Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook
In this article:
The Prep Hoops Circuit continued to roll along with the final day of the Chi-Town Tip Off on Sunday. PHI was there to take in the action as I was at two different facilities. Here is a look at what…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops Circuit continued to roll along with the final day of the Chi-Town Tip Off on Sunday. PHI was there to take in the action as I was at two different facilities. Here is a look at what I saw in Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook!
Illinois Bears 17U Open Up Day with 8:00 AM W vs United Hoops
First game of the day we caught the Illinois Bears Barrington 17U crew score a win 59-50 against a good United Hoops group from Wisconsin. Early on in the game Carterville point guard Drew Barrington Drew Barrington 6'0" | PG Carterville | 2025 State IL was slicing and dicing getting in the lane for scores on soft touch finishes around the hoop. He also was an adept passer racking up 14 points and 5 dimes. Inside Okawville post Aidan Anderson Aidan Anderson 6'9" | C Okawville | 2025 State IL had a massive weekend. The five man scored in the post on seals, put backs, and even stretched while rebounding at a high rate with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Pinckneyville wing AJ Keith AJ Keith 6'4" | SG Pinckneyville | 2025 State IL used his athleticism slashing and getting on the the glass for 13 points and 10 rebounds. Marion five man Race Hickey Race Hickey 6'10" | C Marion | 2025 IL did an outstanding job rebounding all game recording 4 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Leshawn Brown was a breakout performer for United Hoops. Really liked what the athletic wing brough scoring on an array of and-1s at the cup. Took it baseline with authority over and over again also hitting a three off a DHO. Kaycee Guzeman impressed again as the thick bodied guard is so crafty scoring around the cup and in the mid-range.
Five Star Basketball 17U Scores Impressive Win Behind Trio of Wings vs Chicago Grinders
Next up was Five Star Basketball’s 71-63 win against Chicago Grinders . The Indiana squad had three perimeter players that stood out in the win. Duece Owens is a powerfully built wing that gets to the line with physicality, threw down big dunks in transition, and can post up weaker defenders. Brody Schimpa is a plus shooter from three with good athleticism who drained four from deep. Brandon Williams Brandon Williams 6'2" | SG South Bend Riley | 2025 State IN is another guard to track with his shot making.
Brad Johnson Jr once again led the Chicago Grinders . The Curie wing had a big weekend pouring in jumpers all over the floor. He hit an array of threes and twos in this game. Will see a massive debut in our June update as he is primed to be a go to guy for Curie next season!
Wisconsin Crusaders Big 4 Shine in 17U Victory against M14 Adidas Gold
The Wisconsin Crusaders scored a nice 72-59 win over M14. They had a well balanced attack among their standout prospects. Inside Logan Steffensmeier Logan Steffensmeier 6'7" | SF Sheboygan North | 2025 WI was a force throwing down dunks, sealing in the post for scores, getting tip ins, and sealing on the block. Finished with 15 points. Oskar Kangas Oskar Kangas 6'6" | PF Iron Mountain | 2025 WI is an athletic prospect that also brings skill to the table. Good size and made plays as a scorer and distributor racking up 14 points. Keegan Van Kauwenberg Keegan Van Kauwenberg 6'3" | CG Kaukauna | 2025 State WI can really shoot the rock! He didn’t have the massive game he usually does when I see him, but was still effective with a pair of threes and an alley oop for 10 points. At the point Drew Daoust Drew Daoust 6'2" | PG Southern Door | 2025 State WI was the top performer with his shot making. The thick bodied combo guard drained an array of threes while mixing in crafty finishes and solid passing for 17 points.
It was another big game for Proviso West point guard Machi Nelson. The smaller lead guard is silky smooth with the rock in his hands. He makes sound decisions finding teammates as a passer while having a good pull up jumper game. Dropped 16 points in the loss. Matas Gaiduevicius of Lemont showed flashes of his potential as the long and lanky wing with size is a plus shooter draining several threes along with some pop off the bounce. Freddie Hassan of Kaneland put his name on the map over the weekend as the 6’5” four man is an athletic offensive rebounder that can stretch on occasion with his shooting.
Guards Emerge for Full Package 16U in Triumph against Illinois Bears
Charlie Pomis of Hersey and Carmel’s Ethan Matz Ethan Matz 6'2" | SG Carmel Catholic | 2026 IL carried Full Package 16U in their 75-67 win over the Illinois Bears . Pomis is a crafty scorer off the bounce that was aggressive getting to the cup for multiple and-1s. He also got out in transition and drained a pair of threes for 19 points. Matz is a big time sharp shooter hitting an array of them in the win off the catch. Plays with grit and scored off movement toward the basket as well for 13 points. Keep an eye out for Bryden Dohnal of New Trier as well with a sweet looking jumper and Loyola’s Sam Golden.
Illinois Bears big man Ty Laur Ty Laur 6'6" | C Pinckneyville | 2026 State IL from Pinckneyville is such a skilled prospect. He scored 16 points in the loss despite missing several bunnies. Such advanced footwork around the hoop with counter moves. What impressed us even more than the scoring was how well he dished it slicing up the defense both out of the high-post and block for assists. Very bright future! Centralia 2026 shooting guard Devin Meier Devin Meier 6'0" | SG Centralia | 2026 IL caught our attention during the week at the Pure Sweat Camp. He had a strong showing in this one as well with crisp jumpers especially in the mid-range for 13 points. Kaden Wilson Kaden Wilson 5'10" | SG Carterville | 2026 IL of Carterville is a tough and athletic guard that scores in the paint with burst racking up 11 points.
Cleveland Shows Out in Mac Irvin Fire 15U Win
We then drove over to Romeoville to see elite 2027 Devin Cleveland Devin Cleveland 6'2" | PG Kenwood | 2027 IL with the Mac Irvin Fire EYBL 15U squad who recorded a 59-53 win against Meanstreets ‘ last=”] National 16U. Cleveland was spectacular in the win especially in the second half recording 19 of his game high 27 points in the second stanza. Long and rangy combo guard that has super deep range on his three point shot. He was excellent working around ball screens, getting in the lane, and finishing difficult layups. Continues to improve as a distributor and has a chance to be a high level perimeter defender. Said in a tweet during the game he has traits that remind me of a combination of Ayo Dosunmu and Charlie Moore. Also for the Fire they got a great showing from Rich Township shooting guard TJ Eaton. The two guard was raining in threes at a high clip along with showing athleticism before going down with an arm injury. Definitely a name to watch long term as he had 14 points. Kenwood broad shouldered wing Damari Stephens Damari Stephens 6'3" | SG Kenwood | 2027 IL is a physical perimeter player that loves to get downhill in the half court and transition with strength for scores at the cup. Good defender. Lindblom point guard Ed Williams is a stocky lead guard that is a defender and passer. Kevinas Salkauskas of Stagg is a legit big that has size and is a solid athlete. Bit raw, but there are tools to work with. Duece McDuffie from Rufus King out of Milwaukee was an intriguing prospect. Long and lanky wing that looks the pair and can score on slashes. Jumper and free throw shooting need some refinement.
The name that popped for Meanstreets ‘ last=”] National 16U was Bremen point guard Jalen Clardy Jalen Clardy 6'2" | SG Bremen | 2026 IL . The lead guard has a lot of juice in the open floor pushing it while being able to knock down threes at a solid clip. Bolingbrook power forward Elijah Anderson’s bounce shined on the offensive glass for several put backs.