Grit Region Finals: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grit Region Finals continued Saturday with another excellent day of games.&nbsp; We were once again at the 17U venue in Lebanon taking in the action.&nbsp; We dive into what we saw right here in <strong>Grit Region Finals: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Corey Graham Elite Storms Back to Knock Off Indiana Ambition</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game was all Indiana Ambition early as they were rolling doubling up Corey Graham at one point late in the first half.&nbsp; The flip switched in the second half as Corey Graham got the intensity going on both ends making it a one possession game down the stretch.&nbsp; They got fouled with under 20 seconds left.&nbsp; Made one of two and then held on with a tipped pass to win 74-73.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jakye Rainey was the prospect that ignited the run.&nbsp; The scoring lead guard had it rolling with his deep range on his three point shot.&nbsp; The guard used his quickness off the bounce and scored on acrobatic drives in the paint.&nbsp; Finished with 15 points.&nbsp; Jordan Alexander is a well built small forward that plays with a lot of physicality.&nbsp; He hits the offensive glass, finishes through contact, and has a soft touch finishing game around the basket.&nbsp; Went for 19 points in the win.&nbsp; Like the projectability that Darryl Montgomery brings to the table.&nbsp; The two guard with a lanky build drained multiple clean jumpers and was athletic around the hoop rolling to 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indiana Ambition got nice outings across the board.&nbsp; A couple of skilled forwards that caught our attention were Josiah Sloss and Xander Neihaus.&nbsp; Sloss is a four that can stretch the floor with his shot making draining multiple threes.&nbsp; Fluid getting up and down the floor and got to the foul line at a nice rate netting 14 points.&nbsp; Neihaus brings all out energy on both ends of the floor.&nbsp; Plus athlete that is active on the defensive end blocking shots and getting his hands on deflections.&nbsp; Also can hit from the mid-range as he had 13 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1297123' first='Jay' last='Summitt'] is the heart and soul of this team.&nbsp; He is a strong bodied forward that plays taller than his height with his intensity.&nbsp; Mauls on the offensive glass and goes through taller opponents inside for scores as he had 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fears Dazzles in 34 Point Morning Outing with [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up we saw [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] get a test against [program_tooltip program_id='2082760' first='Reps317' last=''] out of Indiana.&nbsp; When the game was on the line in the second half their superstar Jeremiah Fears once again took over leading them to an 81-75 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fears did a little bit of everything in the win.&nbsp; Made deep threes especially when given any kind of space.&nbsp; He was dynamic off the bounce weaving through traffic with ease for scores in the paint.&nbsp; Used his speed and athleticism in the open floor for scores.&nbsp; Lived in the paint throughout the game along with showcasing good passing instincts in the half court.&nbsp; He was a man among boys!&nbsp; Joliet West 2026 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2323265' first='Aamir' last='Shannon'] had a nice outing despite not shooting it as well from deep as he is used too.&nbsp; Liked what he did in transition racking up the points with his aggressiveness recording 17 points.&nbsp; Joliet West 2026 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2045857' first='Ethan' last='Hillsman'] flashed in this one.&nbsp; Projectable wing with size and strength is trending toward top 10 status.&nbsp; Gets on the glass with his second jump, makes plays in transition, and impacts defensively as he had 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2026 guard Duke Karnes was the star for [program_tooltip program_id='2082760' first='Reps317' last=''] out of Indiana.&nbsp; The combo guard was magnificent dropping 26 points in the loss.&nbsp; Fluid guard that can play both on and off the ball.&nbsp; Plus shot maker from three and mid-range.&nbsp; Scrappy getting in the lane and to the line as well.&nbsp; Bright future for Karnes.&nbsp; He got help in the backcourt from Bryce Harris especially in the first half as he was lightning quick with the ball in his hands.&nbsp; Pushed the tempo, loved the runner game, and showed to be a capable shooter.&nbsp; Went for 15 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1534944' first='Trae' last='Davis'] also a standout in this one.&nbsp; The two guard with size made four triples in the loss along with rebounding well for his position notching 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>M14 National 1 Scores Win Over DG Warriors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In M14 National 1's victory to open the day it was all about the play of their Oswego East 6'2” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2423485' first='Myles' last='Buchanan'].&nbsp; He is silky smooth with the rock in his hands.&nbsp; Slick takes one after another where he was effective at finishing with layups or floaters.&nbsp; Also was willing to draw contact and take trips to the charity stripe as he had 24 points in the win.&nbsp; West Aurora big man [player_tooltip player_id='1428973' first='Gabriel' last='Gonzales'] is a five man that can protect the rim with his shot blocking and score out of the post with nifty moves as he had 11 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1598647' first='Aidan' last='Nilsson'] is a name to keep tabs on as a plus shooter from distance who went for 10 points Saturday morning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Flight Athletics Scores In-State Victory over Clippers Nation Elite Red</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up was an all Illinois clash with Flight winning 70-40 against Clippers Nation Elite Red.&nbsp; Plainfield South bouncy 6'6” four man [player_tooltip player_id='2399484' first='Kareem' last='Parker'] continues to catch our attention on the circuit.&nbsp; Super athletic undersized post that is quick to the offensive glass and defends well.&nbsp; Most of his points come off offensive put backs and out of the dunker spot.&nbsp; Good small college or JUCO candidate as he had 14 points.&nbsp; Fenwick 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2406549' first='Makai' last='Mandley'] is a slick player in transition that puts pressure on the rim.&nbsp; He is very smooth with the rock and is a decent shooter going for 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davee Edwards of Bolingbrook was the top player for the Clippers.&nbsp; Combo guard that can knock down open shots from deep and has a nice floater game.&nbsp; Bolingbrook continues to churn out small college gems late in their careers and this could be the next one up!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2414566' first='Mike' last='Glennon Elite'] Comes Back to Defeat All-In Athletics</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early on it was all AIA in this one, but slowly the tide started to turn and [program_tooltip program_id='2414566' first='Mike' last='Glennon Elite'] got back in it.&nbsp; They won by a super narrow margin of 63-62.&nbsp; For this team it all starts with the Brother Rice 2025 duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1766504' first='Caden' last='Workman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2444443' first='Max' last='Justic'].&nbsp; Workman is a skilled four man that can play inside and out.&nbsp; Sound shooting stroke, can post up, and put it on the deck.&nbsp; Like his passing ability and how he impacts the game in a variety of ways.&nbsp; Justic is a lefty combo guard that can really run the show at the point.&nbsp; He is a sound decision maker that works well around ball screens.&nbsp; Sweeping layups off the bounce, mid-range jumpers, and excellent passes in the half court were some of his strengths that were shown in this one.&nbsp; Stagg strong bodied forward [player_tooltip player_id='2538961' first='Yousef' last='Jarad'] plays bully ball against weaker opponents.&nbsp; Spin moves on the block and finishes extremely well through contact for and-1s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luca Asanka from Indiana was their standout early in this one as he couldn't miss from deep.  Rangy combo guard with a plus shooting stroke.  Acrobatic layup maker around the rim to go with his above average shooting.  Evanston guard Jonathan Dickson caught our attention with his smooth handles as a combo guard that loved to deck it for scores on sweeping layups.  [player_tooltip player_id='2218166' first='Liam' last='Dunn'] is a sharp shooter to track moving forward.  Crisp and concise release leads to a nice shooting percentage from beyond the arc. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] Gets Lift from Hillcrest Big Man in Victory</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up was [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] who scored a 75-63 win against Charging Elite out of Ohio.&nbsp; Yesterday it was an unknown big man that made his noise for this squad and today it was a ranked one.&nbsp; Hillcrest post [player_tooltip player_id='1541235' first='Jaylen' last='Ingram'] is a big time rebounder both in and out of his area.&nbsp; Uses his long arms and quickness to garner rebounds.&nbsp; Converted quite a few and-1s, ran the floor, finished out of the dunker spot, and even stretched to three for one from the corner.&nbsp; Brings defensive versatility being switchable and blocking shots.&nbsp; On the first night it was Perspectives 2025 post [player_tooltip player_id='2538867' first='James' last='Amison'] who jumped off the floor.&nbsp; Not quite the same production with 8 points in this one, but there are still a lot of intriguing qualities.&nbsp; Lanky post was very good as a shot blocker, quick to the glass, and is explosive off his feet to finish.&nbsp; De La Salle 2026 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2323332' first='Caleb' last='Henry'] had the best outing we have seen from him in his career.&nbsp; Notched 15 points including three triples which is an area he has traditionally struggled in.&nbsp; Pair of and-1s on a slip and put back.&nbsp; Tamajay Taylor is a wing that should see some minutes for Simeon off the bench in a reserve role.&nbsp; Strong bodied wing that can knock down shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charging Elite features five guards that play in all out attack mode.&nbsp; The one that was the best was [player_tooltip player_id='2381886' first='Ellis' last='Appiah'].&nbsp; Strong 6'1” scoring guard that was a pure bucket getter from all three levels as he notched 25 points in the loss.&nbsp; Made four threes both off the catch and creating his own shot on step backs.&nbsp; Attacked the rim with reckless abandon using his athleticism and strength to put pressure on the rim.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2399522' first='Christian' last='Moulton'] is another guard that can fill it up.&nbsp; Drained multiple threes and scored in the open floor on his way to 14 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2381885' first='Jayden' last='Hill'] is a combo guard with solid feel for playing with the ball in his hands while hitting a couple threes for 13 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2381888' first='Dominic' last='Davis'] was yet another guard who shot it well from distance along with being active on the defensive end!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1 Dream Posts Massive Victory Behind Standout Backcourt Duo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The south suburbs always produce some underrated talent.&nbsp; 1 Dream has several of those prospects on their 17U team.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1598786' first='Willie' last='Felton'] from Bishop McNamara is a lighting quick lead guard that pushes with speed, has great vision, and plays above the rim!&nbsp; Can also drain stop and pop mid-range shots as he racked up 19 points in the victory.&nbsp; The athleticism and skill combination will get him looks at the next level.&nbsp; Playing next to him on the wing is Kankakee's [player_tooltip player_id='1874752' first='Kenaz' last='Jackson Jr.']&nbsp; The 2026 wing has a projectable frame and length.&nbsp; Silky smooth scorer whether it is with the jumper, slithering through the defense, or passing as a secondary playmaker.&nbsp; Went for 13 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2381893' first='Richard' last='Darr'] of Bishop McNamara is a post to track as the 2026 was a solid shot blocker, fluid in transition, active on the glass, and has touch around the hoop.&nbsp; He had 7 points.&nbsp; Yet another Bishop McNamara product in this one was 2025 5'11” guard [player_tooltip player_id='2217950' first='Cole' last='Czako'] who proved to be a spark plug for his squad with his shot making from deep and mid-range as he scored 17 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Illinois Warriors their top performer was Sagamon Valley combo guard Donovyn [player_tooltip player_id='2389565' first='Riley' last=''].&nbsp; Crafty left handed guard that has a clean looking shot from three and the baseline.&nbsp; Has some shiftiness to his game as well.&nbsp; Went for 12 points. Decatur Eisenhower 6'0” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2386130' first='Zephon' last='Warren'] is was effective as a mid-range shooter that flashed some burst notching 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->