Romeoville Live: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook

It was a full day of games from 8 AM to 9 PM at the Romeoville Live event on Saturday.  Tons of prospects were notable and there were some excellent games.  Time to examine it in depth right here in Romeoville Live: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!   Barrington 2026 Star Leads Them to Win over Pinckneyville to Open Day   Fun game to start the day with a pair of scholarship level 2026 prospects going at it in Barrington wing [player_tooltip player_id='1845354' first='Oliver' last='Gray'] and Pinckneyville big man [player_tooltip player_id='2323278' first='Ty' last='Laur'].  Barrington got the win 56-45.  Gray is an intriguing wing with positional size, plus shot making from the perimeter, and improved handles.  Went for 19 points in the victory.  Also got help from 2028 5'8” guard [player_tooltip player_id='2532017' first='Luke' last='Loughlin'] who used his quickness to get in the paint for several scores.   Laur is a super skilled big man that rebounds well in his area on both ends of the floor, makes aggressive cuts off the ball, and has a knack for drawing fouls.  Really like what he brings as a facilitator passing out of the high post.  Kolton Smith is a new 2026 name to make note of.  Plus three point shooter that also plays solid defense at 6'2”.   Balanced Caravan Lineup Gets Victory over Waubonsie Valley   Mt. Carmel took care of business with a 54-46 win over Waubonsie Valley on Saturday morning.  [player_tooltip player_id='1845357' first='Noah' last='Mister'] continues to be the catalyst for this squad.  Liked how he got others involved with his passing in the half court while also picking his spots to score including when it mattered most.  [player_tooltip player_id='2403910' first='Logan' last='Wessel'] had a nice game for the Caravan with his ability to crash the offensive glass along with stretch the floor.  Considerable upside with their young core of 2027 star football prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2877491' first='Marshaun' last='Thornton'] along with 2028 prospects wing DK Heard and guard [player_tooltip player_id='2767906' first='Ronald' last='Johnson'].  Thornton is an elite level athlete that impacts with his energy and athleticism on both ends.  Heard was effective in this game being able to finish around the hoop, rim running, and getting to the charity stripe.  Johnson brings a smoothness to his game along with positional size that should translate well long term.   Waubonsie Valley's star is 2027 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2125659' first='Kristopher' last='Mporokoso'] as the versatile wing poured in an array of three balls in the loss.  Deep range on his shot along with a ton of arc.  [player_tooltip player_id='1874669' first='Aidan' last='Lee'] flashed again as a small college gem with some sharp shooting from three.   East St. Louis Wins OT Thriller Against Lemont   This was one of the better games of the day as East St. Louis fought back to take their game against Lemont to OT ultimately winning 59-53.  It was all about [player_tooltip player_id='1873523' first='Jamison' last='White'] in this game for East St. Louis.  The powerful and athletic four man is so physically imposing.  Can knock in face up shots off the catch and pulling up.  Also slashed with ferocity including a couple of hammer jams in traffic.  Competes defensively including getting the key steal that sent the game to OT.  Another 2026 standout on this roster is [player_tooltip player_id='2822953' first='Alex' last='Johnson'].  The silky smooth two guard has a feathery shot from distance and did a nice job creating off the dribble for scores netting 20 points.   Strong first half for [player_tooltip player_id='1552393' first='Gabriel' last='Sularski'] as the #3 overall prospect in Illinois had quite a few high-major coaches on the baseline for him.  Early in the game he was feeling it from three popping a pair of deep ones.  Then started to attack and play aggressive putting pressure on the rim with tough drives.  Also showed some solid instincts as a passer.  Went for 18 points.  Took a bit for him to get going, but 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2749990' first='Zane' last='Schneider'] started to heat up including his usual long ball along with powerful drives.  Has a ton of helium heading into June with a 22 point outing.   Evanston 1-2 Perimeter Punch Leads Way vs SHG   The Wildkits picked up a nice 52-47 morning victory against Sacred Heart Griffin.  Evanston is a program that has sustained success so well over the last decade.  They have a couple of young perimeter players that will continue that trend.  [player_tooltip player_id='2531970' first='Ben' last='Ojala'] is a 2028 point guard that gets better as a playmaker each time we see him with his handles, passing, and instincts.  Also can really shoot it from three as one of the better shot makers in his class.  [player_tooltip player_id='2540157' first='Vito' last='Rocca'] is a 2027 wing who brings a good frame and slashing ability to the table.  Gets to the line and is a quality defender.   SHG has a trio of guards they are built around.  [player_tooltip player_id='2532352' first='Terrion' last='Wallace'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2455399' first='Myles' last='Montgomery'] are small guards that have huge hearts.  They are quick and shifty off the bounce getting in the lane for scores and to the line.  Intrigued with Tereik Hurd long term potential as a two guard that brings athleticism on both ends of the floor.  Cameron Brinkman is the glue guy that brings everything together with his shooting and toughness.   Bolte and Poorman Push St. Ignatius Past Edwardsville   After a bit of a rough defensive start St. Ignatius got it going ultimately capturing a 48-46 win against Edwardsville.  [player_tooltip player_id='2832915' first='Grant' last='Poorman'] had one of his better games as the small college wing shot it from distance and had a few physical drives for scores in the paint.  Big man [player_tooltip player_id='2323283' first='Chris' last='Bolte'] has been a breakout player in June elevating his stock.  In this game he regularly got to the charity stripe with his physicality along with taking it off the bounce from the mid-post.   Big fan of 2026 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2277698' first='Miccah' last='Butler'] out of Edwardsville.  We saw him last season and came away intrigued.  Continued growth here as a big wing that can shoot it from deep.  Feathery shot as he made five of them off slips, pulling up, jab steps setting them up, etc.  Mixed in a couple nice drives including keeping the defense honest on shot fake blow by for a score at the rim.  He had 19 points.  Brady Niemi is a 5'11” point guard that can really shoot it from distance draining and array of them in the loss.   Elite 2027 and 2028 Clash in Warren vs Bolingbrook   This was a game that many had circled from the time the schedule came out.  Warren and star [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] vs Bolingbrook and 2028 standout [player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'].  Two of the top pure prospects in the state regardless of class.  Packed stands of college coaches were on hand as Warren got the W 70-59.  As usual [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] completely controlled the game both passing and scoring.  As a distributor he was finding his guys with pin point accuracy.  Scoring in that game the jumper was flowing draining three triples along with a mid-range pull up behind a ball screen.  Creative finisher at the rim that knows how to play angles so well.  [player_tooltip player_id='2437519' first='Braylon' last='Walker'] had his moments as the 2026 strong bodied wing got in the paint.  [player_tooltip player_id='2403693' first='Avonn' last='King'] is an undersized five who has had a great month.  The rising senior is going to get himself a small college spot as he has a relentless motor, rim runs, and is an elite offensive rebounder.  [player_tooltip player_id='2437525' first='Joel' last='Paasch'] is a lethal shooter that when he drains six triples like he did in this one it takes Warren to another level.   Solid game from [player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'], but not his A game for sure.  Couple threes and got loose in transition.  Could never fully get going.  Like how a pair of 2026 guards for Bolingbrook have played this month in [player_tooltip player_id='1552408' first='TJ' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1874876' first='Trey' last='Brost'].  Williams is a transfer that will immediately impact as silky smooth mid-range shooter and transition athlete.  Brost is a tough as nails leader that makes solid decisions and can knock down open shots.   Peoria High Reloading with 2028 Talent   Last year it was all about Leshawn Stowers at Peoria High as the Miami (OH) signee was one of the premier players in the state.  They have in large part flipped their roster to a group of 2028s along with one returning upperclassmen which pushed them to a 54-47 win against Oak Forest.  The senior is [player_tooltip player_id='2734391' first='Fenix' last='Foy'] that is going to play at the next level for sure.  Good positional size on the wing being able to cut off the ball and score with athleticism around the cup.  Lot of excitement with the 2028 quartet they boast.  [player_tooltip player_id='2474926' first='Kayden' last='Turner'] is a transfer from Metamora that screams upside with his long and rangy frame.  Sees the floor in the pick/roll game and hit a couple clean jumpers in the win.  [player_tooltip player_id='2834186' first='Nigel' last='Moore'] is a lefty bucket getter at the lead guard spot.  He mixes in soft touch finishes and pull up jumpers.  [player_tooltip player_id='2389398' first='Orlando' last='Edwards'] plays with tremendous pace.  The lefty gets to his spots and rises up over defenders.  Jacob Duff is a bouncy 6'4” forward that has long arms and broad shoulders.  Quickness on the offensive glass and defensively.   Decatur MacArthur Dominant on Saturday vs Bradley Bourbonnais   MacArthur left no doubt blowing out Bradley Bourbonnais by a final of 72-25.  [player_tooltip player_id='2105414' first='Sean' last='Lee'] is a big and physical wing for the central Illinois power that we have been tracking for years.  He brings strength and athleticism to the table.  Was excellent in the open floor showing a burst getting to the rim skying high for finishes.  Plays with a high-motor.  [player_tooltip player_id='2323268' first='Tishawn' last='Clemmons'] runs the show at the point as the small lead guard is slick handling it and has bullseye accuracy as a passer.  Monte Phillips is a speedy lefty who loves to play up tempo and get after it defensively.   First look at Bradley Bourbonnais hyped incoming freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2862587' first='Dajuan' last='Brown'].  Tough eval as they were out of it almost immediately.  He has good positional size and some projectability.  Was streaky as a shooter.  Will see him plenty more throughout his career.   DePaul Prep Hits Another Gear in Victory over Simeon   In the first half it was a low scoring game, but DePaul Prep turned it up offensively going on to beat Simeon 59-30.  Per usual the story was the defense along with [player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'].  They have to be the best duo in the state playing off each other.  Woo is a lead guard that makes such great reds in the half court and knows where Porter is going to be before even does.  Plus shooter from three connecting on four of them in this game.  Porter is a freight train coming down the lane in transition, pick/rolls, or powering in on takes from the high-post.  I had to vacate my seat under the hoop as the powerful post was throwing down dunks running full speed.  Tenacious rebounder and post defender.  [player_tooltip player_id='2323334' first='AJ' last='Chambers'] brings a steadiness to this team.  Excellent connector that that picks his spots to score.  [player_tooltip player_id='2376273' first='Zion' last='Lee'] is a rangy wing that defends, rebounds, and does all the dirty work for this squad.   On the Simeon side [player_tooltip player_id='2887038' first='Kamari' last='Hamlin'] was the prospect that made the most impact.  He is a big bodied guard that has a nice skill level on spinning finishes in the paint and drained a pair of threes.   Stephens Continues Momentum as He Impresses for Kenwood   Arrow is definitely pointing up for Kenwood 2027 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2323622' first='Damari' last='Stephens'] as he carried them in a 41-36 win over York.  Big and physical wing is in best condition of career and is more than willing to take on the load of being the guy on one of the cities top programs.  Banged in multiple threes in this game racking up five of them in fact.  High-motor wing that is relentless pounding the defense down like a running back with carries which for him translates to free throw attempts.  Also showed some growth as a passer off live dribbles.  He had 25 points.   Will O'Leary of York is a 2028 6'2” shooting guard that caught our attention as a prospect to watch long term getting to the line and hitting a jumper.  On a young squad their top senior will probably be [player_tooltip player_id='1552402' first='Ethan' last='Iacob'] who has small college potential.   Moline Next Wave of Prospects Coming Through   One thing Moline does is win! They keep putting kids in college and then on to the next group that racks up Ws. They did that on Saturday night with a 51-36 victory against Oak Forest. Josh Hendrickx had a breakout game as the 6'4” 2027 wing shot it very well from deep along with showing he could deck it when they closed out hard on him for 17 points. Ami Singh is a transfer in from Iowa that displayed some creativity with the ball in his hands on the wing. Their star is [player_tooltip player_id='2455383' first='Brady' last='Welch']. The 2027 guard didn't shoot it as well as he usually does for most of the game, but still managed to knock in a pair from deep. His leadership and vision as a playmaker really stands out as a heady lead guard with a ton of varsity experience. Ethan Davis-Lamb is a strong bodied wing that we had heard about in the 2029 class. Got a little tick in the first half and you can see there are tools to work with.   Quick Hitters   [player_tooltip player_id='2532254' first='Jaymon' last='Hornsby'] of Lincoln Way East is a 2026 combo that caught our attention with the way he scored it.  Gets in the lane on a regular basis and mixed in some 15 foot jumpers.   [player_tooltip player_id='2194655' first='Braydon' last='Porter'] from Yorkville had to carry more of the load for his team with Jakstys out with an injury.  Really like the physical upside with his athleticism and strength putting pressure on the rim and getting to the foul line.   Morgan Park has a pair of interesting prospects in 2027 point guard Giovanni Easley and 2026 forward Joacahana Pullum that showed flashes in their morning loss.   [player_tooltip player_id='2125608' first='Dawson' last='Charles'], [player_tooltip player_id='2751053' first='Jacob' last='Only'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2369882' first='Vinny' last='Corrado'] are three 2027 and 2028 prospects to monitor for St. Viator.  Charles is a bucket getter with his shot making in the mid-range along with burst getting in the paint.  Only is an athletic lead guard that made trips to the line.  Corrado is a 2028 five man that is screaming upside with his physical tools.   On the other side against Viator was Lake Park who had a pair of 2026 wings that we believe should be getting more attention at the small college level in 6'3” Luca Stella and 6'4” Freddy Battaglia.   [player_tooltip player_id='2824754' first='Gary' last='Manso'] for Oak Forest stands at 5'8”, but made some huge plays in their comeback attempt on Saturday against Peoria.  Attacks the rim fearlessly and is a capable shooter from three.  Donavan Williams is a solid shooter and overall scorer for this team as well.

It was a full day of games from 8 AM to 9 PM at the Romeoville Live event on Saturday. Tons of prospects were notable and there were some excellent games. Time to examine it in depth right here in Romeoville Live: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!