Meanstreets vs Breakaway Scrimmages: 15U and 16U Recap

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two shoe programs in the state of Illinois put together a warm-up event between tmajor circuits teams to kick off the AAU season. [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] (Nike) and [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] (Adidas) held scrimmages with their top-level teams and opened it up to the public to watch. Here are some notes from the 15U and 16U games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>15U</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] won by a big margin. The talent on this EYBL squad was just too much for [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] to handle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125627' first='Ethan' last='Vahl'] Oswego ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last='']) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vahl is always effective with slick passing and scoring in transition. Didn't shoot it as well as we are used to seeing but looks like a good fit for this team. He's a lead guard who will get even better playing against some of the top players nationally. His court energy and flare for passing the rock alone will get Ethan some attention.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2538631' first='Grant' last='Smith'] 6'4 Lyons Township ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last='']) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grant is very assertive on both sides of the ball. Looked good on offense scoring on offensive rebounds and out of the post. He even knocked down a corner three. Smith looked like a varsity basketball player so it's mind-boggling that he didn't get any reps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'] Bolingbrook ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last='']) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Was very good at attacking off the dribble and finishing in the lane. Showed he can make shots from different spots on the court.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DeAndre Higgs Thornton ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last='']) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Did the dirty work and was very physical around the rim. Played well on the perimeter.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531970' first='Ben' last='Ojala'] Evanston ([program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''])&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the few bright spots for [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last='']. Ben shot the ball well on clean looks at the rim. Plays hard even with his team down big.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>16U</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] was in control of the game for the majority of it. [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] has some good size on this squad and will win games on the 3SSB circuit.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] Warren ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last='']) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still beaming off that state-run Davis looked good scoring the ball and making plays for others. Has an unreal feel of the game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323624' first='Davion' last='Thompson'] Bolingbrook ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last='']) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Player of the year who's wired to score and makes the game easier for those around him. Thompson shot the ball well from three and got to the basket a couple of times.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125674' first='Quinton' last='Kitt'] East Peoria ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last='']) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First time watching in person and I was very impressed with his skill and size. Kitt is a consistent three level scorer with a solid mid-range game and a strong upper body to score through contact. Has some major upside to his game that could become a high-major prospect.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2328086' first='Amari' last='Dukes'] TF South ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last='']) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dukes is a skilled wing who showed flashes with his drives to the hoop. Scored several times over taller defenders. Can have a breakout summer playing with Streets and developing his jump shot some more.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323613' first='Demarco' last='King'] TF North ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last='']) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Demarco is a heady guard who is always around the ball making plays even if he is not scoring. King was able to get a steal, a couple of rebounds, and made some nice assists to his teammates. Demarco also hit a corner three to stop a [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] run in the second half. He could have a breakout summer competing with these top guys in practice and on the circuit.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323618' first='Alex' last='Sirbu'] Buffalo Grove ([program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''])&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Was impressed with Sirbu and his patience to get to his spot in the post and score over bigger players. He showed good footwork and didn't mind physicality with his back to the basket.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125660' first='Lamari' last='Carpenter'] Glenbard North ([program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''])&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Skilled guard who gets to the basket with his crossover. Lamari had a stretch where he was able to wow the crowd with his handle and score in transition.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elton Jaegerskog New Trier ([program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''])&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First look at Elton. He's a muscular guard who could also be a wing as he grows. He played hard got after the ball on defense. He never looked intimidated on the court. Elton's shot looked good and could become a serious prospect in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2391672' first='Jeffrey' last='Hassan'] Kaneland ([program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''])&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It took a while for him to get things going but eventually Jeffrey made an impact with length to block shots and even catch a pass on the roll for a two-handed dunk.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->