Grit Region Finals: Top Illinois Wings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHI was at the Grit Region Finals over the weekend in Indianapolis.&nbsp; This event featured a lot of quality talent from the state of Illinois.&nbsp; In our post event coverage we examine the top prospects at each position from the Land of Lincoln.&nbsp; Here is <strong>Grit Region Finals: Top Illinois Wings</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105166' first='Vincas' last='Buzelis'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Buzelis is picking up right where he left off in the spring.&nbsp; The Hinsdale Central wing is a strong and athletic wing that led his team to a Grit Region Finals Championship.&nbsp; He did it on both ends of the floor.&nbsp; When his team needed him to lock down on the defensive end that is what he did.&nbsp; Can get under his opponents skin by not giving them room to move and moves his feet well laterally along with contesting shots.&nbsp; Offensively he was a bit streaky throughout the weekend as a shooter, but when they needed clutch jumpers hit nailed them.&nbsp; As always the pop off the bounce was there as the strong and athletic wing got to the rim for bouncy finishes.&nbsp; Rebounds extremely well for his position and is a solid wing passer.&nbsp; Low-major plus schools should be all over him and mid-majors should monitor in July.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2442145' first='Ian' last='Polonowski'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Polonowski is a plus shot maker from three that is among the best pure catch and shoot threats in the state.&nbsp; The Lyons forward did just that over the weekend as he lit it up from three with his quick and fluid release.&nbsp; Was absolutely lethal off the catch all weekend long from the first game the first night all the way through the championship game.&nbsp; He has plus size and strength too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tamajay Taylor ([program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor projects as a nice bench player for Simeon this upcoming season.&nbsp; For [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] over the weekend the strong bodied wing proved to be a solid shooter off the catch.&nbsp; Can make shots with a quick release at a solid clip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2045857' first='Ethan' last='Hillsman'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hillsman has emerged the last two weeks as a no doubt top 10 prospect in the 2026 class after moving to Illinois from Tennessee.&nbsp; He is a four that is transitioning to the three and he has a lot of tools to like!&nbsp; The 6'7” forward can play inside and out including dropping 20 points on opening night.&nbsp; Solid shooter off the catch from three, explosive finisher on put backs along with out of the dunker spot, and can deck it with a burst of acceleration.&nbsp; Also flashes some passing flair off live dribbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323265' first='Aamir' last='Shannon'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shannon was solid throughout the event.&nbsp; The Joliet West 2026 shooting guard did most of his damage on the defensive end and in transition.&nbsp; Liked how aggressive he was on the perimeter forcing turnovers at a high clip all weekend.&nbsp; Often turned those into points on the other end as he used his speed and bounce in the open floor for scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2400476' first='Deven' last='Triplett'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Joliet Catholic lefty guard proved to be a key part of [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health']'s run in the event to the final.&nbsp; Lefty guard that is crafty with the ball in his hands, gets to the free throw line, and can really defend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1948375' first='Luke' last='Grevengoed'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grevengoed is a wiry wing that was a nice utility piece for [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] over the weekend.  He did a little bit of everything for his squad.  Got some steals, scored in open floor, and on Sunday shot it well from three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2423485' first='Myles' last='Buchanan'] (M14 National 1 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Buchanan is a 6'2” shooting guard from Oswego East who was silky smooth all weekend for M14 National 1.&nbsp; Slippery handle getting in the lane for scores at the cup.&nbsp; Got to the cup and was very good at both handling and finishing with either hand at the rack.&nbsp; Notched 24 points in their win on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766504' first='Caden' last='Workman'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2414566' first='Mike' last='Glennon Elite'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Workman is a combo forward from Brother Rice that can play both the three and four.&nbsp; Good size with a capable shot from three.&nbsp; Like how he can operate out of different areas on the floor.&nbsp; Posts up weaker defenders and can deck it scoring out of the mid-post and in.&nbsp; The skill set and versatility make him intriguing at potentially the D2 level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2538961' first='Yousef' last='Jarad'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2414566' first='Mike' last='Glennon Elite'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jarad is a big and burly small forward that can also be utilized as a small ball four.&nbsp; The Stagg forward knows how to use his size to his advantage.&nbsp; Spin moves were his go to and he was fantastic at converting and-1 opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323332' first='Caleb' last='Henry'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This De La Salle 2026 was quiet in the first game we saw for [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'], but turned it up in the second one as his weakness of three point shot making started to turn around.&nbsp; He hit three of them in this game as you could see the confidence growing.&nbsp; Like the positional size and switch ability on the defensive side of the ball.&nbsp; In their Saturday game he had 15 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1874752' first='Kenaz' last='Jackson Jr.'] (1 Dream 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kankakee small forward has projectability with his long and rangy frame where he should be able to continue to grow.&nbsp; This 2026 prospect is a slick ball handler and fluid athlete that wins off the dribble getting in the lane for scores, converts out of the dunker spot, and passes well on the move.&nbsp; Also has a feathery three point stroke.&nbsp; One to monitor on a Kankakee team that is primed to make noise this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2386130' first='Zephon' last='Warren'] (Illinois Warriors 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With only five players Warren gave it everything he had!&nbsp; The wing has broad shoulders and was impactful taking it coast to coast in the open floor for scores.&nbsp; Also is a plus mid-range shooter that can sink shots pulling up in the 15-18 foot range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>David Dobbins ([program_tooltip program_id='2076265' first='Next' last='Level 24'] 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong bodied shooting guard from Marian Catholic had 11 points in their quarterfinal loss.&nbsp; Best using his strength as a downhill slasher finishing with physicality at the rim.&nbsp; Scoop shots, transition finishes, and hit a three late in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125644' first='Jayden' last='Bullock'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2076265' first='Next' last='Level 24'] 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bullock is a Morgan Park product that was at his best as a sharp shooter from three.&nbsp; He recorded 3 from beyond the arc for 11 points against EG10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben Cotter ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Silver 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cotter had a massive outing on Saturday night for [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package']'s 17U Silver squad.&nbsp; Plus shot maker from three did just that draining 7 triples with clean mechanics!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2407868' first='Tyler' last='Oakley'] (Illinois Mavericks 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Charleston well built 6'3” 2026 wing caught Teddy's eye in an earlier game and then late in the day Sunday did the same for me.&nbsp; Like the size, strength, and skill set here.&nbsp; He can shoot it well from three with a clean release along with knocking in some tough turnaround jumpers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->