Grit Region Finals: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sunday closed out the day at the Prep Ho[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last=''] Grit Region Finals in Indianapolis.&nbsp; We were once again in KC for the last day.&nbsp; While our other writers had tons of coverage of the championship games we took in a pair of semis, big performance by a sleeper 2025 from the 618, and a couple of All-Illinois 17U clashes.&nbsp; Here is <strong>Grit Region Finals: Scotty B's Sunday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2075383' first='Chicago' last='Demons'] Advance to 15U Title Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We opened the day getting a look at some up and coming prospects from Chicago in the 2026 and 2027 classes.&nbsp; The [program_tooltip program_id='2075383' first='Chicago' last='Demons'] scored a huge win 57-56 over [program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last=''] to send them on to the 15U championship game.&nbsp; Several impressive players, but the best long term might be 2027 St. Laurence point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2323617' first='Markese' last='Peoples'].&nbsp; High IQ guard that was excellent as a distributor getting others involved with his passing feel while scoring on an array of finishes in the paint drawing contact and using his strength to go for 12 points.&nbsp; Lincoln Park 2026 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2105399' first='Ahmad' last='Lee'] has a nice frame with some projectability.&nbsp; Got to the rim off the bounce with consistency in this game along with being a plus defender notching 17 points.&nbsp; Another Lincoln Park guard to track is 6'2” 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2105421' first='Larry' last='Harris'].&nbsp; The two guard has a stronger frame than his teammate, but was equally as effective getting to the rim racking up 18 points.&nbsp; Long term keep tabs on [player_tooltip player_id='2323234' first='Jaden' last='Madden'].&nbsp; The 6'8” long and lanky five didn't score, but was a presence defensively blocking shots and has the prospect look.&nbsp; We all know bigs take longer to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last=''] was pushed early on by their big man [player_tooltip player_id='1981703' first='Stephen' last='Akase'].&nbsp; The powerfully built 6'7” strong bodied five man finished out of the dunker spot, went through opponents, hook shots, and pounded the offensive glass for 13 points.&nbsp; Tim Jones lit it up in the second half as the wiry scoring guard with a smooth game buried an array of threes and made plays in transition for 16 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Edwards Shines in Indiana Ambition Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We caught the second half of Indiana Ambition's win to send them to the 16U championship.&nbsp; Carmi face up four man [player_tooltip player_id='1766507' first='Mitchel' last='Edwards'] continues to impress with this squad.&nbsp; Skilled post that displayed his athletic pop in this one for some big dunks while also pouring in 3 triples en route to a 20 point game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kyle Guy Elite Sends Last Illinois Team in Tournament Field M14 Adidas Gold Home in 17U Semis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was Kyle Guy Elite who ultimately won the 17U championship.&nbsp; We caught their 66-56 win in the semis against M14 Adidas Gold.&nbsp; There were definitely moments in this one you thought that M14 was going to advance, but in the end [player_tooltip player_id='1384422' first='Eli' last='Ellis'] just had too much in his bag.&nbsp; The dynamic scoring combo guard had it all working again with a 30 point performance including five from distance.&nbsp; Also won off the dribble finishing difficult layups at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M14 Adidas Gold was led by Naperville North point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1295542' first='Bryce' last='Welch'].&nbsp; The floor general had his best scoring game of the event using his slick handles blowing past defenders while also hitting an array of threes for 15 points.&nbsp; Another solid effort from Waubonsie Valley small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1295644' first='Treshawn' last='Blissett'] as the wiry wing was explosive with his long strides and showed more consistency with the jumper going for 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lituanica Finishes Strong with In-State Win vs Illinois Orange</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top Illinois teams in the event finished with a win as Lituanica defeated Illinois Orange 54-45 to finish off their Grit Region Finals in a consolation game.&nbsp; Lemont 5'11” 2024 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1500289' first='Klaidas' last='Paskauskas'] was lights out again to close out the event.&nbsp; Elite shot making guard that drains them in bunches while scoring with creativity off the dribble for 18 points.&nbsp; Really like the upside that 2025 Lemont 6'2” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2105174' first='Matas' last='Gaidukevicius'] presents as a lanky wing with projectability.&nbsp; Showed in this game the explosiveness on a dunk and several strong takes.&nbsp; Crisp mid-range shot and overall is an impressive athlete with skill who had 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was also a 2025 playing up for Illinois Orange that left an impression.&nbsp; Belleville East small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1404855' first='Nathaniel' last='Smith'] is one of the more intriguing metro east wings with his frame, shot making, and defensive potential.&nbsp; He had 7 points.&nbsp; Freeburg point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2100721' first='Cole' last='Stuart'] is closing out the summer strong.&nbsp; The southpaw is a crisp passer that can hit an open shot and is excellent at finishing against rim protectors for his size as he had 9 points.&nbsp; Belleville East strong and compact 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1978595' first='Christian' last='Jenkins'] hit several threes for 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] Clicks on All Cylinders in First Half</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] finished out the event with a massive offensive outing in the first half scoring 50 points in their 65-43 win against [program_tooltip program_id='2075524' first='IBA' last='Illinois Stars'].  Kind of like this team has been all year long they got contributions across the board including threes from nearly everyone on the team including [player_tooltip player_id='1598687' first='Deshawn' last='Nolan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1598649' first='Alejandro' last='Diaz'], [player_tooltip player_id='1295547' first='Nolan' last='Sexton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1500323' first='Xavior' last='Gonzalez'], David Vargas, and Ari Pierson.  Thought Glenbard East's Pearson in particular had one of his strongest games of the summer.  [player_tooltip player_id='1598677' first='Connor' last='Williams'] from Stagg finished a strong summer with another solid outing.  He really emerged as a priority small college recruit with the way he played this summer with his toughness and shot making while showing versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Downers Grove North 2025 wing [player_tooltip player_id='1507492' first='Alex' last='Miller'] showed flashes with his shot making from three and athleticism in this one.&nbsp; It was the best game of the summer for Proviso West unsigned senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1499684' first='Alex' last='Lopez'] as the lefty 6'5” small forward bombed in a couple of threes and played length at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->