Chicago Elite Classic: Friday Notebook

Friday night the Chicago Elite Classic kicked off with four games on the first night.  Prep Hoops Illinois breaks it all down in our Chicago Elite Classic: Friday Notebook!   Simeon Opens Event with Win Against Hillcrest Behind Backcourt   The first game of the Chicago Elite Classic saw Simeon in a usual spot…playing the first game on a Friday.  Under new head coach Tim Flowers the [program_tooltip program_id='2076046' first='Wolverines' last=''] scored a 52-45 win against Hillcrest.  They struggled shooting it from three, but [player_tooltip player_id='1750596' first='RJ' last='McKinnie'] went to work off the bounce as the senior two guard sliced and diced his way in the lane for an array of finishes along with hitting a pair of triples for 20 points.  Lengthy 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1385305' first='Lorenzo' last='Shields'] is an intriguing prospect with his physical tools and ability to impact on both ends.  Scored in transition getting up and down with smooth handles while still setting others up and being an impactful defender.  He had 11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 dimes, and 2 steals.  The prospect that jumped off the floor to us was 2026 small forward Kas Nelson.  Broad shouldered and strong prospect that looks the part.  In transition he threw down some big dunks, got on the glass, and turned defense into offense.  Was a monster on the defensive end.  Didn't hit a jumper, but the form is good.  He had 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 steals.   Hillcrest's front court is intriguing.  [player_tooltip player_id='1598729' first='Jaylen' last='Ingram'] is a prospect that has been on our radar for several years.  Smooth athlete that has added strength to his frame.  Runs the floor, snatches rebounds, and finishes through contact as he had 9 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks.  Next to him [player_tooltip player_id='2323251' first='Max' last='Carmicle'] caught our attention as a 2026 to track.  The 6'6” post was super efficient scoring inside with 11 points and 7 rebounds.  Class of 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2321451' first='Jovohn' last='Ratliff'] did the damage on the perimeter draining a pair of threes en route to 12 points.   Fenwick Tops OPRF in Rivalry Game with Foul Line Dominance   Fenwick has been a pleasant surprise early in the season as they recorded another win moving to 4-2 on the young season and definitely play well together as they won 56-47 against Marist.  A huge part of the win was their ability to get to the line and make them as they were 27-33 from the line.  Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1598778' first='Ty' last='Macariola'] was 13-13 from the charity stripe which was a big part of his 26 point effort leading the way.  [player_tooltip player_id='2321448' first='Deonte' last='Meeks'] is a 5'6” guard the lived in the lane and got to the foul line a ton as well recording 11 points.  Top football recruit [player_tooltip player_id='2724288' first='Nathaniel' last='Marshall'] brought physicality up front as the 2025 went for 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.   OPRF got a nice outing from their big man [player_tooltip player_id='1385310' first='Alexander' last='Vincent']. He is a throwback five that plays like a true center. Anchors in the post and scores with hook shots and through contact as he had 12 points and 8 rebounds. Bouncy high energy forward [player_tooltip player_id='1766470' first='Alex' last='Gossett'] was active in this one with 10 points and 7 boards. It wasn't his best outing, but OPRF star [player_tooltip player_id='1194776' first='Max' last='Johnson'] still went for 13 points in the loss.   Thomas and Pickett Duel in Second Half of Marist's Win over St. Laurence   Marist has been one of the most talked about teams early in the season and they moved to 6-0 on the young season with a 49-44 win against St. Laurence Friday.  Ton of prospects on the floor in this one.  Top prospect was 2026 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1845350' first='Stephen' last='Brown'] who fought foul trouble all night, but flashed when he was on the floor with his elite athleticism for rim runs, dunks, and massive swats.  Also hit a three early.  Brown had 9 points and three blocks.  In the OT session his fellow ranked 2026 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1845365' first='Adoni' last='Vassilakis'] took over with several crafty drives for points while netting 9 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2323300' first='TJ' last='Tate'] is a smaller 2026 guard that gave them a boost early with his jumper notching 10 points.  In the second half it was all about transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1598740' first='Darshan' last='Thomas'].  Really like what this versatile wing brings on both ends.  He blocked multiple shots, posted up, won off the bounce, and knocked down an array of jumpers for 15 points and 8 boards.  D2s should be on this unsigned senior wing.   St. Laurence came out flat in the first half only scoring 10 points.  In the second half they got a spark from their star Denver signee [player_tooltip player_id='1157226' first='Josh' last='Pickett'].  The jumbo guard took over for a stretch with slick drives, turn around jumpers in the mid-range, and getting steals as he went for 18 points and 9 boards in the loss.   DePaul Prep Comes Back After Slow Start as Chambers Takes Over Late   The final game of the night saw DePaul Prep fall behind big to Lane Tech early being down 22-8 in the first quarter.  They flipped the script in the second quarter and pulled away in the second half as the Rams won 60-49.  Unsigned senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1978593' first='PJ' last='Chambers'] went to work in the second half.  Crafty scoring guard that scores at the rim with his soft touch finishing game while also getting to the line at a high rate en route to 22 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='1157352' first='Jaylan' last='McElroy'] is the best uncommitted post in the senior class.  Slow start, but he brought it in the second half using his athleticism and mobility on both ends of the floor for 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 6 steals.  Nice spurt at the end of the first half from 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1545133' first='Makai' last='Kvamme'].  The junior guard is a heady floor general that handles it well and has a good soft touch finishing game going for 8 points.   On the other side for Lane Tech [player_tooltip player_id='1373439' first='Shaheed' last='Solebo'] came out on fire!  The senior guard was looking to make a statement with his play.  He was very impactful in the first half on both ends especially in transition, but cooled off in the second half finishing with 13 points.  Continue to be huge fans of [player_tooltip player_id='1545128' first='Dalton' last='Scantlebury'].  Strong post that rebounds at a very high level.  Was dominant on the glass and scoring efficiently in the paint for 16 points and 15 rebounds.  One of the better kept 2025 secrets in the state is having a great start to the season!

Friday night the Chicago Elite Classic kicked off with four games on the first night. Prep Hoops Illinois breaks it all down in our Chicago Elite Classic: Friday Notebook!