Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook

More action at Romeoville Athletic Center on Saturday as we were in the gym for the second day of Chi-Town Tip Off!  We give you all the insights here in Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!   Balanced [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] 16U Wins Opener against KBD Elite   We opened the morning checking out [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] against KBD Elite in a 16U contest which Lockdown took home 48-36.  Just like the 17U the night previously it was a balanced effort from the always well coached [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] group.  They won by sharing the ball.  Sawyer Asgedon and Dom Walker were a pair of guard that caught our attention with their shot making and crafty soft touch scoring games.   [player_tooltip player_id='2877322' first='Amazin' last='King'] from Pontiac stood out for KBD Elite.  Powerful 6'3” downhill slasher that was constantly in attack mode.  Normal U-High combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2877367' first='Devin' last='Fitzgerald'] is one to watch with his shooting from the perimeter.  Also 2028 Bloomington point guard KJ Warr is a prospect we expect to move into the rankings in our next update.   [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] Cameron 16U Big Man and Trio of Guards Have Impressive Performance   On the court next to the game above we were tracking the [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] Cameron 16U squad as they won 70-49 over Chapman Academy.  [player_tooltip player_id='2383971' first='Tyler' last='McConnell'] had a day from the first game to the last (see the end of story).  The Pinckneyville face up four is a 2027 athletic and well built post that was relentless putting it on the deck for scores and throwing down transition dunks as he had 23 points.  Their guard trio also had strong games with Centralia point guard Jaxson Hancock running the show and showing touch on his jumper.  Meridian's Latarus Johnson and 2028 Sparta guard [player_tooltip player_id='2832355' first='DJ' last='Hayes'] each put their name on our radars to continue to track.   [program_tooltip program_id='2075527' first='Ignite' last='Hoops'] 17U Pushed by Irwin and Matushevskiy to Win   Next up was a 17U battle between [program_tooltip program_id='2075527' first='Ignite' last='Hoops'] and Hoopademix.  Ignite scored the 60-47 victory.  Hersey 6'3” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2813043' first='Kyle' last='Irwin'] is a thick guard that was a force throughout the game in transition netting 15 points in the victory.  Also liked what we saw from Maine South skilled four [player_tooltip player_id='2821378' first='Sasha' last='Matushevskiy'] who had 9 points playing off his athleticism.   Plainfield South wing [player_tooltip player_id='2461655' first='Glenn' last='Harper'] and St. Ignatius small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2409690' first='Chase' last='Honore'] brought it for Hoopademix.  Each possess power to their game with strong frames and long arms, but got it done in different manners.  Honore (12 points) was more slashing and getting on the glass while Harper (14 points) poured in threes.   Wings Duel Out as Chapman Academy South tops [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] National 17   [program_tooltip program_id='2076501' first='Chapman' last='Basketball Academy'] South won the next contest over [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] National 17U 57-51.  Brandon Harper was an absolute bully in transition scoring over and over with his strength and body control at the rim for the Wisconsin squad as he racked up the buckets.   Bremen 6'2” wing [player_tooltip player_id='2414164' first='Jalen' last='Clardy'] is a well-built wing himself and the 2026 shooting guard rebounded at a good clip for his position and won off the bounce.   2027 Guards Dazzle in Matchup Between [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 15U and Wisconsin Playground Club   There was a ton of talent on the floor as shoe teams collided here with Nike's [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] going against UAA's Wisconsin Playground in a 15U battle with the Fire taking home the W 52-46.  It was really the point guard matchup that caught the attention of fans and scouts.  For the Fire they boast the top floor general in the class from Illinois and #4 overall prospect in 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2531961' first='Amarion' last='Smith-Holley'].  The Richwoods guard was fantastic in the contest going for 16 points picking apart the defense with his shooting from three, ridiculous handles, and excellent finishing game.  Burst with the ball in his hands!  Shepard big man [player_tooltip player_id='2834463' first='Amari' last='Williams'] is the top 2028 post on the board in Illinois.  There is still work to go, but the promise is certainly there.  He makes you just say wow at times.  Sealed for a score, LBJ swat, and came up with a clutch and-1 to close out the win netting 7 points.  Pretty well distributed with five other players scoring between four and six points.   J'Cobi Mathis is that dude!  The Wisconsin Playground Warriors point guard was sensational with his all-around scoring game.  He made four threes while also getting to the line at a high rate with his speed off the bounce.  Very bright future for this Wisconsin guard as he had 29 points in a magnificent showing!   Rolling Meadows 2028 Guard Puts Name on Map Pushing [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] to a Victory   In our next contest it was a pair of top 15U squads with [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] winning against M14 Gold 58-55.  [player_tooltip player_id='2834508' first='Halil' last='Pekovic'] was the story for [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] as the Rolling Meadows shooting guard put on a show as the lefty had 16 points in the early afternoon contest.  Crafty southpaw that has a natural scoring feel.   Intriguing upside prospects on M14 Gold on their frontline of [player_tooltip player_id='2465620' first='Brandon' last='Otten'] (Benet) who had 10 points, [player_tooltip player_id='2393606' first='Cole' last='Jansons'] (Oswego) with 4 points, and [player_tooltip player_id='2819731' first='Solomon' last='Morrison'] (Metea Valley) going for 8 points.  All present upside.  Their leading scorer in this game was [player_tooltip player_id='2413169' first='Noah' last='Tink'] with 14 points.   AyoDosElite 15U Has Stellar Day with Ayo Dosunmu on Bench   This was a massive day for the AyoDosElite program as their 15U won a pair of blow out victories over the [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] and then UAA's Wisconsin Playground.  We caught the second one where they won 55-36.  They had the support of their namesake former top PHI ranked prospect and current Chicago Bulls star Ayo Dosunmu.  For this team it all starts with their guard play.  Peoria High's [player_tooltip player_id='2834186' first='Nigel' last='Moore'] was really good as the lefty knocked in threes and showed skilled handles and slick conversions in the paint for 19 points.  Whitney Young guard [player_tooltip player_id='2834050' first='Jaivyn' last='Richardson'] is a smaller lead guard that has a natural feel for the game as a scorer and passing it with flair.  Pushes off his defense in transition, scored at the rim with soft touch finishes, and has a solid jumper notching 20 points.  St. Rita's [player_tooltip player_id='2531995' first='Eze' last='Nwagwu'] has that “it” factor you can't teach.  Poised leader at the point that makes those around him better.  Terrance Smith from Thornridge caught our attention as a terrific glue guy as a utility jack of all trades guard.  [player_tooltip player_id='2384522' first='Elijah' last='Shim'] might have the highest ceiling on this team as the Lindblom 6'5” post is a lanky post that alters shots and has the frame and mobility to grow into a legit prospect in the 2028 class.   Mac Irvin 16U Has Too Much Fire Power vs [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package']   Next up we saw the Fire score a 64-41 victory against [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] in the top 16U pool.  The star is top ranked 2027 in Illinois Kenwood's [player_tooltip player_id='2125612' first='Devin' last='Cleveland'].  He had a nice first half getting to the charity stripe along with connecting on a three finishing with 10 points.  Indiana point guard Mikey Woods is a dynamic scorer at his size.  The scoring point guard buried several threes along with using his speed and active hands on defense to turn steals into points as he had 14 points.  Another Hoosier state native Elijah King and Kenwood's [player_tooltip player_id='2323622' first='Damari' last='Stephens'] stuffed the stat sheet on the wings.   [player_tooltip player_id='2426050' first='Blair' last='Fagbemi'] has next at Benet.  Just like his brothers before him he is a high-IQ point guard with an advanced feel for the game.  Makes others better while still picking his spots to score including four from distance scoring 16 points.   Tucker and Barrett Post Monster Games for [program_tooltip program_id='2414566' first='Mike' last='Glennon Elite'] 16U   [program_tooltip program_id='2414566' first='Mike' last='Glennon Elite'] 16U put together a nice performance against M14 Gold in a 71-63 win.  Mt. Carmel 6'3” small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2490487' first='Torrey' last='Barrett'] was awesome in the contest as the strong bodied wing poured in 25 points.  He hit multiple threes, lived at the charity stripe, and got on the offensive glass with a quick second jump.  His point guard is top 20 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2531962' first='Amir' last='Tucker'] playing up an age.  Tucker is a savvy floor general from St. Ignatius that makes good reads with the ball and is silky smooth as a scorer.  Sliced his way through the D for an array of scores in the paint on crafty left handed finishes.  Nice float game and has a crisp mid-range pull up as he dropped 15 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2125603' first='Coy' last='Workman'] from Brother Rice is a great glue guy for this team just like his older brother.  The 2027 wing owned the glass and had several nifty finishes for 10 points.   Geneva point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2125653' first='John' last='Tweed'] had a big second half for M14.  The 5'10” stocky guard used his strength to finish at the cup while also banging in several jumpers en route to 16 points.  Wheaton Warrenville South's [player_tooltip player_id='2255121' first='David' last='Showman'] is a rock solid wing that can hit an open three along with get to the charity stripe as well as finish with creativity netting 18 points.   Hairald Leads Illinois Stars 17U Past Chi-Town Bulldogs   The [program_tooltip program_id='2075524' first='IBA' last='Illinois Stars'] won 53-44 in a 17U contest against Chi-Town Bulldogs.  Continue to really like the game of Minooka shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2454180' first='Brady' last='Hairald'].  The lefty was a bit hobbled, but fought through it and led his team to a win with 16 points.  Plus shooter from three that plays well within a team concept.  Moves well without the ball and is a connective passer.   [player_tooltip player_id='2396333' first='Sean' last='Souter'] was the top performer in this one for the Chi-Town Bulldogs.  The Walter Payton 2028 point guard is a plus shooter from three that has a nice soft touch finishing game as he had 18 points.   1 Dream Tops [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] in In-State 17U Clash   On the other side of the curtain was 1 Dream recording a 66-59 victory against [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'].  Unsigned point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1598786' first='Willie' last='Felton'] is such a dynamic scorer with the ball in his hands getting to the rim with speed while also being able to distribute when needed.  The Bishop MacNamara 2025 guard had 15 points in the win.  His big man at McNamara 2026 post [player_tooltip player_id='2437681' first='Richie' last='Darr'] brings intriguing tools as a rim protector, finisher, and mid-range shooter going for 8 points.   On the Lockdown side I came away impressed with Brother Rice 6'2” guard Charlie Wizgrid.  The 2026 wing scored on cuts off the ball, crashed the offensive glass, and flashed as a shot maker had 11 points.   Top 2026 and Pair of Highly Ranked Unsigned Seniors Star for [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 17U   Pair of titans went at it here with a ton of ranked Illinois prospects on the floor as the Fire beat [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 17U 62-48.  In the first half it was #1 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2105360' first='Lincoln' last='Williams'] of Kankakee going to work with a pair of monster dunks along with feathery pull ups and getting to the rim in transition as he had 14 points on the game.  Then it was the unsigned senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] Jr and [player_tooltip player_id='1766472' first='Donte' last='Montgomery'] who went to work.  Brooks Jr was dominant in the first half defensively getting blocks and steals.  Scored on post ups and in traffic for 11 points with his athleticism.  [player_tooltip player_id='1766472' first='Donte' last='Montgomery'] of Oak Lawn is a born scorer!  He did just that netting 18 points (14 in second half) as he poured them in from all three levels with ease.   Lake Forest 2026 wing Levi Tallos emerged with a big day.  Strong bodied wing for [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] that is crafty scoring on drives, back cuts, and scoop shots.  Also a more than capable shooter who had 11 points.  Benet big man [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] is one of the top posts in the Illinois 2026 class.  The seven-footer threw down massive slams, swatted shots, and hit a three.  Best move might have been crossing his man and then throwing one down as he notched 13 points.  Fremd wing [player_tooltip player_id='2834460' first='Tommy' last='Moffett'] had a nice game as the strong and skilled win did a little bit of everything while going for 7 points.   Guards Shine in 1st Half of [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] vs [program_tooltip program_id='2245199' first='Pride' last='Roc'] Bynum   We caught the first half of this contest.  For [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] in the first half we really liked Amare Leflore.  The Hyde Park guard was relentless attacking off the bounce for acrobatic finishes and floaters in the paint.  For [program_tooltip program_id='2245199' first='Pride' last='Roc'] it was [player_tooltip player_id='2631621' first='Amaris' last='Hunt']  who caught our attention.  Long and rangy guard did a lot of his damage in transition.   [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black 17U Closes Out Night with OT Victory vs [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears']   The final game of the day might have been the most exciting.  It looked like [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] was going to blow out the [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'], but they came all the way back to tie the game and send it in to OT on a three by [player_tooltip player_id='2323319' first='Colton' last='Hawkins'] as the clock expired.  [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] recovered in the extra session to win 65-63.  Tallos and Stack were very good again like we talked about previously.  Want to mention that Stack really shot it well from distance with a couple of beautiful shots for 12 points.  The star for [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] was Hersey shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552439' first='Logan' last='Luxem'].  He had a quiet first game, but erupted in this one getting pretty much whatever he wanted with an array of jump shots along with strong takes to the cup for 21 points.   Like we mentioned at the top Pinckneyville's [player_tooltip player_id='2383971' first='Tyler' last='McConnell'] was not done as he had a big time showing playing up an age level as the 2027 power forward was the best we have ever seen him.  Athletic four man took it to the rim with authority off the bounce, showed skilled moves, and hit a pair of threes for 14 points.  Althoff 2026 two guard [player_tooltip player_id='1977254' first='Luke' last='Smith'] got it rolling in the second half with his feathery jumper for 14 points as well.  Really liked the toughness we saw out of [player_tooltip player_id='1552415' first='Maddox' last='Ritzel'] as the Nashville 2027 wing poured in runners and turnaround jumpers for 10 points.

More action at Romeoville Athletic Center on Saturday as we were in the gym for the second day of Chi-Town Tip Off! We give you all the insights here in Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!