Highland Shootout: Saturday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Highland Shootout is one of my favorite days of the year!&nbsp; This is an event that I went to as a kid and now cover as a scout.&nbsp; The gym was buzzing all day long with a stretch of five consecutive games that came down to one possession.&nbsp; What a day of basketball with teams from Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Kentucky.!&nbsp; Prep Hoops dives into the event here in <strong>Highland Shootout: Saturday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Missouri's Top 2027 and 2028 Show Why They are Special</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First up was a game that showcased the top ranked prospects in the Missouri freshman and sophomore classes which both happen to play for Webster Groves.  This game saw Webster Groves knock off host Highland 55-44.  They were led by star combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2334870' first='Scottie' last='Adkinson'] who had a big game.  The explosive 6'1” guard dropped 25 points (11-18 FG) with his shifty handles, burst getting to the rack and his shot making.  Also recorded 5 steals in the game often turning them into points.  In my first look at 6'5” freshman small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2194999' first='Miles' last='Simpson'] I was super impressed.  He has a long and lanky frame with a feathery mid-range game as he poured them in one after another.  Fluid handles in the open floor.  Made it look very easy as he had 19 points (9-14 FG) and 7 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highland was led by senior shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2724320' first='Grant' last='Fleming'].&nbsp; The two guard is a plus shooter that can get to his spots to make shots.&nbsp; He had 19 points (8-15 FG) and 6 rebounds.&nbsp; Power forward Garrin Stone is a physical post that sealed well around the hoop and rebounded in his area recording 10 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Desmet Scores Narrow Win over Moline</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up was a game that went down to the wire with Desmet winning against Moline 48-44.&nbsp; We came away very impressed with wing [player_tooltip player_id='1850530' first='Ian' last='Thomas'] who is a powerfully built 2026 prospect that was a force scoring from all three levels.&nbsp; Good jump shooter with his sweet lefty shot, got to the rim for powerful finishes, and crashed the glass for 18 points (7-9 FG).&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2346155' first='Jordan' last='Boyd'] is was an x-factor who brought physicality around the hoop netting 12 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Moline they got a solid game from Cal-Poly commit [player_tooltip player_id='1545138' first='Braden' last='Freeman'].&nbsp; Skilled wing that can win off the bounce, win on straight line takes, and play above the rim.&nbsp; He had 13 points (6-13 FG).&nbsp; Their other senior standout is [player_tooltip player_id='1545132' first='Treyvon' last='Taylor'].&nbsp; Thick bodied four man that can play inside and out.&nbsp; Decks it well handling for a big guy, took steals for dunks on the other end and played with physicality.&nbsp; He had 12 points (6-15 FG) and 11 rebounds.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sularski and Walsh Duel in Lemont Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fun battle between a pair of flat out scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='1552393' first='Gabriel' last='Sularski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1419873' first='Luke' last='Walsh'] as Lemont just edge past Vianney 72-69.&nbsp; Lemont's big three brought it, but especially another strong game from top 3 junior in Illinois [player_tooltip player_id='1552393' first='Gabriel' last='Sularski'].&nbsp; The lefty wing showcased his all-around game once again in this contest.&nbsp; He made some shots from deep, but didn't rely solely on that.&nbsp; He instead attacked the rack with force where he scored with good body control around the rack.&nbsp; Also came away impressed with his pinpoint passing as he found shooters and finishes throughout the game.&nbsp; He had 23 points (9-16 FG), 6 rebounds, and 5 dimes.&nbsp; Massive game from senior sharp shooter [player_tooltip player_id='2321410' first='Alanas' last='Castillo'].&nbsp; The shooter with size went 6-13 from beyond the arc en route to 20 points.&nbsp; Also saw some flashes both as a shooter and athletically out of another unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='2105174' first='Matas' last='Gaidukevicius'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern Illinois commit [player_tooltip player_id='1419873' first='Luke' last='Walsh'] got just a few points away from the event record for points.&nbsp; He started off super fast as the Vianney shooting guard was lights out from beyond the arc including making 7-10 from distance in this game.&nbsp; Plus shot maker from mid-range along with being able to use some crafty moves in the lane for points.&nbsp; He had 37 points (13-23 FG), 5 rebounds, and 4 dimes.&nbsp; The Salukis are getting a good one!&nbsp; Ben Karsten is a 2026 wing who also showed solid shot making skills going for 12 points (5-16 FG) and 6 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Great Crossing Caps Epic Comeback With Buzzer Beating Three</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The marquee game of the event this year was Great Crossing (KY) vs Bellaire (TX).&nbsp; These two squads feature McDonald's All-American Game candidates along with blue blood commits.&nbsp; It was Bellaire's game for most of it as they led almost the entire game until a long three by Gage Richardson to win the game for Great Crossing 64-63.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richardson had a breakout performance as the wing shooter with size was stellar from distance going 5-9 from distance including the game winner.&nbsp; Kentucky commit Malachi Moreno was the headliner of this squad as one of the top centers in the national 2025 class.&nbsp; Long and lanky five who impressed as a rebounder and being efficient as a low post scorer along with getting to the free throw line as he had 21 points (6-8 FG) (9-12 FT) and 14 rebounds.&nbsp; Morehead State commit Vince Dawson is a great get for that program.&nbsp; Wing with size that made several monster shots from the perimeter along with crashing the glass including following his own shot at a high rate as he had 17 points (6-14 FG) and 11 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Duke commit Shelton Henderson was excellent particularly in the first half for his squad from Texas.&nbsp; The strong build and physicality on the perimeter is what first stands out.&nbsp; Built like a linebacker with plus athleticism, burst, and speed with the ball in his hands.&nbsp; He had some great takes that were both powerful and nimble with his footwork and body control at the rim.&nbsp; Spin move for a dunk along with multiple explosive slashes.&nbsp; Crisp pull up shooter from both two and three as he had 21 points (8-18 FG) and 6 rebounds.&nbsp; Anthony Andrews was a breakout performer in this game.&nbsp; Strong bodied post who was excellent stretching the floor with his shot making going 5-7 from beyond the arc along with showing solid all-around skill as he had 21 points (7-12 FG).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Vashon Edges Past Quincy in Battle of State Title Contenders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into this game Vashon and Quincy were a combined 22-1 through the early part of the season.&nbsp; This one was super close with Quincy making it tight with a strong second half, but Vashon won narrowly 59-56.&nbsp; The ability to play above the rim with their athleticism is what stood out about senior Dehrio McCaskill and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2090498' first='Kain' last='McCaskill'].&nbsp; They had some eye popping moves with the SIU-Edwardsville commit Dehrio dropping 13 points in the win while Kain had 7 points.&nbsp; Consistent performance from Vashon unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='1422817' first='Terron' last='Garrett'] who is a strong and broad shouldered wing with plus athleticism.&nbsp; Hit an array of jumpers and threw down some big dunks going for 11 points.&nbsp; Jimmy McKinney Jr is one of the best sophomores in Missouri.&nbsp; He is a bucket getter that was efficient in this game shooting well from deep, attacking, and getting to the line while still finding opportunities to set up his teammates as he had 17 points (5-8 FG), 4 dimes, and 3 steals.&nbsp; It was a bit of a struggle for Missouri State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1552480' first='Trey' last='Williams'] as the deep ball he commonly hits didn't fall, but when he needed it down the stretch it did making two big ones en route to 11 points (4-12 FG) and 6 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Austin Peay commit [player_tooltip player_id='1545125' first='Dominique' last='Clay'] took it to another level in the second half.&nbsp; One of the more under appreciated wings in the Illinois senior class has a ton of tools to like with his size, fluidity, athleticism, and elite shot making from three.&nbsp; He poured in three after three going for 20 points (8-10 FG) (4-6 3PT).&nbsp; His point guard Santa Clara signee [player_tooltip player_id='1385298' first='Bradley' last='Longcor'] was effective as both a scorer and distributor in this one netting 11 points (4-16 FG) and 5 dimes.&nbsp; Stretch four man [player_tooltip player_id='2304110' first='Mark' last='Louthan'] showed he is a good small college big man that can knock down shots from deep going 3-5 from three on his way to 13 points.&nbsp; Their standout big man [player_tooltip player_id='1385308' first='Keshaun' last='Thomas'] did his damage inside and on the glass with 8 points (4-11 FG) and 11 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Twin Towers of John Burroughs Top Dynamic Duo of Guards for Tolton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game featured a ton of ranked prospects and saw John Burroughs top Father Tolton by a final of 60-58.&nbsp; It was the [player_tooltip player_id='2375418' first='Tristan' last=''] Reed show as the four star big man proved he is among the premier 2026 posts in the Midwest.&nbsp; Thick body with good mobility for his size.&nbsp; He is an old school post that punished his opponent inside with his scoring on right handed hook shots, pounding the offensive glass, big dunks, rim runs, and takes from the mid-post.&nbsp; He was also dominant on the glass racking them up on both ends.&nbsp; He had 29 points (13-28 FG) and 14 rebounds.&nbsp; His running mate [player_tooltip player_id='1557399' first='Sheek' last='Pearson'] flashed his upside.&nbsp; It wasn't consistent, but there is no denying that the super high ceiling is there for Pearson.&nbsp; He had 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2427990' first='Owen' last='Walther'] is another name to keep tabs on as the shooting guard is a shooting specialist who went 5-14 from beyond the arc for 15 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tolton got a good game from their dynamic backcourt.&nbsp; Mizzou commit [player_tooltip player_id='1419857' first='Aaron' last='Rowe'] is a slick ball handler that got wherever he wanted all game long.&nbsp; His mid-range pull game was on point from the jump.&nbsp; He scored on pull ups, scoop shots, and athletic layups as he had 18 points (8-16 FG), 9 rebounds, 6 dimes, and 3 steals.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1422771' first='Exavier' last='Wilson'] is the top uncommitted guard in the state of Missouri.&nbsp; Like his running mate he was draining pull up jumpers at a high clip.&nbsp; The athleticism off the bounce along with his soft touch finishing game was on point for 18 points (8-21 FG), 7 rebounds, 3 dimes, and 4 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Principia Leaves No Doubt in Finale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final game of the night wasn't as close as the previous games as Principia came out on fire right from the start in a 7:45 PM start against Columbia winning 76-35 as Principia moved to 9-0 with the win.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2352805' first='Quentin' last='Coleman'] had a big game as the 6'1” shooting guard can really shoot it with elevation off the floor.&nbsp; He had such an ease to get his shot off.&nbsp; Also rebounded at a high rate and defended well posting 22 points (7-11 FG) (4-5 3PT) and 15 rebounds.&nbsp; Definitely boosted his stock with a strong game.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2377735' first='Kingston' last='Money'] is a sophomore guard that came off the bench shooting it well from deep going 4-5 from beyond the arc en route to 14 points.&nbsp; Was very impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='2334905' first='Gassim' last='Toure'] is a big time athlete at the two guard spot ranking as one of the best sophomores in the state of Missouri.&nbsp; He shined with his passing, defense, rebounding, and body control.&nbsp; He had 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Columbia 2026 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1790001' first='Eddie' last='Smajic'] showed many southern Illinois fans why he was a known name transferring into the state before the season started.&nbsp; Well built two guard that can really shoot it from the perimeter with a lightning quick release who went 4-8 from distance for 14 points.&nbsp; Their big man [player_tooltip player_id='2376280' first='Brody' last='Landgraf'] had 11 points including a ¾ court heave to close the first half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->