Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic: Thursday Morning Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHI took in a full day of action at the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic on Thursday.&nbsp; Here is a look at the prospects and games from the first four contests of the day in <strong>Hinsdale Central: Thursday Morning Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 Stars Duel it Out in Opener</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first game of the day saw a pair of highly ranked juniors showcase their skills.&nbsp; Oswego East jumped out early and led through the first three quarters, but it was just too much [player_tooltip player_id='1552479' first='RicoAntonio' last='D'Alessandro'] in the end as Maine South would win 52-47.&nbsp; The skilled and strong bodied junior combo forward was a complete force all game long for Maine South.&nbsp; He was aggressive, efficient, and used tremendous body control around the rim on physical straight line takes.&nbsp; He finished extremely well through contact all game long while racking up trips to the free throw line.&nbsp; Good passing feel and is tough.&nbsp; Went for 27 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2403368' first='Jack' last='Sladky'] helped in the win as the 6'6” power forward is a senior that can shoot it from three stretching the floor and is crafty in the post while netting 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oswego East got 15 points out it's star top 5 2026 Mason Lockett IV.  The silky smooth junior showed flashes with a three and slithering through the defense for scores.  Layups on cuts off the ball, steals which he converted into points, and got to the line in the loss.  [player_tooltip player_id='2423485' first='Myles' last='Buchanan'] caught our attention this summer as a sound combo guard with athleticism that can push in the open floor and hit a jumper as he had 9 points in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Starting Five for Brother Rice Overcomes Fast Start for St. Charles East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brother Rice is one of the favorites in this event.&nbsp; They are among the hottest teams in the state now racking up quality win.&nbsp; Early on St. Charles East made a run at them, but the Crusaders had just too much depth in their starting five as they won 67-44.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Citadel commit [player_tooltip player_id='1545120' first='Marcos' last='Gonzales'] is the highest ranked prospect for Brother Rice.&nbsp; He is a smooth two guard that won all day on slick straight line take so to the rim along with getting out in transition for scores netting 22 points.&nbsp; Fellow two guard [player_tooltip player_id='2538898' first='Jack' last='Weigus'] can really shoot it from distance with a crisp and clean stroke along with being crafty on a backdoor layup going for 22 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2538949' first='KJ' last='Morris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2444443' first='Max' last='Justic'] are veteran guards in the backcourt for Brother Rice.&nbsp; Morris is at his best scoring in the paint with his athleticism, getting after it defensively, and making trips to the line.&nbsp; Went for 6 points.&nbsp; Justic is a lefty lead guard that has a good feel for the game.&nbsp; He is a plus passer that gets others involved while also being a capable spot up shooter scoring 5 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1766504' first='Caden' last='Workman'] is the ultimate glue guy.&nbsp; Combo forward that can play inside and out, rebound, and passes well as he had 7 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The prospect that really popped in this one for St. Charles East was Brad Monkemeyer who was super productive early scoring 8 of his 15 points in the first few minutes of the game getting his team out fast.&nbsp; Crafty 6'3” senior forward that is nifty converting in the paint along with being able to shoot it from three.&nbsp; Good skill level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>No Scantlebury No Problem for Lane's Front Court</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With their star Penn commit [player_tooltip player_id='1545128' first='Dalton' last='Scantlebury'] out it was still not an issue for Lane Tech as their front court trio did plenty of damage in their opening round victory over St. Rita 67-36.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2297870' first='Matthew' last='Szafoni'] is a skilled post that was dominant in their first round win.&nbsp; He had a breakout performance this fall at the Prep Hoops Illinois Camp and they growth continues to show.&nbsp; He makes quick and aggressive moves in the paint.&nbsp; Spins, hooks, and seals.&nbsp; Also is physical on the glass for second chance point and hit a three while scoring 15 points.&nbsp; Zach Mazanoski is a plus athlete on the wing that brings bounce to the table. His best play was grabbing a defensive rebound then going coast to coast for an and-1.&nbsp; Really excels in transition and has potential as a shot maker with size.&nbsp; He had 10 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2489403' first='Luka' last='Pinto'] also notched 10 points in the win as the strong bodied forward is a tough cover in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Rita has a young guard in Eze Nwagwu that is worth monitoring.&nbsp; The 5'7” point guard with long rms has some range on his shot to three and is fluid in the mid-range as well netting 8 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Highly Ranked 2026 Danforth Puts On Epic Performance Scoring 42</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have seen some magnificent performances this season, but none might be better than what we saw from [player_tooltip player_id='1845353' first='Amir' last='Danforth'] on Thursday as he dropped 42 points absolutely carrying his Rockford Auburn team to a 69-65 win against Wheaton Academy.&nbsp; Danforth came out hot right from the start as he banged in a three after crossing his man to begin the game.&nbsp; That was his first of seven triples in the game.&nbsp; He has in the gym range as he always has a ton of arc on it.&nbsp; More than just a shooter however as he won on straight line takes blowing past his defenders and pushed in the open floor on the regular.&nbsp; Also crashed the glass including grabbing one of his own rebounds before it even hit the glass for a put back.&nbsp; Solid secondary playmaker as a passer that showed well in the drive and kick.&nbsp; Aware on the defensive end getting steals and came up with some big stops.&nbsp; They also got some help from junk yard dog undersized post Jazheer Henderson who scored 10 points using his wide body at 6'3” in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2125634' first='Hayden' last='Schroeder'] looked every bit the part of the top 10 sophomore that he is.&nbsp; The power forward brings a great combination of skill, toughness, and athleticism.&nbsp; Can handle it well for a big guy.&nbsp; Quick post moves on the block with spins and hooks.&nbsp; Also a shooting threat from three.&nbsp; Good passer as well.&nbsp; Went for 20 points in the loss.&nbsp; Unsigned senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1401824' first='Tyler' last='Smith'] is a 6'3” two guard with good strength that is nifty scoring around the hoop in the paint.&nbsp; Soft touch finishes, and-1s, and gets to the line as he had 17 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2125636' first='Jackson' last='Snider'] is a 6'5” small forward that caught our attention with his sharp shooting from three and potential as a wing ball handler.&nbsp; He scored 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->