When Sides Collide: 2024 Evaluations

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here we look back at the top 2024 players from this weekend's When Sides Collide event.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157352' first='Jaylan' last='McElroy'] - DePaul 6'7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McElroy is a highly active defender who did a great job at protecting the rim against the biggest frontline in Illinois high school basketball. Jaylan had several blocks and many rebounds. Was surprised that he hit a three from the corner early in the game. McElroy is a high-level defender with a continuous motor.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172774' first='Braylon' last='Roman']- Normal 6'4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Braylon is a bigger guard who looked crafty on ball screen plays and got to the rim using big strides to score over defenders. Roman hit a momentum three to end the first quarter. D1 guard with a good feel.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157233' first='Jaheem' last='Webber']- Normal 6'9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Webber didn't have the biggest impact in this game due to foul trouble and how DePaul loaded the paint area to discourage his touches but when he did get the ball he bumped and bruised his way to points. As a defender, he had a huge block to help send the game into overtime where he would eventually foul out the game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285483' first='Niko' last='Newsome'] - Normal 6'4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Skilled wing player who didn't get many touches in the game but shows flashes of athleticism during fastbreak opportunities. Unsigned senior who can play in college next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1488791' first='Carson' last='Brownfield']- Homewood Flossmoor 6'3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the reasons H-F has a great record is because of the play of Brownfield. Physical guard who can play on the perimeter and in the post. Has been the rock for the Vikings and hasn't shown any indication that he's slowing down.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285493' first='Jake' last='Riemer'] - Downers Grove North 6'8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jake is a big body who rebounded the ball well and did a solid job at rim protection. He can become better around the rim the closer they get to state playoffs time. Dependable space eater who is mobile on defense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1507492' first='Alex' last='Miller'] - Downers Grove North 6'5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller is a shooter who just couldn't get his shot to fall on Saturday. The lanky shooter struggled some but made up for attacking loose rebounds and getting fouled on drives to the rim. Alex is figuring out how to play when his shot isn't falling. It's major growth for a player who has small school potential next season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2049703' first='Bryce' last='Salek']- Yorkville 6'5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big game from Bryce. College-ready body looked good early making athletic plays with dunks and some blocks. Salek even hit a three to help the Foxes run to eventually win the game. Has the potential to play basketball in college if he doesn't choose another sport.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285534' first='Dayvion' last='Johnson']- Yorkville 6'0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A steady guard who didn't make many mistakes down the stretch of the game. Johnson was able to get in the lane multiple times for scores and even hit the game-winning layup for Yorkville.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157346' first='Jaden' last='Smith'] - Kenwood 6'10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Arizona State commit had a solid showing against Mount Carmel. Jaden scored well at the bucket off offensive rebounds. He was quick off his feet when he knew the ball was coming off the rim. Smith is a quality defender who protected the rim well for the Broncos.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285487' first='Calvin' last='Robins Jr'] - Kenwood 6'6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robbins is an energy forward who scored well off missed shots around the paint. He moves well when away from the ball where opponents will lose him at times. Calvin is dependable because he plays off two feet and is steady in crowded areas.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285492' first='Lee' last='Marks'] - Mount Carmel 6'5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marks had the toughest job of the day keeping three bigs off the boards. He tried his best but to no avail. Lee struggled on the boards some but managed to get a few putbacks while the game was close. Marks is usually a high-motor forward who flies all over and will be a glue guy in college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2083269' first='Chase' last='Abraham']- Thornton 5'11</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chase was back in the lineup after missing some games due to injury. He didn't need to do much but manage the possessions and not have careless turnovers. Abraham will be a key piece for the Wildcats these upcoming weeks. This was a great game to work his back into the mix.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285479' first='Isaiah' last='Green'] - Thornton 6'1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green had an amazing game on Saturday. He applied tremendous ball pressure on the young Benet guards forcing them to turn the ball over. As the primary guard he worked well off the attention Morez got in the paint.&nbsp; Nice job at slashing for layups and relocating to make shots from the perimeter. Isaiah had one of his better-scoring performances of the season. He finished with the game-high of 26 points in a big win for Thornton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->