Highland Shootout Preview

The Highland Shootout lineup is here this weekend! It has been a privilege to be able to help director Matt Powers with this shootout over the last decade selecting the teams as it was an event I went to growing up. This year’s edition is STACKED with star power from Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky!

The top 3 players in the Illinois 2024 class will all be in the house with Morez Johnson Morez Johnson 6'9" | PF Thornton | 2024 State #33 Nation IL (Thornton – Illini), Cooper Koch Cooper Koch 6'8" | PF Metamora | 2024 State #81 Nation IL (Metamora – Iowa), and Lathan Sommerville (Peoria Richwoods – Rutgers) being the headliners. Kenwood brings their own high-major duo in Chris Riddle Chris Riddle 6'5" | SF Kenwood | 2024 State #204 Nation IL (DePaul) and Jaden Smith Jaden Smith 6'10" | C Kenwood | 2024 State IL (Arizona State). There are 20 prospects in the Illinois senior class ranked in the top 100. 12 of the top 34 2024 prospects will be on the floor at Highland! How about the 2025 class? Try three top 10 prospects in Aleks Alston Aleks Alston 6'10" | PF Kenwood | 2025 State #170 Nation IL (Kenwood), Antonio Munoz Antonio Munoz 6'6" | PF Whitney Young | 2025 State #194 Nation IL (Whitney Young), and Bradley Longcor Bradley Longcor 6'3" | PG Quincy | 2025 State #337 Nation IL (Quincy). The top 3 point guards in the sophomore class from Illinois will be on display in Rajan Roberts Rajan Roberts 6'2" | PG AZ Compass Prep | 2026 AZ (Kenwood), Marquis Clark Marquis Clark 6'1" | PG Whitney Young | 2026 State #137 Nation IL (Whitney Young), and Rykan Woo Rykan Woo 6'1" | PG/SG DePaul College Prep | 2026 State IL (Whitney Young). Two of the top five freshman from Illinois will also be showing out for fans in Devin Cleveland Devin Cleveland 6'2" | PG La Lumiere | 2027 State IN (Kenwood) and Howard Williams Howard Williams 6'5" | SF Oak Hill Academy | 2027 IL (Whitney Young).

Missouri will be well represented with 13 prospects that are ranked in the top 15 of their respective classes. Cardinal Ritter has their deep senior class. Vashon brings a powerful junior class of highly coveted prospects. Chaminade has a really strong sophomore group. Vianney has a pair of the best sophomore’s in the state of Missouri. The lone team from Kentucky Great Crossing will feature nationally ranked big man and #1 player in Kentucky’s junior class 6’11” Malachi Moreno.

Where
Highland High School

When
Saturday, January 6

Tickets
Only a couple hundred tickets are still available for the event. Purchase tickets in advance below if you plan on attending!
https://www.showclix.com/event/highland-optimist-shootout347766syk822eeqla86qlmcnf7v8BMb

Game Schedule

9:00 AM         Highland vs Father McGivney (Girls)
10:30 AM       Highland vs Breese Central
12:00 PM       Quincy vs Cardinal Ritter
1:30 PM         Peoria Richwoods vs Vashon
3:00 PM         Whitney Young vs Vianney
4:30 PM         Chaminade vs Great Crossing (KY)
6:15 PM         Kenwood vs Normal Community
8:00 PM         Thornton vs Metamora

Breakdown of Each Game

10:30 AM Highland vs Breese Central

The first boys game of the day will feature two of the more entertaining scoring guards from southern Illinois in the 2024 class. Host Highland will be led by Eastern Illinois baseball commit Jake Ottensmeier Jake Ottensmeier 6'1" | SG Highland | 2024 State IL . He will go head to head with small college hoops gem Mason Shubert Mason Shubert 6'2" | SG Breese Central | 2024 State IL of Breese Central who can score from all over the floor!

12:00 PM Quincy vs Cardinal Ritter

Cardinal Ritter was one of the best teams in Missouri last year and had their share of success vs Illinois teams a year ago. They will take a shot at a central Illinois historic program loaded with talent. For Cardinal Ritter they are pushed by top 10 senior Clayton Jackson Clayton Jackson 6'2" | PG Cardinal Ritter | 2024 State MO who can get it done on both ends of the floor. Their depth of senior talent is impressive with Nashawn Davis Nashawn Davis 6'5" | SF Cardinal Ritter | 2024 State MO , Derrick Rivers Derrick Rivers 6'0" | SG Cardinal Ritter | 2024 State MO , and Mekhi Barringer Mekhi Barringer 6'5" | SF Cardinal Ritter | 2024 State MO . For Quincy their go to guy is top 10 junior Bradley Longcor Bradley Longcor 6'3" | PG Quincy | 2025 State #337 Nation IL . Skilled guard that can handle it, shoot, and has improved as a passer. He is joined by two other highly ranked 2025s in Dominique Clay Dominique Clay 6'4" | SF Quincy | 2025 State IL and Keshaun Thomas Keshaun Thomas 6'6" | C Quincy | 2025 State IL . Don’t sleep on rangy senior wing Camden Brown Camden Brown 6'5" | SF Quincy | 2024 State IL who is one of the top uncommitted 2024 perimeter prospects in the class.

1:30 PM Peoria Richwoods vs Vashon

This will be a fun one! Peoria Richwoods got a huge boost with the return to the state of Rutgers bound four-star big man Lathan Sommerville. The top 3 prospect in the Illinois 2024 class is a man child with his power game, rebounding, and improved passing. Two guards to track on this Richwoods squad are seniors Tavie Smith Tavie Smith 6'1" | PG Peoria Richwoods | 2024 State IL and Jared Jackson Jared Jackson 6'3" | SG Peoria Richwoods | 2024 State IL . Vashon counters with top 10 senior Nasir Binion along with a stacked group of juniors! They have four of the top 15 2025s in Missouri led by Nicholas Randall Nicholas Randall 6'8" | PF AZ Compass Prep | 2025 State #96 Nation AZ . The Vashon star four man is skilled and athletic which is garnering high-major attention. He is surrounded by 3 D1 guards in Tre Williams Tre Williams 6'2" | SG Vashon | 2025 State #334 Nation MO , Christian Williams Christian Williams 5'9" | PG Vashon | 2025 MO , and Dehrio McCaskill Dehrio McCaskill 6'4" | SG Vashon | 2025 State MO . Also future phenom 2027 shooting guard Jimmy McKinney Jr is one to track!

3:00 PM Whitney Young vs Vianney

Whitney Young is one of the most historic programs in the state of Illinois. This year they are a bit on the young side, but stacked with talent! They feature top 5 2025 Antonio Munoz Antonio Munoz 6'6" | PF Whitney Young | 2025 State #194 Nation IL who is one of the most electrifying players above the rim in the state. Also in that junior class is tough as nails guard Damajay Richardson Damajay Richardson 5'11" | PG Whitney Young | 2025 State IL . What makes this team intriguing is their sophomore group as they have a loaded group of 2026s led by top 5 point guard Marquis Clark Marquis Clark 6'1" | PG Whitney Young | 2026 State #137 Nation IL . One of the smoothest operators you will see! Nasir Rankin Nasir Rankin 6'2" | SG Morgan Park | 2026 State IL and Rykan Woo Rykan Woo 6'1" | PG/SG DePaul College Prep | 2026 State IL round out their backcourt with athleticism and instincts. RicoAntonio D’Alessandro RicoAntonio D’Alessandro 6'4" | PF Maine South | 2026 State IL is primed for a big season as a utility forward that stuffs the stat sheet! Also keep an eye on freshman Howard Williams Howard Williams 6'5" | SF Oak Hill Academy | 2027 IL who is one of the top 5 2027 prospects in Illinois. Vianney has a pair of top 10 sophomores including the #2 sophomore in Missouri Eddie Smajic Eddie Smajic 6'5" | SG Columbia | 2026 State IL . Don’t forget about 7’3” big man Symon Ghai Symon Ghai 7'3" | C Academy Of Central Florida | 2026 State FL in the 2026 class. Luke Walsh Luke Walsh 6'2" | SG Vianney | 2025 State #374 Nation MO is a top 10 junior on Vianney that can really shoot it!

4:30 PM Chaminade vs Great Crossing (KY)

Chaminade is always a program that has talent. It also is more on the young side this season. Ben Winkler is their top upperclassmen as the 2025 center is a skilled five that rebounds and swats shots as a future D1 post. Really strong in the 2026 class led by top 5 sophomore Jamison White Jamison White 6'9" | SF Chaminade | 2026 IL who is a multi-skilled small forward that impacts in a variety of ways. They also have talented prospects in the sophomore class Johnny Jordan Johnny Jordan 6'2" | PG Chaminade | 2026 State MO and Jahidi White Jr Jahidi White Jr 6'8" | PF Chaminade | 2026 IL . Great Crossing out of Kentucky is led by the #1 overall player in the 2025 class from the blue grass state in Malachi Moreno. The 6’11” center is a nationally ranked prospect with high-majors all over him. His 2025 running mate is another top 5 in-state product in 6’5” shooting guard Vince Dawson. Jeremiah Godfrey is a 6’7” post to monitor!

6:15 PM Kenwood vs Normal Community

This is the first of two games that feature four Illinois state title contenders going against each other. Kenwood is STACKED! They have three very highly ranked seniors in the state led by high-major commits Chris Riddle Chris Riddle 6'5" | SF Kenwood | 2024 State #204 Nation IL (DePaul) and Jaden Smith Jaden Smith 6'10" | C Kenwood | 2024 State IL (Arizona State). Super bouncy Calvin Robins Jr Calvin Robins Jr 6'5" | PF Kenwood | 2024 State IL is a monster on the glass and throwing down dunks. Edwon Duling Edwon Duling 6'2" | SG Kenwood | 2024 State IL is the perfect glue guy with his defense and consistency. Point-power forward Aleks Alston Aleks Alston 6'10" | PF Kenwood | 2025 State #170 Nation IL is one of the most interesting prospects in the state with his size, shot making, and passing feel. He sits at #2 overall in the 2025 rankings in Illinois. Want young star power in the backcourt? Kenwood has #3 overall 2026 Rajan Roberts Rajan Roberts 6'2" | PG AZ Compass Prep | 2026 AZ and contender for the top spot in the freshman class in Devin Cleveland Devin Cleveland 6'2" | PG La Lumiere | 2027 State IN who are both absolutely electric with the rock. Normal Community might be able to match Kenwood’s size and veterans with their group that is led by four of the top 32 seniors in the state. Wright State center Jaheem Webber Jaheem Webber 6'9" | C Normal Community | 2024 State #300 Nation IL is a grown man inside! He is powerful finishing and snatches rebounds in bunches. Also up front is Noah Cleveland Noah Cleveland 6'8" | C Normal Community | 2024 State IL who is primed for a breakout year! Their guard play is awesome with versatile two guards Niko Newsome Niko Newsome 6'6" | SG Normal Community | 2024 State IL and Braylon Roman Braylon Roman 6'3" | SG Normal Community | 2024 State IL playing off each other. Two of the premier unsigned prospects in the state.

8:00 PM Thornton vs Metamora

#1 vs #2! The Highland Shootout always brings the star power and we have it here for sure as the top two prospects in the state Morez Johnson Morez Johnson 6'9" | PF Thornton | 2024 State #33 Nation IL (Thornton) will battle #2 ranked Cooper Koch Cooper Koch 6'8" | PF Metamora | 2024 State #81 Nation IL (Metamora). Both are power forwards which will make for a fun head to head matchup! Johnson has been a long time Illini commit that continues to get better each time out. Athletic post that is an elite rebounder, finisher, and he is starting to add the skill. They also have three other key transfers on the perimeter that will help make this team one to watch all season in Isaiah Green Isaiah Green 6'1" | PG Thornton | 2024 State IL , Meyoh Swansey Meyoh Swansey 6'3" | SG Thornton | 2024 State IL , and Chase Abraham Chase Abraham 6'0" | SG Thornton | 2024 State IL . Each have had their moments during the first half of the season! Metamora is the defending 3A state champions. All they did was go out and add the #2 overall senior in the state to a great core they already had! Iowa commit Cooper Koch Cooper Koch 6'8" | PF Metamora | 2024 State #81 Nation IL is a floor spacing big that can shoot it from distance and score out of the post with fundamentals. Tyler Mason Tyler Mason 6'2" | SG Metamora | 2024 State IL is a tough scoring guard who had a big run last year leading Metamora to their title and he is headed to Winona State. Luke Hopp Luke Hopp 6'8" | C Metamora | 2024 State IL is a stretch big that is primed for a big season and could see his recruitment rise! Matthew Zobrist Matthew Zobrist 6'5" | SG Metamora | 2025 State IL is a lefty sharp shooter that is starting to show there is much more to his game in 2025.