Hinsdale Central: Teddy’s Thursday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I spent the late afternoon and evening covering three quarterfinal matchups at the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic. After watching several exciting contests, here's a look at my some of the biggest standouts. A photo gallery will be published soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1157221"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Showed he can score in a variety of ways early with a powerful drive to the hoop and a pull-up 3. Later added a pull-up jumper from near the free throw line and continued to score efficiently from all three levels. Ended with 22 points and the win. On the defensive end, he creates so many problems with his length and his ability to close off driving and passing lanes.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1385296"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"An explosive point guard who brought so much energy to the floor. Showed tremendous confidence scoring over taller defenders and was unfazed by contact. He extended his range as the game progressed. Hitting a pqir of pull-up jumpers baseline as well as a couple 3-pointers to keep them in it. Defensively, Irby excelled at breaking off screens and even took a charge.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2105191"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Always impresses when ai watch him. Showed excellent athleticism on the low block. Created second-chance opportunities with his rebounding skills as well as a pair of blocks. His ability to separate himself offensively should not go unnoticed.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1845353"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Took only a few minutes to reach double figures against one of the state's best teams. Showed off a terrific first step with some explosive drives down the lane along with an and-once conversion over two defenders. Heated up in the second half with a string of explosive finishes at the rim. His bursts seemed almost unstoppable while also adding a smooth euro-step to his game Still a workload defensively, forcing turnovers and leading the fast break. Down late, Danforth took over the game and hit some big time buckets. Including a crucial 3-pointer late to help force OT.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e He finished with 30 in a tight OT loss.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1373444"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Had a big 2nd quarter for the Crusaders after a slow start. Fitch showed he can score in a variety of ways. Nice footwork in the post along with a tough baseline drive to the hoop. He also extended his range from deep and was even taking the ball up the floor. Most importantly, Fitch has added more size and strength since the last time I saw him which he surely took advantage of tonight.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1545110"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"A Shooting Guard that did bits of everything en route to a 25 point performance over Rockford Auburn. Showed off an excellent shooting release and an ability to score from all three levels. Also had great hands defensively. Including an important steal in the final minutes of regulation.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1157352"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"The top uncommitted senior in the state. McElroy was a lethal factor down low. Bulldozed his way for some tough buckets and converted an and-one early. Very active on both the offensive and defensive glass to create and prevent second-chance opportunities. But I'm most impressed with his body shape and his ability to back down defenders. Found plenty of success there against Hinsdale Central players. Slammed home an alley-oop in the 2nd half to further increase the Rams lead. A fast-break slam in the closing minutes put an exclamation point on a 17-pt performance.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2323334' first='AJ' last='Chambers']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"DePaul Prep","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"He'll be a name to watch going forward in the class of 2026. Contributed in a variety of ways off the bench for DePaul. Including a spot-up three early on and some excellent on-ball defense.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e Plays with a chip on his shoulder.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658e4b6e45c29"} /-->