Pure Sweat Fall Jamboree Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The talent level at the 2023 Pure Sweat Fall Jamboree might have been the highest it has ever been.&nbsp; This annual event each fall in Carterville allows Prep Hoops Illinois to get a look at the top prospects from southern Illinois.&nbsp; This year it was the best of the best in an invite only format which brought out the premier prospects from the area!&nbsp; We break it all down here!&nbsp; We examine the evening in <strong>Pure Sweat Fall Jamboree Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 2025 Power Forwards in the House</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first aspect that stood out was the power forwards in the 2025 class.&nbsp; The best of the best from southern Illinois were in the house.&nbsp; There was a great battle in a couple of games between Benton's [player_tooltip player_id='1545126' first='Docker' last='Tedeschi'] and Columbia's [player_tooltip player_id='1568153' first='Sam' last='Donald'] who are two of the best in the 618!&nbsp; Early on it was Donald who was draining feathery jumpers from all over the floor.&nbsp; Plus shot from both pulling up and off the catch.&nbsp; He is so smooth rising up and getting his shot off.&nbsp; Liked how he could take it off the defensive glass and push it the other way.&nbsp; Was active defensively both vertically and horizontally with blocks along with steals. &nbsp;Tedeschi is a skilled face up four man that brings toughness and athleticism.&nbsp; The 6'7” four man is super bouncy around the hoop throwing down dunks inside and on rim runs.&nbsp; Also was effective putting it on the deck for floaters.&nbsp; Plus spot up shooter that was a very good three point floor stretcher on a regular basis.&nbsp; Impacted defensively swatting shots.&nbsp; Both Donald and Tedeschi have the looks of D1 posts in 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp; Two other of the top 2025 posts were in the house.&nbsp; Centralia's Donovan Collins has been on a tear this spring with his play in camp settings.&nbsp; The 6'6” four plays with such a high-motor every possession.&nbsp; The athleticism really pops as well as he threw down a couple nasty jams.&nbsp; Rebounds flying in for boards and runs the floor super hard.&nbsp; Can put it on the deck a couple dribbles especially on the baseline.&nbsp; Belleville East's [player_tooltip player_id='2105171' first='Savion' last='Mitchell'] caught our attention during June with the Lancers at Riverside Brookfield.&nbsp; Mobile post that has a good frame.&nbsp; Seemed to have slimmed down some and rim ran in transition for scores.&nbsp; Quick to the offensive glass for second chance points.&nbsp; Passed it pretty well.&nbsp; At times tended to drift to the perimeter and his jumper wasn't falling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pinckneyville Primed for This Year and Future</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is a new era of Pinckneyville basketball with new head coach Matt Laur at the helm of this historic program.&nbsp; They had three of their best on display at the event on Monday night.&nbsp; Feature a standout prospect in each of the next three classes.&nbsp; In 2024 it was 6'0” combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2318240' first='Hunter' last='Smith'] who brought the energy.&nbsp; He was constantly scoring in transition running the floor hard and pushing for layups.&nbsp; Also shot it well from distance draining several threes.&nbsp; Kid is tough as nails!&nbsp; Their 2025 to track is 6'5” wing [player_tooltip player_id='2321427' first='AJ' last='Keith'].&nbsp; Like the size on the perimeter here and the athleticism really shines.&nbsp; Couple of super smooth moves with the rock in his hands including a nasty dunk.&nbsp; Plays well in transition and has a solid skill set.&nbsp; The youngest Pinckneyville prospect was [player_tooltip player_id='2323278' first='Ty' last='Laur'] in the 2026 class.&nbsp; At 6'5” he is a five man that will continue to grow.&nbsp; He is still growing into his body, but the flashes of skill were impressive including a lefty hook shot and beautiful spin move.&nbsp; Also showed some passing feel as well.&nbsp; Rebounds well in his area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 and 2026 Guards Push the Pace</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In an up and down type setting a lot of the tempo is dictated by the point guards.&nbsp; They did a nice job in this setting.&nbsp; Carterville 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1545140' first='Drew' last='Barrington'] was gritty on the defensive end getting steals going the other way for a scoop shot.&nbsp; Plus passer that loves to push ahead.&nbsp; Herrin 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1545141' first='Kyrese' last='Lukens'] was dropping dimes on dump off passes, in the open floor, and throwing long outlets.&nbsp; Also looked smooth hitting a three.&nbsp; Mascoutah 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1838836' first='Jayden' last='McCoo'] is a long and rangy combo guard that is an excellent defender starting the break, slices through the defense, and was very good finishing at the cup.&nbsp; First look at Carterville 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2323319' first='Colton' last='Hawkins'].&nbsp; He has nice size at 6'2” with an excellent feel for the game.&nbsp; Dished it with flair and make sound decisions all night long while mixing in his own offense.&nbsp; Marion 2025 point guard Kyan Cole is a scrappy guard that also pushed it well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wings to Watch in All Classes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a strong group of wings headlined by one of the best in southern Illinois Waltonville 2026 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1552409' first='Gage' last='Peterson'].&nbsp; The 6'5” sophomore has good size and strength.&nbsp; Tough finishes off the bounce including a wrap around layup along with scoop shots.&nbsp; Plus shooter with a crisp looking shot from distance and pulling up.&nbsp; Breese Central 2024 two guard [player_tooltip player_id='1428864' first='Mason' last='Shubert'] is going to be a gem of a get at the small college level.&nbsp; Everything he does is precise and with purpose.&nbsp; Solid shooter, crashes the glass, and was excellent in drill work.&nbsp; Belleville East 2025 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1404855' first='Nathaniel' last='Smith'] jumped on our radar with Illinois Orange over the summer playing up.&nbsp; What you have to like here is the size at 6'4” with two way potential.&nbsp; Rebounds well and starts the break along with getting to the rim for conversions.&nbsp; Carlyle 2025 shooting guard Hayden Huels is a two guard that can hit an open shot and was effective in the open floor getting to the cup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleeper Centers to Track</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were five men with legit size that will attract attention at the next level with just their height alone.&nbsp; Dongola 6'9” 220 pound five man [player_tooltip player_id='1750717' first='Blake' last='Herren'] is a massive 2024 post.&nbsp; He had a couple of big dunks, finished in the pick/roll, and even hit a short jumper. Will find a home at the small college level for sure!&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1766476' first='Race' last='Hickey'] from Marion is a 2025 that rivals Herren's height at 6'10” 200 pounds.&nbsp; A bit on the thin side he has added some strength since we last saw him.&nbsp; The center blocked a few shots, finished dump offs, ran the floor, and got a couple put backs.&nbsp; Okawville 6'9” 205 pound center [player_tooltip player_id='2105204' first='Aidan' last='Anderson'] is a 2025 post to monitor with how well he rebounds in his area and can seal on the block.&nbsp; Carlyle post 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2723851' first='Matthew' last='Guthrie'] was a new name on our radar.&nbsp; Got up and down the floor and even flashed a right handed hook shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->