More NW IL Stock Risers This Month

Illinois high school basketball teams are in prime form and athletes are well conditioned for the last phase of the season. This past week, I caught up on action from small school teams in Northwest Illinois. The following players stood out who continue to build upon their already successful careers for their respective schools. Ones who will also make a definitive impact as we head into the Madness which is upon us. This is the second of two recaps from games I saw this week.    Good sized body that can be multi-positional at the 2A high school level. Is a part of a lot of scenes during action on both ends of the floor. Liked to communicate well to teammates defensively on screens or switches and offensively will help orchestrate flow. A couple examples of the assets he provides were taking it out from EOB to come off a screen and knock it down from 3, keeping eyes peeled while handling it in transition, and utilizing a screen and roll effectively. An overall well balanced game.     Has decent foot speed for the 5 man position and will run the floor efficiently and consistently from rim to rim. Will catch on the block and show poise and patience for kickouts or cutters. Selflessly will screen the ball for teammates which then creates mismatches or defenses having to scramble because of his size. Mostly gave good positioning off the ball on defense to help and recover when necessary and still create a nice challenge down low.     A longer point guard that has to have the ball in his hands most of the time for his team to have a chance. Can handle it at a good rate against pressure even with most of the attention on him throughout the game. Has a nice quick catch and shoot 3 with range at a high release point that deems sufficient. Will push the ball and drive into traffic to create finishes against more size. Uses his longer strides with or without the ball to create some separation on quicker bodies. Got his hands on some passes and tips to create turnovers.     Undersized point guard that naturally makes up height disadvantage with other natural abilities. One of the quickest guards I've seen this year making moves going off the bounce with his foot speed. When going full throttle, is tough to stay in front of defensively and can create some tough challenges when in transition. Poised and in control dribbling against pressure. Was able to split 2 or 3 guys in the half court or dribble through the gaps of a full court trap to break press. Uses quickness to make recoveries on defenses while getting some tips or deflections.     Lengthy freshmen that can run the floor at a good pace. Utilizes his long wingspan which can create some issues down low for offenses. Looks to gain position on the block when posting and shows hands well. Had a couple post feed catches and finishes to convert. Bought it up the court when necessary on the break off a rebound or turnover. Good to keep an eye on over the next 3 years.

Illinois high school basketball teams are in prime form and athletes are well conditioned for the last phase of the season. This past week, I caught up on action from small school teams in Northwest Illinois. The following players stood out who continue to build upon their already successful careers for their respective schools. Ones who will also make a definitive impact as we head into the Madness which is upon us. This is the second of two recaps from games I saw this week.