Midwest Melee: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook
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Midwest Melee concluded on Sunday and we had scouts out in full force. I was at Batavia for the final day of games and break down what I saw in Midwest Melee: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook! Team Rose 15U Top…
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Continue ReadingMidwest Melee concluded on Sunday and we had scouts out in full force. I was at Batavia for the final day of games and break down what I saw in Midwest Melee: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook!
Team Rose 15U Top 10 Trio Shines Again
The 8 AM game featured Team Rose ‘s talented trio which will more than likely all debut in the top 10 when the 2026 rankings are released. Early on we saw the aggressive version of St. Rita wing Andre Tyler Andre Tyler 6'4" | SG Simeon | 2026 State IL and when he is assertive attacking with his athleticism he is a tough cover. Proviso West point guard Rajan Roberts Rajan Roberts 6'2" | PG Kenwood | 2026 State IL then got involved with his shot making from three and straight line takes. After a slow start big man Jaali Love Jaali Love 6'7" | PF Manley | 2026 State IL started to go off as he ran the floor hard, finished dump offs, swatted shots, and even hit a turnaround jumper.
Team FVV Elite 15U Guards Excel in High Level Battle with M14
Next up was two more top 15U teams from Illinois as Team FVV Elite topped M14 71-63. Once again it was the plethora of backcourt talent that led the way for FVV. The Rockford Auburn quartet was led by Amir Danforth Amir Danforth 6'1" | SG Rockford Auburn | 2026 State IL who has the look of a D1 wing early in the process. He dropped 19 points in the win slashing with burst getting to the rim at a good rate along with bombing in a pair of threes. Brian Harper Brian Harper 5'10" | PG Rockford Auburn | 2026 State IL was shifty off the bounce scoring with a soft touch finishing package for 14 points. Mikwon Marshall is the energy guy that hits the glass from his guard spot, runs the floor, and finishes at the cup. Also had 14 points.
M14 got a strong outing from Oswego East wing Mason Lockett. Long and rangy two guard with projectability displayed his skill with the three ball, passing, and athleticism with his finishing out of the dunker spot for 12 points. Point guard Jayden Riley Jayden Riley 6'1" | PG Yorkville Christian | 2026 State IL had his moments as well including spectacular passing, scoop shots, and mid-range pull ups for 16 points.
Balanced Attack Pushes Team Rose 17U to Victory Over Chicago Lockdown
It was a team effort for Team Rose 17U in their win against Chicago Lockdown by a final of 51-42. Michigan shooting guard Daniel Smythe Daniel Smythe 6'3" | CG Orchard Lake St. Mary's | 2024 State MI led them in scoring with 12 points draining four triples. He is a big time shot maker! Class of 2024 combo guard Josh Pickett Josh Pickett 6'5" | SG St. Laurence | 2024 State #277 Nation IL is one of the better uncommitted prospects on the board in Illinois. Good size and shot making along with creativity while putting pressure on the rim.
Big game for Stagg 6’2” shooting guard Connor Williams Connor Williams 6'2" | SG Stagg | 2024 State IL . Plus shooter from three hit a couple off the catch along with getting loose in transition en route to 16 points. Alejandro Diaz Alejandro Diaz 6'1" | SG Fenton | 2024 State IL is a Fenton 6’1” two guard that does the majority of his damage in the mid-range and off movement.
Greater Purpose Athletics 16U Guards Lead Way
GPA notched a 64-57 victory over Team Rose with a pair of 2025 lead guards doing work! Ben Schneider Ben Schneider 5'11" | PG Prospect | 2025 IL was outstanding for GPA as the Prospect 5’11” point guard had 21 points. Drained threes in bunches, pushed off his defense, and had creative finishes. Anestis Hadjistamoulou Anestis Hadjistamoulou 6'0" | SG Glenbrook South | 2025 State IL from Glenbrook South stands at 6’0” with a ton of toughness. Ultimate leader that plays with grit. Can knock down shots as he had 10 points.
Team Rose was pushed by Lake Zurich five man Anton Strenlnikov Anton Strenlnikov 6'6" | C Lake Zurich | 2025 State IL . Man was he impressive with the way he played with his back to the basket. Left handed hook shots, spins, put backs, quick moves from the mid-post, and a top of the key three en route to 18 points.
Illinois T-Wolves 17U Backcourt to Track
We caught the first half of two different Illinois T-Wolves games. In the first one it was all about Joliet Catholic 5’10” point guard James Pilapil. He drained five triples in the game we saw. Had that feel that you thought it was going in every time he let it go. In the other game I was impressed with Plainfield South’s Michael Smith. The 6’3” wiry wing has a feathery touch from three along with projectability. Joliet West 5’10” lead guard Corey Nobles Corey Nobles 5'5" Plainfield South | 2024 IL is coming along as well as an athletic combo guard that makes shots.
Indiana Game UA Rise 17U Duo Impresses
Caught some out of state action as the talented Indiana Game UA squad shined behind an pair of prospects. Early on it was point guard David Cundiff David Cundiff 6'0" | PG Munster | 2024 State IN who controlled the tempo of the game running the show along with making others around him better. Found spots to score as well with powerful slashes and threes. Lanky small forward Justin Sims Justin Sims 6'6" | PF Chesterton | 2024 State IN is oozing with potential. His slashes and dunks stood out with his big time athleticism.
United Pursuit 17U Trio Make Us Take Notice
Although they were on the court next to us we couldn’t help but notice United Pursuit putting on a show. That started with JJ Brock who is a broad shouldered 6’6” small forward that threw down dunk after dunk and they were LOUD! He had 14 points. Lual Abiel Lual Abiel 5'11" | CG East Kentwood | 2024 State MI is a wiry wing that showcased a skilled offensive game as a shooter and passer while notching 11 points. Shane Ryske actually led this team in scoring as the 6’3” wing notched 25 points in their blowout win on Sunday.
Cerese Calls Game at Buzzer in Greater Purpose Athletics 17U 4-0 Weekend
GPA vs All In Athletics 17U was the best game of the day. It had big performances and went down to the wire. All-In Athletics tied it up with about 20 seconds left. GPA got a shot for their star Lake Park point guard Camden Cerese Camden Cerese 6'2" | PG Lake Park | 2024 State IL who called game draining a three at the buzzer. He had 19 points including that triple. Tough takes, pull up jumpers, and drive/kick dimes. Evanston point guard Brandon Watson Brandon Watson 5'9" | PG Evanston | 2024 State IL is a smaller guard at 5’9” that had a 16 point performance pushing off his defense and knocking in jumpers.
Glenbrook North point guard Sam Lappin Sam Lappin 5'10" | PG Glenbrook North | 2024 State IL was phenomenal in the loss for All-In Athletics. He scored 20 points making difficult layups one after another. Creative finisher at the rim who always seemed to finish with the right angle or spin on it. Keep an eye out for this Glenbrook North lead guard. Conant big man Camden Lathos Camden Lathos 6'7" | C Conant | 2024 State IL had 13 points including a clutch pick and pop jumper to tie the game up. Skilled five that can play with his back to the basket, but also stretch with his shooting.
Lituanica Continues Stellar Weekend Against Grit N Grind in Finale
Fun game to close things out at the event as Lituanica created buzz all weekend among our scouts. We saw them score a 66-54 victory in the last game of the event.
Matthew Peczulis
Matthew
Peczulis
6'1" | PG
Hinsdale South | 2024
State
IL
was outstanding as the Hinsdale Central 6’1” guard drained six from distance along with mixing in runners for 24 points. He can flat out go! Also
Klaidas Paskauskas
Klaidas
Paskauskas
6'0" | PG
Lemont | 2024
State
IL
from Lemont scored 25 points as he was automatic with his jumper as well draining them one after another.
Ikee Brooks Ikee Brooks 5'11" | PG Hansberry | 2025 State IL was excellent for Grit N Grind. The 2025 lead guard showed he could play with his tremendous speed while being more under control. That led to a 17 point outing as his pull up game was about as on point as we have seen it. His twin Al Brooks Al Brooks 6'6" | SF Hansberry | 2025 State #239 Nation IL Jr is a top 10 2025 that had his moments in a 20 point outing. Athletic wing that excels when he gets a head of steam behind him scoring at the net.
Quick Hitters
Timothy Christian 2024 center Thon Bill continues to shine again as a defensive presence playing above the rim as a shot blocker, rebounder, and dunker for ET21 Buckeyes .
Illinois Valley Warriors wing Ryan Browder Ryan Browder 6'2" | SG Earlville | 2024 State IL is a 6’3” shooting guard that can score from all three levels. The Earlville wing is one of the best kept secrets in the state. Plus shooter from three that uses his added strength to score through contact.
Quinn Krueger Quinn Krueger 6'1" | SG Plainfield Central | 2024 State IL from the Illinois Storm 17U is another plus shooter from three that will be a small college find.
Askia Bullie Askia Bullie 6'0" | PG Westinghouse | 2024 State IL and Kaden Faber Kaden Faber 6'5" | PF Thornwood | 2024 State IL led the way for DTM in their win against Illinois Storm 81-54. Bullie is a shifty ball handler that won off the bounce for buckets and dishes. Faber is a projectable forward that crashes the offensive glass and plays above the rim. Flashes emerging skill. Upside prospect to track.