Prep Hoops Live: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook

Saturday was a full day of basketball from morning to night at Prep Hoops Live!  PHI was there to catch all the action.  Here is my recap of what I saw in Prep Hoops Live: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!   Guards Duel in Da Boyz 16U Narrow Win over Infinity Sports   We started the day off with a tight contest which saw Da Boyz 16U win over Infinity Sports 58-56.  Little Village 6'0” point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2856003' first='Marvion' last='Carter'] had a massive game as he dropped 16 points to open the morning.  The southpaw has a slick handle being able to create off the bounce.  He sliced and diced all game long for scores in the paint along with being effective on pull up and step back threes.  Tristian Franklin from Michelle Clark is a tough 5'7” guard that has a nose for the basketball.  He mixed in a pair of threes with soft touch finishes for 20 points.   On the other side for Infinity Cannon Dervin made a name for himself.  The 5'9” point guard is a plus three point shooter who rained them in bunches making five of them in the loss.  The Lindblom guard is worth monitoring.  Jamarion Allen is a 5'11” Westinghouse guard that is at his best getting to the rim, being scrappy on the glass, and creating havoc defensively.   Hoopademix 17U Trio Leads to Win on Saturday Morning   The Hoopademix 17U group recorded a nice 60-58 W over Detroit Bulldogs in the morning on Saturday.  [player_tooltip player_id='2411671' first='Amari' last='Kennedy'] is a 6'3” 2027 combo guard that has a nice frame and broad shoulders.  Gets in the paint, pushes off his defense, and is a solid passer.  Hope 5'8” 2026 point guard TJ Huston is a plus shooter pulling up that went coast to coast in the transition game.  St. Ignatius 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552442' first='Palmer' last='Wong'] is a smaller guard that can really shoot it from deep nailing four of them in the win.   Abushanab Drops 41 But [program_tooltip program_id='2075527' first='Ignite' last='Hoops'] Inside/Outside Duo of Balanganayi and Riep Too Much   This was one of the most fun games of the day.  [program_tooltip program_id='2075527' first='Ignite' last='Hoops'] got the 74-66 victory against Play Hard Hoops behind their 1-2 punch of [player_tooltip player_id='2823585' first='Tony' last='Balanganayi'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2432328' first='Adrian' last='Riep'].  Balanganayi is headed to Illinois for football as one of the best offensive and defensive lineman in the state.  His footwork and skill shows through on the hardwood as well.  Big body that has nimble post moves, knows how to use his mass to his advantage, and rebounds so well around the hoop.  Handles it for his size in the open floor for up and unders, euro steps, and carves out space inside as he dropped 26 points.  Riep is a wing that emerged during the high school season and has shown flashes this spring.  Skilled three man that can shoot it from distance along with win on straight line takes and spin moves as he had 20 points.   For Play Hard Hoops the show was Glenbard West 2026 small forward Josh Abushanab.  The wing currently checks in at #33 in the rankings, but has a massive up arrow after today!  The jumbo wing did whatever he wanted whenever he wanted!   He scored 29 points alone in the FIRST HALF finishing the game with 41 points.  Known as a three and D wing he knocked down a couple threes shooting with elevation and confidence.  It was much more than that however.  He had so much pop off the bounce slashing with explosiveness over and over again maneuvering the ball at the rim.  Set up his moves so well with his improved handles and hesi.  More than just an offensive player he displayed glimpses of what he can do defensively checking multiple positions.   ND Phenom 17U Spaces Lead Late with Big Performance from Top 2026 Prospect   ND Phenom had a lot of coaches following them on Saturday.  Their star Carter Evanson was worth the trip as he had 21 points in their 61-50 win over [program_tooltip program_id='2219307' first='1' last='Dream Basketball'].  Big time shot maker that poured them in early in the game.  As the contest went on he looked to set others up including lobs along with getting to the foul line.  Sage Hansen is a big man that caught several of those lobs as a five that finishes off others as he had 8 points.   Continue to say that [player_tooltip player_id='1598786' first='Willie' last='Felton'] of Bishop McNamara is one of the best uncommitted guards remaining in 2025.  He will be coming off the board soon so D3, NAIA, and JUCOs need to go all in now.  He is so quick off the bounce and has burst to the cup where he finishes with athleticism.  Killer crossover.  Dropped 10 points.  Kenaz Jackson continues to just produce.  The Kankakee wing flies a bit under the radar, but we see what he does game in and game out.  Three level scorer with size on the wing that can shoot it from distance as he had 18 points in the loss.  D2s should be all over him early in the process.  [player_tooltip player_id='2411845' first='Karter' last='Krutsinger'] of Bishop McNamara is a tough and physical guard that can really shoot it from both mid-range and three netting 9 points.   Perimeter Depth of M14 National 1 Pushes them Past Bardo Basketball in Narrow Win   Like the depth of small college gems for M14 National 1 that shined in their 17U 69-67 victory against Bardo Basketball.  West Aurora guard [player_tooltip player_id='2217958' first='Drew' last='Lundberg'] was very good for another game.  Plus shooter from three that is lethal off the catch.  Playing much more confident with the ball in his hands going coast to coast along with finding teammates off the drive.  He had 20 points.  Hampshire 6'3” 2026 wing [player_tooltip player_id='1552433' first='Devin' last='Bach'] is a strong bodied shot maker that also crashes the offensive glass and is an aggressive defender who had 14 points.  Montini 2026 6'6” four man [player_tooltip player_id='2390105' first='Henry' last='Herold'] is a perimeter oriented post that can handle it, crash the boards, and cut off the ball for scores as he went for 13 points.  Jacob Victor of Naperville North dropped 11 points on a three, sweeping score, and put back.   St. Charles East 5'6” 2026 point guard Reece Dumpit set the tone for Bardo in this game.  The tiny floor general is so much fun to watch.  True floor general that makes those around him better with his on the money passing.  Creative ball handler that got to his spots for pull ups consistently throughout the game as he dropped 14 points.  South Elgin 6'6” five man [player_tooltip player_id='2617390' first='Ilija' last='Babic'] is a broad shouldered post that works well in the pick/roll game, finishes out of the dunker spot, and rebounds well in his area.  He had 16 points.   Tons of New Names Emerge for [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] 17U in Victory   Next up was [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] 17U's win 70-49 over Lockdown Therapos.  Work Foundation continues to produce under the radar prospects and this group is no different.  Let's start with a pair of 2027s that were playing up.  Simeon rising junior 6'4” small forward Jamal Dixon is a wiry and bouncy prospect that finished out of the dunker spot, hit multiple threes, and played above the rim on both ends throwing down dunks along with swatting shots.  He had 14 points.  Leo 2027 point guard Brian Kizer has a strong frame at 6'1”.  Won on straight line takes and flashed as a shooter while scoring 9 points.  Simeon 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2864928' first='Jesse' last='House'] had a big game for 12 points as he made multiple threes from his point guard spot.  Class of 2028 Walter Payton standout guard [player_tooltip player_id='2531979' first='CJ' last='Pittman'] is a crisp ball handler that had a sweet cross into a pull up over looking like AI over Jordan!  His combination of strength, handles, and quickness make him intriguing.   [player_tooltip player_id='2408504' first='Cole' last='Bero'] was the top performer for Lockdown.  He had 12 points in the loss.  Crisp shot maker with his jump shot that can pass well for an off guard along with being a capable defender.  [player_tooltip player_id='2399391' first='Owen' last='Carroll'] is another prospect that has caught our attention in 2026 this spring.  Creative scorer at the cup that can knock in a long ball for 9 points.   [program_tooltip program_id='2075524' first='IBA' last='Illinois Stars'] 2026 Quartet Ball Out in Win Against Powerhouse   What a performance the four standout prospects for [program_tooltip program_id='2075524' first='IBA' last='Illinois Stars'] put together in their 77-49 victory against Powerhouse. The prospect that jumped off the floor to us was Bolingbrook power forward Elijah Anderson. This four man has nice size at about 6'6” maybe taller with good athleticism. Face up post that can play with the ball having burst with it off the dribble and pushing coast to coast. Rim ran for scores and impacted defensively with his length while scoring 16 points. Wheaton North 6'3” small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2415529' first='Sean' last='Pedersen'] came up big in this game with 18 points. The wing is a crafty driver that made difficult scoop shots and acrobatic layups. Plainfield South 6'0” guard Brayden Ablin is a scrappy guard that gets after it defensively and scores with soft touch finishes as he had 16 points. Their go to scorer Minooka 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2454180' first='Brady' last='Hairald'] went for 17 points in the victory. He is a southpaw with such a great knack for getting buckets with his skill and craftiness around the rim. Crisp mid-range shooter.   Loyola shooting guard Sam Golden continues to be a name we monitor closely in the 2026 class for Powerhouse.  Plus shooter with size that can pour them in from deep as he had 11 points.   Geiger is THAT DUDE in Wisconsin [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] Win over ND Phenom 16U   Two of the top teams squared off in 16U Pool A and this one lived up to the billing with Wisconsin [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] defeating ND Phenom 52-48.  It was an absolute show for 6'2” combo guard Graeson Geiger who was lethal with his game.  He scored at all three levels.  Showed a pure stroke from distance.  It was his ability to get to the rim at will that impressed us.  He showed such explosion on straight line takes for buckets at the cup along with finishing through contact racking up 25 points in the victory.   Big man Ahmi Spears of ND Phenom is a 2027 out of the Dakotas to watch.  Athletic five with size who is a finisher in the pick and roll game.  Also can knock down pick and pop shots from mid-range and three.  Rebounded well in his area.  He had 16 points.  Also liked what we saw from 2028 combo guard Izaac Strandlein who was playing up.  The 6'4” guard already has good size and strength.  He plays with excellent pace being able to get in the lane for soft touch finishes along with dropping dimes.  Sound three point shooter.  Went for 12 points.   Growth Continues for St. Ignatius next D1 Prospect in 2028 Tucker   Despite the 59-55 loss we really liked what we saw from St. Ignatius 2028 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2531962' first='Amir' last='Tucker'].  The lead guard already ranks inside the top 20 with an arrow pointing up.  He has grown height wise and isn't done with his long arms.  The maturity and confidence in this game was shown in this one.  He shot it with confidence creating his own shot along with draining them off movement.  Slick handles including hesi moves getting in the paint for nifty finishes.  He had one move off the bounce that was phenomenal which he converted.  Playing with a lot of poise and confidence a year up for [program_tooltip program_id='2414566' first='Mike' last='Glennon Elite'] 16U.  Got others involved with his passing being able to deliver the ball off a live dribble with either hand.  Went for 27 points.   Size, Shooting, and Creativity Lead Way for Man Up Fox Valley 16U over AIA   This was such a fun contest as Man Up Fox Valley 16U won 67-64 against All-In Athletics.  Really liked the potential in their big man [player_tooltip player_id='2856365' first='Quinn' last='Gorges'].  He goes about 6'4” with a frame that can continue to grow.  He was effective on the offensive glass, ran the floor well, and was a very good passer.  He had 8 points.  A lot of projectability in 6'4” McHenry small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2861151' first='Mason' last='Sites'].  Rangy frame with upside physically and athletically.  Had a strong slash finishing with a spin move along with a jab step that set up a three ball.  Went for 9 points.  Huntley guard [player_tooltip player_id='2862884' first='Tyler' last='Dudzinski'] stepped up in the win by using his acrobatics finishing in the paint and getting to the line netting 11 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2859330' first='Nolan' last='Reynolds'] is a 6'1” guard from Huntley that shot it very well from distance going for 16 points.    For All-In Athletics PH their standout was [player_tooltip player_id='2831268' first='Chase' last='Pataky'] who was lethal as a scorer.  The 5'9” guard poured in soft touch finishes along with a plethora of jumpers from mid-range and three notching 15 points.  OPRF guard DeAngelo Perkins is definitely one to monitor.  The 6'0” strong bodied guard is a quality shooter that has feel as a passer and can go get you a bucket when he needs it as he closed the night with 15 points.   Quick Hitters   Carl Parrish is a 5'11” point guard from [program_tooltip program_id='2076378' first='Old' last='Gold'] 16U that had a strong outing.  The Rich Township guard got to the rim with his handles off the bounce and finished with acrobatics in the paint.   Amazin King out of Pontiac is a strong and physical guard with some upside for KBD Elite.  Plays with power going downhill in the 2027 class.

Saturday was a full day of basketball from morning to night at Prep Hoops Live! PHI was there to catch all the action. Here is my recap of what I saw in Prep Hoops Live: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!