5 Takeaways: Redbird Tip-Off Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Illinois spent the first night of the high school basketball season at Alton High School for the Redbird Tip-Off Classic which featured a double header of Belleville East vs Highland followed by Waterloo vs Alton.&nbsp; Both were close games as Highland led most of the first half with Belleville East coming back to win 64-61.&nbsp; It was a similar story in the next game as Waterloo was dominant inside in the first half then Alton sped it up and took control winning 49-42.&nbsp; Here are our <strong>5 Takeaways: Redbird Tip-Off Classic</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Guards Take Over for Belleville East in Comeback Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first game of the evening Belleville East struggled early to make shots and defend.&nbsp; Both changed in the second half as their guard play changed the tempo of the game.&nbsp; It started with their ball pressure creating turnovers then they got it flowing offensively.&nbsp; Their star this year is [player_tooltip player_id='2452426' first='Jalen' last='Dawson'].&nbsp; He had a big summer as a strong bodied scoring combo guard.&nbsp; Plus athlete who loves to get to his spots and rise over defenses.&nbsp; Really crisp pull up game from mid-range as he hit a couple including one off a ball screen.&nbsp; Also knocked in a trio from deep.&nbsp; Going to be one of the better guards in the Southwestern Conference.&nbsp; He got a big pick up from a trio of smaller guards in [player_tooltip player_id='2724403' first='Xavien' last='Moody'], Jalen Coleman, and [player_tooltip player_id='2358989' first='Troy' last=''] Alexander.&nbsp; Moody had 10 points while getting steals and taking them the other way for scores.&nbsp; Coleman went for 12 points including a couple threes along with a sweet runner.&nbsp; Alexander was the x-factor scoring 7 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Highland Has Big 3 Seniors They Will Rely On</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three seniors are the leaders for Highland.&nbsp; They are a well-coached team by Deryl Cunningham who ran some great sets to get his team going in the early parts of the contest.&nbsp; Quincy baseball commit Garrin Stone was rolling early.&nbsp; The strong bodied undersized post is fundamentally sound using his length to corral rebounds and finish through contact.&nbsp; Got to the line and showed touch along with being a solid passer recording 17 points.&nbsp; Eastern Illinois baseball commit [player_tooltip player_id='1766474' first='Braxdon' last='Decker'] is an athletic guard that can really get to the rack as he had 7 points.&nbsp; Came away impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='2724320' first='Grant' last='Fleming'] as the Highland shooting guard recorded 21 points in the win.&nbsp; Strong on straight line takes winning off the bounce, pushed it coast to coast, and showed he could move off the ball setting up his shot.&nbsp; Solid passer working around ball screens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stampley Finds Way with Shooting and Defense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alton 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2376270' first='Semaj' last='Stampley'] was the top prospect in the gym.&nbsp; Waterloo held him down a bit early with a triangle and two on him.&nbsp; As with so many great players you can't stop them you can only hope to contain them.&nbsp; He got his as the game went along.&nbsp; It got started with his ability to hit deep threes.&nbsp; Pulled up for several from beyond the college line along with one off movement from the corner.&nbsp; Every time it came off his hands it looked like it was going in.&nbsp; Made four triples in the game while getting fouled on two others including one where he shot faked into the foul.&nbsp; Liked how he pushed in transition with his power and speed.&nbsp; Was excellent on the defensive end being an aggressive defender creating turnovers and rebounded well.&nbsp; I thought he passed it well too, but his teammates just couldn't finish.&nbsp; Had a couple sweet live dribble dishes with his off hand setting up teammates.&nbsp; Finished with 19 points, 6 steals, and 5 rebounds.&nbsp; Alton senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2375631' first='Kobe' last='Taylor'] showed flashes on the defensive end with his rangy frame along with rebounding well.&nbsp; Quick pass, reverse layup, and made some key free throws late for 8 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Illinois-Springfield Has Impact Big in Stell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are not that many true fives anymore out there.&nbsp; Waterloo center [player_tooltip player_id='1766463' first='Alex' last='Stell'] is certainly that!&nbsp; The 6'10” Illinois-Springfield commit was a force down low all night long.&nbsp; He opened up scoring the first 8 points of the contest.&nbsp; Low post presence that makes quick and assertive moves while finishing well through contact as he had four and-1s in their contest against Alton.&nbsp; Hook shots, euro steps, takes from the mid-post, and crashing the offensive glass for second chance points.&nbsp; Finishes out of the dunker spot.&nbsp; High level rebounder that goes after them aggressively.&nbsp; Plus passer that makes dishes out of the high-post and the block with such a great feel for finding his teammates.&nbsp; Stell had 18 points and 14 rebounds in the loss.&nbsp; Also want to give a mention of fellow senior Max Oswald who is a 6'5” wing that was active as a defender and crashing the glass.&nbsp; Seemed to have a nose for the ball.&nbsp; Scored around the hoop and hit a three late for 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027s Put Name on Map</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alton 2027 6'3” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2540188' first='Ryan' last='Howard'] really caught our attention with his play.&nbsp; Projectable frame where he should continue to grow.&nbsp; Looked very comfortable letting it fly off the catch nailing a pair.&nbsp; Cut a passing lane taking it the other way as he plays well in transition going for 11 points.&nbsp; On the gridiron we really liked what we saw from [player_tooltip player_id='2218169' first='James' last='Johnson'] of Belleville East as a long and lanky pass catcher in the sophomore class.&nbsp; He has potential as a basketball prospect as well.&nbsp; Lefty with a clean stroke hitting a three along with using his bounce on the glass.&nbsp; Finished with 7 points.&nbsp; Waterloo 2027 6'2” two guard Tyler DeVidler is one to monitor with a nice shot from three and his ability to get to the line netting 7 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->