Run N Slam: Parham Quarterfinal Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sunday Run N Slam Platinum Brackets features several Illinois teams and prospects. Here is a look at the morning quarterfinal games for each Level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17U </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Indiana Elite Scores 74-71 Win in 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game started strong with both teams trading buckets.  Iowa Hawkeyes commit [player_tooltip player_id='1157231' first='Cooper' last='Koch'] (Peoria Notre Dame) hit some threes and scored around the rim early for Indiana Elite.  Their opponent would get its scoring early from Darrion Sutton 6'9 dynamic scoring forward. As the game rolled along, Davius Loury hit some big buckets to give his team an early lead. As the lead narrowed 2024 superstar [player_tooltip player_id='1363488' first='Flory' last='Bidunga'] started to assert himself in the game dunking on anyone in his path. It was off missed rebounds or out of the post. With Bidunga's strong play, Indiana Elite crept back into the game until their opponent got a lift from Rashad McKinney (Simeon).  He is a lock down defender who guarded multiple positions for most of the games. He was able to make some timely stops and hit some big shots to widen the lead. Towards the end Indiana Elite got a lift from Colin White who nailed some tough shots throughout this game.  In the end Koch sealed the game with a corner three to put his team up for good and would get the win. He finished with 17 points and 9 boards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Illinois Wolves 17U Knock Off Indiana Game to Advance</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Illinois Wolves jumped out on a solid shooting Indiana Game squad. The Wolves had a three-headed monster with [player_tooltip player_id='1157235' first='Cole' last='Certa'], [player_tooltip player_id='1157349' first='Jehvion' last='Starwood'], and Eion Dillon. Certa did the bulk of his work in the first half scoring from the perimeter and getting to the bucket out of set plays. Starwood was just as dynamic in transition scoring with amazing dunks and out racing defenders for easy layups. At 6'9 Dillon by far was the most consistent scoring from both the paint and from perimeter. He knocked down two threes and had a really nice dunk. He finished with 14 points. Robert Sorenson was the lone bright spot for Indiana Game. He made 4 threes and got to the rim off strong drives to the bucket. Sorenson finished with 25 points and a handful of assists in the 62-53 loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mac Irvin Fire Gets Big Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In what turned out to be a highly intense matchup, both teams put on a show pretty early. The Fire got a great start from [player_tooltip player_id='1285486' first='Tristian' last='Ford'] (Chi Prep) who is a quick dynamic guard that is shifty in the open court. He got to the bucket at will throughout this contest, finishing with some spectacular layup packages. His Chi Prep teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1157224' first='Mike' last='Jones'] also got off to a good start as he connected on two strong dunks. One was off a missed shot attempt. Jones motor and athleticism helped push the Fire lead to double digits. 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1296979' first='Azavier' last='Robinson'] of George Hill All Indy did his best to rally his team back as he hit a few shots from three in transition. When he was being covered Azavier moved the ball well and hit his teammates on the money with precision passes. One particular player that stood out was 2027 Jahari Miller a combo guard with a quick release from 3. George Hill did their best to come back but they never had an answer for Wisconsin prospect Davion Hannah who scored effortlessly from all three levels and ended up with a double double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. Ford led all scoring in the win with 20 points and 7 assists.&nbsp; The Fire won 72-62.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakaway Tops Team Rose </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the few instate games of the weekend It was basically all Breakaway over a loaded Team Rose squad. They came with a strong cast of players 2026 Michael Nee (Glenbard East) a guard who filled it up from deep but also did a great job at finding [player_tooltip player_id='2540096' first='Rafael' last='Pinto'] (Fremd) and [player_tooltip player_id='1552419' first='Ryan' last='Walsh'] (Benet) on back door plays consistently throughout the game. [player_tooltip player_id='1845363' first='Rajan' last='Roberts'] (Proviso West) seemed to be the only player locked in for Team Rose.  He scored from all three levels finishing with 24 points. Rose also got some contribution from 6'7” [player_tooltip player_id='1845356' first='Jaali' last='Love'] (Manley) who was in foul trouble but rebounded well on the offensive glass. Mike Oliver Jr. was solid as well coming off the bench to score 10 points hitting some tough three pointers to try and keep the game close. In the end the balanced offense from Breakaway seemed to be too much as they won 62-54. Michael Nee led them with 18 points followed by 12 points from [player_tooltip player_id='2540096' first='Rafael' last='Pinto'].  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->