Highland Shootout: Top 2024 Illinois Performers
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The Highland Shootout is one of the top events of the year on the high school basketball calendar in the Midwest. This past Saturday Prep Hoops was in the building taking in the action. We continue our look at the…
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Continue ReadingThe Highland Shootout is one of the top events of the year on the high school basketball calendar in the Midwest. This past Saturday Prep Hoops was in the building taking in the action. We continue our look at the event in Highland Shootout: Top 2024 Illinois Performers!
Lathan Sommerville (Peoria Richwoods)
The Rutgers commit is such a physically impressive prospect. The big man is a massive human that can move and is light on his feet. His team struggled against the press from Vashon, but Sommerville did his part. 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. Strong hands. 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.
Jaheem Webber Jaheem Webber 6'9" | C Normal Community | 2024 State #300 Nation IL (Normal Community)
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. He went right at his high-major opponent in this game going up and through him on a regular basis. I love how well Webber garners deep post position then makes quick moves to score. Old school post that plays with power, strong hands, and rebounds well. He also defended in the paint. Finished with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Noah Cleveland Noah Cleveland 6'8" | C Normal Community | 2024 State IL (Normal Community)
Cleveland continues to improve. The Normal Community big man has put together a big senior season. Stronger, more athletic, and is playing the best hoops of his career. Good passer out of the post. Finishes through defenders and contact in the paint. Has some pop to him as well. Went for 10 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 assists. Low-majors and D2s should be on him. 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.
Niko Newsome Niko Newsome 6'6" | SG Normal Community | 2024 State IL (Normal Community)
Newsome is among the better 2024 wings still available. Athletic microwave scoring type of guard. 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. The low-major/D2 caliber propsect had 11 points (5-10 FG) and 5 rebounds.
Morez Johnson Morez Johnson 6'9" | PF Thornton | 2024 State #33 Nation IL (Thornton)
Johnson lived up to the billing as the Illini commit once again showed out on the big stage. The Thornton star delivered leading his team to a win over Metamora. His elite motor, power/athletic low post game, and defense allowed him to dominate the game. Johnson racked up 17 points (7-11 FG), 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 5 steals. Loved how he used his length defensively including snatching a steal in the air like an outside linebacker grabbing a pick six. No doubt #1 player in senior class.
Chase Abraham Chase Abraham 6'0" | SG Thornton | 2024 State IL (Thornton)
Abraham continues to have a strong senior season. The two guard is a plus shooter that made 4-8 from three in this game. Good ball handler, improving passer, and effective defender. D2 programs should be all over him!
Meyoh Swansey Meyoh Swansey 6'3" | SG Thornton | 2024 State IL (Thornton)
Swansey had his mid-range game flowing especially in the second half as he was pouring in from his go to spot! Loves to stop and pop pulling up from there and has his entire career! Liked how he snuck in on the offensive glass in this game from his guard spot for several put backs. Notched 18 points and 8 rebounds. Potential D2 prospect.
Isaiah Green Isaiah Green 6'1" | PG Thornton | 2024 State IL (Thornton)
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. 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.
Cooper Koch Cooper Koch 6'8" | PF Metamora | 2024 State #81 Nation IL (Metamora)
Interesting game for the state’s #2 senior as the Iowa commit only took four shots. 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. 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. Solid job on the glass and loved how he passed it as he makes great reads passing for a big man. Line read 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 dimes.
Tyler Mason Tyler Mason 6'2" | SG Metamora | 2024 State IL (Metamora)
Winona State is getting a really good one in Mason. The shooting guard brings athleticism off the bounce, shot making, cutting off the ball, and can really pass for an off guard. Love the toughness and pop that this senior plays with as he had 20 points (9-14 FG).
Zane Schrage (Breese Central)
This was a new name on our radar. The power forward from Breese Central went to work in this one with a crafty game. Good hands and touch around the basket. Can pass it a little. Solid rebounder and was efficient scoring 15 points (6-8 FG) along with grabbing 7 rebounds. Small college player.
Ralph Wires Ralph Wires 5'9" | PG Quincy | 2024 State IL (Quincy)
Wires is a left handed point guard that runs the show for Quincy. 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. Another very good small college player.
Sean Brown-Coley Sean Brown-Coley 6'0" | SF Whitney Young | 2024 State IL (Whitney Young)
With all the talent on Whitney Young it was Brown-Coley who led them in scoring against Vianney. The 6’1” big bodied power wing is one of those classic high school players that gets the most out of his ability. 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. Also hit a pair of threes. In their loss to Vianney he had 22 points and 8 rebounds. Small colleges this would be a productive team first guy!