The Platform: Friday Night Lights

The penultimate stop of the Midwest Prep Hoops Circuit commenced in the shadow of Midway Airport in Chicago. The Platform tipped off on Friday evening with some solid local performances.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lightning Strikes Twice with Ignite 16U </h2>   I've been doing this long enough now, I'm starting to get Deja Vu. A few years ago, at a late summer event at Supreme Courts in Aurora. I was impressed with a pre-Adidas branded [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] squad. They were led by a springy long wing named Connor May (Palatine) who eventually went on earn freshman of the year honors at Washington University- St Louis.   I had familiar feeling on Friday night watching a talented [program_tooltip program_id='2075527' first='Ignite' last='Hoops'] 16U squad play. Also hailing from Palatine, [player_tooltip player_id='2836314' first='Brady' last='May'] (pictured) shot the ball very well as Ignite earned a decisive victory a good team out of Michigan.   I might get in a little trouble for this, but I have to call it how I see it. The program and our database say that May is 6-0. It's either very wrong or May is coming off an Anthony Davis growth spurt. This young man looks about 6-6 to me. This height allowed him to get his shot off with ease. Didn't just float on the perimeter though. Also used his size to make plays down on the block. Hoping to catch more of this player this weekend. Intrigued to see if he is a late bloomer and can follow his brother's developmental path.   Ignite was far from a one man show though. Hersey's 6-0 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2432500' first='William' last='Baik'] led way with 14 points. Baik is the third talented guard I have seen in the last two weekends from Hersey to go along with 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1552439' first='Logan' last='Luxem'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package']) and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2403595' first='Eli' last='Leyva'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075267' first='All' last='in Athletics'])   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Illinois Stars Shine </h2>   After spending the weekend of the fourth in the Chicago hamlet of Plainfield. The city followed me into Friday night action. As Plainfield South's [player_tooltip player_id='2385385' first='Brayden' last='Ablin'] played well in leading Illinois Stars to an opening victory.   Ablin is 5-11 guard with a thick upper body. He shot the ball well from three. Had a quick release and didn't need much room to get it off. Hit four threes to finish with a team high 16 points. Showed playmaking ability and got his squad into their sets efficiently. Could form a nice inside/out duo with [player_tooltip player_id='2821119' first='Isaiah' last='Robertson']. A 6-6 2027 who played well with [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] last weekend.   While Ablin was good, the Stars were also quite balanced as 5-10 [player_tooltip player_id='2454180' first='Brady' last='Hairald'] (Minooka) and 6-4 [player_tooltip player_id='2436873' first='Nathan' last='Parker'] (Downer's Grove North) each put up 14 points a piece in the impressive team victory.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Michigan Squads Struggle </h2>   Let's get the positive out of the way early. Team Soil 17U and REAL Select 16U have been two of the more impressive Michigan teams on the Prep Hoops Circuit. They didn't have the best opening night in the Platform.   From the far Southwestern corner of Michigan. Team Soil struggled to get going offensively. The struggle did not extend to [player_tooltip player_id='2427556' first='Nylen' last='Goins']. I've seen the Niles Brandywine standout play better (much to be exact) However in the midst of some struggles he still showed what makes him an intriguing point guard prospect. Mainly the ability to finish easily above the rim in a sub six foot package.   He also has a “ball on a string” handle that uses to get to the basket with ease. If he can clean up some of the other areas of his game (shot selection, defensive instincts) He could make the right type of college coach happy.   Don't forget he has two Breslin appearances and a state championship as a sophomore. Not many players in the state can claim that with a full year eligibility remaining. The quick and shifty guard is a big time competitor, with plenty of athletic upside as well.   REAL Select 16U's struggles were a little easier to decipher. They looked like a talented team that was missing their point guard… and unfortunately that was the case. That being said Cheboygan's 5-10 [player_tooltip player_id='2430549' first='Gavin' last='Smith'] did a capable job attempting to fill that void. He showed quickness and the ability to handle pressure well.   If he (or the team) settles in this weekend. REAL has three perimeter scorers with good size. 6-3 wings [player_tooltip player_id='2437038' first='Ian' last='Roberts'] (Beaverton) and [player_tooltip player_id='2430755' first='Josh' last='Rodenbaugh'] (McBain) are excellent shooters with the size to shoot over defenders. While Pinconning's [player_tooltip player_id='2430533' first='Dayne' last='Ivey'] plays well on the block despite only standing about 6-2. If that explosive triumvirate can get going, REAL can still have a good weekend.

The penultimate stop of the Midwest Prep Hoops Circuit commenced in the shadow of Midway Airport in Chicago. The Platform tipped off on Friday evening with some solid local performances.