Show Me Showdown: Illinois PGs/Combos

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past weekend the Prep Hoops Show Me Showdown took place in St. Louis.&nbsp; This is annually one of the best PHC stops for Midwest teams.&nbsp; We dive into a look at the lead guards from Illinois that made an impression on us.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545140' first='Drew' last='Barrington'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barrington is a true point guard from Carterville that knows how to run a team.&nbsp; He has an excellent feel for getting everyone involved, running the pick/roll, and pushing in the open floor.&nbsp; That is where his biggest value is as a player, but he can also score as well.&nbsp; Solid jump shooter especially when given some space and has a nice soft touch finishing game.&nbsp; True floor general!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1838836' first='Jayden' last='McCoo'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Mascoutah point guard shined over the weekend with what he usually does.&nbsp; His defensive intensity and ability to turn steals into scores quickly is his biggest strength.&nbsp; Long and active hands on the defensive end along with an in your face mentality.&nbsp; Offensively he is at his best in the open floor as a slasher getting to the cup and flashes as a passer.&nbsp; Didn't shoot it particularly well in either game we saw over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2411845' first='Karter' last='Krutsinger'] (1 Dream 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This smaller lead guard brings toughness and shot making to the table.&nbsp; Put his name on our radar with his ability to hit the three ball with consistency throughout the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2452426' first='Jalen' last='Dawson'] (Illinois Orange 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dawson definitely lived up to the billing as a player to watch coming in.&nbsp; He is a 6'0” scoring lead guard that plays with an all-out motor!&nbsp; Was constantly in attack mode off the bounce with his burst and athleticism really shining through.&nbsp; Got to the line at a high rate.&nbsp; Also was such an active rebounder for his size flying in and grabbing offensive rebounds on the regular.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387585' first='Hunter' last='Webb'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] Waters 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Webb put his name on our radar with a strong Sunday morning performance.&nbsp; The Vienna guard stands at 6'1” with quickness off the bounce scoring with nifty layups in the lane on the regular recording 20 points in their contest.&nbsp; Solid feel with quick passes on the move and gets to the charity stripe.&nbsp; Good small college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2383983' first='Trent' last='Sternberg'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] Waters 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sternberg was another prospect that put his name on the map for the Bears Waters team.&nbsp; Tough as nails guard that got after it on the defensive side of the ball.&nbsp; Floaters, hit a three, and was crafty getting to the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1977254' first='Luke' last='Smith'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is a lead guard from Belleville Althoff that should be their starting PG this upcoming season as a junior.&nbsp; What we like about his game is how efficient he is with everything that he does.&nbsp; Smith is a high IQ lead guard that makes sound decisions with the rock in his hands putting others in position to succeed.&nbsp; Also was a crafty layup maker throughout the weekend scoring in the paint and in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->