EYBL Augusta: Scotty B’s Thursday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thursday things got going in full swing in Augusta with all of the 15U, 16U, and 17U EYBL teams playing.&nbsp; Here we examine what we saw from the Illinois squads and way more in <strong>EYBL Augusta: Scotty B's Thursday Notebook!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Slow Start for Meanstreets, but Thompson Ignites Them</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a bit of a low scoring start for Meanstreets 16U as they barely scored the first 5 minutes of the game, but once Davion Thompson came back in he ignited their offense and it was on for Meanstreets 16U as they won over All Ohio 82-64.&nbsp; Thompson came off the bench which is a rarity for the top 20 player in America.&nbsp; His energy was evident from the jump with his quickness off the bounce with elite handles.&nbsp; Slick euro steps, pull up threes, quick takes off the bounce and his connective passing for 15 points.&nbsp; His running mate Warren point guard Jaxson Davis dropped 12 points in the win banging in a pair of corner threes along with using his shake to get in the lane for runners.&nbsp; Monster game from the favorite to be the #2 prospect in our next 2027 rankings update East Peoria small forward Quinton Kitt.&nbsp; Size and versatility as a two way wing are strengths of his game.&nbsp; Sweeping layups, reverses, hitting the offensive glass, spot up threes, mid-range shots, tip dunks, finishing out of the dunker spot, and quick passes on the move.&nbsp; Really like how he defends and contributes across the board as he dropped 23 points in this win.&nbsp; Kaneland 2027 center Jeffrey Hassan is an athletic five that fits the modern game as an above the rim finisher and shot blocker.&nbsp; Early on he missed some bunnies, but was so quick to the offensive boards for rebounds.&nbsp; Threw down an alley-oop dunk, got to the line for several free throws, and finished out of dunker spot.&nbsp; Mobile post defender that had 9 points.&nbsp; Whitney Young wing Caden Crudup is a nice glue guy for this group who got on the glass and scored from 10 feet in for 8 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jake Grissom is a wing that caught our attention for All Ohio.&nbsp; Two guard that brings toughness off the bounce on spinning layups and got put backs along with hitting a three for double digits.&nbsp; Carter Murans and DeAndre Carr are athletic forwards to track as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Howard Pulley 16U Star Schlagel Wins It at Buzzer vs Mac Irvin Fire</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last three possessions the lead changed hands as Howard Pulley 16U took the lead.&nbsp; Elijah King came right back for the Fire with a super tough take for an acrobatic finish in traffic to give his team the lead.&nbsp; Howard Pulley was in scramble mode, but they threw a bounce pass to their star Ty Schlagel on the block and he put it in for the game winner 59-58.&nbsp; Schlagel was the show for Howard Pulley.&nbsp; The top ranked 2027 in Minnesota looked like it in this game.&nbsp; Early on he got to the charity stripe before racking up transition points, crashing the offensive glass, and being crafty around the hoop.&nbsp; Did also knock in a pick/pop three in a 24 point and 8 rebound outing.&nbsp; Their point guard Malachi Hill stepped up as well as the athletic lead guard is a solid jump shooter.&nbsp; He had 11 points and 5 rebounds.&nbsp; Mustafa Mohamed is a long and rangy five that just screams upside. Finished out of the dunker spot, hook shot, and a mid-range jumper.&nbsp; Mobile on the defensive end as well.&nbsp; He had 6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elijah King out of Indiana was the go to player for the Mac Irvin Fire.&nbsp; He is an instant bucket getter.&nbsp; Drained several tough threes early in the game.&nbsp; Strong straight line takes and acrobatic finishes at the cup en route to 19 points.&nbsp; Bit of a quiet game for 5-star La Lumiere (IN) guard Devin Cleveland who had 11 points.&nbsp; Opened with a step back three along with several scoop shots and soft touch finishes.&nbsp; Kenwood wing Damari Stephens had some flashes in the 4^th quarter with his powerful slashing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mac Irvin Fire Win Fun 15U Game vs Howard Pulley as Guards Duel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first 15U game of the week we saw was the Mac Irvin Fire's victory over Howard Pulley.&nbsp; As usual they were paced by athletic combo guard Amarion Smith-Holley.&nbsp; The explosive lead guard from Richwoods plays with tremendous speed pushing the pace, knocking in pull up jumpers, and getting to the rack for 16 points.&nbsp; Big man Amari Williams had 10 points and was effective on the glass.&nbsp; The Shepard big man has broad shoulders and good strength which he uses for put backs and dunks in the paint.&nbsp; Capable shot blocker as well.&nbsp; Marist 2028 guard Jacob Jones had a solid performance with 12 points scoring with his athleticism around the rim.&nbsp; Kentucky high school product Austin Sears was a big part of the win with his sharp shooting from three going for 15 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kevin Wilson was the dude for Howard Pulley.&nbsp; Athletic and quick guard that can break down a defense off the dribble with his handles and burst.&nbsp; Also is a good three point shooting hitting a handful for 19 points.&nbsp; Chase Maetzold is a rangy wing that has good size and a sweet looking perimeter shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meanstreets 17U Guards Lead Them to Massive Win vs AZ Unity</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this game Meanstreets was going up against a stacked AZ Unity team with top 100 national players and 5-stars across the board.&nbsp; They played as a unit and came away with the biggest win of the day 87-84.&nbsp; They were pushed by their guard play.&nbsp; Whitney Young combo Marquis Clark was sensational in the victory especially in the second half.&nbsp; Strong and fluid guard slithered his way to the rim for buckets, hit a trio from distance, and pushed in the open floor.&nbsp; Got to the line late as well in a 22 point outing.&nbsp; Solid passing game from him as well.&nbsp; Rajan Roberts played well next to Clark.&nbsp; The strong and compact lead guard was feeling it in the second half with his shot making from distance banking in a pair of key threes in the fourth quarter.&nbsp; Also set up his teammates with some nice reads in the half court while scoring 19 points.&nbsp; Mt. Carmel 2026 point guard Noah Mister had a nice shooting day from distance as he continued his helium from June with 12 points on four triples.&nbsp; O'Fallon small forward Ben Akoro was impactful on both ends in this game.&nbsp; Finished on a couple dump offs, hit a three, defended on the perimeter, and was a connective passer netting 7 points.&nbsp; Rich Township wing Jayden Williams is the glue guy for this squad.&nbsp; He makes plays in transition and has a nose for the basketball.&nbsp; Solid defender and capable shooter.&nbsp; Went for 9 points.&nbsp; New Trier sharp shooter Danny Houlihan does what he always does which is drain a pair of threes off the catch for his 6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top 5 player in America Brandon McCoy displayed why he is so highly regarded living above the rim all game long.&nbsp; Such a smooth ball handler that explodes vertically with so much ease for dunks.&nbsp; He is an explosive player off the bounce with spinning layups and massive jams as he netted 21 points.&nbsp; His running mate in the backcourt Miles Sadler is a smaller lead guard that is fun to watch.&nbsp; Blow by ability with the rock in his hands and has deep range on his shot.&nbsp; Also made some really nice passes in a 20 point performance.&nbsp; Luke Barnett is a sharp shooter that is one of the better pure catch and shoot guys on the west coast in 2026 as he had 11 points including three from deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mac Irvin Fire 17U Move to 14-0 in EYCL with Win over Howard Pulley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fire 17U continue to cruise vs EYCL competition moving to a perfect 14-0 with a victory over Howard Pulley on Thursday.&nbsp; Lincoln Williams was excellent again on both ends of the floor.&nbsp; The Kankakee small forward knocked in crisp mid-range jumpers and was super explosive bursting through the defense for scores at the cup in both the half court and transition.&nbsp; Electric athlete that is learning to use that on defense as well racking up steals and blocks on the perimeter.&nbsp; He had 18 points.&nbsp; Curie point guard Justin Oliver had one of the best games we have seen from him this summer.&nbsp; The rising senior had the soft touch finishing game along with pull up jumpers flowing in this one.&nbsp; He had 19 points in the win.&nbsp; Up front Kevin Pittman, Prince McCord, and Ethan Hillsman each went for 6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joseph Miller is a speedy guard for Howard Pulley.&nbsp; The Minnesota product plays with smooth acceleration getting in the paint for score or tripes to the foul line.&nbsp; He had 15 points in the loss.&nbsp; Camare Young is an interesting player to keep track of.&nbsp; Thick bodied forward that can play inside and out.&nbsp; Good athlete for size that gets up and down the floor and can hit a mid-range shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Crowe Dominates First Half While Stokes Dazzles in Second Half for Soldiers Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our next contest featured a trio of the best prospects on the west coast.&nbsp; Oakland Soldiers led by top 5 national prospects Tyran Stokes and Jason Crowe against Utah Prospects with 5-star combo guard Ikenna Alozie.&nbsp; The Oakland Soldiers scored the win 91-84 behind their future NBA duo although they had to sweat it at the end with a comeback attempt by the Prospects.&nbsp; Crowe was spectacular in the first half scoring 22 of his 33 points.&nbsp; The lefty point guard had his shot making on full display with threes, fadeaways, and difficult jumpers from all over.&nbsp; Also used his smooth handles for a couple big time drives including a behind the back take for a dunk.&nbsp; Tyran Stokes was a physically imposing force in the second half.&nbsp; The #1 player in America is a strong and athletic small forward that combines power and skill like no one else.&nbsp; Attacked with intensity bouncing off defenders drawing contact and finishing through it.&nbsp; Despite how strong he is what is so impressive is his nifty finishing game around the cup.&nbsp; Shot it pretty well from three showing a consistent jumper to keep the defense honest.&nbsp; Skilled passer in the half court that also rebounds at a high level.&nbsp; Complete player that dropped 31 points in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ikenna Alozie from Dream City Christian in California is also one of the premier prospects in the nation.&nbsp; The Utah Prospects star is a strong and compact guard that is so explosive and accelerates in an instant.&nbsp; Plays with good pace and when he wants can get in the paint pretty much at will.&nbsp; He is also a plus mid-range shooter that can stretch it to three.&nbsp; Very good pull up shooter.&nbsp; Also like his court vision and feel as a passer finding his shooters and big men inside.&nbsp; Dropped 23 points.&nbsp; The guy he was often hitting was Bryce Mella who was automatic from beyond the arc with his sharp shooting off the catch as he had 18 points mostly coming on threes off the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meanstreets 15U Depth Overwhelms All Ohio</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Final game of the night we took in was Meanstreets 15U 91-66 victory against All Ohio.&nbsp; It turned out to be a very balance effort by the Illinois squad.&nbsp; Let's first look at the out of state star in Landon Lampley.&nbsp; The Pike (IN) forward is one of the premier 2028 prospects in Indiana with his long and lanky frame at about 6'6”.&nbsp; He was a monster in this game throwing down dunks on spins, rim runs, and alley oops.&nbsp; Went for 22 points.&nbsp; Oswego 2028 combo guard Ethan Vahl had one of the more complete games we have seen out of him in his career.&nbsp; Was excellent as a passer throwing alley oops and hitting shooters in the pocket along with pushing in transition.&nbsp; Got to the free throw line at a high clip along with knocking in a trio of threes for 19 points.&nbsp; Bolingbrook star Brady Pettigrew did most of his damage in this one in transition racking up 10 points.&nbsp; Sleeper guard Marlon Williams Jr from Bolingbrook is a 5'8” guard that showed some flashes of magic with the ball in his hands for 7 points.&nbsp; Danville long and lanky power forward Amir Beasley is one of the top posts in the Illinois 2028 class.&nbsp; Rim runner and transition athlete that has really developed into a nice spot up shooter from the corner as he had 10 points.&nbsp; Braydon Porter of Yorkville is a super athletic and strong wing that played above the rim, hit threes, and was impactful defensively while notching 12 points.&nbsp; Grant Smith of Lyons is the ultimate glue guy with his inside/outside versatility, rebounding, defense, and shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All Ohio was paced by a pair of guards that each scored 15 points.  Aazaad Burton is a strong and compact guard that lives in the lane while Xavier Jones regularly got to the charity stripe and showed creativity off the bounce and a clean mid-range game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Quick Hitters</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caught part of Brad Beal Elite 16U's in against Expressions.&nbsp; Vashon guard Jimmy McKinney continues to have a massive summer as he poured in 26 points in the victory.&nbsp; Tyran Frazier is so intriguing with his size at 6'11” and bounce around the hoop.&nbsp; He had 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->