Romeoville Live: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook

Saturday was wall to wall basketball at the Romeoville Live Shootout!  PHI had our full staff out again for the marathon day.  Here I look back at what caught my attention in Romeoville Live: Saturday Notebook!

Bloom Knocks Off Romeoville

First game of the day was dominated by quality guard play.  Bloom took home the win 69-57 behind a strong outing from their 2025 combo guard star Elijah Lovemore Elijah Lovemore 6'2" | PG Bloom | 2025 State IL .  The athletic guard was dynamic finding creases in the defense to score.  He sliced up the opponents for scores and was good with the jumper as well in spurts.  Like what he brought defensively and showed growth as a passer in the 17 point performance.  Santana Flowers Santana Flowers 6'4" | SF Bloom | 2024 State IL is a small forward that has great bounce.  He is quick on the offensive glass and can put it on the deck for 10 points.  Keep an eye on Peyton Edwards.  The 2025 6’2” lefty two guard is a spot up shooter that can stretch the floor for this team notching 15 points.

Romeoville got a big lift from 2026 shooting guard Mickeis Johnson Mickeis Johnson 6'2" | SG Romeoville | 2026 State IL .  Strong and compact guard had the perimeter shot flowing as he nailed an array of threes along with impacting defensively moving his feet in a 21 point game.  Meyoh Swansey Meyoh Swansey 6'3" | SG Thornton | 2024 State IL was excellent early in the game with the way he distributed the rock especially in the drive and kick.  Slithery guard that can get in the paint along with hitting spot up threes.  Finished with 12 points.

New Look Simeon Take Care of Business in First Game vs Bradley Bourbonnais

Simeon was impressive in their first game of the day as they won 71-44 against Bradley Bourbonnais.  Class of 2024 shooting guard RJ McKinnie RJ McKinnie 6'2" | SG Simeon | 2024 State IL came out on fire hitting from deep draining an array of threes and being aggressive off the bounce for 15 points.  New addition 2026 Andre Tyler Andre Tyler 6'3" | SG Simeon | 2026 State IL is showing why he is toward the top of the class.  Rangy two guard that slashes, scores in transition, and is very acrobatic as a finisher netting 14 points.  Solid game for 2025 combo guard Lorenzo Shields Lorenzo Shields 6'3" | PG Simeon | 2025 State IL who is impactful on both ends with the way he is shooting it and defending with his great length.

Bradley Bourbonnais got a big time shooting performance by Gavin Kohl.  The 2025 two guard made five triples for 15 points.  Inside Nick Allen Nick Allen 6'9" | C Bradley Bourbonnais | 2025 State IL flashed.  The top 10 2025 post had moments on seals, spins, and a nice baseline take for a dunk racking up 10 points.

Gill and Erickson Continue to Pace St. Ignatius

The backcourt duo of 2025 star Phoenix Gill Phoenix Gill 6'2" | SG St. Ignatius | 2025 State IL and 2024 sharp shooter Phillip Erickson Phillip Erickson 6'2" | PG St. Ignatius | 2024 State IL shined a week ago and it was more of the same in a 79-65 win against Neuqua Valley.  Gill was outstanding showing off his all-around game in an 18 point performance.  Offensively he hit a corner three early and then went to his game off the bounce.  Crisp ball handler that can win off the bounce slithering through the defense.  Manipulates the defense so well with his handles.  Crisp passes in the half court were a big plus in this game. High level defense against Neuqua’s star holding him to only a handful of points.  The length and lateral quickness are very impressive on that end.  His senior running mate Phllip Erickson was lights out from three.  He scored 21 points including five from beyond the arc.  Also mixed in a couple turnaround and mid-range shots.  Small college gem.

Simeon Scores Win #2 on Day Despite Dominant Showing from RB Post

This one was a lot closer for Simeon as they won 58-56 against Riverside Brookfield.  It was their backcourt that once again did most of the damage.  Lorenzo Shields Lorenzo Shields 6'3" | PG Simeon | 2025 State IL is a slick ball handler that creates off the bounce and pull ups.  New addition Dekwon Brown Dekwon Brown 6'3" | PG Simeon | 2024 State IL hit some big shots while scoring 11 points leading them in scoring.  Andre Tyler Andre Tyler 6'3" | SG Simeon | 2026 State IL was a force in spurts as well with his athletic scoring at the rim.

Riverside Brookfield 6’11” center Stefan Cicic Stefan Cicic 7'0" | C Riverside Brookfield | 2024 State IL was a grown man on the interior.  The five anchored down low garnering deep post position on the regular for power moves.  Displayed nice footwork and some agility on a reverse layup.  Even hit a mid-range shot and a three.  Dominant rebounder and passes very well for a true five man.  He had 24 points.  Class of 2026 shooting guard Cameron Mercer Cameron Mercer 6'2" | SG Riverside Brookfield | 2026 State IL is a lengthy wing that has a smooth shooting stroke and potential as an all-around skilled playmaker as well as defender.  Went for 10 points.

May and Carlsen Match Up in Battle of 2024 Wings

Next up we caught Palatine’s win against Wauconda 54-41 which featured two quality wings that are being watched at the D1 and D2 levels.  Since Palatine won we will start with Connor May Connor May 6'5" | SF Palatine | 2024 State IL who had 15 points and 7 rebounds.  Known as an elite spot up shooter with size he only hit one in this game, but still did work in other areas.  Was active defensively with steals and blocks.  Toughness around the hoop on reverse layups and post scores.  Finished well through contact.

On the other side Braeden Carlsen Braeden Carlsen 6'4" | SF Wauconda | 2024 State IL came out on fire to begin the game.  The wing plays so hard each and every time out.  Physically built wing that has a good looking jumper from two and three which he knocked in at a nice clip along with being physical around the hoop on put backs as he notched 15 points and 5 rebounds.

Christ The King Primed for Big Year

We then saw Christ the King knock off Aurora Christian 76-50. CJ Worsham CJ Worsham 6'7" | PF Christ the King | 2024 State IL has created some buzz and in my personal first look at him there is a lot to like with the 2024 post.  Strong bodied four is a lefty that plays with a lot of physicality and athleticism.  So quick to the offensive glass for second chance points, takes from the mid-post, and baseline rips as he notched 15 points while racking up a ton of rebounds.  Darien Green Darien Green 6'3" | PG Christ The King | 2025 IL is a 2025 wing to track.  The 6’3” shooting guard hit a couple threes and showed burst attacking off the bounce recording 14 points.  Aaron McClure is a powerfully built 2025 post that finishes out of the dunker spot with powerful jams and boards in traffic.

On the Aurora Christian side it was Jacob Baumann who led the way with 23 points pouring in seven threes in the loss.  The 5’11” shooting guard should get attention over the next two years as a small college shooting specialist.  Their 2026 point guard Marshawn Cocroft plays with good speed in the open floor pushing the pace with his burst in the open floor as he had 9 points.  D3s and NAIA’s keep an eye out for Cam Morel.  The 2024 small forward is a plus shooter with size that had 13 points.

New Trier Shoots Lights Out Against Rolling Meadows…..Again

Just like in the regular season it was an absolute show that New Trier put on from distance against Rolling Meadows winning 63-39.  Once again one of the main reasons for that was 2024 shooting guard Ian Brown.  The rising senior wing was lights out from distance hitting them over and over again.  Christopher Kirkpatrick Christopher Kirkpatrick 6'2" | PG New Trier | 2026 State IL also chipped in to the three point parade in a major way.  Really it was their whole team and when they did a line change the bench continued in the barrage.  Colby Smith Colby Smith 6'3" | PG New Trier | 2025 State IL is a 2025 floor general that runs the show for this team.  He gets others involved with his passing and is so poised.  Mixes in scores on short and mid-range jumpers.

Class of 2024 Uncommitted Prospects Play at High Level as De La Salle Tops Larkin

This contest featured an array of quality prospects on both sides as De La Salle defeated Larkin 66-42.  Tavariyaun Williams was without a doubt the best we have ever seen him.  The 6’6” small forward had a killer instinct to dominate we had never seen before.  All the physical tools have always been there but we were waiting for the mindset to match.  Saturday night he was a force.  The long, strong, and athletic three man went to work in the open floor with dunk after dunk.  He was unstoppable with the way he finished through Larkin weaving through the D before slamming it home.  Was excellent defensively guarding and switching all over the floor.  He had 12 points, but they were dang impressive.  His running mate on the wing Richard Lindsey Richard Lindsey 6'5" | SF De La Salle | 2024 State IL is a two guard that was good at getting to the cup with his combination of power, athleticism, and crisp handles for 11 points.  Alioune Mbayne continues to be a major sleeper in the 2024 class.  Angular four man has spin moves, touch, and slams it home out of the dunker spot while rebounding well.  Up next in this program is Charles Barnes Jr Charles Barnes Jr 6'6" | SF De La Salle | 2026 State IL .  The 2026 small forward had 10 points flashing his immense potential.  Angular wing got on the offensive glass, slashed from the mid-post, and finished in the paint.  Even took a charge defensively.

On the Larkin side of things it was Jakob Blakley Jakob Blakley 6'1" | PG Walter Payton | 2024 State IL who is the show.  The 2024 combo guard is a straight bucket getter.  He notched 18 of his game high 27 points in the first half.  The guard connected on six triples in the loss along with mixing in some scoop shots and finishes through contact.  Low-majors in need of a microwave scorer this is your guy!

Sommerville and Richwoods Dominant vs Defending Champs

In a matchup of two of the top programs in central Illinois it was all Richwoods as they beat Moline 73-52.  Rutgers commit Lathan Sommerville Lathan Sommerville 6'10" | C Peoria Richwoods | 2024 State IL is back in-state and in my first look at him since his time in Georgia the center was unstoppable.  There was nothing Moline could do to defend the 6’10” five man.  He is a huge young man that has great mobility and is so powerful.  Threw down some Shaq like dunks in the game throwing defenders to the side like rag dolls.  An underrated part of his game is that he is a fantastic passer out of the post grabbing the ball like a ping pong ball and throwing it across the court to his shooters for dimes.  He had 15 points.  Richwoods is more than just Sommerville.  Class of 2024 guard duo Tavie Smith Tavie Smith 6'1" | PG Peoria Richwoods | 2024 State IL and Jared Jackson Jared Jackson 6'3" | SG Peoria Richwoods | 2024 State IL came up big as well.  Smith got to the rim off the bounce on straight line takes for 8 points.  Jackson was great at maneuvering the ball around the rim for finishes with his length scoring 11 points.  Don’t forget senior Nicholas Louderman who is money from distance on those Sommerville dimes as he hit three of them off the catch.

Despite Moline struggling in this one they still have several prospects worth monitoring.  Braden Freeman Braden Freeman 6'5" | SF Moline | 2025 State IL is a long and lanky small forward with a good mid-range game and showed bounce on drives while rebounding with grit.  Treyvon Taylor Treyvon Taylor 6'4" | PF Moline | 2025 State IL is a strong bodied forward that can play tough in the paint and stretch with his shooting.  Those are both 2025 prospects while a 2026 emerged in Wood Cary Wood Cary 6'1" | PG Moline | 2026 State IL .  Lengthy 6’1” guard that brings athleticism and scoring pop finding creases for scoop shots and finishes off cuts for 9 points.

Quick Hitters

Rico D’Alessandro Rico D’Alessandro 6'4" | PF Whitney Young | 2026 State IL had his best showing we have seen in the first half of their game we caught on Saturday.  The combo forward showed more bounce than we had previously seen.  Strong bodied forward wins on straight line slashes, crashing the boards, and hit a three.  Very skilled and versatile prospect in 2026.

Dunk of the event so far was Whitney Young 2025 star Antonio Munoz Antonio Munoz 6'6" | SF Whitney Young | 2025 State IL who threw down a Wade to LeBron dunk where Munoz was trailing and hammered one right on a man’s head.

Big day for Yorkville as they scored wins over Whitney Young and Perspectives.  We caught the second half of their win over Perspectives.  This team is going to be a tough out in March.  Jason Jastys scored 10 points running the floor with ease, hitting jumpers, and using his go to hook shot.  Bryce Salek Bryce Salek 6'5" | SF Yorkville | 2024 State IL is a 2024 that is trending in the right direction at the right time.  Plus shooter with strength that connected on four threes for 14 points.