Midwest Melee: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Midwest Melee kicked off on Friday night and we took in 15U and 16U action over at Zone 250.&nbsp; Check out the highlights here in <strong>Midwest Melee: Scotty B's Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ICE Davis 15U Impresses in Win Over Wisconsin Crusaders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first game of the night we saw Illinois Central Elite record a 61-38 victory.&nbsp; A trio led the way for them starting with [player_tooltip player_id='1552461' first='Ethan' last='Matz'].&nbsp; The Carmel 6'2” lead guard was effective as ball handler creating for himself and others.&nbsp; Got in the lane for crafty scores finishing with either hand.&nbsp; Hit jumpers including a three and was a good passer in the lane.&nbsp; His backcourt mate was Rolling Meadows guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552466' first='Andrew' last='Krestel'] who scored on nifty layups.&nbsp; Strong forward [player_tooltip player_id='1552464' first='Kenan' last='Pekovic'] is a 2026 from Rolling Meadows that can score inside and out.&nbsp; Seals on the block, hook shots, and stretched it out to three on at a good clip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The bright spot for Wisconsin Crusaders 15U was their top prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1561872' first='Roan' last='Koeper'].&nbsp; The skilled 6'9” center impressed with his shot blocking, rebounding in his area, and scoring in the post with touch.&nbsp; Also liked how well he passed to shooters out of the high and mid post area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Illinois Attack Comes Back in 16U Contest with Illinois T-Wolves</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up was an Illinois clash as Illinois Attack topped Illinois T-Wolves 61-55.&nbsp; They came from behind to get the win.&nbsp; Benet 5'10” 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1598658' first='Blake' last='Fagbemi'] jumped off the floor with his innate feel for running a team.&nbsp; He made excellent decisions over and over again finding teammates for quality looks.&nbsp; Mixed in scoring with threes and scoring in the paint.&nbsp; Can see him being the next leader for Benet at the point.&nbsp; Damien Levandowski is a strong bodied forward that was productive scoring around the hoop with efficiency out of the dunker spot, rim runs, and put backs.&nbsp; Keep an eye out for this Oswego East forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Illinois T-Wolves were led by [player_tooltip player_id='1598766' first='Ramzy' last='Barbarawi'] from Lockport.&nbsp; Well built two guard that has a plus perimeter jump shot that he made on the baseline and from three.&nbsp; Plays with a good motor.&nbsp; Nasir Sears from Joliet West also caught our attention with his speed in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Illinois Drive 2025 Shines</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marty Dempsey is a Taft 2025 shooting guard that plays with swagger and that translated into production for Illinois Drive.&nbsp; Made tough shots over and over from deep from three.&nbsp; Also had scoop shots and has an artistic feel for passing the rock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Flight Athletics 7^th Grader Playing Up Makes Name</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wasn't quite sure who #8 was for Flight Athletics 15U.&nbsp; Later in the night I found out it was a 2028 prospect playing up two ages named Cole Kelly.&nbsp; What I liked about Cole was his size as a wing and how he did a little bit of everything.&nbsp; Blocked multiple shots, long outlets, clean looking shot, and has projectability long term.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->