Riverside Brookfield: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Riverside Brookfield Live Event kicked off on Friday.&nbsp; This was the first day of the high school live period where D1 college coaches can see players with their high school teams.&nbsp; Here we look at the top prospects from the state of Illinois and some fun matchups in <strong>Riverside Brookfield: Scotty B's Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Whitney Young Star Clark Puts on Show to Open with Victory over Talented Bolingbrook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We started the day off with a matchup between the #2 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark'] and #2 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'].&nbsp; Clark was sensational as Whitney Young won 46-36 against Bolingbrook.&nbsp; Clark did pretty much whatever he wanted throughout the contest.&nbsp; Well built combo guard is super smooth with the rock in his hands.&nbsp; He was smooth off the dribble playing with good pace and scoring in the paint using his strength along with crafty finishing moves.&nbsp; Mixed in some jumpers and passed it well in the half court en route to 19 points.&nbsp; Incoming freshman 2029 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2886496' first='Travis' last='Jamison'] jumped off the floor as the 6'3” point guard has tremendous size, length, and can really shoot it pouring in three triples in the win for 9 points.&nbsp; Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='2125591' first='Caden' last='Crudup'] is a versatile jack of all trades guy for his team.&nbsp; Strong frame, can shoot from distance, and rebounds well for a guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pettigrew had a relatively quiet game considering how well we saw him play on Wednesday at Nike Elite 100.&nbsp; The tools are so intriguing though.&nbsp; Size and length on the perimeter.&nbsp; His passing was probably his best asset in this game.&nbsp; Good in transition and had a nice turnaround jumper.&nbsp; Class of 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1874876' first='Trey' last='Brost'] is a gritty lead guard that can knock down open three balls and has the ability to score in the paint on drives.&nbsp; Incoming transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1552408' first='TJ' last='Williams'] had a nice game.&nbsp; Wiry wing looked comfortable scoring on an array of drives and got to the free throw line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bolte Makes Noise in Front of College Coaches in Win vs Rock Island</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Ignatius 2026 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2323283' first='Chris' last='Bolte'] continued his elevate his stock with a strong performance in their 72-69 victory over a really good Rock Island squad.&nbsp; The big man was feeling it as he poured in feathery threes connecting on five of them in his 27 point outing.&nbsp; Also was effective with an array of mid-range jumpers.&nbsp; Attacked some off the bounce on spin moves and euro steps.&nbsp; Rebounded very well too snatching rebounds.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2734415' first='Napolean' last='Harris'] was crucial in the backcourt for Iggy in their win.&nbsp; The lengthy rising senior consistently scored in the paint on acrobatic takes notching 13 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2531962' first='Amir' last='Tucker'], [player_tooltip player_id='2832915' first='Grant' last='Poorman'], [player_tooltip player_id='2839874' first='Chris' last='Chittaro'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2877526' first='DJ' last='Caldwell'] also contributed long balls in the win as St. Ignatius will be tough to beat if they shoot that well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early on the player that jumped off the floor for Rock Island was [player_tooltip player_id='2876529' first='Aris' last='Morgan'].&nbsp; The 6'7” post popped on our radar with his strong frame up front.&nbsp; Rebounds extremely well in traffic and was an effective finisher in the pick/roll game as he had 10 points.&nbsp; Class of 2027 standout point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2712818' first='Deven' last='Marshall'] started to get going as the game went along.&nbsp; Slick ball handler that can win off the bounce converting euro steps and reverse layups. He racked up 21 points.&nbsp; Recent transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2455389' first='Arthur' last='Abbey'] from Moline contributed to the effort with his quickness off the dribble, passing in ball screen situations, and hitting a pair of threes for 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Benet Tops Kankakee in Battle of Potential State Title Contenders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a game between top 10 preseason teams next year it was Benet who won 62-55 against Kankakee.&nbsp; Benet is the reigning 4A champs and they look like they have the chops to make another run.&nbsp; Strong outing from lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='2105390' first='Jayden' last='Wright'] who poured in some step back twos, a three, and took it coast to coast finishing with his off hand.&nbsp; Good float game and was solid as a passer in the half court as he had 11 points.&nbsp; Up front [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] provides elite size as a 7 foot rim protector and finisher with multiple dunks and blocks while scoring 12 points.&nbsp; Ed Stasys impressed with his defense and toughness around the basket.&nbsp; The 2027 post swatted several shots including an emphatic one to close to game on a three point attempt.&nbsp; Tough rebounder that brings a toughness and swagger up front netting 10 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2425956' first='Perry' last='Tchiegne'] is going to bring a major presence to this team as a smooth ball handler and dynamic passer.&nbsp; Can also get in the lane for finishes at the cup while being a good defender.&nbsp; They are surrounded by an array of shooters including Ethan Macdermott who poured in three of them en route to 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kankakee got back in the game after a bit of a rocky start.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1552625' first='EJ' last='Hazelett'] seems to be settling in nicely with his new squad.&nbsp; He is a lefty combo forward that knocked in a baseline jumper, left handed hook shot for an and-1, and had multiple takes from the mid and high post off the bounce.&nbsp; Stretched it to three a couple times as the southpaw had 15 points.&nbsp; State's top 2026 prospect is Kankakee's [player_tooltip player_id='2105360' first='Lincoln' last='Williams'].&nbsp; He got off to&nbsp; slow start in this game, but as it went on he started to be more assertive.&nbsp; Got to the foul line and a tip dunk really ignited him.&nbsp; Explosive take for a left hand finish, euro step in the lane, and drilled a pair of threes late in the contest for 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stampley Puts Stamp on Alton Win Against Thornwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alton made the trip to RB from the metro east and came away with a 59-57 victory against Thornwood.&nbsp; Their star is top 10 rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='2376270' first='Semaj' last='Stampley'].&nbsp; He is like a running back with his speed and explosiveness on downhill drives.&nbsp; So quick and finishes well with acrobatic conversions in the paint.&nbsp; Hit a pull up three early and thought he passed it pretty well off live dribbles as he had 15 points.&nbsp; Post [player_tooltip player_id='2540086' first='Jamarion' last='Green'] had a big game for the Redbirds as the broad shouldered and lengthy 2026 post walled up with his post defense, snatched rebounds, and was very comfortable shooting it off the catch from three.&nbsp; Had a lob dunk late as well for 15 points.&nbsp; Before he went down with an injury we saw some of the traits we liked during high school season from 2027 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2860144' first='Ryan' last=''] Howard.&nbsp; Three and D wing that has a smooth shot and is a versatile defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2028 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2879381' first='Mekhi' last='Young'] has created some buzz this month with his play for Thornwood.&nbsp; The rising sophomore point guard is a smooth ball handler that mixed in a few soft touch finishes and a pair of threes for 17 points.&nbsp; The other 2028 guard for this squad to watch is [player_tooltip player_id='2877539' first='Lester' last='Watson'].&nbsp; Solid on ball defender that also scored 12 points in the loss.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 2026 Wings Duel as Lockett and Houlihan Both Went for 30+</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was the most fun game of the day!&nbsp; New Trier beat Oswego East 68-59 behind the sharp shooting of standout 2026 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1552486' first='Danny' last='Houlihan'].&nbsp; When it comes to the best pure catch and shoot guys in the class Houlihan is the best in my eyes.&nbsp; He made seven from distance while scoring 32 points in their victory.&nbsp; Quick and consistent release.&nbsp; Also showed some passing off the dribble out of him we hadn't seen before.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2405910' first='Denym' last='Wallace'] is a name to watch in 2029.&nbsp; In our first look the big man stands at about 6'6” with a strong frame and long arms.&nbsp; Hit a three from the top of the key early and displayed touch around the hoop.&nbsp; Rebounds extremely well in his area against much older players.&nbsp; He had 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1552438' first='Mason' last='Lockett IV'] was equally as impressive for Oswego East.&nbsp; The 2026 shooting guard is a top 10 senior that had it flowing from the jump.&nbsp; Looked comfortable letting it fly from three making several of them.&nbsp; He was creative off the bounce finishing with either hand at the rim along with through contact for trips to the foul line.&nbsp; Made strides as a passer and defender as well.&nbsp; Definitely impressed a lot of coaches going for 30 points.&nbsp; Solid game out [player_tooltip player_id='2125619' first='Dshaun' last='Bolden'] who is a 2027 wing with some helium heading into the live periods.&nbsp; Bouncy athlete that has a strong frame.&nbsp; Threw down a big dunk off a steal for his most memorable play of the day while scoring 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wegrzyn Lives Up to Top 5 Status with Strong Second Half vs Hillcrest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libertyville won a tight contest against Hillcrest 56-53.&nbsp; After a quiet start top rising senior post [player_tooltip player_id='1552460' first='Bryce' last='Wegrzyn'] got it rolling.&nbsp; Skilled five man that rim ran for finishes, got on the offensive glass, and what he has done all spring which is shoot the long ball draining three in a row.&nbsp; Also recorded several blocks while scoring 29 points.&nbsp; Class of 2028 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2540198' first='Terrence' last='Davis'] is among the best shooting guards in his class.&nbsp; Played quite a bit on the ball for Libertyville where he looked comfortable.&nbsp; Good handles, finishes with touch at the rim, can hit a three, and defended at a high level scoring 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Purdue football commit [player_tooltip player_id='2323269' first='Max' last='Carmicle'] brought the physicality and toughness he always does on the interior for Hillcrest.&nbsp; Spin moves for finishes and converted through contact with power in the lane on his way to 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Libertyville Goes 2-0 with Win over West Aurora to Close Day</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was another narrow win for Libertyville in their 68-65 contest against West Aurora.&nbsp; Libertyville led the majority of the game with West Aurora making a run late.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1552460' first='Bryce' last='Wegrzyn'] had 24 points while sharp shooter Ben Kristopher proved to be a sharp shooter connecting on an array of threes for 15 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Aurora got 17 points from #3 2027 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2125687' first='Travis' last='Brown'].&nbsp; Smooth creator with the ball in his hands.&nbsp; Creates space for his shot and finds creates in the defense.&nbsp; Made some scrappy plays on defense as well.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2217958' first='Drew' last='Lundberg'] chipped in 16 points in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Quick Hitters</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waukegan fell to Lake Park in their last game.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1845356' first='Jaali' last='Love'] from Waukegan is an intriguing prospect with his length, rangy frame, and athleticism.&nbsp; The 2026 is interesting because of the athleticism he brings as a four man that is so quick on the offensive glass.&nbsp; Also had a nice right handed hook, put back, and a powerful dunk off a steal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McHenry 2026 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1552440' first='Adam' last='Anwar'] is an underrated post.&nbsp; Face up four that can stretch the floor and has the strength to be effective down low as he had 22 points in a loss to New Trier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->