Pontiac Holiday Tournament: Saturday Notebook

Finished up the day on Saturday at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament for the last three games including the title game.  Here we break down the games and prospects in the 5th place, 3rd place, and championship in Pontiac Holiday Tournament: Saturday Notebook!   New Trier Takes Home 5th Place Behind Big 3   The fifth place game saw a pair of highly ranked Chicago suburb teams that each boast a ton of ranked prospects.  New Trier's shooting was too much as they won over Bloom 46-41.  Top 10 junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1554516' first='Christopher' last='Kirkpatrick'] was the star in this one.  He was super dynamic with his speed and quickness off the bounce getting to the cup, pulling up in the mid-range, and banging in an array of threes while also setting up his teammates with his passing.  He had 20 points and 7 rebounds in the win.  His junior running mate [player_tooltip player_id='1552486' first='Danny' last='Houlihan'] is a shooter with size and the lefty did just that connecting on a trio from long distance off the catch for 11 points.  Wash U commit guard [player_tooltip player_id='1385306' first='Colby' last='Smith'] had 12 points in the win with his crafty handle and shooting from three.  This is going to be a team with a lot to build on heading into March.   Bloom has a lot of players you have to like starting with [player_tooltip player_id='1545131' first='Elijah' last='Lovemore'].  One of the top uncommitted prospects regardless of position is a combo guard with strength that stuffs the stat sheet.  In this game he had 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.  Strong with the ball and has a good feel for finding others especially around the rim.  Powerful and athletic slasher with good body control.  Low-majors should be on him.  Two other seniors that have futures at the next level are [player_tooltip player_id='1766466' first='Adam' last='Page'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2105218' first='Payton' last='Edwards'].  They are glue guys that fit in where they need to score while hitting open shots when presented.  Solid defenders that can check multiple spots.  Page had 9 points while Edwards had 7.  Sophomore post [player_tooltip player_id='2749967' first='Xavier' last='Martin'] is a four man that continues to post good numbers.  He is bouncy out of the dunker spot as a finisher, brings athleticism on the defensive end, and showed flashes as a passer.   Simeon Wins Final Game at Pontiac over Rival Curie   Undoubtedly the biggest storyline of the day was the announcement that after their semifinal contest Simeon would be leaving the Pontiac Holiday Tournament where they have been for almost 30 years now.  Michael O'Brien of the Sun Times has the full story on what went down there, but we will look at the hoops side as they won their third-place game against usual Saturday night foe Curie 65-49.   Although the stars were the wings on this night let's start with their senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1385305' first='Lorenzo' last='Shields'] who got them all the ball in position to score as he had 8 points and 6 dimes in the win.  Creative ball handler that passes with flair.  Gets to his spots and hit a couple threes in the win.  Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1439013' first='Julien' last='Doyle'] is a combo forward that's stock has soared this season.  He is an elite pogo stick athlete that has evolved over the last year with his skill and shot making from three.  He had 19 points and 8 rebounds including 5-7 from beyond the arc in the win.  Very good two way player that boards and handles have improved.  Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2323264' first='Kassidy' last='Nelson'] shot it well from distance too going for 15 points including 3-5 from three.  He is a strong and athletic wing that plays both ends of the floor.  Like how he impacts with his motor and tenacity.  Highest ranked prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1552394' first='Andre' last='Tyler'] had his moments with some acrobatics above the air while scoring 8 points and grabbing 5 boards.   Curie was led by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2540149' first='Tobyus' last='Banks'] who gave them a spark off the bench.  Powerful wing that can push in the open floor going coast to coast.  Took it to the rim with authority aong with hitting a couple threes for 10 points.  Sleeper senior is [player_tooltip player_id='2415816' first='Jahkil' last='Jackson'].  Comes of Curie's bench, but is one of their top senior prospects.  Plus athlete with range on his shot had 11 points.   DePaul Prep Wins Title in an Instant Classic over Benet   This is the first time a team not named Curie or Simeon has won the PHT in a LONG time.  The championship came down to first time participant DePaul Prep and regular contender Benet Academy in a game that was very well played.  High level guards all over the floor, versatile big men, and a game that came down to the wire.  DePaul Prep won an epic contest 59-56 over Benet.   DePaul Prep got excellent guard play across the board as usual.  Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'] was particularly impressive as he had 17 points in the win.  He was electric with the ball off the bounce getting in the lane for nifty layups and quick dishes to his teammates for finishes.  Such a creative player with the ball in his hands being able to do anything including pull up for three.  Showed off a complete game on Saturday night on the big stage!  Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1385311' first='Robert' last='Walls'] hit a pair of monster threes and was a spark whenever they needed him as he went for 10 points.  Western Illinois commit [player_tooltip player_id='1545133' first='Makai' last='Kvamme'] scored an efficient 9 points in the game on 3-7 from the field.  [player_tooltip player_id='2323334' first='AJ' last='Chambers'] got them going early with 7 points in the first half with his crafty finishes and pull up threes, but unfortunately he missed the second half with an injury.  Their junior post [player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] continues to show why he is among the top big men in the 2026 class.  He is a physical force that was more than willing to go through and around the twin towers for Benet.  He had a sweeping take, multiple left handed hook shots, dunks out of the dunker spot, tip ins, dives on ball screens, and more finishing with 17 points along with 9 rebounds.  [player_tooltip player_id='1385297' first='Jonas' last='Johnson'] is the ultimate glue guy for this team.  He does all the little things as a skilled post that had 2 points and 5 rebounds.   The AC Williamson award winner was Truman State signee [player_tooltip player_id='1598658' first='Blake' last='Fagbemi'] who put on a show in this game for Benet.  Fighting cramps all game long he kept making play after play.  He has elite vision and court awareness making those around him better with his pin point accuracy on his passes putting it right where it should be every single time.  As a scorer he mixed in pullups, cuts off the ball, coast to coast takes, and acrobatic layups on his way to 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 dimes.  SIU commit [player_tooltip player_id='1598682' first='Daniel' last='Pauliukonis'] was outstanding again for Benet.  The face up four is having a monster senior year with the way he can shoot the ball from the perimeter draining an array of threes off the catch.  Sealed on the interior, scored with mobility on an out of bounds play, and got to the line for 17 points.  Seven foot 2026 center [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] had his moments in this one as well sealing for a big dunk, getting on the offensive glass, and protecting the rim as he had 8 points and 8 rebounds.  Their 2026 combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2105390' first='Jayden' last='Wright'] hit a pair of NBA range threes in the game for 7 points.

Finished up the day on Saturday at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament for the last three games including the title game. Here we break down the games and prospects in the 5^th place, 3^rd place, and championship in Pontiac Holiday Tournament: Saturday Notebook!