Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook

The Chi-Town Tip Off continued on Saturday as we were at Wintrust for 12+ hours for more hoops than you could ever want!  Now it is time to dive into what we saw in Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!   [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] 15U Open Day in Narrow 8 AM Win   Day began with a fun one as the [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] 15U scored a 46-42 victory against [program_tooltip program_id='2078376' first='Illinois' last='Attack'].  Big fan of what Sparta 2027 combo guard Dariontez Monroe brings to the table.  Long armed and strong guard that plays with power off the bounce and crafty finishes around the hoop along with solid shot making.  He had 12 points.  Vandalia 2027 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2383975' first='Lucas' last='Bowers'] had a breakout performance scoring 10 points on seals and using his touch around the basket.  Fairfield small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2383010' first='Jaylen' last='Maners'] rim ran and finished around the hoop along with some solid passing.  McCracken County (KY) point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2401459' first='Garrett' last='Miller'] is a smooth lead guard that scored on slick takes off the bounce for 9 points.   [program_tooltip program_id='2078376' first='Illinois' last='Attack'] was led by [player_tooltip player_id='2412921' first='Nonye' last='Onuchukwu'].  The Waubonsie Valley 2027 is a long and rangy wing that can knock down shots from beyond the arc and play in the open floor.  Also has a lot of potential as a defender both laterally and vertically.   Brother Rice 2025 Duo Lead Mike Glennon Elite 17U to Win over Pac Elite   Mike Glennon Elite scored a 65-62 W against Pac Elite in our first look at the 17U division on the day.  It was Brother Rice duo Max Justic and [player_tooltip player_id='1766504' first='Caden' last='Workman'] who did the damage.  [player_tooltip player_id='1766504' first='Caden' last='Workman'] is a prospect that really broke out as a junior.  He has legit size to be a three or four man at the next level.  Can push off the glass in the open floor while displaying great passing and feel.  Rim runs, can score on the block with skill, and stretches the floor with shooting.  He had 16 points.  Justic went for 18 points as the lefty lead guard plays with great pace.  Knocked in pull up jumpers and threes along with being very active with his hands defensively.  Big bodied shooter Stagg unsigned senior Yousef Jared knocked down several shots from three.  Mt. Carmel 2026 guard Vic Guaramato is one to track long term as an athletic combo.   [player_tooltip player_id='2408296' first='Colin' last='Brodzik'] had his own personal three point contest in this one as the Woodstock North 2025 guard was lethal for Pac Elite.  He drained seven of them in the narrow loss hitting tough ones time after time.  Moves so well off the ball.  He had 27 points in this game.  [player_tooltip player_id='2410431' first='Brandon' last='Alexander'] is an unsigned senior from Woodstock that also poured in buckets racking up 14 points.    Saunders Big Game Pushes Flight Athletics 17U against [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown']   Flight Athletics got a big performance from Joliet West combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2321459' first='Tristian' last='Saunders'] in their 51-31 win against [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'].  The 2025 guard dropped 16 points pouring in threes nailing four of them in the win along with several transition finishes.  [player_tooltip player_id='2399484' first='Kareem' last='Parker'] is a Plainfield South 2025 6'6” athletic power forward that brings energy on the glass and is a very good defender.   Keon Maggitt from Downers Grove South was the top performer for [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'].  Lefty combo that can hit a three off the catch, score through traffic, and is a solid passer.   Team Herro 16 Looks Dominant Loaded with Talent Across Board   What an impressive showing from Team Herro 16U on Saturday afternoon with the 54-39 victory over [program_tooltip program_id='2075385' first='Chicago' last='Grinders'].  The top ranked 2026 in Wisconsin Yusef Gray Jr was very impressive.  Big combo guard with high level athleticism and shot making from beyond the arc.  Got to the line and on the glass for 14 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2045301' first='Vaughn' last='Karvala'] had the crowd on their feet with the play of the day on a windmill jam.  Athletic forward that plays in the open floor and puts it on the deck with so much explosion.  Also really liked what we saw from Principia (MO) 2026 power forward Ben Akoro.  The 6'7” power forward totally looks the part of a high-major prospect with his long and athletic build.  Rim runner, shot blocker, finisher in the paint along with some handles.   Sleeper Prospects Emerge in Illinois Elite Victory against Big 3 17U   Next up we saw Illinois Elite Amaya 17U score a 54-47 win against Big 3. Hinsdale Central guard [player_tooltip player_id='2408504' first='Cole' last='Bero'] is a sharp shooter from three that knocked in shots at a high rate from beyond the arc. He tallied 15 points in the win. Like the upside of Rockford Jefferson rangy forward [player_tooltip player_id='1882238' first='Drey' last='Black'] with his length and defense blocking shots and scoring off the bounce.   [player_tooltip player_id='2403833' first='Logan' last='Arteaga'] of Palatine was Big 3's top performer.  Skilled 6'5” power forward that has a right handed hook shot.  Can shoot it a little from three and got on the glass.   [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] 2027 Puts on Show Behind High-Major Talent Playing Up at 16U Level   [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] loaded 15U group played up at the 16U level and had no problem at all winning 66-45 over [program_tooltip program_id='2076029' first='Wisconsin' last='Crusaders'] and then 73-52 against All-In Athletics Adidas Gold.  They boast four prospects who will most likely be in the top five of the first edition of the PHI 2027 rankings with three still being in the conversation for the top spot.  Warren point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] is such an advanced player.  The freshman guard was shifty off the bounce, scored in transition, knocked in threes, and made those around him better.  Bolingbrook shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2323624' first='Davion' last='Thompson'] was very good particularly in the second game.  Silky smooth with the ball knocking in shots and making plays in the open floor.  His passing also impressed us.  Whitney Young small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2323647' first='Howard' last='Williams'] sometimes flies a bit under the radar among the stars of 2027, but he is elite in his own right.  Best day we have seen out of him in his young career.  The strong bodied wing is a plus athlete that poured in threes off the catch and pull up jumpers in the mid-range all day along with being impactful defensively and getting on the glass.  The fourth star from Illinois is [player_tooltip player_id='2125674' first='Quinton' last='Kitt'] of East Peoria.  Kitt has a great frame and does a little bit of everything passing, defending, rebounding and has a sweet shooting stroke.  A notable out of state product was Iowa 2027 product Josiah Harrington.  In the first game he was so explosive off the bounce slashing over and over again along with scoring in the open floor.  Very bright future for this Iowa standout!   [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] 2026 Falls to [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'] 16U and [program_tooltip program_id='2075385' first='Chicago' last='Grinders'] 16U   On the other side it wasn't as successful of a day for [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last='']' 2026 group as they dropped a pair of games to [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'] UA Rise 65-62 and [program_tooltip program_id='2075385' first='Chicago' last='Grinders'] 56-43.   In the first game for [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] they were pushed by New Trier 2026 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1552486' first='Danny' last='Houlihan'].  Big time shot maker that has size which projects well to the next level.  That is what Houlihan brings with his three point marksmanship along with scoring off movement inside the arc notching 14 points including four triples.  Assumption (IA) 6'4” wing Navon Shabazz had a strong showing notching 17 points.  Power wing that can attack downhill and is a solid shooter from three.  In the second game they got a good outing from Whitney Young combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark'].  Silky smooth guard that handles it with such ease.  Gets to his spots and makes difficult layups.  Notched 14 points in the loss.   [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'] was carried in the second half by Jarvis Tolbert.  The strong and athletic wing could not be stopped going downhill.  He was absolutely relentless off the bounce winning in one on one situations racking up 24 points.  Seemed like he either scored or got to the line on every single occasion.  It was an epic show!  [player_tooltip player_id='1989437' first='Logan' last='Pokorney'] was the star early on with his three point shot making.  The shooting guard has a quick release and can shoot it very well off the catch.  Rangy guard AJ Avery also made key plays in the [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'] win.  Sliced for scores, quick passes, and can hit an open shot.   In the [program_tooltip program_id='2075385' first='Chicago' last='Grinders'] win it was the coming out party for Crane shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2454169' first='Brad' last='Blackmon']!  He dropped 17 points in the win.  Long and lanky wing that impacted on both ends of the floor.  Blocked shots and got steals defensively.  On the offensive side of the ball he slithered to the rim for scores in the paint for acrobatic finishes.  Also got on the offensive glass for second chance points.  Lindbloom point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1909885' first='Zion' last='Wilkins'] is one to watch.  Smaller point guard plays with a lot of confidence running his team and can score with his handles when needed!   [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black Has Strong Performance against All-In Athletics 17U   It was another strong performance from [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black with a 54-39 victory against All-In Athletics.  Hinsdale Central small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2105166' first='Vincas' last='Buzelis'] once again showed he is primed to breakout this spring!  Big, physical, and athletic wing showed out in front of his brother and 2024 lottery pick Matas Buzelis.  Vincas displayed he can get stops on the defensive end, rebound, throw down dunks, and use his burst to the rim.  Also was impressed with their guard trio of Liam Hanson (Libertyville), [player_tooltip player_id='2105287' first='Braylon' last='Gray'] (Grant), and [player_tooltip player_id='2406142' first='Jayden' last=''] Hunt (Grayslake North) who all contributed to the win with their defense, playmaking, and finishing in the paint.   Couple guards to track for All-In Athletics Bradyn Michaels (St. Viator) and [player_tooltip player_id='1977254' first='Luke' last='Smith'] (Addison Trail).  Michaels bombed in threes while Smith was adept at finishing with nifty layups.   More Notes   [player_tooltip player_id='2381688' first='Valin' last='Ramberg'] of the [program_tooltip program_id='2076029' first='Wisconsin' last='Crusaders'] 16U was impressive in their loss against [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] 2027.  The wing was excellent putting it on the deck for an array of reverse layups, scoop shots, and transition dunks racking up 18 points.   For All-In Athletic Adidas Gold 16U [player_tooltip player_id='2403723' first='Thomas' last='Moffett'] and Timi Ogusanya were the standouts.  Moffett shot it very well from the perimeter draining four triples in the loss.  Ogusanya is a wing from Evanston that shined with his athleticism, shot making, and soft touch finishing game.   Top prospect on the [program_tooltip program_id='2076257' first='Illinois' last='Heat'] 17U group was [player_tooltip player_id='1766477' first='Zion' last='Young'].  The Schaumburg big man has legit size and he knows how to use his frame to get on the glass rebounding well in his area and is a good post defender.   Caught the first half of the [program_tooltip program_id='2076904' first='Chicago' last='Hoops'] 17U game.  St. Laurence 2025 wing [player_tooltip player_id='1545122' first='Caleb' last='Lindsey'] is a long and lanky wing that can really defend both laterally and vertically.  He blocked shots, used bounce on glass, and has shown improvement on his three ball. His high school teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1766469' first='Khalil' last='Jones'] controls the pace and dropped an opponent on a cross behind his legs for a score.  New name that burst on the scene late in the night was Ayden Farrare of Hinsdale South.  Big and strong wing that has athletic pop taking his man off the dribble with authority!

The Chi-Town Tip Off continued on Saturday as we were at Wintrust for 12+ hours for more hoops than you could ever want! Now it is time to dive into what we saw in Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!