Carlyle Kaskaskian Classic: Monday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monday night it was small school basketball action from the Carlyle Kaskaskian Classic featuring a double header of Pinckneyville vs Okawville followed by host Carlyle vs Flora.&nbsp; Check out what we saw in <strong>Carlyle Kaskaskian Classic: Monday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pinckneyville Looks Like Legit 2A Contender</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every year there are a couple of teams in southern Illinois that look like they can compete for the 2A crown in March.  Pinckneyville has the talent to do it and the pieces meshed well together on Monday night as they moved to 4-0 with a 72-45 win against Okawville.  It all starts with their big man [player_tooltip player_id='2323278' first='Ty' last='Laur'].  The 2026 post had a big time performance scoring 21 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.  Several put backs where he got on the glass, finished dump offs, quick out of bounds cuts for scores, sealed on the block, and a nice right handed hook shot.  His best attribute might actually be his passing both on the block finding guys and seeing the floor in the high post.  Pinckneyville features a pair of Rend Lake commits in [player_tooltip player_id='2385167' first='Riley' last='Bauersachs'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2321427' first='AJ' last='Keith'].  Bauersachs is a PHI favorite with how he played in July and this fall.  Versatile wing that can defend multiple positions and really shoot the ball from three as he nailed three in this one.  Also has improved his handles more getting in the lane.  Went for 15 points and 9 rebounds.  Keith had a quiet game scoring only having 4 points including a triple.  He set the tone early on the glass along with defensively.  Three more names emerged in this one.  Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2962338' first='Kolton' last='Smith'] is a tough defender that can shoot it a little as he had 5 points.  Lucas Leitz is a scrappy senior guard that had some crafty drives and hit a corner three for 9 points.  Off the bench 6'6” sophomore Tyler McConnel caught our eye with his broad shoulders frame built light a tight end.  He brought toughness on the front line and played with a high motor scoring 7 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Okawville 2025 6'9” center [player_tooltip player_id='2105204' first='Aidan' last='Anderson'] took a bit to get going, but he did in the second half.&nbsp; The true five man got on the glass for a put back and hit a three from the top of the key.&nbsp; Then he went to work down low for scores banking in a hook shot, baseline spin, and even went coast to coast off a defensive rebound.&nbsp; Finished with 20 points and 6 rebounds.&nbsp; Going to be a great find late for a small college or JUCO.&nbsp; Class of 2027 6'0” guard [player_tooltip player_id='2383996' first='Braylen' last='Turner'] popped in this one.&nbsp; The rangy guard is a plus shooter hitting three off the catch.&nbsp; Flashed some athleticism in the open floor as well while netting 15 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2751050' first='Ayden' last='Foley'] saw limited minutes, but there are tools to work with for the 6'6” freshman.&nbsp; He has the prospect look of one to watch down the line.&nbsp; He had a bucket on an offensive rebound put back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carlyle Gets Workman like Win vs Flora</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a low scoring contest it was host Carlyle topping Flora 45-28. &nbsp;Carlyle has a good squad with a defensive mindset.&nbsp; They really lock down on that end.&nbsp; In the first half they were led by their guard play of Jacob Ruscher and Rhettick Steinkamp.&nbsp; Ruscher shot the ball well off movement and dribble handoffs.&nbsp; The 6'0” guard got on the glass for a couple of put backs and showed a solid passing feel finishing with 10 points.&nbsp; Steinkamp brought some juice with his athleticism on a reverse layup along with a crisp shot fake into a baseline jumper.&nbsp; Went for 6 points.&nbsp; In the second half their 6'7” senior post [player_tooltip player_id='2723851' first='Matthew' last='Guthrie'] asserted himself.&nbsp; Played more physical down low posting up strong, getting on the offensive glass, and banged in a three.&nbsp; His biggest value probably comes as a rim protector as he swatted several shots in the victory showcasing his timing and mobility defensively.&nbsp; Also took a steal coast to coast for a dunk.&nbsp; He had 15 points, 11 boards, and 4 blocks.&nbsp; Should be on the small college radar.&nbsp; Saw some potential with 6'4” wing Hayden Huels as a defender and presence on the boards.&nbsp; Guard is a solid ball handler who makes his free throws and kind of brings everything together as he closed the game out strong including a three.&nbsp; Went for 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Flora it was a pretty well balanced effort with several finishing in the mid single digits including Parker Helm, Kyler Dennis, and Gage Dugan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->