Midwest Melee: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook

It was a jam-packed day of hoops at Batavia on Saturday for the second day of Midwest Melee.  I dive into all the games and prospects in Midwest Melee: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!   [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Gold 17U Starts Day Strong   First game of Saturday we took in [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Gold vs [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'].  [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] scored a 53-48 win.  Libertyville 2023 center [player_tooltip player_id='1476096' first='Aidyn' last='Boone'] came up big as the five man stretched the floor with his shooting along with sealing and scoring on the block for 12 points.  Their floor general [player_tooltip player_id='1564889' first='Aidan' last='Bardic'] is a 2025 point guard that was a catalyst for them in the victory.  He has an excellent feel for the game getting others involved while picking his spots to score.  Sunrise Christian wing [player_tooltip player_id='2105166' first='Vincas' last='Buzelis'] had the two “wow” plays with one on a behind the back layup in traffic which was later followed by a monster jam through defenders.   Oak Lawn shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1766472' first='Donte' last='Montgomery'] is a projectable two guard that is wired to score.  The long and thin wing has three level scoring pop.  [player_tooltip player_id='1439013' first='Julien' last='Doyle'] is a 2025 name to monitor from Simeon.  Long and rangy small forward that impacted defensively and scored off his energy.   DTM 17U Scores Victory Behind Faber and Ali   Over to the fieldhouse for this one where DTM won 60-49 against Spartan Sports 17U.  A pair jumped off the floor to us for DTM.  First was Thornwood 6'5” power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1978580' first='Kaden' last='Faber'].  Ton of projectability here with his frame, length, and athleticism.  Was active on the offensive glass and playing off his energy for 13 points.  Westinghouse 6'3” two guard Trevon Ali proved to be a quality perimeter shooter in a 17 point outing.   On the other side the top prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1541253' first='Joey' last='Pantazis'] from Niles West put up points as always notching 18 points.  One of the more unheralded shooters in the 2024 class.  Strong body and can put it on the deck with some toughness too.   [program_tooltip program_id='2075467' first='ET21' last='Buckeyes'] Light Up Nets for 92-62 Win   This one was not close as [program_tooltip program_id='2075467' first='ET21' last='Buckeyes'] knocked off [program_tooltip program_id='2078376' first='Illinois' last='Attack'] at the 17U level.  [player_tooltip player_id='1978594' first='Corey' last='Lee'] is a new name that made an impression.  The 6'1” combo guard has a well built frame and is a flat out bucket getter!  Made threes in bunches, got to the line, and was a good passer as well.  [player_tooltip player_id='1428948' first='Ryan' last='Runaas'] had his moments especially in transition.  Brother Rice exciting 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1436161' first='Cale' last='Cosme'] has a nose for the ball always making plays.  [player_tooltip player_id='1598775' first='Thon' last='Bill'] is one of the better defensive posts in the 2024 class with his shot blocking and defensive rebounding.   Bright spot for [program_tooltip program_id='2078376' first='Illinois' last='Attack'] was [player_tooltip player_id='2374547' first='Noah' last='Mason'].  The Oswego East 6'3” small forward is a plus shooter from both two and three that has an effortless release from deep.   Roberts Leads Way in Low Scoring [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 15U Win   The M14 Adidas Gold vs [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 15U game was loaded with prospects.  Despite that it was a super low scoring contest.  In the end [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] won as [player_tooltip player_id='1845356' first='Jaali' last='Love'] swatted a shot at the rim for the win.  Proviso West combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1845363' first='Rajan' last='Roberts'] looked the part of the top guard in the class in this one netting 16 points scoring effectively from all three levels.  Strong guard that can take over games.   York 2026 glue guy [player_tooltip player_id='1552402' first='Ethan' last='Iacob'] was at his best in this one. The 6'3” rising sophomore crashed the offensive glass, got to the line, and hit a three.   [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 16U Group Has Emerging Names   Enjoyed checking out this [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 16U group as they have a trio of prospects to monitor. Lets start with the youngest as Benet 2026 five man [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] is playing up a year. Has legit size already. Shot blocking presence that rebounds well in his area and has touch in the paint. Even stretched to three once. His teammate 2025 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1598682' first='Daniel' last='Pauliukonis'] is a skinny and skilled four that can put it on the deck with spin moves showing improved handles. Bright future for him. Fremd 2025 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1545144' first='Samuel' last='Hirsch'] is a well built 6'3” two guard with a big time perimeter shot and precise off ball passing.   [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 15U Scores Overtime W in Game of Day vs Team FVV Elite   This was by far the best game of the day.  Team FVV Elite jumped out to a big lead before [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] rushed back to tie it at the end of regulation before winning in OT 64-60.  Manley power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1845356' first='Jaali' last='Love'] showed in this one why he is primed to be the top prospect among big men in the 2026 class.  Broad shouldered and wiry four man was phenomenal recording 21 points scoring on dunks, seals, slips, in transition, put backs, and spins.  Great feel for scoring around the hoop and he was dominant as a defensive rebounder along with swatting shots.  St. Rita 2025 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552394' first='Andre' last='Tyler'] showed what we first saw back in October at Pangos.  The rangy two guard took it into another gear in the second half willing his team with acrobatic finishes one after another along with the rebound and put back to send the game to OT.  Best we have seen Tyler play since that camp as he had 18 points.  Farragut point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1845355' first='Latrell' last='Kelley'] was active defensively and made key shots and free throws for 10 points.   On the other side a quartet of guards were great for Team FVV Elite.  All four go to Rockford Auburn and are going to be quite a group to watch grow the next three years.  [player_tooltip player_id='2105407' first='Champ' last='Parker'] got things going early on with pull ups, shifty takes, and getting to the rim.  He had 13 points.  Top prospect among this group is [player_tooltip player_id='1845353' first='Amir' last='Danforth'].  The two guard has good length along with a three point shot which has a ton of arc on it.  Strong with the ball especially in the open floor.  He had 16 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2323314' first='Mikwan' last='Marshall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2105424' first='Brian' last='Harper'] are two other guards to track that had nice games.   M14 Adidas Gold 17U Wings Impress in In-State Win   Fun battle here as M14 scored a 17U victory against Hoops4Health.  Metea Valley 6'5” small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1978583' first='Will' last='Ashford'] had 16 points in the win knocking in feathery jumpers and displaying some explosion on a big dunk.  Plainfield North two guard [player_tooltip player_id='1295649' first='Jeffrey' last='Fleming'] is a tough as nails wing that rebounds for second chance points and is physical finishing in the paint.  He had 14 points.  Waubonsie Valley two guard [player_tooltip player_id='1295644' first='Treshawn' last='Blissett'] is a wiry and athletic guard that was in attack mode and finishing out of the dunker spot for 12 points.  Naperville North point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1295542' first='Bryce' last='Welch'] had the dunk of the day throwing down a nasty one handed jam over a defender.   Plainfield South 6'1” two guard [player_tooltip player_id='1295566' first='Devin' last='Tyda'] was the show for Hoops4Health notching 25 points.  Three triples, a plethora of 15-18 foot jumpers, and playing off his defense.  New name to track in 2024.   Closed Gyms Edges [program_tooltip program_id='2075873' first='Chicagoland' last='Grit N Grind'] in Talented 17U Forward Battle   Fun game here as Closed Gyms won behind a well balanced guard attack and their star forward Samuel Hans.  Hans lit it up last weekend and that continued on Saturday.  More spot up threes in bunches along with rim runs as we had him for 14 points.    Grit N Grind's star is Hansberry 2025 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] Jr.  Showed flashes of his immense potential in the first half with sweeping layups and smooth takes.  Jumper wasn't falling.  Got his team back in the game late swatting shots and getting steals then taking the rock coast to coast for scores.  He had 19 points.  His brother [player_tooltip player_id='1766465' first='Ikee' last='Brooks'] had a solid outing of 10 points mixing his passing and scoring at a nice rate.  Speed with the ball is impressive.   Team FVV Wins Narrowly Over [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 16U to Close Night   FVV got their revenge from their 15U team losing earlier in the day as they beat [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] at the 16U level to close out the night 68-64.  Rockford Guilford wing [player_tooltip player_id='1963960' first='Jaden' last='Webster'] was lights out from distance draining five triples en route to 18 points.  Rockford East 2025 wing [player_tooltip player_id='2538988' first='Sterling' last='Hoarde'] is a versatile two way wing that scored from all three levels and the charity stripe for 21 points.   St. Laurence combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1766462' first='Zerrick' last='Johnson'] got [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] rolling early with his attacking style getting to the cup and showing improved passing as he had 9 points.  Lake Zurich post [player_tooltip player_id='1766464' first='Anton' last='Strelnikov'] had multiple spin moves on the block along with a top of the key three for 10 points.  Niles Notre Dame wing [player_tooltip player_id='1434463' first='Brady' last='Sehlhorst'] has been a PHI favorite for a while with his three point shooting and creative finishing.   Quick Hitters   [player_tooltip player_id='1295606' first='Cameron' last='Morel'] is a 6'3” 2024 two guard from M14 National 1 who lit up the nets at record pace in the morning game we caught.  Plus shooter with strength and size will find a home at the small college level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1372556' first='Luke' last='Smith'] is a 2025 guard from Addison Trail that shined in the second half of their game we caught.  The All-In Athletics Gold guard drained an array of threes mixing in some nifty layups finishing with difficulty.   Indiana Ambition 2025 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1766507' first='Mitchel' last='Edwards'] is from Carmi in southern Illinois.  Skilled four that can stretch the floor with his shooting notching several along with rim running and being active on the offensive glass.   In that same game Powerhouse 16U point guard Ian Peters is a 5'9” Evanston rising junior that caught fire from distance in the second half.  Hit an array of threes and was a solid drive and kick passer.

It was a jam-packed day of hoops at Batavia on Saturday for the second day of Midwest Melee. I dive into all the games and prospects in Midwest Melee: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!