State Finals: New Names Emerge

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What prospects put their name on the map with their play in Champaign over the weekend?&nbsp; Here are some new names that emerged!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1874866' first='Ryan' last='Schmidt'] (Effingham St. Anthony – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schmidt is an intriguing prospect at 6'4” with a crafty left handed game.&nbsp; Gets in the lane and to the line at a nice clip.&nbsp; Pushes in the open floor and is a capable three point shooter.&nbsp; Went down with an injury in the semis, but had 12 points before that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2823637' first='Brock' last='Fearday'] (Effingham St. Anthony – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fearday picked up the production when Schmidt went out with his injury.&nbsp; The 6'4” forward got hot late in the game from distance connecting on an array of threes.&nbsp; Very good area rebounder that is tough inside getting on the glass along with finishing through contact.&nbsp; He had 26 points and 15 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2815649' first='Adam' last='Awender'] (Eastland – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Awender jumped our radar with a strong performance in the semis against Peoria Christian.&nbsp; He is an athletic 5'10” lead guard that has burst on his first step.&nbsp; Loves to score in transition along with converting acrobatic layups in the paint.&nbsp; Fun player to watch with the creativity he brings to the table.&nbsp; Went for 17 points.&nbsp; In the championship game against Hope Academy Awender did everything he could to keep his team in it nailing four threes finishing with 15 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2823516' first='Mike' last='Thomas'] (Christ the King – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas is a 6'2” two guard that has made a name this season for CTK.&nbsp; Good athlete that has burst with the ball in his hands scoring tough layups and runners.&nbsp; Went for 9 points in the 2A semis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2437108' first='Omar' last='Ajanovic'] (St. Patrick – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Definitely a name to track long term.&nbsp; He didn't play a ton, but the 6'6” four man has a projectable frame along with some touch around the hoop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2815576' first='Cameron' last='Appenzeller'] (Chatham Glenwood – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everyone knows Appenzeller is an elite pitcher that is going in the first round in July.&nbsp; In their semi final contest against DePaul Prep he was their leading scorer on the hardwood.&nbsp; Started the game throwing down a big dunk.&nbsp; Would go on to hit a three later in the game finishing with 8 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2400721' first='Nyshawn' last='Turner'] (Rich Township – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turner is a 6'6” four man who turned it up as the season ended for Rich.&nbsp; Strong frame with plus athleticism.&nbsp; He got on the offensive glass with quickness, had left handed hook shots, and got to the line for 7 points in the semis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2358989' first='Troy' last=''] Gardner (Rich Township – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gardner was a prospect we knew nothing about coming in.&nbsp; He stands at 6'3” with a strong frame.&nbsp; Opened the game with an explosive dunk.&nbsp; Power wing that hit the boards for second chance points along with a reverse layup for 6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mac Doyle (Benet – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This guard didn't score much throughout the weekend, but with so many weapons on Benet that wasn't his role.&nbsp; He is a pesky defender that took on the task of guarding star players including giving Warren's star lead guard fits in the first half.&nbsp; Tough kid that is worth monitoring this spring and summer to see how his all-around game comes along.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->