The Last Dance: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saturday was a long and fun day of hoops at The Last Dance.&nbsp; PHI was in the house with multiple scouts.&nbsp; Here I break down what I saw in <strong>The Last Dance: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Guard Trio Ignites Kessel Heat in 8 AM Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first game of the day we saw Kessel Heat score a 66-48 win over Northstar Titans at the 17U level.&nbsp; Niles North 2025 point guard Reid Olson is one of the most electric shot makers in the state and he was banging them in bunches during the first half then set his teammates up the rest of the way scoring 16 points.&nbsp; Anetis Hadjistamoulou and Ben Schneider are crafty guards that play with pace and feel.&nbsp; They find their spots to score mostly in the lane and mid-range along with being excellent passers.&nbsp; Tyler Thick is a 6'8” five man from Hinsdale Central that caught our attention with his ability to protect the rim defensively and get on the glass.&nbsp; Also was effective in the pick/roll for 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northstar was led by Drew Kolander.&nbsp; The 6'7” post is a skilled big man that can step out and shoot it from beyond the arc along with showing some touch around the cup notching 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson and Favia Score 16 Each as AyoDosElite Tops 88 West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up was an all Illinois contest as AyoDosElite defeated 88 West 65-45.&nbsp; Lot of sleeper prospects from the state in this contest.&nbsp; Curie 2025 wing Jahkil Jackson has a chance to have a big year for the CPS power.&nbsp; Dropped 16 points draining three feathery triples along with attacking the rim with athleticism in the open floor.&nbsp; His running mate was Anthony Favia of St. Patrick.&nbsp; Smooth 6'2” two guard that is a plus shooter with range to well beyond the arc finishing with 16 points as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oswego East 6'4” 2025 power forward Damien Lewandowski caught our eye a couple years back with his high school team.&nbsp; Hasn't grown much vertically, but he possesses a nice combination of strength and skill.&nbsp; Can handle it, scores on short rolls, and gets on the glass.&nbsp; Davion Jackson is a 2026 raw power forward at 6'4” that looks the part with is physicality and athleticism.&nbsp; Rebounds very well in his area and flashed some moves including a spin in the lane along with a jump stop and-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Illinois Central Elite 1-2 Duo Shines in In-State win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Land of Lincoln clash here as Illinois Central Elite topped Illinois Stars 64-41.&nbsp; This was pretty much dominated from start to finish by the ICE backcourt of Javerion Banks and Carter Newsome.&nbsp; Banks is a plus athlete on the wing from Warren that plays above the rim throwing down some massive dunks along with scoring consistently in transition with his motor racking up 18 points.&nbsp; Carter Newsome is a lead guard from Waukegan that has a good feel for the game passing getting his teammates involved along with hitting several threes.&nbsp; Pesky on ball defender also creates points off turnovers netting 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jack Superits was the standout for Illinois Stars.&nbsp; The Joliet Catholic 2025 shooting guard was good shooting it from deep letting it fly with confidence finishing with 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Minnesota Select 16U Scorches Nets vs Mac Irvin Fire 15U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Minnesota teams would start to take over the day beginning here as Minnesota Select 16U won 68-48 over Mac Irvin Fire 15U.  Aidaen Musoke is a rangy 6'6” wing that impacted on both ends.  Can shoot it from three, steal in the post, and hit the offensive glass as he had 12 points.  Carson McMichael was a sharp shooter for the Minnesota squad as he drained five of them en route to 18 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new prospect caught our attention on Saturday for the Fire 15U in Normal U-High small forward Owen Kirby.&nbsp; At about 6'4” he has good length and a plus three point shot along with mixing in a turnaround jumper scoring 11 points.&nbsp; Damari Stevens of Kenwood had a big first half scoring all of his 9 points in the first stanza.&nbsp; Built like a middle linebacker he punishes opponents going downhill and getting to the foul line.&nbsp; Rich Township 2027 point guard TJ Eaton has continuously grown on us throughout the spring and summer.&nbsp; He is a tough guard that can shoot it off the catch and make plays around the cup along with passing on the move as he had 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Illinois Bears Keen 16U Makes It Look Easy vs Beast Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Illinois Bears controlled this one from the tip winning over Beast Elite 62-41 in a 16U clash.&nbsp; Kentucky standout Bray Kirk was at it again.&nbsp; The 2026 shooting guard is definitely trending as a D1 prospect with the creativity off the bounce and shot making that he possesses.&nbsp; He had 23 points.&nbsp; Nashville strong bodied wing Maddox Ritzel chipped in with 12 points in the win using his strength to score in the lane.&nbsp; Luke Smith of Althoff and Ty Laur of Pinckneyville did a nice job of passing the rock around.&nbsp; Smith finished with 13 points, 7 dimes, and 4 steals.&nbsp; Laur is an intriguing long term five man in the 2026 class that had 4 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beast Elite got the majority of their production from their backcourt.&nbsp; Amare Polk and Daryun Cox led the way as Polk recorded 16 points in the loss while Cox had 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Minnesota Fury Wilde 17U All-Around Play Too Much for Mac Irvin Fire 16U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the more talented teams in the field matched up here with Minnesota Fury 17U knocking off Mac Irvin Fire 16U 75-66.&nbsp; Luke Wherley was the leading scorer for Fury as he had 22 points (9-14 FG) including four triples.&nbsp; Cole Wilcek is a skilled player that stuffs the stat sheet.&nbsp; That was evident in this game as he had 7 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in the victory.&nbsp; Devin Pass also made three from deep en route to 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mac Irvin Fire were pushed by their go to trio of Lincoln Williams, Rajan Roberts, and Devin Cleveland.&nbsp; Roberts was once again in attack mode with his burst getting to the cup scoring or getting fouled.&nbsp; Also nailed several from deep while scoring 24 points.&nbsp; Kankakee 2026 wing Lincoln Williams made several plays defensively swatting shots and getting steals before taking them the other way finishing with 13 points (6-10 FG).&nbsp; Devin Cleveland is an electric 2027 guard that finished with 13 points including several deep threes and stunning scoop shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Dakota Phenom Edges Past Illinois Bears 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Dakota Phenom recorded a good 17U win against the Illinois Bears 71-64.&nbsp; Parker Falcon was the star in this one.&nbsp; The 6'5” wing presents excellent size on the perimeter along with a flame thrower from three as he had 9 triples for 27 points.&nbsp; It was a complete show!&nbsp; Quick and fluid release with range on it!&nbsp; They also got 14 points from big man Ramsey Walz.&nbsp; The 6'7” post can score down low sealing well and having nice footwork.&nbsp; Also stretched hitting a trio of threes for 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Illinois Bears got a really nice game from Carmi power forward Mitchel Edwards.&nbsp; The face up four man is one of the better athletes among frontcourt players in the class.&nbsp; Super bouncy as he threw down transition dunks along with putting it on the deck for slams.&nbsp; Touch on his jumper that stretches to beyond the arc going for 17 points on the game.&nbsp; East St. Louis small forward Arlandis Brown is an intriguing wing with his plus athleticism and shot making ability.&nbsp; He poured in 17 points in the loss.&nbsp; Got to the line quite a bit in the first half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Minnesota Fury 16U Shoots Lights Out in Win over Team Rose</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a complete show that Isaac Olmstead put on against Team Rose for Minnesota Fury as their 16U team won 70-39.&nbsp; Olmstead was absolutely phenomenal with the way he let it fly from three in this game.&nbsp; Drained seven triples on his way to 25 points.&nbsp; It was a Steph Curry like show!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hope 2026 point guard Tyjuan Hunter was the leading scorer for Team Rose.&nbsp; The lead guard showed his shiftiness off the bounce scoring with acrobatic layups in the paint for 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Illinois Wolves 15U Defeats Team Rose in In-State Shoe Clash</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was one of the games we were looking forward to most on Saturday.&nbsp; Wanted to get a look at many of the top prospects in the state of Illinois in the 2027 and even 2028 classes.&nbsp; Early on it was Alex Sirbu who was dominant with his play.&nbsp; Physical post that is tough scoring around the hoop and getting on the offensive glass.&nbsp; Seals well and was efficient with his touches.&nbsp; West Aurora 2027 point guard Travis Brown is electric with the rock in his hands.&nbsp; He goes coast to coast in a split second, has a sweet soft touch finishing game, and gets to the rim at will.&nbsp; Ethan Vahl is a West Aurora 2028 two guard that is one of the top contenders for the #1 spot in the incoming freshman class in Illinois.&nbsp; He continues to show why!&nbsp; The rangy wing is a plus shooter from beyond the arc hitting multiple feathery threes going for 16 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Laurence combo guard Reggie Stevens had another big game after playing well on Friday night.&nbsp; The athletic combo guard can really score!&nbsp; He had 19 points in the loss scoring in a variety of ways with his jumper.&nbsp; Lamari Carpenter from Glenbrook North is a 6'4” wing that is emerging as one to watch in 2027. Athletic wing scorer with three level scoring pop.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->