  Prospect to watch out of Wisconsin.  As for their Illinois prospects Rockford Guilford two guard [player_tooltip player_id='1282464' first='Malachi' last='Johnson'] got his team going with his perimeter shooting hitting three from distance as he had 11 points.  Later in the day he took it up even another notch with 25 points.  Rockford Auburn two guard [player_tooltip player_id='1874864' first='Rakim' last='Chaney'] is a tough wing that scored 14 points against AUSA.  Good slasher that crashes the glass and has a solid jump shot.  St. Viator two guard [player_tooltip player_id='2104829' first='Mitch' last='Humphrey'] proved to be a plus shooter draining four triples both off the catch and pulling up for 12 points.   Roberts and Love Look Like Real Deal in [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 15U Win   Was really looking forward to evaluating several of the [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 15U prospects who we have only seen on tape.  Proviso West scoring point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1845363' first='Rajan' last='Roberts'] more than lived up to the hype!  He was phenomenal in their blowout win over FVV.  Roberts dropped 28 points scoring absolutely at will.  The 6'1” lead guard has a strong frame and can score effectively from all three levels.  Has a little Damian Lillard to his repertoire.  Shoots deep threes, blows past defenders to the rim, and was excellent defensively.  Manley center [player_tooltip player_id='1845356' first='Jaali' last='Love'] has upside written all over him.  Long and lean post that stands at about 6'7” is a rim runner getting up and down the floor with fluidity.  Right handed hook shots, tip ins, and snatching rebounds with force.  Has top of the class potential along with Roberts.  He had 8 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='1845355' first='Latrell' last='Kelley'] is a smaller guard that is a scorer first with a pull up game around ball screens and using his quickness in the open floor.   [program_tooltip program_id='2075467' first='ET21' last='Buckeyes'] 17U Rolls   The Buckeyes opened up a big lead and finished with a 74-47 win against AUSA Zach.  Timothy Christian small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1520340' first='Alex' last='Keizer'] is a plus shooter off the catch that is one of the better pure shot makers in the class as a catch and shoot guy.  Displayed that on Saturday afternoon.  Brother Rice point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1436161' first='Cale' last='Cosme'] is one of the most fun players to watch.  He hits threes, passes with flair, and has a creative soft touch finishing game.   Johnson Calls Game in [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 16U Win Over M14   The game between [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] and M14 went down to the wire as St. Laurence guard [player_tooltip player_id='1766462' first='Zerrick' last='Johnson'] did what he is best at which is getting downhill for a bucket to win the game. Niles Notre Dame 2025 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1434463' first='Brady' last='Sehlhorst'] got them going in the first half. Straight line takes off dribble handoffs, plus three point shooter, and got out in transition after steals for buckets. Finished with 10 points. [player_tooltip player_id='1766497' first='Zion' last='Gross'] is a long and lanky small forward with a ton of projectability. Fluid running the floor and playing above the rim as he had 10 points. St. Rita point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1385290' first='Amari' last='Edwards'] always does a great job of setting up teammates while still getting his points. Went for 10 points.   On the M14 side it was all about the continued rise of Batavia 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1295579' first='Jax' last='Abalos'].  Three days in a row and he has hardly missed.  At 6'6” he has plus size and an elite sniper stroke scoring 11 points.   Team Ten [player_tooltip player_id='2394366' first='Jabari' last=''] Wins Thriller Over 94 Feet Elite   Team Ten [player_tooltip player_id='2394366' first='Jabari' last=''] scored a 45-44 win as John Harrison from Herrin went 1/2 from the line to give his team the victory.  Yorkville shooting guard Jorey Boley is a big bodied scoring wing with range on his three point shot where he is especially effective off the catch.  He had 12 points.  Early in the game Whitney Young's [player_tooltip player_id='1157220' first='Sean' last='Brown-Coley'] was impactful with his crafty scoring at the rim netting 7 points.  Mt. Vernon bowling ball scoring guard [player_tooltip player_id='1761128' first='Navontae' last='Nesbit']t broke out in the second half of the high school season.  Downhill driver who puts pressure on the rim had 10 points.   For 94 Feet out of Indiana had several prospects that look the part.  [player_tooltip player_id='1158959' first='Alec' last='Platipodis'] is a lefty four man that ran the floor, passed it, and was a wall at the rim blocking shots.  Also liked what we saw out of their other big man [player_tooltip player_id='1158224' first='Daniel' last='Garza'].  Skilled power forward that can take it from the high post, score on back cuts, and stretch the floor.  Also displayed his athleticism off a steal for a dunk scoring 10 points.   Dabbs and Lathos Lead Way for All-In Athletics 17U   AIA's top 17U took home the victory against AUSA.  Stevenson small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1541237' first='Jack' last='Dabbs'] has a super skilled game with feathery jumpers from all over the floor.  Corner threes, pick and pop bombs, and mid-range jumpers off the dribble.  Solid wing passer and is a quality athlete.  Conant big man [player_tooltip player_id='1978579' first='Camden' last='Lathos'] is a crafty low post scorer that has hook shots and seals.  Finishes on dump offs.   M14 Adidas 15U Tops All In-Athletics   We saw them in a workout on Thursday and then in game action on Friday.  [player_tooltip player_id='2105431' first='OJ' last='Powell']'s athleticism, [player_tooltip player_id='1552408' first='TJ' last='Williams'] slick scoring, Mason Lockett's scoring at the cup, and [player_tooltip player_id='1874810' first='Jayden' last='Riley']'s pinpoint passing led them to a 58-42 win.   Posts Duel in All-In Athletics 16U Win over [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package']   This game wasn't very close as All-In Athletics 16U took care of [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 47-26.  Lake Zurich 6'6” post [player_tooltip player_id='1766464' first='Anton' last='Strelnikov'] is a crafty post that has good strength.  He is excellent at using hook shots and sound footwork for 13 points.  Marist 2025 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1766478' first='Achillies' last='Anderson'] is a thick wing that brings an all-around skilled game as a versatile scorer and wing playmaker going for 10 points.    [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] had a super intriguing 6'9” 2026 center playing up for them in Benet's [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'].  Plus shot blocker that was a force protecting the rim.  Elite shot blocking presence.  The offensive game is raw, but he has plenty of time.  [player_tooltip player_id='1385306' first='Colby' last='Smith'] from New Trier led [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] with 13 points on an array of silky jumpers from two and three.   Recap of Australian Prospects on Saturday   We saw AUSA Ed in the first game of the morning as they fell to Illinois Orange.  Phillip Tawil is a thick bodied 6'3” wing that was lights out with pull up mid-range jumpers and threes off the catch.  Worth a look at the small college level.  On the AUSA Sepo squad they made a valiant comeback attempt before just falling short to GPA.  Issac Ayoubi is a combo guard that was so fun to watch.  Creative scorer that won off the bounce and was excellent maneuvering around defenders for conversions at the cup in a 23 point outing.  Nevada Higgins got off to another fast start in AUSA Brook's Saturday game.  Bouncy power forward pushed in transition throwing down a nasty dunk along with draining a few feathery jumpers.  I am a huge fan of Tyler O'Neil.  The Australian lead guard is such an advanced passer and can run an offense to perfection.   Quick Hitters   Springfield Lanphier 2025 small forward Shaunassey Hatchett showed why he is among the best wings in central Illinois.  Strong and athletic three man that wins off the bounce, dominates the offensive glass for second chance points, and continues to flash improvements on his jumper.   [player_tooltip player_id='1436612' first='Aaron' last='Cook'] from [program_tooltip program_id='2078376' first='Illinois' last='Attack'] 17U left an impression on us with his length and scoring ability on the perimeter along with getting up and down the floor.   Andrea Holden of R4L out of Ohio was a relentless offensive rebounder that was quick to the offensive glass for put backs.

It was quite a long day on Saturday at the Prep Hoops Chi-Town Tip Off. Here I examine what I saw in detail in Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!