Romeoville: Scotty B's Friday Notebook

The Romeoville Live Summer Shootout kicked off on Friday at Romeoville Athletic Center with an incredible 10 games going on at a time with the state's top teams.  Here we examine what we caught in Romeoville: Scotty B's Friday Notebook!   Glenbrook North Shoots Lights Out to Open Day   It was Normal Community's size vs the sharp shooting of Glenbrook North.  In the end it was the shot making that prevailed as [player_tooltip player_id='1583426' first='Owen' last='Giannoulias'] drained the game winner en route to 17 points winning 52-49.  Plus shot maker at the point guard spot that opened eyes with a strong performance.  Class of 2024 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1965004' first='Sam' last='Lappin'] has a lot of helium with the way he is playing.  Such a fun lead guard that can shoot it at a high level off the bounce and plays with a ton of flair for the game.  He had 18 points continuing to establish himself as an elite small college gem.    Normal got a big performance from [player_tooltip player_id='1285481' first='Noah' last='Cleveland'].  The 6'9” big man sat out last season, but is back and looking like he didn't miss a beat.  Stronger in his upper body and anchored scoring in the paint on a ton of put backs along with seals for 22 points.  Top 10 2024 center [player_tooltip player_id='1157233' first='Jaheem' last='Webber'] has slimmed down since we last saw him during the season and worked well in the high/low in this one both as a passer and finisher.  Power game and footwork around the hoop.  Went for 13 points.   DePaul Prep Comeback Win vs St. Laurence   Two of the top contenders in the Chicago Catholic League matched up in the second game of the day.  It looked like the new power St. Laurence was going to take this one until DePaul stormed back behind their defense and inside scoring of [player_tooltip player_id='1157352' first='Jaylan' last='McElroy'].  The highly ranked 2024 post putting in the winning points with .7 seconds left to give his team the 42-40 win.   DePaul Prep was led by [player_tooltip player_id='1157352' first='Jaylan' last='McElroy'] who is one of the top posts in the class.  Mobile four that seals on the interior, gets on the offensive glass, and gets buckets off his energy.  Finished with 18 points.  Class of 2024 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1978593' first='PJ' last='Chambers'] is a solid spot up shooter that drained three from distance en route to 11 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='1157223' first='Nojus' last='Indrusaitis'] was the go to man for St. Laurence.  The Iowa State commit drained an array of jumpers early then started getting downhill for scoop shots and coast to coast takes.  Had a monster slam off an explosive rip.  Finished with 17 points.  Power guard [player_tooltip player_id='1766462' first='Zerrick' last='Johnson'] is a prospect that continues to shine in June.  Good shooter that can also use his strength to get to the rack.  Underrated passer and defender.   Normal Community Bounces Back   With Normal Community only playing two games at the event we caught their second game which they won 63-56 over DeKalb.  Class of 2024 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1172774' first='Braylon' last='Roman'] was excellent in this one.  Used his length defensively, passed it for lobs, and connected on an array of feathery mid-jumpers for 16 points.  His backcourt running mate [player_tooltip player_id='1285483' first='Niko' last='Newsome'] was the recipient of those lobs throwing down a pair of nasty dunks including a one handed alley-oop.  Flashed burst off the bounce and his athleticism in the half court netting 15 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='1285481' first='Noah' last='Cleveland'] once again had a strong game cleaning up on the glass for 14 points showing he is a legit low-major prospect.   DeKalb has two up and coming prospects that are fun to watch.  Their 2025 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1545123' first='Sean' last='Reynolds'] dropped 30 points including seven triples in the loss.  He has such a quick release off the catch along with mixing in pull up twos and transition scores.  [player_tooltip player_id='2105355' first='Devon' last='Grant'] is a 2026 small forward at 6'5” that has long arms.  Plays taller than height because of that length and his tenacity on the glass and defensively.  Defended Webber well and was a force on the glass on both ends.  Most of his points came off his energy, seals, and he did hit a three for 13 points.   Oswego East Scores W over Niles Notre Dame   Next up we took a look at a pair of talented wings.  Oswego East defeated Niles Notre Dame 63-45.  [player_tooltip player_id='1157349' first='Jehvion' last='Starwood'] showed flashes in this one of his immense potential.  The southpaw knocked in some threes early on and had a few nice passes in the half court.  Used his athleticism in the open floor en route to 13 points.  Low-majors and mid-majors are monitoring him heavily.  Class of 2024 duo [player_tooltip player_id='2374547' first='Noah' last='Mason'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2245700' first='Aiden' last='Sims'] contributed to the win.  Mason is a lanky forward that got after it defensively turning them into points along with knocking in threes.  Sims is a point guard that runs the team, has a soft touch finishing game, and made several threes.  Both worth looks at small college level.   Niles Notre Dame 2025 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1434463' first='Brady' last='Sehlhorst'] didn't have his best game, but you can still see what makes him a valuable player at the next level.  Tough wing that can make shots, has good size, and is a solid defender as he had 9 points.  Excellet glue guy!  Strong first impression for 2025 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2105215' first='Ryder' last='Raya'].  The 6'3” two guard has a long and thin frame.  Drained six from distance in the game showing a quick and fluid release for 20 points.   Stevenson's Depth Shines   This was a fun one between Stevenson and Hansberry.  Definitely different styles as Stevenson runs their stuff in the half court while Hansberry wants to get it off the rim and go.  Stevenson won 51-43.  They were led by their forward duo of 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1541237' first='Jack' last='Dabbs'] and 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1440697' first='Atticus' last='Richmond'].  Dabbs is a skilled and scrappy wing with size that hit some big threes late and racked up the dimes.  Richmond is a 6'8” four man that has broad shoulders and a strong frame.  Mobile finisher around the rim, good area rebounder, and can stretch a little with his shooting.  Like their backcourt of 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1564889' first='Aidan' last='Bardic'] and 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1552481' first='Rocco' last='Pagliocca'].  Bardic is a crafty guard that finishes in the lane and hits spot up shots.  Pagliocca runs the team with an excellent passing feel and scores when he needs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] Jr has made a very strong case to move into the top 5 in the 2025 class.  He racked up 14 points and 12 rebounds.  Very athletic small forward at 6'6” that has a world of potential.  Hook shots, spin moves, slick takes off the bounce, tip ins, etc.  Pushes off his defense which has the chance to be plus long term.  His brother [player_tooltip player_id='1766465' first='Ikee' last='Brooks'] is a point guard in the same class that plays with non stop speed.  He gets it and goes full blast to the rim in transition for scoop shots and acrobatic finishes.  Did have a couple quick passes while scoring 14 points.   Oak Park River Forest a Team to Watch   OPRF was dominant in their win against St. Charles East.  Liked what we saw from this group as a whole.  They have the senior floor general [player_tooltip player_id='1194776' first='Max' last='Johnson'] who runs the team, pushes, and can hit an open shot.  On the wing rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1545121' first='Justin' last='Bowen'] had a big performance.  The strong bodied and skilled small forward played bully ball downhill, hit a three, and scored in the open floor.  [player_tooltip player_id='1766470' first='Alex' last='Gossett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1978582' first='Jaziah' last='Harper'] bring size and athleticism on the perimeter along with the ability to impact on both ends.  Gossett was a monster in transition.  Harper had a LBJ block, steal, and a corner three.  Inside Alex Vincent brings legit size and strength rebounding well in his area, using touch around the cup, and blocking shots.   Mt. Carmel and East St. Louis Clash in Wing Battle   There were a ton of quality wings in this game!  Mt. Carmel and East St. Louis are loaded at the small forward position in particular.  East St. Louis made a run late, but Mt. Carmel had just a little too much as they won 71-63.  [player_tooltip player_id='1373436' first='Angelo' last='Ciaravino'] had another statement performance recording 16 of his game high 24 points in the first half.  The 6'7” small forward is a lights out shooter that has gotten stronger and that has opened up more athleticism with his ability to score off the bounce and in transition with force.  Tough as nails and does the little things.  That was shown diving on the floor late for a loose ball and turning it into an assist.  His running mate [player_tooltip player_id='1285492' first='Lee' last='Marks'] is a tough and gritty small forward that gets most of his points on straight line takes where he was often fouled or in transition as he netted 11 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='1385307' first='Cameron' last='Thomas'] is a combo guard in the 2025 class that ran the show and played with good pace while notching 11 points.  The x-factor for this group is 2025 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2105179' first='Grant' last='Best'].  Plus shooter at the two guard spot that mixed in some drives and is a connector scoring 13 points.   East St. Louis small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1750704' first='Davis' last='Bynum'] continues to elevate his stock.  Started off really fast with an array of feathery pull up twos and a three.  Slowed down as the game went along, but his upside is very intriguing as he had 13 points.  Another 2024 wing that performed well was [player_tooltip player_id='1978581' first='Taylor' last='Powell'].  Broad shouldered wing that rebounds well, finishes with either hand, and is a solid passer for a wing.  He had 10 points.   Metea Valley Continuing Momentum   Liked what we saw last weekend from Metea Valley and they had another strong performance recording a 56-48 win over Rich Township.  Class of 2024 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1978583' first='Will' last='Ashford'] is a versatile piece that has size and can score from all three levels.  High/low seals, got downhill, and drained a three for 14 points.  Their highest potential prospect is 6'8” post [player_tooltip player_id='1545139' first='Jake' last='Nosek'].  He has caught our attention in July with his size, length, and skill.  Plus shooter off the catch that drained an array of them.  Lot of arc on shot.  Also showed he can shot fake and drive for closer jumpers or leaners.  Shot blocking presence on the defensive end.  He had 19 points.   Rich Township 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1750703' first='Victor' last='Brown'] caught our attention.  The 6'6” four man plays with a lot of energy, finishes out of the dunker spot, and can put it on the deck.  He had 11 points including stepping out for a three.   Quick Hitters   [player_tooltip player_id='1373439' first='Shaheed' last='Solebo'] is a flat-out bucket getter!  Against West Aurora in a shortened running clock game he racked up 19 points.  The Lane Tech lefty is a born scorer!   Buy stock in [player_tooltip player_id='1545116' first='Terrence' last='Smith'] now!  The West Aurora 2025 small forward is having a dominant month.  Prototype wing with his athleticism and defense.  Lived above the rim.   [player_tooltip player_id='1845350' first='Stephen' last='Brown'] from Marist continues to just produce.  On the court next to a game we were watching he was doing exactly what we saw last weekend as the 2026 four man grabbed every rebound, threw down slams, and showed glimpses as a shooter.  Top post in the 2026 class early on.

The Romeoville Live Summer Shootout kicked off on Friday at Romeoville Athletic Center with an incredible 10 games going on at a time with the state's top teams. Here we examine what we caught in Romeoville: Scotty B's Friday Notebook!