Midwest Melee: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook
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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! Full Package Gold 17U Starts Day Strong…
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Continue ReadingIt 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!
Full Package Gold 17U Starts Day Strong
First game of Saturday we took in Full Package Gold vs The Work Foundation . Full Package scored a 53-48 win. Libertyville 2023 center Aidyn Boone Aidyn Boone 6'5" | C Central | 2023 State IL 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 Aidan Bardic Aidan Bardic 6'3" | PG Stevenson | 2025 State IL 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 Vincas Buzelis Vincas Buzelis 6'5" | SF Hinsdale Central | 2025 State IL 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 Donte Montgomery Donte Montgomery 6'2" | SG Oak Lawn | 2025 State IL is a projectable two guard that is wired to score. The long and thin wing has three level scoring pop. Julien Doyle Julien Doyle 6'4" | SF Simeon | 2025 State IL 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 Kaden Faber Kaden Faber 6'5" | PF Thornwood | 2024 State IL . 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 Joey Pantazis Joey Pantazis 6'2" | SG Niles West | 2024 State IL 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.
ET21 Buckeyes Light Up Nets for 92-62 Win
This one was not close as ET21 Buckeyes knocked off Illinois Attack at the 17U level. Corey Lee Corey Lee 6'2" | PG Oak Lawn | 2024 State IL 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. Ryan Runaas Ryan Runaas 6'0" | PG Lemont | 2024 State IL had his moments especially in transition. Brother Rice exciting 2024 guard Cale Cosme Cale Cosme 5'7" | PG Brother Rice | 2024 State IL has a nose for the ball always making plays. Thon Bill is one of the better defensive posts in the 2024 class with his shot blocking and defensive rebounding.
Bright spot for Illinois Attack was Noah Mason Noah Mason 6'3" | SF Oswego East | 2024 State IL . 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 Team Rose 15U Win
The M14 Adidas Gold vs Team Rose 15U game was loaded with prospects. Despite that it was a super low scoring contest. In the end Team Rose won as Jaali Love Jaali Love 6'7" | PF Manley | 2026 State IL swatted a shot at the rim for the win. Proviso West combo guard Rajan Roberts Rajan Roberts 6'2" | PG Kenwood | 2026 State IL 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 Ethan Iacob Ethan Iacob 6'2" | SF Benet Academy | 2026 IL was at his best in this one. The 6’3” rising sophomore crashed the offensive glass, got to the line, and hit a three.
Full Package 16U Group Has Emerging Names
Enjoyed checking out this Full Package 16U group as they have a trio of prospects to monitor. Lets start with the youngest as Benet 2026 five man Colin Stack Colin Stack 6'9" | C Benet | 2026 State IL 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 Daniel Pauliukonis Daniel Pauliukonis 6'8" | SF Benet | 2025 State IL 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 Samuel Hirsch Samuel Hirsch 6'3" | SG Fremd | 2025 State IL is a well built 6’3” two guard with a big time perimeter shot and precise off ball passing.
Team 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 Team Rose rushed back to tie it at the end of regulation before winning in OT 64-60. Manley power forward Jaali Love Jaali Love 6'7" | PF Manley | 2026 State IL 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 Andre Tyler Andre Tyler 6'4" | SG Simeon | 2026 State IL 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 Latrell Kelley Latrell Kelley 5'10" | PG Chi-Prep | 2026 State IL 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. Champ Parker Champ Parker 6'0" | PG Rockford Auburn | 2026 State IL 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 Amir Danforth Amir Danforth 6'1" | SG Rockford Auburn | 2026 State IL . 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. Mikwan Marshall Mikwan Marshall 5'10" | PG Rockford Auburn | 2026 State IL and Brian Harper Brian Harper 5'10" | PG Rockford Auburn | 2026 State IL 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 Will Ashford Will Ashford 6'5" | SF Metea Valley | 2024 State IL had 16 points in the win knocking in feathery jumpers and displaying some explosion on a big dunk. Plainfield North two guard Jeffrey Fleming Jeffrey Fleming 6'4" | SG Plainfield North | 2024 State IL 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 Treshawn Blissett Treshawn Blissett 6'5" | SF Waubonsie Valley | 2024 State IL 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 Bryce Welch Bryce Welch 6'2" | PG Naperville North | 2024 State IL had the dunk of the day throwing down a nasty one handed jam over a defender.
Plainfield South 6’1” two guard Devin Tyda Devin Tyda 6'1" | SG Plainfield South | 2024 State IL 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 Chicagoland 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 Al Brooks Al Brooks 6'6" | SF Hansberry | 2025 State #239 Nation IL 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 Ikee Brooks Ikee Brooks 5'11" | PG Hansberry | 2025 State IL 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 Team Rose 16U to Close Night
FVV got their revenge from their 15U team losing earlier in the day as they beat Team Rose at the 16U level to close out the night 68-64. Rockford Guilford wing Jaden Webster Jaden Webster 6'3" | SG Rockford Guilford | 2025 IL was lights out from distance draining five triples en route to 18 points. Rockford East 2025 wing Sterling Hoarde is a versatile two way wing that scored from all three levels and the charity stripe for 21 points.
St. Laurence combo guard Zerrick Johnson Zerrick Johnson 6'2" | PG St. Laurence | 2025 State IL got Team Rose rolling early with his attacking style getting to the cup and showing improved passing as he had 9 points. Lake Zurich post Anton Strenlnikov Anton Strenlnikov 6'6" | C Lake Zurich | 2025 State IL had multiple spin moves on the block along with a top of the key three for 10 points. Niles Notre Dame wing Brady Sehlhorst Brady Sehlhorst 6'6" | SF Niles Notre Dame | 2025 State IL has been a PHI favorite for a while with his three point shooting and creative finishing.
Quick Hitters
Cameron Morel Cameron Morel 6'4" | SG Aurora Christian | 2024 State IL 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.
Luke Smith Luke Smith 6'0" | PG Addison Trail | 2025 State IL 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 Mitchel Edwards Mitchel Edwards 6'6" | PF Carmi | 2025 State IL 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.