Wheeling Hardwood Classic: Monday Morning Notebook

We spent Monday checking out games from the Wheeling Hardwood Classic.  Here we examine the games we caught and the prospects who shined in Wheeling Hardwood Classic: Monday Morning Notebook!   Deerfield Blitzes Buffalo Grove in Opener   In a game we were excited to see a pair of ranked big men matchup in [player_tooltip player_id='2323618' first='Alex' last='Sirbu'] (Buffalo Grove) and [player_tooltip player_id='1552404' first='Jake' last='Pollack'] (Deerfield) it was Sirbu who didn't play and Deerfield pretty much had a field day doing whatever they wanted in a victory.  Deerfield 2026 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1552404' first='Jake' last='Pollack'] is one of the better face up four men in the junior class that brings inside/outside versatility.  He ran the floor extremely well throughout the contest for scores in transition.  Also decked it well from the high post for several dunks in traffic off shot fakes.  Physical down low on the glass rebounding well on both ends and is a solid shot blocking presence at 6'9”.  His passing might be his best attribute as he can pick defenses apart both out of the post and on the perimeter finding teammates for clean looks as he netted 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 assists.  One of those teammates he found was 2025 6'2” shooting guard Sam Hanus who was a monster from beyond the arc in this game as he poured in an array of threes en route to 13 points.  Another guard that popped was 6'3” junior shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2217962' first='Evan' last='Nagler'].  Good size and length with a skilled offensive game knocking in threes, using his athleticism off bounce, and a nice lob pass for 11 points.   Buffalo Grove really struggled.  Their bright spot was their 5'9” freshman point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2411146' first='Edwin' last='Karnauchovas'].  Showed some flashes as a nifty scoring guard that hit a three to start the second half and got to the line.  One to watch long term as he had 6 points.   St. Viator Depth of Guards Overwhelms Wauconda   It was pretty clear from the jump St. Viator had come to play as they rolled over Wauconda 72-35.  They can just throw so many quality guards at you.  In this game it was [player_tooltip player_id='2724383' first='Henry' last='Marshall'] who had the hot hands as the 2025 6'2” shooting guard was a plus shooter from three that also was nifty scoring in the paint on put backs and scoop shots for 20 points.  Another veteran guard on this squad is dual sport star [player_tooltip player_id='2724377' first='Dayvion' last='Ellis'] who is a tough wing defender, can deck it, and knocked in a three for 7 points.  Another senior guard who was impactful was Jaylan Szlachetka who brought toughness scoring on cuts, rebounds, and getting to the line for 10 points.  The future is very bright for St. Viator with their future backcourt already in place.  Class of 2026 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2125608' first='Dawson' last='Charles'] is an athletic shooting guard coming off a strong summer.  He is super acrobatic at the hoop converting along with having the bounce to finish through defenders.  Like what he brings defensively blocking shots from his guard spot along with getting steals.  He had 7 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2751053' first='Jacob' last='Only'] is a 2028 6'0” point guard that put his name on our radar with a strong performance.  Long and rangy guard who has a nice feel for the game.  Pushes the pass, finds his teammates, quick hands defensively, and is a capable shooter.  The poise he plays with along with projectability make him intriguing long term.  He had 5 points.   Schneider Makes Key Plays Down Stretch to Secure Prospect OT Win   Big time players make big plays in key moments.  That is what happened in Prospect's overtime 57-53 win against Oak Forest.  Their star [player_tooltip player_id='2105292' first='Ben' last='Schneider'] made clutch plays one after another in the final minutes of regulation and in OT.  That included a pair of threes, cut off the ball, good passing, and getting steals on the last two possessions to secure the win.  Tough and hard-nosed small college gem who is a sound shooter and does everything with preciseness.  He had 17 points.  Next to him in the backcourt was [player_tooltip player_id='2702067' first='Colin' last='Taylor'] who played well with his passing and clean shot netting 11 points.  Anderson Neach brought perimeter shot making along with moving without the ball for 10 points.  Jack Skoog was a key part in their win as the 6'4” post brought versatile face up skill to the table as a driver, passer, and shooter.  Solid rebounder as well while recording 7 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='2734449' first='Hayden' last='Noha'] led the way for Oak Forest.  He is a 6'5” 2026 post that sealed well inside, had a sweet mid-range jumper, and the mobility to finish on dives to the rim along with converting out of the dunker spot.  Liked the physicality he brought on the glass while scoring 17 points.  Matt Anderson was their go to offensive threat in the first half.  The 6'3” senior shooting guard is an athletic slasher that loves to get downhill finishing with acrobatics at the cup.  Went for 10 points.   Downers Grove North Continues to Roll Along with Balance   Last year DGN had a superstar in Jack Stanton.  No individual player like that this year, but does this team play well together as their balance led them to a 60-24 win over Maine South!  Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2415414' first='Nolan' last='Hurter'] continued right where he left off when we saw him at [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'].  The 6'2” slashing wing brings plus athleticism and is at his best playing in the open floor and getting downhill with burst.  Capable spot up shooter as well as he had 11 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2217947' first='Bobby' last='Grganto'] is a physical presence inside for DGN that should find a home at the small college level with his toughness on the interior.  Seals and uses great positioning inside.  Rebounds and is tough on the defensive end in the paint.  Aidan Akkawi is a high-motor and strong bodied forward that won on sweeping layups and has a physical build.  [player_tooltip player_id='2750033' first='Colin' last='Doyle'] is a young big man to track.  The 6'6” 2027 four man can get on the offensive glass for put backs along with stretching with his shooting.  We could really talk about five more guys as they are just a very deep squad that spread the wealth.   For Maine West their star sophomore Davion Tate is coming off a 40+ point game in their last contest.  DGN put the stop on that, but you can see some natural talent out of the 5'9” point guard.  Shifty ball handler with a floater game and a slick euro step.  Needs to grow and refine his game, but there is some tools to work with.  Early in the game Maine West got a pair of triples from Frankie Ferraiolo to get Maine West going which was most of their scoring in the first half.

We spent Monday checking out games from the Wheeling Hardwood Classic. Here we examine the games we caught and the prospects who shined in Wheeling Hardwood Classic: Monday Morning Notebook!