Prep Hoops Live: Saturday AM Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which prospects stood out on Saturday morning at the Romeoville Athletic Center?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1355915' first='Sage' last='Hanson'] -- SF -- North Dakota Phenoms</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hanson immediately caught my eye on Saturday morning. The small forward's size is the first thing that stands out. His 6-foot-7 frame is ideal, as he is switchable defensively on the perimeter yet still owns a significant size advantage around the basket. Hanson had a really solid showing for North Dakota Phenoms in a win. I thought that Hanson particularly shined defensively. In one sequence, the SF blocked two shots on one possession. Hanson possesses defensive skills that make offensive players think twice and hesitate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552461' first='Ethan' last='Matz'] -- SG -- [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matz was awesome in [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package']'s win on Saturday morning. The shooting guard was everywhere. Offensively, Matz brings a potent and complete game. He makes outside shots, can pass well, and has enough wiggle and speed to get downhill and finish. After his team had lost a big lead, Matz stepped up and drilled a massive three, eventually serving as the dagger. Matz's activity defensively was also impressive. He has quick hands and a real knack for getting in passing lanes and being disruptive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Charlie Pomis -- SG -- [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pomis was solid everywhere for [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] this morning. The shooting guard did some really nice things with the ball in his hands. As a decision maker and leader, Pomis made sure his teammates were on schedule and involved. With good positional size and skill, I think that Pomis has plenty of promise and his best basketball is surely ahead of him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552411' first='Jalen' last='Boyd'] -- PF -- Basketball Paradise</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Measuring in at 6-foot-6 with plenty of athletic gifts, Boyd earned my attention on Saturday. The power forward showed some flashes and had several great stretches of play. In one sequence, Boyd made a tough catch in traffic and put it right back up for a layup. I think that Boyd's real potential is on the defensive end, though. With his size, physicality, and athleticism, Boyd is a true deterrent at the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2382444' first='Tanner' last='Hozian'] -- SG -- Basketball Paradise </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Basketball Paradise was behind the eight ball for much of its 8:00 AM matchup vs [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package']. Every time it seemed like BP had gathered momentum, FP returned the favor. That was until Hozian's energy and effort prevailed. Late in the game, the 6-foot-3 shooting guard decided he had enough. He began playing extremely hard, encouraging his teammates to do the same. Even though the comeback effort fell a bit short, I was still very impressed with Hozian's grit and determination. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552444' first='Carter' last='Newsome'] -- PG -- [program_tooltip program_id='2076264' first='Illinois' last='Central Elite']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newsome is no stranger to playing at a high level in Prep Hoops Circuit tournaments. In fact, the point guard has made a habit out of it. This morning, he continued to showcase his talent. As a primary scorer, Newsome is formidable. He has an elite handle and is extremely shifty. He can stop on a dime to get off his patented mid range jumper. Newsome's skills were on full display Saturday morning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ahmad [player_tooltip player_id='2403249' first='Lee' last=''] -- SG -- [program_tooltip program_id='2075383' first='Chicago' last='Demons']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was only able to catch the first half of [program_tooltip program_id='2075383' first='Chicago' last='Demons']' matchup vs [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package']. But in the brief viewing, [player_tooltip player_id='2403249' first='Lee' last=''] stood out. The shooting guard proved why he is regarded to be one of the best prospects in Illinois. Physically, he possesses great upside. Size, length, and athleticism can all be checked off. In terms of skill, [player_tooltip player_id='2403249' first='Lee' last=''] is also coming along quickly and developing nicely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->