Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chi-Town Tip Off began the Prep Hoops Circuit in Illinois on Friday night.&nbsp; I checked out six squads from Illinois in the trio of games I took in.&nbsp; Let's dive into it in <strong>Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B's Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ellis' Shooting and Frontline Lead [player_tooltip player_id='2391665' first='Kessel' last='Heat'] 17U over Illinois T-Wolves</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We opened the night with a pair of programs that have been around a long time in [player_tooltip player_id='2391665' first='Kessel' last='Heat'] and Illinois T-Wolves.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2391665' first='Kessel' last='Heat'] jumped out early and never looked back winning 55-40.&nbsp; Early on it was the shooting prowess of Loyola 2026 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2875754' first='Charlie' last='Ellis'] who did the damage.&nbsp; He poured in an array of threes off the catch.&nbsp; Also is a crafty driver that netted 15 points in the victory.&nbsp; They boasted a trio of posts all about 6'4” to 6'5” that can play.&nbsp; Niles North stretch four [player_tooltip player_id='2875733' first='Osman' last='Khan'] impressed with his quick release as a shooter pouring in 18 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2405260' first='Daniel' last='Odhiambo'] of Vernon Hills is a defensive force as he was volleyball spiking shots around the rim.&nbsp; High pointed rebounds all night.&nbsp; Also liked the passing and skill level of Niles North four man [player_tooltip player_id='2875759' first='Mustaf' last='Rexhepi']. &nbsp;High level passing big man that is a connector offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2387603' first='Leslie' last='Pobee'] was the prospect that most caught our attention for the Illinois T-Wolves.&nbsp; The Plainfield East 2026 strong bodied forward did most of his damage inside scoring and using his quickness on the glass for second chance points as he went for 7.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2826185' first='Kenneth' last='Leaks'] opened some eyes with his shot making as a lefty wing at 6'3” that gets in the lane along with taking and making difficult jumpers netting 14 points.&nbsp; He also plays his high school ball at Plainfield East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Unranked 2026 Trio Emerges for Illinois Hoopstars 17U in victory vs [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up was a game that started off pretty slow, but late in the first half and into the second half the momentum started to pick up.&nbsp; Illinois Hoopstars edged past [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] 72-59.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2411580' first='Jacob' last='Marynowski'] was a real bright spot for Hoopstars as the Glenbard East 6'3” wing showed he could get up and dodnw the floor running the floor hard in transition.&nbsp; Finished out of the dunker spot and got on the offensive glass for 15 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1874668' first='Adin' last='Smajlovic'] is a creative playmaking guard from Mather that consistently slivered his way into the lane for nifty finishes along with hitting shooters on the move as he had 18.&nbsp; Casey Kaczmarski of Huntley didn't score a ton, but he has an advanced passing feel getting others involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2821689' first='Kendall' last='Bosby'] flashed some pop for [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'].&nbsp; The Joliet West 6'3” shooting guard is a long and lanky wing that can defend, slash, and showed potential as a shooter.&nbsp; Deven Tripplet of Joliet Central gave them a boost in the second half with his energy on both ends of the floor and athleticism around the hoop.&nbsp; Several steals for points as we had him for 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] 17U Skilled Guards Outshine Chi-Town Bulldogs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lockdown got a really nice 72-55 win to close out the night over Chi-Town Bulldogs.&nbsp; It was a balanced effort for this team with seven guys scoring at least two field goals in the game.&nbsp; The standouts were Hinsdale Central 6'2” guard [player_tooltip player_id='2408504' first='Cole' last='Bero'] and Lyons 6'2” guard [player_tooltip player_id='2399391' first='Owen' last='Carroll'].&nbsp; Bero is a combo guard that brings skill to the table as both a passer and shot maker pouring in three from distance.&nbsp; Also can handle it a little.&nbsp; Going to be a big part of a Hinsdale Central team that should be very good again next season as he went for 17 points.&nbsp; Carroll is a lefty two guard that can shoot it spotting up, acrobatic finishing in traffic for and-1s, and cuts off the ball.&nbsp; He had 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chi-Town Bulldogs were led by 2026 big man Stephen George of St. Francis de Sales as the wide bodied five man mauled on the glass all game long scoring with physicality netting 12 points.  St. Rita 2028 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2531964' first='Angelo' last='Adams'] shot it well from beyond the arc pouring in three of them along with a floater for 11 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2515335' first='Amari' last='Cornell'] is a name to track as the Marshall 2026 6'6” power forward has a strong, long, and athletic frame.  He showed he could defend, get on the boards, and stretch with his shooting to the corners along with hitting a nice turnaround for 8 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->