Windy City War: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Windy City War concluded on Sunday with a terrific day of games.&nbsp; Here I look at the contests that I caught and the big time prospects in them in <strong>Windy City War: Scotty B's Sunday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OPS 17U Opens Day with Big Win over [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We opened the day with an Illinois vs Indiana battle which saw OPS win 79-45 against [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] at the 17U level.&nbsp; It was a very well balanced effort for OPS in this contest.&nbsp; Owen Marshall poured in 14 points leading the way in the win as he shot it well from the perimeter pouring in an array of threes.&nbsp; Levi Sawatzky played off his defense in transition, had the runner going, and hit a three for 10 points.&nbsp; Landon Richmond is a big small forward with length that scored at the cup with the ball in his hands and off the ball as he also notched 10 points.&nbsp; Briggs Pardon is a point guard that made quick passes on the move and was creative as a finisher in the lane along with getting to the foul line for 10 points.&nbsp; Xavier Wilson showed promise as a rangy guard that has creative handles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] once again it was their backcourt of Curie's Mike Oliver Jr and Travis Marks of Bolingbrook that were the top scorers.&nbsp; Oliver had 11 points with three triples which is his usual strength as the point guard can really bomb it in from deep.&nbsp; Marks is a super athletic wing that made multiple threes along with getting on the glass and slashing for 10 points.&nbsp; Plainfield Central 6'3” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2398374' first='Phoenix' last='Jones'] put his name on our radar as a strong wing who converted spinning layups and knocked in a baseline J.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Power 5 16U Cruises over [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] Behind Tons of Star Power</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The [program_tooltip program_id='2076433' first='Kevon' last='Looney Power 5'] squad won easily in their first game of the final day 75-39 against [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'].&nbsp; Big man [player_tooltip player_id='2140983' first='Tref' last='Rademaker'] was excellent in this contest.&nbsp; The old school big man has some Hunter Dickinson in his game although he isn't quite that tall he is still a legit five at the next level.&nbsp; Skilled lefty that has spins and touch around the rim.&nbsp; He Runs the floor, blocked shots, and hit a pair of threes for 23 points.&nbsp; Their backcourt was on point once again as [player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2127267' first='Zaihir' last='Jones'] continued to cook!&nbsp; Brown pushed the pace with both his passing and scoring.&nbsp; Attacked the paint along with hitting a couple threes.&nbsp; Jones is a big time transition scorer that threw down a big dunk.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] it was [player_tooltip player_id='2829810' first='Miles' last='Burnison'] that caught our attention.&nbsp; Big bodied wing that proved he can knock down a perimeter jumper from beyond the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3SSB 15U Squads Battle in Classic as [player_tooltip player_id='2509457' first='Jordan' last='Evans'] Bangs in Game Winning Three for Power 5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was one of the best games of the weekend as Power 5 won 57-54 over [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] as their star [player_tooltip player_id='2509457' first='Jordan' last='Evans'] drained a three for the win with seconds remaining.&nbsp; Evans went for 16 points as the explosive point guard got to the rim and foul line at a high rate attacking with force.&nbsp; Got after it defensively and hit a pair of huge long balls late.&nbsp; Tyler Kingsly is a big time athlete at the wing spot.&nbsp; Displayed burst off the bounce and throwing down alley oop jams.&nbsp; Also hit a mid-range jumper along with a top of the key three.&nbsp; St. Laurence guard [player_tooltip player_id='2385372' first='Noah' last='Corro'] is playing with the Wisconsin squad.&nbsp; We came away impressed with his growth playing on the ball as a point guard.&nbsp; Made solid decisions with the ball and used his quickness defensively at the point of attack.&nbsp; As always he scored it with fluid jumpers along with slick handles getting to the cup.&nbsp; Poured in 15 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Providence Catholic 6'1” thick bodied shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2715607' first='Kelechi' last='Enyia'] popped on our radar with a strong performance scoring 14 points.&nbsp; Slashing guard that threw down a big dunk, got on the glass, pushed in transition, and scored off a cut.&nbsp; Evanston point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2531970' first='Ben' last='Ojala'] is a smooth combo that can shoot it with such a feathery stroke from the perimeter including one where he got a steal and drained a three right after.&nbsp; The upside is super high with Yorkville big man [player_tooltip player_id='2532003' first='Joey' last='Jakstys'].&nbsp; He is a plus shooter from three spotting up that can also protect the rim defensively.&nbsp; Also liked what we saw from St. Ignatius shooting guard DJ Caldwell who has grown since we last saw him.&nbsp; Jab step to create space for jumper, and flashed defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] Narrowly Tops [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] in 3SSB 17U Classic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Great game between Adidas programs [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] and [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] as it went to D1 by a final of 75-72.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1560740' first='Dothan' last='Ijadimbola'] is a powerful and athletic scoring guard that is at his best when he wins on slashes and powers up for either dunks or fouls in the paint off two feet.&nbsp; The Totino Grace star had 12 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2115655' first='Ryan' last='Kreager'] is a big man that impressed us all weekend as a five with a good frame and plays with physicality around the hoop along with athleticism going for 12 points.&nbsp; Jaidyn Croon out of Iowa was huge all weekend including this game.&nbsp; Athletic and versatile three that impacts as a shooter, playing above the rim, and is a force defensively.&nbsp; He had 14 points.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The massive weekend for [player_tooltip player_id='1552460' first='Bryce' last='Wegrzyn'] continued in this game.&nbsp; The Libertyville center looked like the best rising senior post in the state and a potential top 5 prospect including this game where he had 20 points.&nbsp; His floor stretching has taken his game to another level pouring in four from distance in this game.&nbsp; He also pounds the offensive glass and has elite touch around the hoop.&nbsp; Going to blow up during the live periods!&nbsp; Another player with the arrow pointing way up is Glenbard East shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2839863' first='Michael' last='Nee'].&nbsp; He is an elite shooter that is in the running for the best pure shot maker in the Illinois 2026 class.&nbsp; He made six of them for 23 points in this game.&nbsp; St. Ignatius power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2323283' first='Chris' last='Bolte'] displayed his inside/outside game with and-1, baseline spin into a short jumper, and finished through contact for 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cronin Plays Above Rim in [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] 16U Victory over Wisconsin Playground</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The front line for [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] asserted themselves in a 69-47 victory against Wisconsin Playground at the 16U level.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2126115' first='Vincent' last='Cronin'] is a fun player to watch.&nbsp; He is a brute force big with elite athleticism.&nbsp; Threw down multiple massive dunks along with crashing the offensive glass and hitting a three.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2420169' first='Ahmed' last='Nur'] is a long and lanky post that has a world of potential as a agile finisher and defender in the paint with shooting ability.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2352817' first='Alex' last='Robbins'] was the standout from Wisconsin Playground.&nbsp; He is a bouncy four that has a long and rangy build.&nbsp; Slashed for a big two handed slam, got on the offensive boards for put backs, and can shoot it a little.&nbsp; Also got to the line at a nice clip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andersen and Zens Battle Up Front as [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] Takes Down Wisconsin Playground 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The same two teams matched up next as [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] topped Wisconsin Playground 64-49.&nbsp; Standout game from [player_tooltip player_id='1560778' first='Nolen' last='Anderson'] on [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] who had a monster game.&nbsp; The big man is a physical post that can really shoot it at a high level from distance.&nbsp; Nifty finisher around the hoop.&nbsp; Went for 15 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1560882' first='Cedric' last='Tomes'] is a lead guard that can score on scoop shots at the rim, hitting threes, and throwing sweet passes as he scored 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'] was the standout for Wisconsin Playground.&nbsp; Really liked this versatile big man that was a plus three point shooter that shot it very well from distance.&nbsp; Physical rebounder that got on the offensive glass for second chance points.&nbsp; He had 17 points.&nbsp; Very bright future!&nbsp; Wisconsin commit Latrevion Fenderson is a strong bodied wing that plays with physicality going downhill.&nbsp; Knocked in a couple threes along with playing with power off the bounce for 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2391400' first='Team' last='Herro'] 16U Closes Out Dominant Weekend with Win over [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last='']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the final game of the event we saw perhaps the most talented team all weekend which was [program_tooltip program_id='2391400' first='Team' last='Herro'] 16U who defeated a really good [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] squad 67-35.&nbsp; It was a dunk show as the [program_tooltip program_id='2391400' first='Team' last='Herro'] squad plays above the rim consistently.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2194315' first='Dooney' last='Johnson'] is that dude!&nbsp; Super exciting scorer that can score off the bounce, with the jumper, and has flashy passing.&nbsp; Went for 10 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'] is also a legit high-major talent.&nbsp; Big and athletic combo forward that gets on the glass and can handle it very well.&nbsp; He had 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another solid game from Neuqua Valley small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2839878' first='Mason' last='Martin'] as he continues to be a big time shooting threat from the perimeter.&nbsp; Expect to see a big debut from the [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] wing in our next update.&nbsp; Elton Jagersong is a crafty slasher that can make a shot and does all the dirty work as a glue guy for this team.&nbsp; Solid player from New Trier with size at 6'4”.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->