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 Owen Giannoulias Owen Giannoulias 6'0" | PG Glenbrook North | 2024 IL 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 Sam Lappin Sam Lappin 5'10" | PG Glenbrook North | 2024 State IL 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 Noah Cleveland Noah Cleveland 6'8" | C Normal Community | 2024 State IL .  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 Jaheem Webber Jaheem Webber 6'9" | C Normal Community | 2024 State #156 Nation IL 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 Jaylan McElroy Jaylan McElroy 6'7" | PF DePaul Prep | 2024 State IL .  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 Jaylan McElroy Jaylan McElroy 6'7" | PF DePaul Prep | 2024 State IL 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 PJ Chambers PJ Chambers 6'2" | SG DePaul Prep | 2024 State IL is a solid spot up shooter that drained three from distance en route to 11 points.

Nojus Indrusaitis Nojus Indrusaitis 6'4" | SF St. Laurence | 2024 #57 Nation NLG 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 Zerrick Johnson Zerrick Johnson 6'2" | PG St. Laurence | 2025 State IL 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 Braylon Roman Braylon Roman 6'3" | SG Normal Community | 2024 State IL 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 Niko Newsome Niko Newsome 6'6" | SG Normal Community | 2024 State IL 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.  Noah Cleveland Noah Cleveland 6'8" | C Normal Community | 2024 State IL 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 Sean Reynolds Sean Reynolds 6'1" | SG Dekalb | 2025 State IL 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.  Davon Grant Davon Grant 6'5" | SF Dekalb | 2026 State IL 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.  Jehvion Starwood Jehvion Starwood 6'3" | SG Oswego East | 2024 State IL 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 Noah Mason and Aiden Sims Aiden Sims 6'2" Oswego East | 2024 IL 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 Brady Sehlhorst Brady Sehlhorst 6'7" | SG Notre Dame College Prep | 2025 State IL 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 Ryder Raya Ryder Raya 6'2" | SG Niles Notre Dame | 2025 State IL .  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 Jack Dabbs and 2025 Atticus Richmond Atticus Richmond 6'7" | PF Stevenson | 2025 State IL .  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 Aidan Bardic Aidan Bardic 6'3" | PG Stevenson | 2025 State IL and 2026 Rocco Pagliocca Rocco Pagliocca 6'1" | PG Stevenson | 2026 State IL .  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.

Al Brooks Al Brooks 6'6" | SF Hansberry | 2025 State IL 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 Ikee Brooks Ikee Brooks 5'11" | PG Hansberry | 2025 State IL 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 Max Johnson Max Johnson 5'10" | PG Oak Park River Forest | 2024 State IL who runs the team, pushes, and can hit an open shot.  On the wing rising junior Justin Bowen Justin Bowen 6'5" | SF Lincoln Park | 2025 State IL had a big performance.  The strong bodied and skilled small forward played bully ball downhill, hit a three, and scored in the open floor.  Alex Gossett Alex Gossett 6'4" | SF OPRF | 2025 State IL and Jaziah Harper Jaziah Harper 6'5" | SF Oak Park River Forest | 2024 IL 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.  Angelo Ciaravino Angelo Ciaravino 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL 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 Lee Marks Lee Marks 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL 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.  Cameron Thomas Cameron Thomas 6'3" | PG Mount Carmel | 2025 State IL 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 Grant Best Grant Best 6'1" | SG Mt. Carmel | 2025 State IL .  Plus shooter at the two guard spot that mixed in some drives and is a connector scoring 13 points.

East St. Louis small forward Davis Bynum Davis Bynum 6'7" | PF East St. Louis | 2024 State IL 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 Taylor Powell Taylor Powell 6'6" | SF East St. Louis | 2024 State IL .  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 Will Ashford Will Ashford 6'5" | SF Metea Valley | 2024 State IL 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 Jake Nosek Jake Nosek 6'8" | C Metea Valley | 2025 State IL .  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 Victor Brown Victor Brown 6'6" | PF Rich Township | 2024 State IL 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

Shaheed Solebo Shaheed Solebo 6'4" | SF Lane Tech | 2024 State IL 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 Terrence Smith Terrence Smith 6'5" | SF West Aurora | 2025 State IL now!  The West Aurora 2025 small forward is having a dominant month.  Prototype wing with his athleticism and defense.  Lived above the rim.

Stephen Brown Stephen Brown 6'6" | PF Marist | 2026 State IL 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.