Summer Challenge: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook

Summer Challenge kicked off in Chicago on Saturday.  I was at Wintrust for a full slate of games.  We dive into what we saw in Summer Challenge: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!   Greater Purpose Knocks Off Mac Irvin Fire 17U in Thriller   One of the first games of the day we saw was Greater Purpose's win 73-70 against Mac Irvin Fire at the 17U level. Greater Purpose had very solid performances across the board. Their sharp shooter St. Viator small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2104829' first='Mitch' last='Humphrey'] was in a zone as he connected on seven triples en route to 24 points. Shooters with size are always a commodity! Lake Park point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1764717' first='Camden' last='Cerese'] ran the show getting others involved with his passing while finishing around the hoop with soft touch finishes and scoop shots for 14 points. Marist transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1598740' first='Darshan' last='Thomas'] stepped up big in this game as the versatile forward defended well, won on sweeping layups, scored out of the post, and hit a three for 12 points. Early on it was Rockford Guilford shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1282464' first='Malachi' last='Johnson'] who got them going with a couple early threes.   For Mac Irvin Fire it was the Ahmere Carson show!  The reclassified guard lit up the PHC a year ago with EG10.  He will be going the prep route for a year to up his stock.  Strong bodied guard that is a flat out bucket getter hitting threes and converting an array of and-1s.  In the second half [player_tooltip player_id='1284852' first='Chris' last='Riddle'] gave them a spark off the bench as the top 10 rising senior from Kenwood won on straight line takes, hit the glass, made a three, and had a couple sweet dishes.   No Problem for Mac Irvin Fire 16U in 66-32 W Over [program_tooltip program_id='2076904' first='Chicago' last='Hoops']   We saw the Fire 16U up next and they had no issues scoring a 66-32 win against [program_tooltip program_id='2076904' first='Chicago' last='Hoops']. They only had 6 guys, but when they are all clicking that is enough! The Chi-Prep 2025 duo led the way. [player_tooltip player_id='1157224' first='Mike' last='Jones'] played about as good as we have seen him as he was physical on the glass, active defensively both getting steals along with blocks, and finished with power at the rim for 15 points. [player_tooltip player_id='1285486' first='Tristian' last='Ford'] is a lead guard we hadn't seen in almost 14 months as he doesn't play at a traditional high school and we didn't see the Fire in the spring. Ford was awesome! The slick lefty has tremendous handles, great passing, and makes shots from deep. Also was a force defensively in his 14 point outing. Potential top 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1385283' first='Aleks' last='Alston'] had 10 points in the win including a couple of smooth moves off the bounce and a layup on the move. Niles North point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1385296' first='Yaris' last='Irby'] contributed 10 points to the win with his runner game and letting it fly from deep. Nicolet (WI) star [player_tooltip player_id='1390443' first='Davion' last='Hannah'] showed why he is the best in Wisconsin as he made an array of jumpers from two and three along with getting to the rim at will for 13 points.   Miles Buchanan led the way for [program_tooltip program_id='2076904' first='Chicago' last='Hoops'] in this game.  The unknown guard crashed the glass and was a capable shooter.  Keep an eye out for 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2125677' first='Reggie' last='Stevens'] from St. Laurence.  Plus shooter off the catch that has a projectable frame!   [program_tooltip program_id='2076218' first='Wisconsin' last='Playground Club'] 15U Balance Prevails   This was a tight 15U game throughout with a ton of quality play from guards on both sides.  In the end Wisconsin Playground took it home 79-69 over M14 Adidas.  Power guard [player_tooltip player_id='1481179' first='Latrevion' last='Fenderson'] showed a lot of promise in this one early.  Strong bodied two guard with size that got to the line at a high rate and played off his defense for 16 points.  Their point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1781157' first='Rashad' last='Davis'] was special in this one recording 19 points while controlling the tempo of the game.  Shifty guard that has a great soft touch finishing game putting in runner after runner along with several threes and using his speed in the open floor.  [player_tooltip player_id='1561908' first='Grant' last='Hardy'] is another guard to track on this 2026 group.  Plus shooter from three who hit four of them along with posting up smaller defenders.   Oswego East long and lanky 2026 two guard Mason Lockett has a ton of potential.  Feathery three point shooter that has range to three with ease.  Hit four of them in a 18 point outing.  Oozing with potential.  His other wing that intrigues is [player_tooltip player_id='1552408' first='TJ' last='Williams'] from Glenbard West.  Creates off the bounce and knocks in spot up threes finishing with 9 points.  At the point Oswego lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1874810' first='Jayden' last='Riley'] continues to impress.  Crisp passer that makes those around him better while being relentless attacking downhill getting to the foul line or scoring on acrobatic conversions for 18 points.   Mac Irvin Fire and [program_tooltip program_id='2076218' first='Wisconsin' last='Playground Club'] 16U Clash in Game of Day   This was the best overall game we saw as the Mac Irvin Fire 16U defeated [program_tooltip program_id='2076218' first='Wisconsin' last='Playground Club'] 59-57.  Two shoe teams with a ton of talent on the floor including a battle of the top prospects in Wisconsin and overall potentially six high-major prospects on the floor.  [player_tooltip player_id='1157224' first='Mike' last='Jones'] is an athletic four that knocked in mid-range shots and had a few big dunks.  Showed he could do it against legit size in this one too.  Tristain Ford drained some step back threes and won on takes off the bounce.  Against his home state team [player_tooltip player_id='1390443' first='Davion' last='Hannah'] shined as well with several feathery jumpers and a sweet reverse layup.   [program_tooltip program_id='2076218' first='Wisconsin' last='Playground Club'] 2025 big man [player_tooltip player_id='1240335' first='Kai' last='Rogers'] showcased why he is among the premier posts in the Midwest. The wide bodied five man finished with power with several spectacular dunks. Elite level rebounder that snatches them in and out of his area with his long arms and strong hands. Amari Allen is another high-major prospect on this squad with his size on the wing and shot making from both two and three.   King Anchors on Both Ends in [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] 17U Victory   [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] 17U topped [program_tooltip program_id='2075467' first='ET21' last='Buckeyes'] 68-51 behind a big game from [player_tooltip player_id='1404027' first='Drew' last='King'].  The Joliet West five man had 12 points and 11 rebounds.  Great size at 6'9” and the athleticism flashes for sure.  Sweeping layups, right handed hook shots, and even hit a three.  He was very good on the boards throughout the whole game anchoring on both ends.  Sandburg 6'1” shooting guard David Vargas put his name on our radar with a good shooting performance hitting four triples in the win.   For [program_tooltip program_id='2075467' first='ET21' last='Buckeyes'] [player_tooltip player_id='1978594' first='Corey' last='Lee'] was their top performer.  The guard from Oak Lawn stands at 6'1” and continues to make a name for himself.  Strong build getting downhill for slashes and crisp mid-range pull ups for 12 points.   AUSA Ed Looks Exceptional in Victory   D1 and D2 programs are going to want to check out AUSA Ed next weekend at The Last Dance after the show they put on recording an 87-79 victory over Corey Graham Elite.  The Australian team boasts a strong group of 2024 prospects led by lead guard Benjamin Tweedy.  Really liked what we saw out of this guard as he was spectacular with his passing setting up his big men and shooters all game long.  Such a great feel for the game while also finishing at the cup with acrobatics over and over again with either hand as he had 17 points.  Eden Hobbs is another 2024 guard that caught our eye with his ability to cross his man and get to the rack along with stopping and popping from mid-range for 12 points.  Up front they have several prospects that we liked.  Athletic 7-footer Benjamin Kaye has a great frame and seals very well around the hoop.  Mobility and dunked everything catching passes in traffic for 12 points.  Liam Switzer rebounded at a very high level all game long while carving out space inside to score 12 points.   Corey Graham was led by [player_tooltip player_id='1379224' first='Jaiden' last='Harrison'].  Like what we saw out of the combo guard who was electric with the ball in his hands recording 26 points in the loss.  Legit three level scorer that won off the bounce, mid-range jumpers over and over, along with three from beyond the arc.  Nick Moore also showcased his pull up game from two and three as the power wing recorded 16 points.   Top 2024 Lead Guard In Illinois Shows Full Arsenal   Simeon 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1157205' first='Dekwon' last='Brown'] showed off his complete game in a 77-63 win for Denard Bros over [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'].  Brown has always been known as a score first guard and he definitely got his in this one recording 20 points including creating his own shot on pull ups and step backs from deep.  His passing was on point as well running his team in the half court getting others involved while still finding his own offense.  Also liked the intensity he brought on the defensive end.  Ryan Mbouombouo is a combo guard with good length that made plays off the bounce for 13 points.   Stagg shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1598677' first='Connor' last='Williams'] was the standout for [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'].  The 2024 wing is a plus shooter from three that showed more diversity to his game as a secondary ball handler and passer in the loss.  Keep tabs on [player_tooltip player_id='1500323' first='Xavior' last='Gonzalez'] from Fenton.  The 5'9” guard is a spark plug instant offense shooter that notched 11 points.   M14 Adidas Gold Scores 17U Win vs Local Rival Flight Athletics   A lot of the players in this one play together in high school or are neighborhood friends with a lot of them coming from the same area.  M14 Adidas Gold got the win over Flight Athletics 17U 78-61.  Wheaton North power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1545137' first='Jalen' last='Crues'] played with a super high motor as the strong bodied four man finished in transition and converted out of the dunker spot on a regular basis for 17 points.  Waubonsie Valley small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1295644' first='Treshawn' last='Blissett'] is a wiry wing that got to the rim on the regular, pushed in transition, and got to the line as he had 15 points.  Metea Valley small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1978583' first='Will' last='Ashford'] is a versatile wing that can score inside/out netting 12 points.  Naperville North point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1295542' first='Bryce' last='Welch'] made some outstanding passes while also draining a three and making an array of layups along with runners for 13 points.   OPRF small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1978582' first='Jaziah' last='Harper'] is an athletic and rangy 2024 small forward that can knock in shots off the catch and has bounce to play above the rim as he threw down some big dunks recording 12 points.  Bolingbrook point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1541243' first='DJ' last='Strong'] is a southpaw with a dynamic shot off the catch from deep along with speed and athleticism which he utilizes on both ends.   Thompson Looks Like Star and Guards Rack Up Steals for Vikings United 15U   Vikings United 15U looked phenomenal in a 76-40 win against AR Elite. [player_tooltip player_id='2105369' first='Jacob' last='Thompson'] looked like a breakout prospect in this one as the Homewood Flossmoor 6'5” long and lanky four man had the look during warm ups and then in the game he made an immediate impact. Blocked an array of shots while altering others right from the jump. Offensively he ran the floor fluidly, hit the offensive glass for second chance points, finished out of the dunker spot, and even showed touch on a jumper out to three. Went for 20 points. Jaymon Hornsby racked up steals in bunches taking them the other way for scores netting 12 points. Ethan Jackson, Caden Dixon, and Marvin Douglas all got loose in the open floor for scores.   Quick Hitters   Great Lakes Warriorz 17U featured a trio of prospects that caught our attention early in the day.  Bradley Eziuka, Michael Cronyn, and Mark Stein all mesh very well together for the squad from Michigan.   [player_tooltip player_id='1545133' first='Makai' last='Kvamme'] was the star for his All-In Athletics squad as the DePaul Prep 2025 guard racked up 20+ points making it look easy.

Summer Challenge kicked off in Chicago on Saturday. I was at Wintrust for a full slate of games. We dive into what we saw in Summer Challenge: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!