Pontiac Holiday Tournament: Scotty B's Friday Notebook

Friday we spent all day at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament!  This is one of the best holiday tournaments in the state in it's 92nd year.  PHI breaks it all down from the second day of action in Pontiac Holiday Tournament: Scotty B's Friday Notebook!   Championship Bracket   Bloom Advances over Defending Champs Simeon   The #2 seed Bloom got all they could ask for from the defending Pontiac champs Simeon in this one as the [program_tooltip program_id='2076046' first='Wolverines' last=''] were right in it the majority of the game.  Bloom extended the lead in the fourth quarter to win by a final of 45-39.   It was a pretty balanced showing for Bloom in this one with four guys scoring between 7 and 10 points.  Their star [player_tooltip player_id='1545131' first='Elijah' last='Lovemore'] led them in scoring with 10 points hitting a pair of threes along with a couple slashes.  Wings [player_tooltip player_id='1541238' first='Jaden' last='Clark'] (10 points), and [player_tooltip player_id='2105218' first='Payton' last='Edwards'] (8 points) got to the line at a high rate while bouncy senior [player_tooltip player_id='1468249' first='Santana' last='Flowers'] played with a high-motor getting to the rim and finishing in the paint for 7 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='1750596' first='RJ' last='McKinnie'] was the go to guy for Simeon as he had 14 points before going down with a serious shoulder injury at the end of the 3rd quarter.  It was his usual aggressive downhill game for floaters and scoop shots that did the damage in this one.  Sollid game out of his backcourt mate [player_tooltip player_id='1385305' first='Lorenzo' last='Shields'].  The 2025 prospect hit a couple threes and displayed good handles in a 12 point outing.   Benet's Young Core Cruises Past OPRF to Semis   Last year's Benet squad was special.  This one can be scary in a couple years with all the young talent.  They are already a legit contender in this tournament as the #3 seed showing their fire power off against OPRF winning 60-48.   Early on it was the magnificent shooting display of [player_tooltip player_id='2105390' first='Jayden' last='Wright'] that led the way.  The sophomore combo guard was on fire from distance connecting on four triples along with some shifty moves off the bounce for 19 points.  His backcourt mate [player_tooltip player_id='1598658' first='Blake' last='Fagbemi'] is a high IQ junior lead guard that runs the show in both the open floor and half court.  Can score it too as he notched 11 points and 4 dimes.  Class of 2026 seven footer [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] had one of his best games coming off the bench to record 17 points on 8-8 from the field.  Finished out of the dunker spots and even stretched it with his jumper on multiple occasions.  It was good to see top ranked 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1552393' first='Gabriel' last='Sularski'] return after missing yesterday.  The do it all wing had 6 points and grabbed 5 boards.   OPRF got quality outings from their inside/outside duo.  Class of 2024 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1194776' first='Max' last='Johnson'] works well around ball screens getting to the cup and also has a very good pull up shot from deep going for 16 points.  Inside [player_tooltip player_id='1385310' first='Alexander' last='Vincent'] anchored with his physical frame garnering deep post position scoring 13 points and grabbing 7 boards.   Curie Survives Quarterfinal Scare vs West Aurora   Top seeded Curie got a test in their quarterfinal game against a quality West Aurora squad as this game was even throughout.  Curie edged them out 57-48.   In the end they had the best player on the floor and a dude that you want on your team in [player_tooltip player_id='1157211' first='Carlos' last='Harris'] when the game is on the line.  Harris made some big plays late scoring in the paint as the strong bodied guard and UIC commit had 16 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds.  Also got a big game out of their other highly ranked senior in [player_tooltip player_id='1157209' first='Will' last='Gonzalez'].  What you have to like about the lengthy wing is how much his perimeter shot continues to improve.  Went from non shooter to plus shooter during his high school career hitting four in this one along with showcasing his all-around skill set in a 20 point performance.   West Aurora has a star wing of their own in top 10 junior [player_tooltip player_id='1545116' first='Terrence' last='Smith'].  The uber bouncy 2025 had some highlight reel plays with a couple slams and was effective in transition recording 15 points.  Rock solid senior backcourt for West Aurora that is steady game in and game out.  [player_tooltip player_id='1285522' first='CJ' last='Savage'] poured in 12 points while lefty [player_tooltip player_id='1295535' first='Jordan' last='Brooks'] added 14.   New Trier Shoots Lights Out in Win over Joliet West   Toughness, grit, shooting, passing, cutting, defense, etc. All words that would describe New Trier's elite performance in the quarterfinals against Joliet West. Early on it was [player_tooltip player_id='1385306' first='Colby' last='Smith'] who had it rolling for the Trevians. Crafty combo guard in the junior class was scoring in a variety of ways finishing with 11 points. Then it was the sharp shooters turn as [player_tooltip player_id='2104959' first='Ian' last='Brown'] (14 points) and [player_tooltip player_id='1552486' first='Danny' last='Houlihan'] (9 points) got everything to fall from distance. Will Leemaster was the ultimate x-factor as a physical and skilled forward tht owned the glass, passed it, and finished inside for 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 dimes. Running the show was athletic sophomore combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1554516' first='Christopher' last='Kirkpatrick'] who can shoot it and dish off penetration. He had 8 points.   Tough game for Joliet West.  Valpo commit [player_tooltip player_id='1373437' first='Justus' last='McNair'] led the way for the Tigers with 11 points while [player_tooltip player_id='2323237' first='Aamir' last='Shannon'] is a rising sophomore to track with his athleticism notched 8 points.   Consolation Bracket   Plainfield North Routs Danville to Start Day   In the 8 AM game it was all Plainfield North as they led at the half 40-14 and would go on to win the contest 68-48 against Danville.  Strong bodied sharp shooter [player_tooltip player_id='1295649' first='Jeffrey' last='Fleming'] continues to be a name that needs to be on the small college radar.  Gritty wing that can really shoot it from three and crisp shots from 15 feet.  Finished with 26 points while not playing the final quarter.   For Danville they got a strong outing from their junior point guard JayVaughn Robinson.  The 6'1” scoring guard is a good ball handler that can attack off the bounce and hit a three finishing with 19 points.   St. Charles North Wins One Point Contest vs Lockport   Lockport jumped out early in this one taking the lead at the half by 10, but St. Charles North stormed back to win it 68-67.  For St. Charles North they were led by their big man Jake Furtney who had <a>25 points (9-14 FG) and 13 rebounds</a>.   Lockport got a good outing from 2025 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1598653' first='Anthony' last='Kosi'] who can really shoot the basketball going 5-9 from deep for 27 points.  Solid athlete that should find a home at the next level.   Manual Obliterates St. Rita   This one I thought was going to be an ugly game, but it was even worse.  Peoria Manual defeated St. Rita 81-30.  Manual star 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1576114' first='Dietrich' last='Richardson'] had a solid game scoring 15 points.  Long and athletic combo guard that makes plays in transition, slick handle on drives, and gets to the line.  [player_tooltip player_id='2321406' first='Amare' last='Breedlove'] jumped off the floor to us in this one as the 6'4” 2025 power forward has a long and rangy frame.  Plays taller than height and can stretch with shooting as he had 10 points.   Weber Scorches Nets on Home Floor for Pontiac   In the last consolation quarterfinal of the night it was the [player_tooltip player_id='2318128' first='Riley' last='Weber'] show!  The 6'4” lanky southpaw was lights out in Pontiac's 80-50 win against Bloomington.  Kid can really shoot the basketball from the perimeter racking up 24 points and 10 rebounds.  Very nice looking stroke.  Rebounds well and can handle a little.

Friday we spent all day at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament! This is one of the best holiday tournaments in the state in it's 92^nd year. PHI breaks it all down from the second day of action in Pontiac Holiday Tournament: Scotty B's Friday Notebook!