Highland Shootout: Top 2024 Illinois Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Highland Shootout is one of the top events of the year on the high school basketball calendar in the Midwest.&nbsp; This past Saturday Prep Hoops was in the building taking in the action.&nbsp; We continue our look at the event in <strong>Highland Shootout: Top 2024 Illinois Performers!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1978576' first='Lathan' last='Sommerville'] (Peoria Richwoods)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rutgers commit is such a physically impressive prospect.&nbsp; The big man is a massive human that can move and is light on his feet.&nbsp; His team struggled against the press from Vashon, but Sommerville did his part.&nbsp; The strong and powerful post had spin moves, jumpers, jump stops, and a ton of power moves in the paint along with getting to the line at a high rate where he was effective.&nbsp; Strong hands.&nbsp; Defensive presence in the paint and cleared the glass on that end as well recording 23 points (6-14 FG) 12 rebounds, 3 dimes, and 4 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157233' first='Jaheem' last='Webber'] (Normal Community)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Webber is headed to Wright State and one of the state's top big men showcased what they are getting as Normal Community knocked off Kenwood.&nbsp; He went right at his high-major opponent in this game going up and through him on a regular basis.&nbsp; I love how well Webber garners deep post position then makes quick moves to score.&nbsp; Old school post that plays with power, strong hands, and rebounds well.&nbsp; He also defended in the paint.&nbsp; Finished with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285481' first='Noah' last='Cleveland'] (Normal Community)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cleveland continues to improve.&nbsp; The Normal Community big man has put together a big senior season.&nbsp; Stronger, more athletic, and is playing the best hoops of his career.&nbsp; Good passer out of the post.&nbsp; Finishes through defenders and contact in the paint.&nbsp; Has some pop to him as well.&nbsp; Went for 10 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 assists.&nbsp; Low-majors and D2s should be on him.&nbsp; Cleveland told me after the game he has a pretty good idea of where he is going, but is keeping it under wraps for now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285483' first='Niko' last='Newsome'] (Normal Community)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newsome is among the better 2024 wings still available.&nbsp; Athletic microwave scoring type of guard.&nbsp; He put in work against Kenwood in a game where he got to the rack for acrobatic finishes off the bounce along with hitting a three.&nbsp; The low-major/D2 caliber propsect had 11 points (5-10 FG) and 5 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157230' first='Morez' last='Johnson'] (Thornton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson lived up to the billing as the Illini commit once again showed out on the big stage.&nbsp; The Thornton star delivered leading his team to a win over Metamora.&nbsp; His elite motor, power/athletic low post game, and defense allowed him to dominate the game.&nbsp; Johnson racked up 17 points (7-11 FG), 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 5 steals.&nbsp; Loved how he used his length defensively including snatching a steal in the air like an outside linebacker grabbing a pick six.&nbsp; No doubt #1 player in senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2083269' first='Chase' last='Abraham'] (Thornton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abraham continues to have a strong senior season.&nbsp; The two guard is a plus shooter that made 4-8 from three in this game.&nbsp; Good ball handler, improving passer, and effective defender.&nbsp; D2 programs should be all over him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158757' first='Meyoh' last='Swansey'] (Thornton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swansey had his mid-range game flowing especially in the second half as he was pouring in from his go to spot!&nbsp; Loves to stop and pop pulling up from there and has his entire career!&nbsp; Liked how he snuck in on the offensive glass in this game from his guard spot for several put backs.&nbsp; Notched 18 points and 8 rebounds.&nbsp; Potential D2 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285479' first='Isaiah' last='Green'] (Thornton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green didn't have his biggest game scoring although he did drain a pair of threes including a timely one in an 8 point outing.&nbsp; We liked the decisions he made as a passer (4 assists) getting others involved and as always he made the big play on the defensive end with a block at the buzzer to seal the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157231' first='Cooper' last='Koch'] (Metamora)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Interesting game for the state's #2 senior as the Iowa commit only took four shots.&nbsp; Some of that was game flow, some was Johnson's defense, and some of it they used him almost as a decoy to open up driving lanes.&nbsp; He still left a major impression on the game as the Iowa commit scored 9 points on a top of the key three, nifty finish inside, along with 4-4 from the line.&nbsp; Solid job on the glass and loved how he passed it as he makes great reads passing for a big man.&nbsp; Line read 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 dimes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1750712' first='Tyler' last='Mason'] (Metamora)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winona State is getting a really good one in Mason.&nbsp; The shooting guard brings athleticism off the bounce, shot making, cutting off the ball, and can really pass for an off guard.&nbsp; Love the toughness and pop that this senior plays with as he had 20 points (9-14 FG).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zane Schrage (Breese Central)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a new name on our radar.&nbsp; The power forward from Breese Central went to work in this one with a crafty game.&nbsp; Good hands and touch around the basket.&nbsp; Can pass it a little.&nbsp; Solid rebounder and was efficient scoring 15 points (6-8 FG) along with grabbing 7 rebounds.&nbsp; Small college player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1373449' first='Ralph' last='Wires'] (Quincy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wires is a left handed point guard that runs the show for Quincy.&nbsp; When he is at his best the lead guard is also hitting threes and he did just that in their win against Cardinal Ritter draining 3-4 from distance finishing with 11 points.&nbsp; Another very good small college player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157220' first='Sean' last='Brown-Coley'] (Whitney Young)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With all the talent on Whitney Young it was Brown-Coley who led them in scoring against Vianney.&nbsp; The 6'1” big bodied power wing is one of those classic high school players that gets the most out of his ability.&nbsp; He isn't the most projectable, but knows how to score in the paint against bigger defenders with crafty moves and is a sneaky good offensive rebounder.&nbsp; Also hit a pair of threes.&nbsp; In their loss to Vianney he had 22 points and 8 rebounds.&nbsp; Small colleges this would be a productive team first guy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->