Grit Region Finals: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Circuit Grit Region Finals are in Chicago for the first time and it kicked off on Friday night.&nbsp; This is a bracketed event with the first game determining seeding.&nbsp; Time to examine the trio of 17U games I took in on the first evening in <strong>Grit Region Finals: Scotty B's Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Big 3 Size, Passing, and Shot Making Shine in Win Against Illinois Outwork</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first game of the night was an all-Illinois clash.&nbsp; [program_tooltip program_id='2075314' first='Big' last='3 Basketball'] took home the 57-50 victory against a hard working Illinois Outwork squad.&nbsp; What stood out of the Big 3 squad was their size across the board, how well they passed it, and three point shooting from all five guys on the floor.&nbsp; Let's start with their top playmaker in Homewood Flossmoor 6'2” point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2617407' first='Julian' last='Overton'].&nbsp; Strong framed lead guard that is creative with the rock scoring in the paint, but was at his best making those around him get easy looks especially in the drive and catch game.&nbsp; Finished with 6 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2875743' first='Marc' last='Gamble'] of Timothy Christian is a stretch four that at 6'7” created major mismatch problems pouring in a trio from deep.&nbsp; Also had touch and toughness around the hoop netting 18 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2404186' first='Matt' last='Welch'] of Glenbard North is a 6'4” small forward with a strong frame.&nbsp; Plus shooter that has a quick release off the catch and cuts to the basket off the ball for 18 points.&nbsp; Aiden Renicker is another wing that caught our attention as a three and D prospect pouring in 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Illinois Outwork was pushed by Morton 2028 5'10” combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2830691' first='Josiah' last='Stokes'].&nbsp; He definitely put his name on our radar playing two years up and was the best player on his team.&nbsp; Good athlete with fluid movement skills..&nbsp; Shot it well from distance pouring in four from beyond the arc along with multiple mid-range jumpers.&nbsp; Competes with active hands defensively scoring 21 points.&nbsp; Miguel Gasper of Morton is another young guard that had his moments.&nbsp; The 5'5” guard is scrappy getting in the lane for reverses and scoop shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Inside Outside Play Helps [program_tooltip program_id='2440586' first='B3' last='Athletics'] March Past Elite Legacy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next was a Wisconsin vs Michigan clash as Elite Legacy took on [program_tooltip program_id='2440586' first='B3' last='Athletics'].&nbsp; Low scoring game early that found some pace in the second half as [program_tooltip program_id='2440586' first='B3' last='Athletics'] won 48-40.&nbsp; Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1677420' first='Dereon' last='Brown'] was one that made a name as the smooth combo guard is a slick ball handler getting in the lane where he found his teammates along with making an array of three pointers in the win.&nbsp; Inside it was power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2867171' first='Trey' last='Hilton'] who had one of the plays of the game backing in for a spinning and-1.&nbsp; Good area rebounder, showed touch in the paint, and can even stretch to three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quincy Mosley had a strong outing for Elite Legacy.  Well built combo guard pushes it up the floor, plays with good pace, knows how to use his strength to his advantage, and is a capable shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] Storms Back to Win Against NXT LVL Behind Emerging Post</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last game of the night was one of runs.&nbsp; The biggest one came in the second half as [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] won 67-53 against NXT LVL.&nbsp; Andrew power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2399378' first='Mason' last='Moore'] continues to make us take notice each time we evaluate him.&nbsp; He has broad shoulders and super long arms.&nbsp; He was a force on the defensive end as a rim protector swatting shot after shot in the paint.&nbsp; Also chased down a man in the corner from his spot in the paint to block a three point attempt.&nbsp; Covers a ton of ground.&nbsp; Offensively he displayed his athleticism on a baseline spin, slam out of the dunker spot, pick/roll jam, and was fouled on a three.&nbsp; Went for 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks.&nbsp; Fellow big man Joseph Niego had flashes in the second half of his skilled game around the hoop and passing along with being a good area rebounder notching 12 points and 7 rebounds.&nbsp; Hammond Central (IN) point guard Isaiah Whitehead was a wizard with the ball in his hands pushing with his speed, ball handling, and fantastic passing.&nbsp; Also racked up 11 points in the win getting to the line and making tough scores in the paint.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2824754' first='Gary' last='Manso'] of Oak Forest brought a ton of juice for his team as the 5'8” guard got in the lane repeatedly for scoop shots and acrobatic finishes for 12 points.&nbsp; Pushed off his scrappy defense.&nbsp; Lincoln Way East guard [player_tooltip player_id='2837380' first='Matthew' last=''] Manzke shot it well for Lockdown in the win from both inside and beyond the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pair of Rockford Guilford 2027 prospects put their name on our radar for NXL LVL.&nbsp; Alejandro Villa-Almonaci is a strong bodied two guard that is a bucket getter.&nbsp; Recorded 15 points in the loss.&nbsp; Capable three point shooter that also knows how to use his frame to score in the paint on straight line takes.&nbsp; Plays with a very high-motor.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2440418' first='Cooper' last='Pozzi'] is a wiry combo that has a clean looking shooting stroke while being able to play both on and off the ball.&nbsp; Keep an eye on these two for an always strong Guilford program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->