Ridgewood Shootout: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ridgewood Shootout kicked off the second live weekend on Friday.&nbsp; This event features over 100 teams and several hundred PHI ranked prospects.&nbsp; We had four scouts at the event who will each have their own takeaways from the event.&nbsp; This is my look at day 1 in <strong>Ridgewood Shootout: Scotty B's Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Loyola 2026 Guard Puts Name on Map in Win over Bolingbrook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We began the day by checking out Loyola and Bolingbrook which saw Loyola win 45-42.&nbsp; On their side it was all about the emergence of their 2026 6'2” point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552480' first='Trey' last='Williams'].&nbsp; Good size and excellent feel at the lead guard spot.&nbsp; Scores on baseline takes, runners, and spinning moves in the lane.&nbsp; He showed great passing instincts throughout the win getting others involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Bolingbrook [player_tooltip player_id='2323624' first='Davion' last='Thompson'] stole the show as usual.&nbsp; The 2027 super star had 24 points hitting difficult shots one after another.&nbsp; Pull up threes, off the catch, and creating in the mid-range.&nbsp; Whipped around some crisp passes as well.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1385301' first='JT' last='Pettigrew'] had his moments as well.&nbsp; He is one of the top 2025 posts in the state.&nbsp; Hit jumpers from mid-range and three along with high pointing rebounds inside.&nbsp; His younger brother 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'] looks the part at 6'3” with a good frame and a well-rounded game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kirkpatrick and Smith Show Out in New Trier's Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this first game back in several months New Trier 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1554516' first='Christopher' last='Kirkpatrick'] owned the game as he led his team to a 46-22 victory over Lemont.&nbsp; He did it on both ends of the floor.&nbsp; Held down Lemont's star limiting his damage defensively while on the offensive side he used his crisp handles, pull up jumper from mid-range along with a three, and made others better with his passing.&nbsp; Kid is a competitive leader!&nbsp; His running mate 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1385306' first='Colby' last='Smith'] was the recipient of several of those dimes raining in three triples in a 16 point performance.&nbsp; High IQ guard that will shine at the small college level.&nbsp; Maks Depolo was a new name to monitor as the 6'8” five man impacts defensively along with finishing with touch around the hoop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lemont's star [player_tooltip player_id='1552393' first='Gabriel' last='Sularski'] did manage to score 10 points with most of it coming at the line.&nbsp; New Trier threw multiple guys at him all game long and the jumper just didn't fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marquette Commit Nets Game Winner in Front of Future Head Coach</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In front of his future head coach Shaka Smart at Marquette when Rolling Meadows needed a key score they got it from their star [player_tooltip player_id='1385299' first='Ian' last='Miletic'].&nbsp; The 2025 #3 overall prospect hit several threes, slashed off the bounce, and in crunch time he put it on the deck for a key bucket finishing with 16 points in their 46-45 W over Riverside Brookfield.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1545134' first='Jack' last='Duffer'] also had a solid game for the Mustangs as the small college gem had it rolling early with his jumper along with mixing in some soft touch finishes.&nbsp; He had 12 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2321417' first='Lazar' last='Lazarevic'] is a skilled four that can score inside with hooks and put backs while also stretching with is shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB was without their star 2026 Mercer, but they still played well in this one.&nbsp; Class of 2025 wing [player_tooltip player_id='2415420' first='Danny' last='Loftus'] had 17 points in the loss.&nbsp; Tough guard did most of his damage in the paint on nifty finishes and tough takes off the bounce.&nbsp; Vince Dockendorf is a smaller point guard that can really shoot it raining in several threes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marist Athletic Front Court Show Upside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a low scoring game early on before Marist stretched the lead out scoring the victory over Clark 42-24.&nbsp; Their star 2026 post [player_tooltip player_id='1845350' first='Stephen' last='Brown'] showed flashes.&nbsp; He was very aggressive on the glass throughout.&nbsp; Finished above the rim with explosiveness on short rolls, rim runs, and alley oops.&nbsp; Can also put it on the deck from the mid-post as he had 10 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1552436' first='Karson' last='Thomas'] has a lot of intriguing physical tools as the new addition to this squad is one of the better 2026 wings in the class.&nbsp; He gets after it defensively moving his feet laterally and disrupting on that end.&nbsp; Quick twitchy athlete that finished above the rim with big dunks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2026 shooting guard Tay'Shawn Parks was the prospect that caught our eye for Michelle Clark.&nbsp; The 6'3” guard is a lefty with size that can shoot it with a sweet stroke and has good athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freshman Hits Game Winner over Phillips</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libertyville won a game 42-40 over defending state champs Phillips in one of the contests I was most looking forward to on the day.&nbsp; It was a 2028 that made a name for himself.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2540198' first='Terrence' last='Davis'] has size at about 6'2” with a projectable frame.&nbsp; He got to the line, hit in the mid-range, passed well, and when the game was on the line he took it right at the defending champs and won it with a bucket.&nbsp; Their 2026 big man Bryce Wegryzn was dominant inside with his physicality.&nbsp; Well built post that snatched rebounds, blocked shots, and scored with efficiency in the paint.&nbsp; He had 19 points.&nbsp; Small colleges should keep tabs on Stevan Garvic.&nbsp; This wing rebounds well and can deck it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2321396' first='EJ' last='Horton'] is such an electric athlete and we are reminded about it each time we see him.&nbsp; Explosive combo guard that gets to the rim for acrobatic finishes or floaters.&nbsp; Swatted a couple shots LBJ style and got to the line.&nbsp; Mixed in a nice pull up behind a ball screen in a 15 point outing impressing mid-majors on hand to watch him.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2217980' first='Phoenix' last='Childs'] had his moments as the 2025 strong bodied and long wing had a good variance early on between jumpers and strong takes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Scantlebury Impresses Leading Lane Tech to Win over Highland Park</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We came away really liking what we saw from Lane Tech on Friday in their 52-34 victory against Highland Park.&nbsp; It all starts with their top 15 prospect in the senior class [player_tooltip player_id='1545128' first='Dalton' last='Scantlebury'].&nbsp; He is a skilled five that can play inside and out.&nbsp; Did most of his damage inside in this one snatching rebounds, sealing, hook shots, and using his quick second jump for points notching 19 points in the win.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1874839' first='Luka' last='Pinto'] is a 6'5” wing that has nice size, can make shots, and rebounds well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2538944' first='Alex' last='Kriser'] was lights out for Highland Park as the 6'0” guard drained a plethora of threes in the loss nailing six of them in a 20 point outing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 2025 Munoz Plays Above Rim as Whitney Young Scores Victory</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We bumped up Whitney Young forward [player_tooltip player_id='1385300' first='Antonio' last='Munoz'] to #2 in our latest update of the 2025 class and after the way the Dolphins star played in their 43-36 win over Lake Forest we could not be more happy with that decision.&nbsp; The aspects he will bring to a team at the next level were shown in this one.&nbsp; High level athleticism, very good motor, transition scoring, defense, and rebounding.&nbsp; He did all of it in a 14 point outing impacting across the board.&nbsp; His fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1545124' first='Damajay' last='Richardson'] knocked in four triples in the win both off the catch and creating on his own for 12 points.&nbsp; Despite not scoring a ton we loved the growth in running a team in the half court we saw out of [player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark'].&nbsp; The top 2026 point guard in the state made great decisions, got to his spots with his handles, and worked so well in ball screens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2538856' first='Hudson' last='Scroggins'] is a 2025 name we had heard some buzz about and wow that was good intel.&nbsp; The 6'7” face up four had 15 points in the loss for Lake Forest.&nbsp; Lefty can knock down threes off the catch, crisp one dribble pullups inside the arc, and can back his man in for buckets.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2538995' first='Grant' last='Mordini'] is another big in the 2025 class worth monitoring at his size of 6'10” along with lanky build.&nbsp; Flashed athleticism, shot blocking, and shot it well in warm ups showcasing a potential shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lovemore Leads Bloom to Win while Out of State Transfer Hillsman Emerges as Potential Top 10 2026 for Joliet West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a high level game between two teams with quite a few prospects on each side as Bloom topped Joliet West 50-45.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1545131' first='Elijah' last='Lovemore'] is one of the best guards in the 2025 class.&nbsp; Combo guard with strength that loves to get downhill.&nbsp; Finished through contact at the rim for multiple and-1s.&nbsp; He had 18 points willing his team on both ends along with his leadership.&nbsp; Also liked what his running mate [player_tooltip player_id='2105218' first='Payton' last='Edwards'] brought as a secondary scorer that had spinning layups, post ups, and a three.&nbsp; Went for 11 points along with showing his high level of competitiveness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out of state transfer rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='2045857' first='Ethan' last='Hillsman'] made a name for Teddy and Steve when they saw him last week and wow was he intriguing when I saw him on Friday night.&nbsp; The 6'7” small forward has size, strength, athleticism, and skill.&nbsp; Shot it really well to open the game as he nailed multiple threes along with several in the mid-range.&nbsp; Used his strength to get downhill and to the charity stripe.&nbsp; Finished with 20 points.&nbsp; Even showed some passing feel.&nbsp; Should debut as a top 10 prospect in the next 2026 update.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2323265' first='Aamir' last='Shannon'] is a scoring two guard that can knock down a jumper and mix in runners as he had 7 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Laurence Guard Depth Too Much for Batavia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The plethora of guards that St. Laurence can throw at you is truly outstanding as it carried them to a 42-31 win against Batavia.&nbsp; Big bodied two guard that uses his strength to bully his way downhill on straight line takes through traffic.&nbsp; His point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1766461' first='EJ' last='Mosley'] did a solid job dishing the rock along with impacting defensively including several blocks.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1550741' first='Jacob' last='Rice'] who moved back to Illinois for his senior campaign his a pair of threes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Batavia small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1295579' first='Jax' last='Abalos'] is one of the top snipers in the state.&nbsp; Ripped the nets for a pair in this game along with using his athleticism on the defensive end blocking a couple shots.&nbsp; Finished with 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Highly Ranked 2027 and 2028 Both Shine as Warren Wins Against Neuqua Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While most of the college coaches were watching a game with upperclassmen during this session I took in a battle of top underclassmen with Warren winning over Neuqua Valley 64-51.&nbsp; Warren is led by high-major point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] in the 2027 class.&nbsp; Lefty is so crafty and has an advanced feel for the game.&nbsp; He has an off the charts IQ and is a winner.&nbsp; Shot maker as he drained threes and mid-range shots along with acrobatic layups.&nbsp; Active hands defensively and dished the rock as always finishing with 14 points.&nbsp; On the perimeter his running mate is 2025 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2291830' first='Javerion' last='Banks'].&nbsp; Plus athlete that can shoot it and plays well above the rim in transition.&nbsp; He had 16 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neuqua Valley 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2531981' first='Cole' last='Kelly'] has had some buzz early in the process as one of the top incoming freshman in the class.&nbsp; In our first eval of him we can say that is definitely on point.&nbsp; The combo forward has size and a high level flame thrower off his left hand as he poured in four triples in the game.&nbsp; Smooth and easy stroke.&nbsp; Can take it off the class and push it.&nbsp; High points rebounds and is a fluid overall athlete that scored 16 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2217987' first='Whitman' last='Charboneau'] is a 6'1” two guard that had his jumper working along with some cuts to the hoop for scores.&nbsp; Small colleges keep tabs on this 2025 wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waubonsie Valley Trio Obliterate Opponents to Close Night</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right after dismantling Kenwood, Waubonsie Valley turned around immediately and did it to Lyons 53-38 to close out the night.&nbsp; They might have been a surprise top team last year, but they are not sneaking up on anyone this year.&nbsp; It all starts with 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2326960' first='Tyreek' last='Coleman'].&nbsp; He is a super athletic true lead guard that has elite IQ and knows how to play the position.&nbsp; Good pace, gets others involved, and knows when to look for his own shot.&nbsp; Electric with the ball in his hands breaking down defenders off the bounce for scores.&nbsp; Works great around ball screens as a passer, driver, and shooter.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2326966' first='Moses' last='Wilson'] is a long and thin combo forward that was the best we have ever seen him.&nbsp; He had some absolutely monster dunks both creating on his own and off passes.&nbsp; Hit a three, got on the offensive glass, and handles it well for his size.&nbsp; Versatile defender as well who finished with 11 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2125659' first='Kristopher' last='Mporokoso'] was stellar in this one as well.&nbsp; The 2027 6'3” shooting guard is a lefty that notched 14 points hitting multiple triples, slick drives, and kicked it all around with his passing.&nbsp; Also liked how he competed on the defensive end.&nbsp; Elevated his stock in this one!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->