Chicago Elite Classic: Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday night the Chicago Elite Classic began with three games.&nbsp; Here I dive into each contest and the standout prospects that made an impression in each game!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Macariola Drops 27 Carrying Fenwick to Rivalry Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first game of the evening Fenwick took on OPRF in their annual rivalry game the takes place on the opening night of Chicago Elite Classic.&nbsp; It was a good one as both teams were evenly matched in the first quarter, but Fenwick took over with a pair of big quarters in the second and third then cruising to a 59-45 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fenwick senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1598778' first='Ty' last='Macariola'] was the star for Fenwick.&nbsp; Tough as nails combo guard that can really shoot it from distance where he was 3-4.&nbsp; Also mixed in crafty layups taking it strong to the rack along with getting to the line finishing with 27 points in the win.&nbsp; He projects as a great small college player at the next level that can be a microwave scorer!&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2105305' first='Dominick' last='Ducree'] brings athleticism and defense in the Fenwick backcourt as he had pull ups netting 5 points, 3 rebounds, 3 dimes, and 3 steals.&nbsp; The toughness and defense stands out for junk yard dog big man [player_tooltip player_id='2724288' first='Nathaniel' last='Marshall'].&nbsp; He is the #3 football player in the state who signed with Michigan on Wednesday.&nbsp; On the hardwood he gets on the offensive glass, scores around the hoop, and was a good defender going for 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2750017' first='Jimmy' last='Watts'] made a name for himself as the Fenwick sophomore knocked in a pair of threes for 8 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1385310' first='Alexander' last='Vincent'] is a true old school five man for OPRF that had a big first half.&nbsp; Was a monster on the offensive glass recording 9 of them in this game including at least four put backs.&nbsp; Passes well for a big and had touch around the cup.&nbsp; Went for 13 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 blocks.&nbsp; Could see him working his way into a D2 opportunity for a school needing an old school five.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1766470' first='Alex' last='Gossett'] also impressed for OPRF.&nbsp; Long and rangy wing that has improved his skill set over the last year.&nbsp; Shot it well off the catch nailing 3-5 from distance.&nbsp; The athleticism plays off the bounce on drives getting to the line along with defensively where he showed flashes using his length.&nbsp; His stat line read 17 points (5-13 FG) and 5 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln Park Picks Up Another Statement Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Less than 24 hours after knocking off Whitney Young Lincoln Park had a chance to put another big W on the board against Catholic League power St. Laurence.&nbsp; Despite a spirited comeback in the fourth quarter Lincoln Park held on to win 73-69.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Park got a breakout game from [player_tooltip player_id='2617415' first='Kaydin' last='Williams'].&nbsp; He definitely came out of this evening with a ton of momentum.&nbsp; The 2026 6'2” shooting guard was on fire from three pouring them in to the tune of 5-7.&nbsp; Crisp shot with elevation off the floor being able to create his own shot.&nbsp; Mixed in some runners and mid-range jumpers.&nbsp; Also flashed as a passer along with rebounding well finishing with 21 points (7-10 FG), 6 rebounds, and 2 dimes.&nbsp; Another prospect that got the “add” next to his name was [player_tooltip player_id='2734375' first='Jaylen' last='Dickerson'].&nbsp; The 6'2” junior two guard put on a shot making display of his own from mid-range along with creativity with the ball in his hands going for 14 points and 4 rebounds.&nbsp; Lincoln Park's highest ceiling prospect is probably Ahmad [player_tooltip player_id='2403249' first='Lee' last=''].&nbsp; The silky smooth two guard had a slow start, but turned it up in the second half knocking in feathery jumpers for 12 points (4-10 FG).&nbsp; The toughness of this team comes up front.&nbsp; Senior Keyshawn Barfield brings legit size and physicality especially on the offensive glass along with his right handed hook shot as he had 8 points and 5 rebounds.&nbsp; Versatile forward [player_tooltip player_id='2105222' first='Chayse' last='Turner'] had a massive game going for 15 points and 16 rebounds.&nbsp; He cleaned up the defensive glass with consistency all night long.&nbsp; Plays above the rim offensively with acrobatic finishes along with a sweet euro step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a well balanced effort for St. Laurence.  Physical slasher Zerrick Johnson got downhill and to the line going for 16 points.  His senior wing running mate Jacob Rice didn't shoot it particularly well, but still had a workman like 15 points (5-13 FG), 7 rebounds, and 3 dimes.  The sophomore guards had strong showings for St. Laurence as Reggie Stevens bombed away going 3-3 from deep for 12 points while Markese Peoples was effective using his thick frame to finish in the paint for 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gill Caps Off His CEC Career with 23 Points and a St. Ignatius W</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northwestern commit [player_tooltip player_id='1385292' first='Phoenix' last='Gill'] has played in Chicago Elite Classic throughout his career.&nbsp; This was the last time the #2 senior in the state will step on the hardwood at UIC during the event.&nbsp; In the first half it was his transition scoring, float game, and ability to get downhill that got him going.&nbsp; In the second half he started rolling from three as well with a pair of nice ones from deep.&nbsp; He also rebounded well in this one as he led his team to a 66-60 win over Lane Tech by notching 23 points and 8 rebounds.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2323283' first='Chris' last='Bolte'] is a face up four in the 2026 class that has had a great start to the season.&nbsp; He continued that momentum on Friday with another nice outing.&nbsp; Takes it from the high and mid-post off the bounce.&nbsp; Scored on dribble handoffs, buckets in transition, and hit a three.&nbsp; Bolte had 15 points and 6 boards in the win.&nbsp; They got a spark from Alex Anaya who drained 3-6 from three for 10 points which helped them get the W.&nbsp; Napoleon Harris IV caught our attention early as a combo guard with athleticism that can pass it stuffing the stat sheet for 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1545128' first='Dalton' last='Scantlebury'] is a Penn commit who is the star for Lane Tech.&nbsp; He struggled a bit finishing around the hoop, but still impacted the game in a major way.&nbsp; Defensively he had a few massive swats!&nbsp; Also love his passing out of the post as one of the better distributing big men in the senior class.&nbsp; Liked the second jump getting on the offensive boards.&nbsp; He had 9 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks.&nbsp; The overall size and length is something that impressed with Lane.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2300370' first='Zach' last='Mazanowski'] was extremely active all evening decking it for scores, winning in transition, and dropping a nice mid-range jumper.&nbsp; He had 15 points and 6 boards.&nbsp; Early in the game the story was [player_tooltip player_id='2433263' first='Drew' last='Bartolai'] who ripped off 10 of his 14 points in the first quarter.&nbsp; Crafty player that scored in the paint on drives attacking relentlessly for 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->