Chi Town TipOff: Teddy’s Sunday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15u Blizzard</strong> <strong>Storms Past Wisconsin Elite</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game was a mismatch from the opening tip, as the Blizzard opened the game on an 18-2 run. Two players in particular really impressed. Point Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2408974' first='Max' last='Rohr'] displayed terrific ball-handling skills and knocked down a couple tough 3's in the opening half. Down low was the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='2391083' first='Kyler' last='Marks']. The strength and size from the 6'4” forward created havoc in the paint. He scored a couple easy buckets over multiple defenders in the opening half. He then banked in a three at the buzzer to end the opening half.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>IL Elite got back in it a little with a couple three's by Matt Saunders, finishing with five in the contest. But it wouldn't be enough to overcome. [player_tooltip player_id='2391083' first='Kyler' last='Marks'] continued to impress in the paint, while Bryce Ott used some solid length inside to crash the boards, hit a three, and knock down a couple more inside buckets. Wisconsin Blizzard would win 70-46. Marks ended with 21 points</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Royalty 2025 downs Lincoln</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cameron Johnson opened the game strong with a floater and two assists on Royalty's first three buckets. He continued to keep the momentum in their favor by forcing a couple turnovers and knocking down free throws. Similarly, Marcus Russell showed just as much toughness forcing numerous turnovers on defense and scoring nine opening half points. Royalty Hoops was up big at the break. Johnson stayed hot with back-to-back midrange shots to open the second half, while Russell threw down a dunk in transition and forced more turnovers on defense. Royalty ran away with this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side, Logan Darragh put on quite the performance, especially in the first h. The 6'4 F has lots of length and made plays on both ends of the floor. Getting to the line, scoring inside, and blocking shots, while also hitting some outside shots.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Lake Erie Defenders Goes Unbeaten</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a lot to like about this Lake Erie Defenders team from northeast Ohio. They have the size and skills to compete with anyone their level. 6'7” Forward Khalid Ousman started their final game with two tough jump shots on offense, but was all over the place defensively. I counted at least seven blocks and 12 rebounds in a dominant showing. He's super athletic and with long arms and wide shoulders. This forced opponents to take many tough shots and it worked well in his favor. He also had a breakaway slam in transition about seven minutes in and some more inside finishes. Another player, [player_tooltip player_id='1493743' first='Matt' last='Biddell'] knocked down two midrange shots and two three's to go along with 14 points in the opening half. While 6'5” SG Joey DeGeorge hit numerous 3's in this one and found a few more buckets inside. He's got the build and skillset to be a solid shooting guard at the collegiate level. He finished with 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-Business for Royalty 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Royalty got off to a 14-0 start with many contributors.&nbsp; Even better, the defense held All-In to just three points in the first twelve minutes. Forward Andrew Thomas of Royalty Hoops had some impressive plays near the hoop, while Henry Thomas hit a pair of three's in the opening half. AJ Tillman showed lots of athleticism with a two dunks in the second half, along with a pair of jumpers in the opening period. He led Royalty to a demanding win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->