Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first big event of the season in Chicago kicked off on Friday night as Chi-Town Tip Off got underway!&nbsp; PHI was three deep at Wintrust to see all the action.&nbsp; Here is a look at the three contests that I took in and what caught my attention in <strong>Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B's Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brooks Steals the Show But Illinois T-Wolves 17U Depth Gets the Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the opening game it was two of the mainstay programs on the Prep Hoops Circuit from Illinois as the Illinois T-Wolves battled [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'].&nbsp; In this one [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] got a boost from the addition of top 5 2025 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] Jr who excelled, but it wasn't enough as the balance of the Illinois T-Wolves carried the day in a 53-42 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plainfield East 6'2” lefty combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2387669' first='Josh' last='Stone'] is a 2025 guard that got our attention.&nbsp; The southpaw has a clean stroke from the perimeter and we loved how he was willing to sneak in from the perimeter to get a put back.&nbsp; Also had some nice passing and active hands on defense for 11 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2382662' first='Nasir' last='Sears'] was another standout in the backcourt.&nbsp; The Joliet West 5'10” point guard was relentless off the bounce recording multiple and-1s.&nbsp; So explosive in the open floor going for 10 points.&nbsp; Thick bodied Plainfield East guard [player_tooltip player_id='2217972' first='Kobe' last='Jordan'] got on the glass and played bully ball off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was the [player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] Jr. who shined for [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'].&nbsp; He came off the bench and provided a spark right away.&nbsp; The long and lanky combo forward was relentless all evening on the offensive glass recording second chance points.&nbsp; Also decked it for smooth drives and scored in transition.&nbsp; Didn't shoot it much and struggled at the line.&nbsp; When he is locked in defensively he is so gifted as a perimeter defender.&nbsp; Finished with 23 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2400476' first='Deven' last='Triplett'] of Joliet Central put his name on the map.&nbsp; The 2026 6'0” guard is playing up and more than belonged.&nbsp; Lefty hit a few threes, acrobatic finishes, and was active defensively.&nbsp; Another name to keep an eye on is Rich Township 6'5” 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2400721' first='Nyshawn' last='Turner'].&nbsp; Didn't score much, but liked what he brought as a rebounder, defender, and passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Big Wings and Front Line Help [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black 17U Win Over In-State Foe M14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams are loaded with ranked prospects across the board.&nbsp; It was a tight game throughout with [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] pulling away late to win 69-60.&nbsp; Hinsdale Central 2025 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2105166' first='Vincas' last='Buzelis'] is a prospect we had said prior to the spring we thought could really break out.&nbsp; Well he did in this game!&nbsp; The big, physical, and athletic wing used all of those to his advantage as he was a freight train going downhill for finishes at the cup.&nbsp; Loved how aggressive he was on baseline takes, spin moves in the paint, and getting to the line at a good clip.&nbsp; Best move was a shot fake, spin, step through, and bank off the glass.&nbsp; Also used his bounce on the boards.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2442137' first='Arnas' last='Simaitis'] from Lake Forest Academy had a big night putting his name on the map.&nbsp; The 6'6” skilled four man brings toughness rebounding for multiple put backs.&nbsp; Also has some ball skills passing it and handling at 6'6”.&nbsp; Fremd sharp shooter [player_tooltip player_id='1545144' first='Samuel' last='Hirsch'] did what he does which is bombs away from deep from three along with some crisp drives in the open floor.&nbsp; Big man [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] swatted a shot about an inch of my head early in the game and rebounded pretty well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M14 Adidas Gold had several standouts.&nbsp; A new floor general to watch is Proviso West lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='2423481' first='Machi' last='Nelson'].&nbsp; Smaller guard that is slick with the ball hitting pull up jumpers and getting in the lane for soft touch finishes.&nbsp; Waubonsie Valley 2025 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2326966' first='Moses' last='Wilson'] is a long and rangy forward that emerged during the season.&nbsp; Shot blocking presence that plays off his energy offensively and can score on sweeping drives off the bounce.&nbsp; Lemont sharp shooter [player_tooltip player_id='2321410' first='Alanas' last='Castillo'] drained an array of threes.&nbsp; Batavia star [player_tooltip player_id='1295579' first='Jax' last='Abalos'] showed flashes, but didn't totally go off like we have seen him so many times.&nbsp; High level shot maker from three with a quick release and also got to the line which is a good sign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Johnson Jr Has Breakout Game in [program_tooltip program_id='2075385' first='Chicago' last='Grinders'] Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Curie always has upperclassmen that emerge.  The next one could be [player_tooltip player_id='2452415' first='Brad' last='Johnson'] Jr!  The 6'5” wing has good size and strength leading [program_tooltip program_id='2075385' first='Chicago' last='Grinders'] to a win over [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] 51-42.  He can really shoot it!  Poured in jumpers over and over again!  Both pulling up and off the catch.  Did it from mid-range and three.  Can also win one on one off the dribble.  Definitely going to be added in our next rankings update.  Hersey guard [player_tooltip player_id='1766500' first='Ricky' last='Divito'] is a scrappy guard that had some acrobatic finishes around the hoop.  Up front Dekalb big man Justin O'Neal and Shaun Cooper of Southland provide size and rebounding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] De La Salle wing 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2323332' first='Caleb' last='Henry'] is a slender wing that has a lanky frame.  Good at slashing and using his bounce on the offensive glass.  [player_tooltip player_id='2321399' first='Rae'Qwon' last='Rogers'] from Bowen is a 2025 guard to track.  Scoring guard that used his quickness to score on acrobatic layups and euro steps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->