Show Me Showdown: Scotty B's Sunday Notebook

Prep Hoops Show Me Showdown concluded on Sunday with another half day of games.  Time to look at the games we saw and what players caught our attention in Show Me Showdown: Scotty B's Sunday Notebook!   Knights Elite Tops Triple Threat Academy 17U to Open Day   One of the teams that we really wanted to see on Sunday was Knights Elite as they feature quite a few highly ranked prospects from southern Illinois specifically Triad High School.  They got the 74-65 victory against Triple Threat Academy.  Their star [player_tooltip player_id='1552447' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] certainly lived up to the billing in the victory.  The bouncy combo forward poured in 22 points.  Big wing that has really improved his handles over the last year winning off the bounce consistently with crisp drives.  Explosive slashes throughout the win.  Also was able to get to his spots for threes including a nice sidestep one.  Pushes in the open floor going coast to coast on a regular basis.  Like how he gets elevation on his shot and has solid instincts defensively.  His younger brother 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2532015' first='Lucas' last='Thompson'] is also a ranked prospect as the 6'5” forward has a thicker frame.  He also has a versatile skill set and game pushing off the defensive glass, crafty finishes in the paint, and banged in a three for 13 points.  They got solid production from a trio of guards in the win as [player_tooltip player_id='2867424' first='Liam' last='Bock'] is a 2028 that was shifty with the rock off the bounce for scores in the paint.  [player_tooltip player_id='2866902' first='Nic' last='Ogden'] banged in threes while [player_tooltip player_id='2866907' first='Zachary' last='Scott'] was fearless as a tiny guard that consistently made difficult shots.   For Triple Threat Academy out of Missouri Lutheran South wing Kyle Buscher was their standout as he went for 26 points in the loss.  Aggressive scorer that got buckets on sweeping layups, got to the foul line, and drained an array of threes in the loss.  Plays well in the pick/roll.  Webster Groves guard Cameron Stiles had a strong first half with his shot making from the perimeter along with turnaround jumpers in the mid-range.  Went for 11 points.   Southern Illinois Raptors Top [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] Tucker at the 17U Level   Another fun clash between these two southern Illinois programs.  Staunton 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2899898' first='Aaron' last='Bodner'] is a scrappy guard that is crafty with the rock in his hands.  He attack off the bounce off shot fakes and finished through shot blockers.  Solid looking jumper from mid-range and three.  Carlinville power forward Sawyer Smith played a big role in the victory as a hard nosed undersized four that finished well off movement, rebounded, and did the dirty work around the hoop.  Gillespie wing [player_tooltip player_id='2848308' first='Brayden' last='Enslow'] is a southpaw that can deck it off shot fakes and got to the line in the win.   Couple guards put their name on our map for the Bears in Steeleville guard [player_tooltip player_id='2387516' first='Connor' last='Brown'] and North Clay point guard Lane Wolf.  Brown got things going early pushing the pace being assertive in both transition and the half court taking it to the cup.  Soft touch finishes going for 15 points.  Wolf caught fire from distance in the game as the North Clay guard kept his team in the contest with his shot making from beyond the arc scoring 12 points.  Carterville power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2477842' first='Amareon' last='Adams'] is a prospect that has been on our radar for a while.  He has a strong frame and plus athleticism.  Good getting on the offensive glass for put backs on second chance points.  The lefty also runs the floor well and has bounce.   More of Thompson Twins for Knights Elite   Got our second look of the day at the Knights Elite duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1552447' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2532015' first='Lucas' last='Thompson'].  They shined in a 60-39 victory over Slam City Elite.  Tyler did most of his damage in this one in the paint.  Quick second jump on the offensive glass including going right up after he missed a scoop shot.  He won off the dribble with crisp takes and soared for slams.  One thing that also stood out in both games was his overall growth as a secondary playmaker.  Was good as a passer especially in the drive and kick.  Lucas had a nice right handed hook shot, spinning layup, hit the offensive glass, finished off an out of bounds play, and was active.   Slam City Elite 2027s to Track   Slam City Elite had a couple of 2027s that made an impression this weekend and continued to flash in separate contests on Sunday.  Beloit Memorial (WI) guard JJ Martin is a 5'10” guard that shined playing up on the 17U level.  Crisp handle where he knocked in short pull up shots, reverse layups, slick takes for an and-1, along with hitting a three.  Rockford Boylan 2027 6'4” power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2416443' first='Brayden' last='Petrie'] has some intriguing qualities.  He has some projection where he should continue to grow.  Fluid running the floor in the open floor and is a capable shooter from beyond the arc with a clean release.   Don't Sleep on [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] Z 17U   Several players caught our attention on the [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] Z team which went 3-1 on the weekend.  North Clay wing Lucas Griffy has quality size at 6'5” and an excellent skill set on the wing.  Really liked his passing a lot as a connector in the half court.  Teutopolis guard [player_tooltip player_id='2383693' first='Teagan' last='Pals'] and Kaeden Bevolo of Salem both have nice looking jumpers.  Speaking of Salem another Wildcat that got our attention was [player_tooltip player_id='2873314' first='Avery' last='Gullion'].  Good sized wing that slashed finishing with his off hand, got a steal going coast to coast, and was active on the offensive glass.  Like the upside defensively as well.   Eilerman is Name to Monitor in 2027   Caught the second half of the Southern Illinois Raptors afternoon game and came away liking the upside with [player_tooltip player_id='2822200' first='Lane' last='Eilerman'] of Calhoun. The 6'2” shooting guard plays taller than that with his long arms and strength. Won off the bounce with such a burst getting downhill. Explosive player that finished and got to the line for 15 points.   Gateway Basketball 15U Group Continues to Impress   Saw some early action from Gateway's talented 15U squad playing up an age level and it was more of the same we saw Friday night.  They are stacked with young talent in the Missouri classes of 2028 and 2029!  [player_tooltip player_id='2569193' first='Braiden' last='Alford'] was dynamic as a scorer, shooter, and playmaker with his slick handles.  Completely controlled the game.  [player_tooltip player_id='2503734' first='Alex' last='Wise'] is such an advanced player with his feel for the game and ability to get where he wants to make things happen.  Rockbridge big man [player_tooltip player_id='2731305' first='Beckett' last='Bruns'] is a load down low with his size and athleticism.  Definitely a 2029 to track in Missouri!

Prep Hoops Show Me Showdown concluded on Sunday with another half day of games. Time to look at the games we saw and what players caught our attention in Show Me Showdown: Scotty B's Sunday Notebook!