Takeaways: Friday Night Tripleheader

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHI caught a pair of central Illinois matchups on Friday night between El Paso Gridley vs Deer Creek-Mackinaw along with one where Peoria High took on Champaign Centennial.&nbsp; Then for good measure we watched the first half of Herrin vs Gateway Legacy Charter (MO).&nbsp; We examine all the prospects and teams here in <strong>Takeaways: Friday Night Tripleheader</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 15 2025 Funk Has Jamfest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reason we tuned into the El Paso Gridley game was to get another look at their talented 2025 front court player [player_tooltip player_id='1576619' first='Jonah' last='Funk'].&nbsp; The big man was outstanding especially early on in their 68-39 victory over Deer Creek-Mackinaw.&nbsp; Funk is a long and lanky post that brings a ton of explosiveness to the table!&nbsp; One of the better front court athletes in the state regardless of class.&nbsp; He had four massive dunks in the first quarter of the game. Several in transition, one off a quick take for a powerful one handed flush, and also went coast to coast on another.&nbsp; Fluid rim runner that can also get tip dunks trailing the play.&nbsp; Best of the night however was on a long outlet where he dunked it with his off hand on a tomahawk for an and-1 poster.&nbsp; Quality passer that can make sound reads in the half court hitting shooters on the opposite wing from the block.&nbsp; Solid offensive rebounder and showed active hands defensively.&nbsp; We already know how good of a shooter he is and managed to notch 17 points and 8 boards without even having to show it off.&nbsp; Mid-major recruit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Upperclassmen Backcourt Can Really Shoot it for El Paso Gridley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pair guards caught our attention for El Paso Gridley.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2374504' first='Chancesay' last='Maxon'] is a 5'9” point guard that is a lights out shot maker!&nbsp; The 2024 guard made mid-range jumpers one after another all game long.&nbsp; He was absolutely lethal with it from the jump.&nbsp; Also stretched to three twice and was very good as a passer both on long outlet passes and making sound decisions in the half court.&nbsp; He had 21 points in the win.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2321403' first='Micah' last='Meiss'] is a plus shooter with size at the two guard spot.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Deer Creek-Mackinaw Boast Talented Sophomore Class</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To be honest I knew nothing about Deer Creek-Mackinaw coming into their game.&nbsp; They have a losing record on the season, but this young squad has some potential for down the road with a trio of sophomores.&nbsp; Jerry Hahn is the top one standing at 6'5” with good mobility.&nbsp; Can play in the post using spin moves and getting on the glass.&nbsp; Pick/roll threat along with scoring in the give/go.&nbsp; Made a floater off the bounce and a three for 13 points.&nbsp; Shaun Dennison is a thick bodied wing that was active throughout the contest scoring 8 points.&nbsp; Early on Levi Keyser got it going with his shot making from two and three finishing with 5 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Peoria Survives Comeback by Champaign Centennial Behind Stowers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It looked like Peoria had this one under wraps with a minute to go but, Champaign Centennial made a late run to get the game to OT.  Peoria would get the win 59-58 in the extra session.  The star of the game was Peoria 2025 wing [player_tooltip player_id='1766506' first='Leshawn' last='Stowers'].  Athletic two way wing that shot it well from three early draining a pair of them.  Good handles that is slick and powerful at the same time in the open floor.  Got to the rim for several nifty conversions.  Fouled on a back cut late in regulation hitting the free throws to send the game to OT.  Quality wing rebounder and has all the tools to be a very good defender.  Also liked how he passed it showing good feel as a secondary distributer including an assist on the game winning bucket.  [player_tooltip player_id='2734391' first='Fenix' last='Foy'] was the high motor bouncy forward that scored that key bucket.  Active forward that made plays around the rim for 8 points.  Also came away intrigued with Spencer Russell.  The 2025 shooting guard has good size and athleticism with a really clean shooting stroke hitting multiple threes on his way to 14 points. Slick handling lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='2318235' first='Rico' last='Jackson'] did a nice job setting others up and getting after it defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Backcourt for Champaign Centennial Leads Way</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of solid players for Champaign Centennial.&nbsp; Their top prospect is 2026 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552478' first='Jadin' last='Schilb'].&nbsp; The wing has positional size, skill, and a feathery touch on his jumper.&nbsp; Hit a three and mid-range shot in this one.&nbsp; Also crashed the glass a couple of times for put backs.&nbsp; Got off to a fast start, but slowed down as the game went on.&nbsp; He had 11 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2374531' first='Todd' last='Makabu'] is smaller senior guard that plays taller than his height with his athleticism and toughness.&nbsp; Sliced and diced in the lane finishing off burst in the paint.&nbsp; Finished with 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lukens Thriving for Herrin as Go to Man</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Herrin 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1432422' first='Kyrese' last='Lukens'] is having a big junior year.&nbsp; The top 50 junior has already passed the career 1,000 point mark earlier this season.&nbsp; The 6'0” 185 pound lead guard has some Deron Williams like qualities to his game.&nbsp; No he is not Deron Williams, but the way he plays and even shoots the ball remind you a bit of him.&nbsp; Strong bodied guard that can really run a team.&nbsp; Makes plays for others zipping the ball all over the floor off live dribbles for assists.&nbsp; Plus shooter with an excellent stroke especially off the catch.&nbsp; Plays with good pace and is crafty drawing contact.&nbsp; Finished with 30 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 dimes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Herrin Sleeper Threat in Regional?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the bracket coming out on Friday for the state tournament we looked at Herrin's path.  First they will get Marion on Marion's home floor.  That is never easy to do, but they should manage to win.  Then will come a matchup with Centralia.  One of the best coached teams in the state year in and year out.  They run their system to perfection.  If the Orphans have an off night and Herrin plays like they did Friday it could be a dangerous game for the top seed in the sectional especially if Lukens is on.  Herrin has some size up front with [player_tooltip player_id='1157354' first='Jonathan' last='Harrison'] along with athleticism and shot making on the wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->