Chi Town Tip Off: Gilbert’s Saturday Superlatives Illinois

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second day of the Chi Town Tip Off featured plenty of high level play from a deep and talented field. To try and wade through this depth. I'm going categorize the performances into individual superlative skill sets. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Player: [player_tooltip player_id='2125612' first='Devin' last='Cleveland'] 6-1 2027 Kenwood </strong>What an elite national recruit should look like. Had his way leading Mac Irvin Fire 2027 to an undefeated day. Even more impressive when you consider he did it playing up an age division. Has a smooth and effortless offensive game. Ran the point well. Especially in the second contest when his [player_tooltip player_id='2323675' first='Michael' last='Woods'] was not present. Plays at his own pace and does not get sped up. The outside shot is textbook perfect. Gets to his spots easily with a tight handle. Has the size and length to shoot over most point guards already. When he adds strength and possibly an inch or two. His already lofty prospect status could go up even more. Just made everything look so simple.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Ball Handler/Potential: [player_tooltip player_id='2125616' first='Donavyn' last='Simmons'] 5-10 2027 Joliet Catholic </strong>Like Cleveland was playing up an age division with [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] Good ball handler who pounded the ball forcefully into the court. Operated well in pick and roll situations. Turned things up a bit after his team fell down by 10 points in the second half. Exploded to the rim without fear. Despite not being the biggest prospect. Has a lanky build that helps him play larger than his listed height. A player to keep an eye on in the still emerging 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Penetrator/Clutch Gene: [player_tooltip player_id='2400463' first='Jayden' last='Armstrong'] 6-0 2026 Joliet Catholic (pictured) </strong>While Simmons ran the point in the [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] comeback. Armstrong brought the scoring punch. Came alive late and in the clutch. Has a strong upper body that allows him to draw and finish through contact on drives. Was more than just scorer though. Also involved his teammates well and finished with six assists. Quick first step allowed him to get to the basket at will. Finished with 30 points in his squad's dramatic victory over Minnesota based Grassroots Sizzle-Cruz.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Scorer: Perry Tchiegne 6-0 2027 Waubonsie Valley </strong>Patient lefty led M 14 Athletics Adidas Gold to a 2-1 record on the day. With the only loss coming to Team Herro EYBL. I was particularly impressed with his performance against a good Wisconsin Crusaders squad. His team went down by double digits early. Tchienge did not panic and calmly led a second half comeback. Finished with a game high 22 points in that contest. Operated well in that forgotten area of the court known as mid range. Creates space with a solid handle and did not get smothered by aggressive second half defense. Did not need much room to get his shot off. Even his misses came off the rim slowly. While he is a good shooter. His ability to drive and creatively finish put him more in the scorer category. Began the day with a team high 15 points in a victory over [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Post: [player_tooltip player_id='2389886' first='Ben' last='Whorlow'] 6-6 2027 Wheaton St Francis </strong>While Tchiegne was holding down the backcourt for M 14. Whorlow was the force down low. At the younger age levels. Posts are often awkward and appear to be still growing into their bodies. That is not the case with this prospect. Whorlow has a thick but very athletic frame. Despite his size, is soft on his feet and shows good lateral quickness. Also showed the possibility to develop into a stretch with deep range from the perimeter (might be already) Competed hard defensively and is not afraid to throw his weight around. Had a few nice blocks in his teams opening win. Scored 12 points in the aforementioned comeback victory over the Wisconsin Crusaders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->