Holiday Tournaments: Glue Guys
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We wrap our look at the holiday tournaments by diving into the glue guys that make everything go doing the little things. These are based on purely the 40+ games I evaluated from the tournaments at Jack Tosh, Hinsdale Central,…
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Continue ReadingWe wrap our look at the holiday tournaments by diving into the glue guys that make everything go doing the little things. These are based on purely the 40+ games I evaluated from the tournaments at Jack Tosh, Hinsdale Central, Pontiac, Pekin, and Collinsville. Here is Holiday Tournaments: Glue Guys!
Khalil Jones Khalil Jones 5'11" | PG St. Laurence | 2025 State IL (St. Laurence – 2025)
Jones is the glue that holds the St. Laurence group together. The point guard in the junior class is a southpaw that makes quick reads as a passer and uses his soft touch finishing game to score around the cup as he had 9 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds.
Athan Berchos (Andrew – 2025)
Berchos came up big for Andrew early and late in their opener against St. Laurence. Point guard that can knock down threes and crisp mid-range shots. Handles it pretty well and is just rock solid all-around going for 15 points.
Jack Duffer Jack Duffer 6'1" | PG Rolling Meadows | 2025 State IL (Rolling Meadows – 2025)
Duffer is a perfect glue guy for Rolling Meadows. The lefty point guard is a crisp ball handler that has a nice pull up game, hits spot up threes, and makes sound decisions with the rock as he had 12 points in their first round win.
AJ Thomas AJ Thomas 6'3" | SG St. Patrick | 2024 State IL (St. Patrick – 2024)
Thomas is a rock solid scoring guard for St. Patrick that is pretty consistent game in and game out. In their first round loss at Jack Tosh to Lyons he had 11 points displaying his soft touch finishing and acrobatic conversions in the paint. Also dished out 4 dimes.
Bryce Salek Bryce Salek 6'5" | SF Yorkville | 2024 State IL (Yorkville – 2024)
Salek is an athletic wing that plays hard on both ends of the floor. Like how well he cuts off the ball and scores in transition. He had 11 points against. St. Ignatius.
DJ Strong DJ Strong 5'9" | PG Bolingbrook | 2024 State IL (Bolingbrook – 2024)
Strong is a high level on ball defender that puts constant pressure on opposing guards. Offensively he is a shifty downhill slasher that finishes through taller defenders or can stop and pop over them from 10-15 feet.
Braden Richardson Braden Richardson 6'4" | PF York | 2024 State IL (York – 2024)
Richardson is the definition of this list. He rebounds, plays defense, and finishes with such a high efficiency rate inside. He had 10 points in their opener.
Bryden Gryzmala Bryden Gryzmala 6'0" | PG Belleville Althoff | 2025 IL (Belleville Althoff – 2025)
Like what this point guard brings to the table running the show. Scrappy guard that can get out in transition and is a solid shooter. He had 12 points in their opening round win.
Keshaun Thomas Keshaun Thomas 6'5" | PF Quincy | 2025 State IL (Quincy – 2025)
Strong and physical post that plays to his strengths. Love how well he passes it for a big man. Scores in the paint, rebounds in his area, and is a solid positional defender. He had 6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 dimes, and 3 steals in their opener.
Chase Reynolds Chase Reynolds 5'11" | PG Collinsville | 2025 State IL (Collinsville – 2025)
Really have been impressed with this physical point guard that isn’t concerned about scoring. He wants to set his teammates up as he displayed pin point passing in both games we saw especially in the half court.
Christian Jenkins Christian Jenkins 6'0" | PG Belleville East | 2024 State IL (Belleville East – 2024)
Jenkins is an athletic senior guard that brings a spark for his team. Gets to the rim with burst making acrobatic finishes as he had 9 points in their opener.
Grant Best Grant Best 6'3" | SG Mt. Carmel | 2025 State IL (Mt. Carmel – 2025)
Best plays to his role for the Caravan. The shooting guard is a sound three point shooter that has improved his athleticism and ability to make plays in the open floor. He had 7 points in the Mt. Carmel blowout win in the semis.
Derrion Enlow (East St. Louis – 2024)
Enlow is a tough guard that can hit open shots from distance and rebounds extremely well for his size recording 8 points and 11 boards against Moline.
Blake Fagbemi Blake Fagbemi 5'10" | PG Benet | 2025 State IL (Benet – 2026)
Fagbemi is the guy that makes Benet go! With all their scorers and big men this is the floor general that controls everything. Love how he runs a team getting everyone involved while still finding spots to score himself as he had 11 points against OPRF.
Jordan Brooks Jordan Brooks 6'2" | SG West Aurora | 2024 State IL (West Aurora – 2024)
Brooks is the third scorer on a West Aurora squad that can make noise come March. What we like about him is he gets his buckets when they present themselves while doing all the little things along the way. He had 14 points vs Curie.
Taevion Collier Taevion Collier 6'6" | PF Curie | 2024 State IL (Curie – 2024)
Collier continues to come on strong as a senior. Broad shouldered big man is a force rebounding, blocking shots, and finishing out of the dunker spot. Against West Aurora he had 6 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Will LeeMaster (New Trier – 2024)
This strong and tough combo forward was the glue that held New Trier together in a rout against Joliet West. He is a physical offensive rebounder, skilled passer, and efficient finisher in the paint. In that game he had 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Henry Brummel (Pontiac – 2024)
Brummel is a thick bodied and undersized four man that does all the dirty work for Pontiac. Hits the offensive glass, solid passer, and is a good shooter hitting three from distance in a 17 point performance vs Manual.
Josh Aniceto Josh Aniceto 5'9" | PG Bolingbrook | 2024 State IL (Bolingbrook)
Aniceto just makes Bolingbrook go! The senior is a high IQ floor general that loves to pass and make others better while picking his spots to score. Makes everything go for the Raiders. He had 9 points in the championship game.