Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook
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The first big event of the season in Chicago kicked off on Friday night as Chi-Town Tip Off got underway! PHI was three deep at Wintrust to see all the action. Here is a look at the three contests that…
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Continue ReadingThe first big event of the season in Chicago kicked off on Friday night as Chi-Town Tip Off got underway! PHI was three deep at Wintrust to see all the action. Here is a look at the three contests that I took in and what caught my attention in Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook!
Brooks Steals the Show But Illinois T-Wolves 17U Depth Gets the Win
In the opening game it was two of the mainstay programs on the Prep Hoops Circuit from Illinois as the Illinois T-Wolves battled Hoops 4 Health . In this one Hoops 4 Health got a boost from the addition of top 5 2025 prospect Al Brooks Al Brooks 6'6" | SF Hansberry | 2025 State #239 Nation IL Jr who excelled, but it wasn’t enough as the balance of the Illinois T-Wolves carried the day in a 53-42 victory.
Plainfield East 6’2” lefty combo guard Josh Stone Josh Stone 6'2" | SG Plainfield East | 2025 IL is a 2025 guard that got our attention. 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. Also had some nice passing and active hands on defense for 11 points. Nasir Sears Nasir Sears 5'10" | PG Plainfield East | 2025 IL was another standout in the backcourt. The Joliet West 5’10” point guard was relentless off the bounce recording multiple and-1s. So explosive in the open floor going for 10 points. Thick bodied Plainfield East guard Kobe Jordan Kobe Jordan 6'2" Plainfield East | 2025 IL got on the glass and played bully ball off the bounce.
It was the Al Brooks Al Brooks 6'6" | SF Hansberry | 2025 State #239 Nation IL Jr. who shined for Hoops 4 Health . He came off the bench and provided a spark right away. The long and lanky combo forward was relentless all evening on the offensive glass recording second chance points. Also decked it for smooth drives and scored in transition. Didn’t shoot it much and struggled at the line. When he is locked in defensively he is so gifted as a perimeter defender. Finished with 23 points. Deven Triplett Deven Triplett 6'0" Joliet Central | 2026 IL of Joliet Central put his name on the map. The 2026 6’0” guard is playing up and more than belonged. Lefty hit a few threes, acrobatic finishes, and was active defensively. Another name to keep an eye on is Rich Township 6’5” 2025 forward Nyshawn Turner Nyshawn Turner 6'5" Rich Township | 2025 IL . Didn’t score much, but liked what he brought as a rebounder, defender, and passer.
Big Wings and Front Line Help Full Package Black 17U Win Over In-State Foe M14
These two teams are loaded with ranked prospects across the board. It was a tight game throughout with Full Package pulling away late to win 69-60. Hinsdale Central 2025 small forward Vincas Buzelis Vincas Buzelis 6'5" | SF Hinsdale Central | 2025 State IL is a prospect we had said prior to the spring we thought could really break out. Well he did in this game! 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. Loved how aggressive he was on baseline takes, spin moves in the paint, and getting to the line at a good clip. Best move was a shot fake, spin, step through, and bank off the glass. Also used his bounce on the boards. Arnas Simaitis from Lake Forest Academy had a big night putting his name on the map. The 6’6” skilled four man brings toughness rebounding for multiple put backs. Also has some ball skills passing it and handling at 6’6”. Fremd sharp shooter Samuel Hirsch Samuel Hirsch 6'3" | SG Fremd | 2025 State IL did what he does which is bombs away from deep from three along with some crisp drives in the open floor. Big man Colin Stack Colin Stack 6'9" | C Benet | 2026 State IL swatted a shot about an inch of my head early in the game and rebounded pretty well.
M14 Adidas Gold had several standouts. A new floor general to watch is Proviso West lead guard Machi Nelson. Smaller guard that is slick with the ball hitting pull up jumpers and getting in the lane for soft touch finishes. Waubonsie Valley 2025 forward Moses Wilson Moses Wilson 6'5" | SF Waubonsie Valley | 2025 State IL is a long and rangy forward that emerged during the season. Shot blocking presence that plays off his energy offensively and can score on sweeping drives off the bounce. Lemont sharp shooter Alanas Castillo Alanas Castillo 6'5" | SG Lemont | 2025 State IL drained an array of threes. Batavia star Jax Abalos Jax Abalos 6'7" | SF Batavia | 2025 State IL showed flashes, but didn’t totally go off like we have seen him so many times. High level shot maker from three with a quick release and also got to the line which is a good sign.
Johnson Jr Has Breakout Game in Chicago Grinders Win
Curie always has upperclassmen that emerge. The next one could be Brad Johnson Jr! The 6’5” wing has good size and strength leading Chicago Grinders to a win over The 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 Ricky Divito Ricky Divito 5'9" | PG Hersey | 2025 IL 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.
For The Work Foundation De La Salle wing 2026 Caleb Henry Caleb Henry 6'5" | SF De La Salle | 2026 IL is a slender wing that has a lanky frame. Good at slashing and using his bounce on the offensive glass. Rae’Qwon Rogers Rae’Qwon Rogers 6'3" | SG Bowen | 2025 State IL from Bowen is a 2025 guard to track. Scoring guard that used his quickness to score on acrobatic layups and euro steps.