Collinsville Holiday Classic: Scotty B’s Wednesday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We spent our Wednesday at the Collinsville Holiday Classic which has a strong field of teams yet again this year from all areas of the state.&nbsp; We break it all down here in <strong>Collinsville Holiday Classic: Scotty B's Wednesday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Decatur MacArthur Tops Granite City with Balance</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First game of the day saw Decatur MacArthur continue their stellar play in this event as they won their opener 58-51 against Granite City.&nbsp; Class of 2024 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2318217' first='MJ' last='Murphy'] was the standout.&nbsp; The 5'10” lead guard mixed in a couple threes with burst off the bounce for a team high 16 points.&nbsp; Strong guard play overall on this squad with [player_tooltip player_id='2724226' first='King' last='Dees'] (14 points) and Sam Owens (10 points).&nbsp; Highest ceiling prospect is 2026 wing [player_tooltip player_id='2105414' first='Sean' last='Lee'] as the physical and athletic 2026 wing slashed his way to 8 points in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Granite City it was pretty balanced as well.&nbsp; Senior star [player_tooltip player_id='1750600' first='Mario' last='Brown'] didn't have a huge game, but still notched 10 points.&nbsp; Alvin Valentine hit an array of triples for 10 points.&nbsp; New big man emerged as 6'5” 2026 post [player_tooltip player_id='2734418' first='Evan' last='Brewer'] had 11 points finishing multiple and-1s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>O'Fallon 2024 Duo Shine in First Round Win vs Rockford East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one wasn't in much doubt from the beginning.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1157355' first='Jaeden' last='Rush'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1373443' first='Rini' last='Harris'] made sure of that as O'Fallon rolled 67-36.&nbsp; Rush got downhill with slick takes on a consistent basis pushing in the open floor and putting pressure on the rim for scores in bunches notching 21 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1373443' first='Rini' last='Harris'] is a prospect that D2s should have on their radar as one of the better wings in the 2024 class from the metro east.&nbsp; Shot making wing that drained several baseline twos along with powerful finishes for 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rockford East 2026 post [player_tooltip player_id='2323309' first='Marquis' last='Goldsmith'] burst on our radar with a big 19 point performance.&nbsp; Long wing with broad shoulders and a good frame.&nbsp; He was very efficient around the hoop, rebounded well in his area, and had touch on a right handed hook shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Althoff 19-0 3rd Quarter Run Flips Script</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belleville Althoff was down at the half and really struggled in the first 16 minutes of action.&nbsp; Then a 19-0 run to begin the second half completely changed everything as they ended up routing Mundelein 75-52 in what looked like it was going to be going the other way early on.&nbsp; Their star 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2105165' first='Dierre' last='Hill'] Jr got in foul trouble in the first half, but managed 4 quick points to close the first half and then took over scoring 19 points for the game with his elite defense and powerful downhill finishing game.&nbsp; The prospect that opened eyes was 2026 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2323241' first='Alex' last='Johnson'].&nbsp; The Belleville Althoff wing had 19 points as well.&nbsp; The lengthy wing has a lot of projectability and was aggressive slicing in the half court and transition.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1977254' first='Luke' last='Smith'] is another 2026 to track as the 6'2” guard can shoot it from deep as he had 10 points.&nbsp; Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2105302' first='Bryden' last='Gryzmala'] kind of makes everything go for this squad controlling the pace and making plays en route to 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mundelein's go to junior [player_tooltip player_id='1385286' first='Derek' last='Bishop'] had a massive first half recording 17 of his game high 25 points.&nbsp; Also passed the career 1,000 point mark in this one.&nbsp; Actually one of the better performances we have seen from Bishop in his career.&nbsp; Looked slimmed down, more athletic, and the scoring combo had it flowing from distance.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1502194' first='Evan' last='Salvador'] is a lefty sharp shooter who dropped 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quincy Looks Dominant</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The co-favorites coming into the event looked exactly like that in their first round win as Quincy put on a show against Oakville (MO) routing them 76-38.&nbsp; It all starts with [player_tooltip player_id='1385298' first='Bradley' last='Longcor'] for this squad.&nbsp; The top 10 2025 prospect is a high IQ facilitator, shot maker, and his handles are silky smooth.&nbsp; Did pretty much whatever he wanted in a 18 point and 4 dime outing.&nbsp; His running mates on the wings [player_tooltip player_id='1545125' first='Dominique' last='Clay'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1750594' first='Camden' last='Brown'] were on their A games!&nbsp; Clay is a long and rangy wing who is a legit scholarship prospect in 2025.&nbsp; He went 3-4 from deep on his way to an effortless 15 points.&nbsp; Brown is among the best uncommited wings on the board in 2024 from Illinois.&nbsp; Wings with his size, athleticism, basketball savvy, and skill set are hard to find as he had 13 points (5-8 FG), 4 rebounds, 3 dimes, and 2 steals.&nbsp; Inside 2025 big man [player_tooltip player_id='1385308' first='Keshaun' last='Thomas'] played his physical brand of basketball notching 6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.&nbsp; Off the bench 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1766498' first='Kamren' last='Wires'] lit it up from three hitting 3-4 for 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Triad Wins Tight Game vs Carbondale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carbondale looked to be in control most of the game in this one, but they lost a heartbreaker as Triad won 41-40.&nbsp; Oklahoma State baseball commit 2025 wing [player_tooltip player_id='1766468' first='Drew' last='Winslow'] led the way with 15 points.&nbsp; He turned it up in the second half scoring in the paint and on slashes from the mid-post.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1552447' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] got the game winner as they got a 10 point outing from the sophomore face up power forward.&nbsp; Hit a couple threes early and seemed to settle for that until the end where he hit the game winner out of the dunker spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeCarl Payne was the show for Carbondale.&nbsp; Power wing that can flat out score it and really make shots from all over the floor.&nbsp; It was an impressive mid-range display he put on while stretching it to three on a couple occasions for 21 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Collinsville Stays Undefeated</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Host Collinsville enters this as the heavy co-favorite in the event with Quincy.  They continued to roll to a 13-0 record with a first round win against Decatur Eisenhower 64-47.  It was their Big 3 seniors that they relied on per usual!  Inside 2024 center [player_tooltip player_id='1429541' first='Zachary' last='Chambers'] was a grown man!  He played with a ton of physicality on the interior dominating the glass while scoring with power and good footwork.  Went for 17 points (7-8 FG), 13 rebounds, 3 dimes, and 2 steals.  On the perimeter they got a big lift in the first half from the perimeter shooting of [player_tooltip player_id='1285528' first='Jamorie' last='Wysinger'].  This kid was letting it fly from deep and he made 4-7.  Also had several steals in this game going for 18 points and 3 steals.  Their other senior standout is 6'3” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2318134' first='Nick' last='Horras'] who is having a big senior season.  Took him a bit to get going, but he racked up the points as the game went on with feathery jumpers and acrobatic layups for 19 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Decatur Eisenhower was led by 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2323247' first='Tishawn' last='Clemmons'].&nbsp; He stands at probably about 5'9” with speed and athleticism.&nbsp; Liked the mid-range game and got out in transition for 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Big 3rd Quarter Lifts Lincoln Past McCluer North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This first round game paired teams that like to run their offense and in turn the clock.&nbsp; It took them a bit to get adjusted to the shot clock, but once they did Lincoln exploded in the third quarter winning it 15-6 which was ultimately enough as they defeated McCluer North (MO) in a close one 45-43.&nbsp; They got good production from their backcourt in this one.&nbsp; Trey Schilling came up big with 16 points while dynamic lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1750715' first='Ki'on' last='Carson'] used his speed and defense to net 10 points, 3 dimes, and 3 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCluer North was led by Kendall Van Dyke who made three triples en route to 13 points.&nbsp; Also keep an eye on 2025 wing Harrison Bailey-Howard who has some upside as he notched 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Belleville East Wins Finale of Day 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last game of the night didn't end until 10:38 PM.&nbsp; Belleville East fans got what they wanted though as the Lancers move to the winner's side of the bracket with a 52-49 win over Collierville (TN).&nbsp; The balance of the Belleville East team was what impressed.&nbsp; Early on it was 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2105219' first='Jacori' last='Brown'] who had it rolling getting downhill and to the rack finishing with 6 points.&nbsp; Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1978595' first='Christian' last='Jenkins'] (9 points) and [player_tooltip player_id='1874870' first='Tallis' last='Lowery'] (13 points) also made key plays throughout especially off the bounce.&nbsp; Sophomore Jalen Coleman put himself on the map with a 12 point outing hitting several threes early.&nbsp; Inside [player_tooltip player_id='2105171' first='Savion' last='Mitchell'] fought against the big men on Collierville (TN) as he notched 7 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the squad from Tennessee Dallas Berkley was outstanding.&nbsp; The dynamic 6'0” guard used his athleticism to score in the lane along with hitting jumpers from mid-range and three for 19 points.&nbsp; Inside they have a fun pair.&nbsp;&nbsp; Their 6'9” senior center [player_tooltip player_id='1563160' first='Elijah' last='Lussier'] is a mobile post with length that swats shots and is fluid around the hoop.&nbsp; Can also hit a jumper notching 12 points.&nbsp; Super bouncy 6'10” sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2043374' first='Kaleb' last='Davis'] had some explosive flashes in a 9 point performance.&nbsp; This team from Tennessee is going to do damage on the consolation side of the bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->