Run N Slam: Top Illinois Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out some of the Illinois standouts from the Run N Slam events from Fort Wayne Indiana.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323624' first='Davion' last='Thompson'] [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I want to label Thompson as the “Shot Maker” because that's what he did in all the right moments in the matchup against the Wolves. Davion has no fear of the big moment even down to the key free-throws to ice the game for [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last='']. I'm in awe of how poised plays when he gets in the lane and just makes shots with guys right in his grill. With his team down for most of the game he never seemed rattled and hit key shots from the perimeter and in the lane. Thompson also is very good at getting to the foul line and making the easy baskets.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Always in control and looking to make a play Jaxson never seemed rattled despite being down for the majority of the game versus the Wolves. He was just consistent at scoring a bucket whenever Thompson didn't get a clean look. Davis is so good at distributing and scoring that it's almost impossible to stop him from doing either. His biggest bucket came in the 4th quarter when he made a reverse layup to give [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] a 2-point lead where they went on to win the game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125634' first='Hayden' last='Schroeder'] IL Wolves 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden had a very good game against [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last='']. It started with some outside shooting bringing the opposing big man out to the perimeter. He followed that with a steal that he drove the full length of the court for a slam. Hayden's game in the post was just as good with his quick spin into a short hook which worked well against the taller bigs. He finished with a team-high 18 points.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125687' first='Travis' last='Brown'] IL Wolves 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown made the best out of his matchups against two of the top 3 three players in his class. He showed no fear early on getting to the basket and finishing at the rim. Later in the game he hit a very tough three with a defender in his face. Travis impressed me the most by not making the matchup personal and playing within the team's flow. One of his biggest attributes is how well he guards the ball full court and he made things difficult for Davis and Thompson at times. Brown showed why he's at the top in that next tier of guards for the sophomore class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125674' first='Quinton' last='Kitt'] [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kitt maybe the most underrated player in the class with his skill set and athleticism from that wing position. Two key plays where he caught the ball from the corner and drove the baseline for dunks stood out the most. Quinton hit some big shots in the comeback as well scoring well into double digits and earning the win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Quick Notes&nbsp;</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I would love to get a part two of the [player_tooltip player_id='2531961' first='Amarion' last='Smith-Holley'] (Fire) vs [player_tooltip player_id='2467517' first='Darrius' last='Hawkins'] (Herro) matchup. These two guards are as tough as they come and didn't shy away from each other during the game. Amarion is a change-of-pace downhill guard who loves to score around the basket with his array of layups. Darrius is very similar as he breaks guys down off the dribble with his crossover and speed often looking to make an assist but will score in the paint as well. Hawkins and his talented group sent the Fire home, but I'm sure they will cross paths again on the Nike Circuit. Watching these two get after each other was well worth the hour and a half of my time.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wolves 17U fall short to Team Herro</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some clutch shooting was needed in this matchup down the stretch. Barrington 2026 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1845354' first='Oliver' last='Gray'] and unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='1440697' first='Atticus' last='Richmond'] hit some big threes to close the gap and almost push Team Herro to overtime. [player_tooltip player_id='2045857' first='Ethan' last='Hillsman'] of Joliet West was good on the glass and scoring around the basket with his energy and effort points. Wolves fell short in the platinum bracket.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] backcourt led the team to the Platinum 15U championship. Oswego 2028 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2125627' first='Ethan' last='Vahl'] and Bolingbrook 2028 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'] were key players in [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] run to Run N Slam championship. Vahl's slick ball handling and shooting is what comes to mind when you watch him play, but his energy on the defensive side was what stood out. Getting involved on the glass for boards and his anticipation in the passing lanes was huge. With Pettigrew he's an absolute scorer and was dependable for points when things got tight for [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->