IL Tune Up: Teddy's Sunday Notebook

Here's my notes from Sunday's action in Lisle. The games were far more exciting today compared to yesterday. I'll also have evaluation articles out from all three classes over the coming days.   FP White Downs ICE 16u    I opened the morning with 2027 ICE facing [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] White. ICE has a great start with all kinds of contributors. Length on both ends was a huge factor. [player_tooltip player_id='2864932' first='Jayden' last='Harris'] and Cashius Collins made the most of that early. Each showing active hands on defense while finishing consistently at the rim. Xavier Vinson also contributed. Making the most of his physical frame to be a factor on the inside. But it didn't take long for [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] to go on a run and stay right there. Caleb Mantleman was a big factor with his scoring abilities, and I love the upside with his build as a combo guard. [player_tooltip player_id='2442193' first='Charlie' last='Blair'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2442198' first='Spencer' last='Thomas'] also had their way inside. Blair has good length and was an effective rebounder. While Thomas worked well off the pick-and-roll. [player_tooltip player_id='2125630' first='Gavin' last='Huth'] also hit some tough buckets as part of a big 2nd half run to further extend the FP lead. [player_tooltip player_id='2414295' first='Kavin' last='Kabilan'] also had a big 2nd half, which included four straight free throws late in the matchup to secure the win.    [player_tooltip player_id='2381428' first='Carmelo' last='Jones'] makes Imapct for Work 15u   [player_tooltip player_id='2381428' first='Carmelo' last='Jones'] had a pair of monster games en rout to a 2-0 day on for The Work 15u on Saturday. So I got a glimpse of him and his guys against Big3 Sunday Morning. Jones was an immediate presence for his team. Using physical upper body strength to attack the rim for some tough early buckets. He also added a nice floater to put his team ahead 19 as part of a huge run in the opening frame. His 12th point of the opening half. But he was also an effective rebounder. Chasing down lots of misses and could have had a double-double by halftime (wasn't keeping track of that). But it was mostly a full team effort from this group. Elijah Fosters was an outstanding contributor with his playmaking abilities, and he did an excellent job of controlling the ball. Deonte Black is another player who changes the tempo. He had a 20 pt game the day before. Work ran through Big 3 in this game.   Illinois Mavs 17u Cruise Past All-In   My last game in the morning saw Illinois Mavs face All-In Black. From the jump. It was Illinois Mavs controlling this game. I was very impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='2881972' first='Leighton' last='Jones'] did. Forcing turnovers on defense and knocked down a few key jumpers in the early stages. I also love the effort from [player_tooltip player_id='2891225' first='Tyler' last='Vonderheide'], as he won almost everything on the glass with numerous second-chance buckets. Jones took over this game with tons of buckets attacking the rim. All-in could not match his ability to explode past a defender from the perimeter. As the game progressed, glue guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2890807' first='Aiden' last='Sayers'] and 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2891196' first='Caden' last='Loew'] (playing two years up) made key plays to keep the Mavs up comfortably. Loew's an effective rebounder and defender and frustrated with his length, while Sayers is incredibly strong in the open floor. Pushing the tempo with some challenging buckets in transition. 2027 G [player_tooltip player_id='2890793' first='Jackson' last='High'] and 2026 PG [player_tooltip player_id='2496102' first='Aiden' last='Winningham'] also had great performances. But it was Jones who stood out most with 36 points in an 87-39 win.   First look at [program_tooltip program_id='2078448' first='Illinois' last='Wolves'] 2029   Sunday afternoon was my first time covering the 2029 [program_tooltip program_id='2078448' first='Illinois' last='Wolves'], who were playing up a level on the 15u circuit. I caught their matchup vs Flight 15u. It was a good one from the start. Especially with [player_tooltip player_id='2415762' first='Christian' last='Burge'] leading the charge, as he knocked down a deep 3-pointer and converted an and-one in the early stages. The energy shown from Mo Tang cannot be overlooked, either. Tang showed tremendous explosiveness attacking the rim in this one. Converting through contact on numerous occasions. His defense to create transition chances also proved to be effective. Forward Markus Hansen also showed good footwork and post moves in this contest. Also down low, [player_tooltip player_id='2536509' first='Declan' last='Wilson'] flashed tons of potential as a stretch-four in this contest. He was key to a big 2nd half run that put the wolves in front. Utilizing a great touch around the rim. It was also here where Mo Tang took over the game. Playing extremely agressive defense while finishing buckets through contact in transition. Also drawing fouls and converting his free throws to keep them in front.   Flight Keeps close with Wolves   I talked a lot about the wolves [player_tooltip player_id='2403168' first='Masyn' last='Harrell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2837670' first='MJ' last='Johnson'] kept things interesting on the other side of this matchup. Both are efficient playmakers and play outstanding defense. Forcing turnovers off double teams was a common theme. [player_tooltip player_id='2837670' first='MJ' last='Johnson'] did an excellent job of creating buckets as a slasher and passer. [player_tooltip player_id='2402994' first='Jake' last='Abbott'] might have been the most impactful player. He finished numerous buckets in transition and through contact. Also had a key block and steal in back-to-back possessions. Exploded from deep in the second half with three 3-pointers. Eventually leading all scorers with 19 points in this matchup.   All-In 15u Gold in championship   The 15u title game was between All-in Gold and [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game']. I loved what I saw from [player_tooltip player_id='2444719' first='[player_tooltip player_id='2411585' first='Bilguun' last='']' last='Ankhbayar'] in the opening stages. Doing way more than I thought he could handle as a point guard, which includes a put-back finish to give All-in an early advantage. As the game went on, [player_tooltip player_id='2403357' first='Andrey' last='Markov'] did a stellar job getting up and down the floor in transition. Finding his way to the rim on many instances. Later stretched the floor for a 3-pointer to keep All-In in the game.But it wouldn't be enough to surpass [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game']. The MVP was undoubtedly LeJordan Flower, a super lengthy two-way prospect who contributed in so many ways. Very effective on the glass and with his playmaking. He also played well off the pick-and-roll and as an inside scorer. [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'] won 55-49.

Here's my notes from Sunday's action in Lisle. The games were far more exciting today compared to yesterday. I'll also have evaluation articles out from all three classes over the coming days.