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 Mitch Humphrey Mitch Humphrey 6'6" | SF St. Viator | 2024 State IL 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 Camden Cerese Camden Cerese 6'2" | PG Lake Park | 2024 State IL 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 Darshan Thomas Darshan Thomas 6'6" | SF Marist | 2024 State IL 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 Malachi Johnson Malachi Johnson 6'2" | SG Rockford Guilford | 2024 State IL 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 Chris Riddle Chris Riddle 6'5" | SF Kenwood | 2024 State #163 Nation IL 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 Chicago Hoops

We saw the Fire 16U up next and they had no issues scoring a 66-32 win against Chicago Hoops.  They only had 6 guys, but when they are all clicking that is enough!  The Chi-Prep 2025 duo led the way.  Mike Jones Mike Jones 6'7" | PF Chi-Prep | 2025 State #205 Nation IL 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.  Tristian Ford Tristian Ford 6'2" | PG Chi-Prep | 2025 State IL 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 Aleks Alston Aleks Alston 6'9" | PF Kenwood | 2025 State IL 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 Yaris Irby Yaris Irby 5'10" | PG Niles North | 2025 State IL contributed 10 points to the win with his runner game and letting it fly from deep.  Nicolet (WI) star Davion Hannah Davion Hannah 6'5" | SF Nicolet | 2025 WI 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 Chicago Hoops in this game.  The unknown guard crashed the glass and was a capable shooter.  Keep an eye out for 2027 guard Reggie Stevens from St. Laurence.  Plus shooter off the catch that has a projectable frame!

Wisconsin 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 Latrevion 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 Rashaad Davis Rashaad Davis 5'10" | PG Nicolet | 2026 State WI 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.  Grant Hardy Grant Hardy 6'3" | PG Appleton North | 2026 State WI 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 TJ Williams TJ Williams 6'2" | SG Glenbard West | 2026 State IL from Glenbard West.  Creates off the bounce and knocks in spot up threes finishing with 9 points.  At the point Oswego lead guard Jayden Riley Jayden Riley 6'1" | PG Yorkville Christian | 2026 State IL 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 Wisconsin Playground Club 16U Clash in Game of Day

This was the best overall game we saw as the Mac Irvin Fire 16U defeated Wisconsin 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.  Mike Jones Mike Jones 6'7" | PF Chi-Prep | 2025 State #205 Nation IL 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 Davion Hannah Davion Hannah 6'5" | SF Nicolet | 2025 WI shined as well with several feathery jumpers and a sweet reverse layup.

Wisconsin Playground Club 2025 big man Kai Rogers Kai Rogers 6'10" | C Wauwatosa West | 2025 State WI 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 Chicago Lockdown 17U Victory

Chicago Lockdown 17U topped ET21 Buckeyes 68-51 behind a big game from Drew King Drew King 6'10" | C Joliet West | 2024 IL .  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 ET21 Buckeyes Corey Lee Corey Lee 6'2" | PG Oak Lawn | 2024 State IL 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 Jaiden Harrison Jaiden Harrison 6'3" | PG Bishop Timon | 2024 State NY .  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 Dekwon Brown Dekwon Brown 6'3" | PG Simeon | 2024 State IL showed off his complete game in a 77-63 win for Denard Bros over Chicago 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 Connor Williams Connor Williams 6'2" | SG Stagg | 2024 State IL was the standout for Chicago 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 Xavior Gonzalez Xavior Gonzalez 5'9" | PG Fenton | 2024 State IL 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 Jalen Crues Jalen Crues 6'6" | PF Glenbard North | 2024 State IL 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 Treshawn Blissett Treshawn Blissett 6'5" | SF Waubonsie Valley | 2024 State IL 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 Will Ashford Will Ashford 6'5" | SF Metea Valley | 2024 State IL is a versatile wing that can score inside/out netting 12 points.  Naperville North point guard Bryce Welch Bryce Welch 6'1" | PG Naperville North | 2024 State IL made some outstanding passes while also draining a three and making an array of layups along with runners for 13 points.

OPRF small forward Jaziah Harper Jaziah Harper 6'5" | SF Oak Park River Forest | 2024 IL 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 DJ Strong DJ Strong 5'9" | PG Bolingbrook | 2024 State IL 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.  Jacob Thompson Jacob Thompson 6'5" | PF Homewood Flossmoor | 2026 State IL 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.

Makai Kvamme Makai Kvamme 6'0" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL was the star for his All-In Athletics squad as the DePaul Prep 2025 guard racked up 20+ points making it look easy.