Sectional Semis: Scotty B’s Wednesday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wednesday night we had our scouts all over the state watching games.&nbsp; I personally watched a pair of contests in Downers Grove North vs Waubonsie Valley followed by Simeon vs Kenwood!&nbsp; Here we look at our thoughts on the games and prospects that made an impression in <strong>Sectional Semis: Scotty B's Wednesday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shot Making and Defense Carry DGN Past Waubonsie Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first contest was between a pair of the best teams in Illinois all year.&nbsp; Downers Grove North returned most of their core from last year's final four team.&nbsp; Waubonsie Valley broke out with a long winning streak to begin the season and rise up the rankings.&nbsp; They met Wednesday for the right to advance to the sectional final.&nbsp; It was a low scoring game early on and a tight contest at the half as DGN led 20-17.&nbsp; They put the clamps on defensively in the second half and turned it up on the other end as Downers Grove North won 41-28.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a three point parade for DGN in the win with four starters all making at least one.&nbsp; Unsigned 2024 wing [player_tooltip player_id='1507492' first='Alex' last='Miller'] did what he does best which is catch and shoot.&nbsp; The lengthy wing popped in four of them for 14 points.&nbsp; Princeton commit and top 10 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1285524' first='Jack' last='Stanton'] hit a pair from beyond the arc of his own.&nbsp; Also mixed in a scoop shot and was good as a passer for 10 points.&nbsp; Inside we were very impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='1285493' first='Jake' last='Riemer'].&nbsp; Maybe the best high school game we have seen out of the ranked uncommitted center.&nbsp; He had 11 points while consistently high-pointing rebounds, finishing dump offs, left handed hook shot, and even hit a three.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2104960' first='Owen' last='Thulin'] set the tone at the point with his defense and was outstanding with his pin point passing all game long.&nbsp; Their team defense was off the charts!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waubonsie Valley never could really get a run going.&nbsp; Their star 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2326960' first='Tyreek' last='Coleman'] is an athletic scoring guard that hit a couple from beyond the arc along with an athletic reverse layup while scoring 8 points.&nbsp; Athletic unsigned senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1295644' first='Treshawn' last='Blissett'] will be a good player at the next level with his length, slashing, and can hit an open three ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Simeon Backcourt Shows Out in Win Over Kenwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was an improbable matchup despite the names on the jerseys.&nbsp; Simeon was barely above .500 coming into the state tournament.&nbsp; The state's most historic program was under a new coach with all new players and the #6 seed in the sectional.&nbsp; They beat Riverside Brookfield in a #3 vs #6 matchup to get here.&nbsp; Then there is Kenwood who lost four starters with 3 of them being high-major recruits.&nbsp; They rallied to win their first two games including a good win over Oak Lawn.&nbsp; This would be the true test.&nbsp; Kenwood led at the half 26-25.&nbsp; Simeon flipped the script in the 3^rd quarter gaining a five point lead and would never trail the rest of the game winning 58-50.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simeon senior [player_tooltip player_id='1750596' first='RJ' last='McKinnie'] stepped up big on the prime time stage.&nbsp; The lefty shooting guard was a straight bucket in this one!&nbsp; He drained threes in bunches hitting five of them in this contest with a quick and concise stroke.&nbsp; Also had several runners in the lane which he is adept at along with playing excellent defense on Kenwood's star Cleveland.&nbsp; Finished with 24 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1385305' first='Lorenzo' last='Shields'] deserves a lot of credit as well in this win.&nbsp; The athletic combo guard was very good early dishing the rock setting up McKinnie and eventually would get it going on his own with multiple jumpers and closed it out at the line with four free throws en route to 14 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2323288' first='Isaiah' last='Coleman'] brings a presence inside for Simeon as the 2026 post rebounded and played defense.&nbsp; Best play was he cut a passing lane for a massive dunk.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In his last high school game unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='1285487' first='Calvin' last='Robins Jr'] gave it absolutely everything he had!&nbsp; He brought the high energy he has been known for throughout his career.&nbsp; Got on the offensive glass for put backs and finished off passes in the paint.&nbsp; He had 19 points.&nbsp; Class of 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1845363' first='Rajan' last='Roberts'] brought it on the perimeter.&nbsp; The scoring combo is like a running back with the rock in his hands.&nbsp; Powered his way through the defense throughout the night finishing on straight line takes with creativity at the rim.&nbsp; Notched 15 points in the loss.&nbsp; A new name that emerged was 2026 PF [player_tooltip player_id='2376277' first='Prince' last='McCord'].&nbsp; The 6'6” post has good length and was solid on the glass.&nbsp; Showed some touch on a hook shot for 6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->