New Years Extravaganza: Steve's Standouts

I was able to make it over to Malcolm X College to catch the final two games on Sunday. Both matchups were intense and fun to watch with Waukegan knocking off Whitney Young in OT 61-59 followed by a win by Rich Township against Niles North 73-61. Here are the results and standouts from both games at the New Years Extravaganza.    The below-the-rim assassin. Xavi is so good at getting downhill and scoring in the paint. He has an excellent touch when scoring the ball and it usually doesn't matter who's defending him. The spin he puts on the ball just seems to always fall in. Granville scored 18 points as well as hitting the clutch free-throw to give his team the win for Waukegan.     Jaali is one of the least talked about top prospects in the class and I'm not sure why. Sunday he put on a clinic at Malcolm X. At 6'7 he's so athletic with some wing attributes in his game. Love had several dunks and blocks to show how bouncy he was. His effort to make plays was amazing. Jaali's biggest play was a charge he took on Munoz which was a huge sacrifice as he ended up on the poster but his play was a momentum changer. Love also displayed range from the perimeter as he drained two threes in the second quarter. He finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds while swatting 3 shots.     I was very impressed by the poise and patience of Carter. He's not the biggest but he plays with a ton of heart. The junior scored some difficult buckets in this game. Most of his attacks were to the basket and he was also fouled in the process. He scored 12 in the win.     Another strong scoring night for Clark. The smooth operator usually finds a way to go on scoring spurts when his team needs them the most. In this game it was the fourth quarter when Marquis put the team on his back and scored 8 points to help send the game into overtime. He led his team with 20 points in the loss.     A top unsigned senior in the state who put on an acrobatic show at times in this game. Munoz is known to have that second gear and athleticism around the rim. He scored several baskets off highlight dunks and tough finishes. On defense he high-pointed several boards and rejected a few shots. It's amazing how someone this gifted is still on the board. Antonio finished with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks.     The 6'5 sophomore found his niche as a shooter with the Dolphins. He connected on a trio of threes and scored a few more times around the rim as he scored 12 for Young.     Coulter has been in his bag as of late. Since the Dipper tournament he's been making shots with consistency. He is still good at using his strength in the lane bouncing guys off for strong finishes. Jamson had two possessions where he scored with his off-hand something I've never seen him do. He's starting to mold himself into the prospect many thought he could become.     Brooks is another top senior in the state who isn't committed just yet. At 6'7 he's been showcasing his versatility all season long. Al is skilled scoring several buckets in the lane with the defense in retreat mode. With a near 7'2 wing span, every play he makes looks impressive to the eye. His steal in the open court that turned into a dunk was a momentum booster for the Raptors. Brooks also had a couple of blocks and deflections when he closed out on shooters. For the coaches who ask yes he did make a three early in the game proving that he has been in the gym working on his touch from the arc. His stats line was 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks     Ikee is the other Brooks on this team that is playing his best basketball of the season. Since the move to Rich many questions were asked if Ikee would fit in, but he is showing he knows how to play. He gets going by getting downhill and scoring in the lane. His speed and agility help him get around guys when they are backpedaling. I think his best basketball is still ahead of him. It was good to see Ikee play like he did last season. Brooks scored 16 points.     He is a throwback type of forward. Hunter was so good through the first three quarters. Scoring in the paint and not using any wasted movement was refreshing to see. At 6'6” Gawron has a solid frame and strength to battle in the paint. As mentioned before simple hook shots and turnaround mid-range jumpers were all he did for most of the game. Hunter is a sound rebounder because he boxes guys out the textbook way. A highlight moment for him was a blocked dunk attempt that he would also rebound and push on a fastbreak. Already committed to go prep I think a ton of Division 2 schools need to check him out. Hunter led all scorers with 21 points, 11 boards, and 2 blocks.     This was my first look at Irby this season. He didn't disappoint as he hit 4 three-pointers with several in key moments of the game for Niles North. Yaris has always had a knack for playing in big games and Sunday was no exception. He gets to his spot and drills the shot with space. He very seldom got to the basket but it didn't stop him from making key assists as well. He had 16 points and 5 assists in the loss.     Reid did the best he could while being face-guarded the majority of the game. He was able to get a four-point play In the first half. The rest of the game he didn't get many clean shots off until the fourth quarter. Olson settled for 10 points in the game.

I was able to make it over to Malcolm X College to catch the final two games on Sunday. Both matchups were intense and fun to watch with Waukegan knocking off Whitney Young in OT 61-59 followed by a win by Rich Township against Niles North 73-61. Here are the results and standouts from both games at the New Years Extravaganza.