Game Changers: Midwest Melee X-Factors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHI was at Midwest Melee all weekend for a big time event!  This week we will have a full examination of the event and prospects in it.  Here are <strong>Game Changers: X-Factors</strong> that made a huge difference for their teams!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>This content series is sponsored by </em><a href="https://gc.com/home/football?utm_source=prepredzone&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=2022prepredzone&amp;utm_content=gamechangeroftheevent&amp;utm_term=partner"><em>GameChanger</em></a><em> – The Official Scorekeeping, Stats, Team Management &amp; Technology Partner of Prep Hoops Next.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552461' first='Ethan' last='Matz'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2076264' first='Illinois' last='Central Elite'] 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matz is a guard that brought a spark for ICE in their Friday night contest.&nbsp; Scrappy guard that finishes nifty layups around the rim, drive/kick dishes, and is a capable shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nasir Sears (Illinois T-Wolves 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sears was constantly in attack mode pushing in the open floor and being aggressive taking it downhill for the T-Wolves.&nbsp; Like the aggressiveness that he played with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105166' first='Vincas' last='Buzelis'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Buzelis is the younger brother of Matas, but is a quality prospect in his own right.&nbsp; Had a few of the more spectacular plays of the weekend with behind the back finishes and monster jams in traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2078939' first='Isaac' last='Wit'] (M14 National 1 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wit is a sleeper wing with his length and solid all-around skill set.&nbsp; Finishes around the hoop, can post up, and has a nose for the basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1373448' first='Askia' last='Bullie'] (DTM 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Westinghouse point guard lit it up in their Sunday game we saw them play.&nbsp; Shifty ball handler with the rock on a string did a nice job of distributing the ball and mixing in some scores off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598775' first='Thon' last='Bill'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075467' first='ET21' last='Buckeyes'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bill is a center that can protect the rim with the best of them in the 2024 class.&nbsp; High-level shot blocker and defensive rebounder.&nbsp; Offensively shows flashes, but is fairly raw.&nbsp; Like how he runs the floor hard for points in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1845355' first='Latrell' last='Kelley'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelley is a microwave scorer that can get hot in a hurry!&nbsp; The Farragut scoring guard had his moments throughout the event where he drained pull ups and got to the foul line at a high rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552402' first='Ethan' last='Iacob'] (M14 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iacob was the standout in their first game as he came off the bench to being their most productive player.&nbsp; Got to the line, hit the glass for second chance points, and even knocked in a deep ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105424' first='Brian' last='Harper'] (Team FVV 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harper was rock solid all weekend for FVV.&nbsp; Point guard from Rockford Auburn that was active on the defensive end and made shots when he had open looks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295644' first='Treshawn' last='Blissett'] (M14 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and lanky small forward that was very active around hoop finishing out of the dunker spot over and over in their Saturday contest.&nbsp; Played with good energy and was active on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1978600' first='Cyrus' last='Jones'] (Grit N Grind 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is a tough guard from Julian that does the little things.&nbsp; Quality passer that when aggressive is actually a quality scorer with a nice runner game and finishing in the paint.&nbsp; Potential as a defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1434463' first='Brady' last='Sehlhorst'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Niles Notre Dame 2025 wing is one of the best x-factor players in the state.&nbsp; Versatile three level scorer that can really shoot it, athletic finishes in open floor, and plays really hard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daniel Smythe ([program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Michigan native was a big time shot maker as always for [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'].&nbsp; One of the more consistent three point marksmen we have seen this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Antestis Hadjistamoulou (Greater Purpose Athletics 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tough as nails lead guard that is a crafty finisher, hits threes, and has a knack for making the right play at the right time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105092' first='Brandon' last='Watson'] (Greater Purpose Athletics 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watson was an impact guard for GPA 17U in their final game.&nbsp; The Evanston guard stands at 5'9” and uses his speed to push in the open floor while also draining some key threes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->