The Tune Up: Scotty B’s Saturday Morning Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Circuit was back in action on Saturday for The Tune Up: Illinois!&nbsp; Check out what I saw from some of the top teams and prospects at the event in <strong>The Tune Up: Scotty B's Saturday Morning Notebook!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Flight Hill 16U Takes Care of Business Behind Balance Attack</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pair of quality programs with prospects up and down the roster clashed as [program_tooltip program_id='2622592' first='Flight' last='Athletics'] Hill 16U scored a win over [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black.&nbsp; [program_tooltip program_id='2622592' first='Flight' last='Athletics'] star is 2027 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2749990' first='Zane' last='Schneider'].&nbsp; It wasn't the dominant performance we have been used to seeing, but still a very good outing as he attacked the cup with force scoring or getting fouled.&nbsp; Acrobatic conversions and pushed the tempo.&nbsp; His high school teammate [player_tooltip player_id='2822679' first='Harrison' last='Norman'] had a big outing as the 6'4” 2027 small forward crashed the offensive glass for put backs, banged in an array of threes, and won on straight line takes.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2402634' first='Xavier' last='Johnson'] of Romeoville knocked in a pair of threes while Jayden Desoto of Lockport also hit two from beyond the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] the story was the breakout game of [player_tooltip player_id='2834484' first='Nathan' last='Stephens'] of Leo.&nbsp; Strong bodied wing that can really attack the rack.&nbsp; Sweeping layups, straight line takes, and consistently was blowing past defenders all day long.&nbsp; Powerful finisher at the cup that can also attack the offensive glass.&nbsp; Flashed a jumper.&nbsp; Name to watch for sure!&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2834476' first='Daniel' last='Spychala'] of Crystal Lake Central emerged in this game as a skilled wing that got points on cuts to the basket, spinning layups, quick takes from the mid-post, getting to the line, and hit a three.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2442191' first='Tyler' last='Shively'] is a slick lefty guard that is a solid passer, creative ball handler, and capable shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-In Athletics 17U Tops Adidas Gold Rival [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up was a pair of Adidas Gold programs from Illinois in All-In Athletics and [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] battling it out.&nbsp; It was close until half then All-In turned it up to win.&nbsp; The depth of this group was what stood out more so than just one individual player.&nbsp; Richmond Burton 6'4” forward [player_tooltip player_id='2617423' first='Luke' last='Robinson'] showed promise as a skilled and strong bodied combo forward that finishes around the cup with toughness along with being able to stretch with shooting.&nbsp; Inside [player_tooltip player_id='2482184' first='Adam' last='Bauer'] (Cary Grove) and [player_tooltip player_id='2822745' first='Lochlain' last='Casey'] (Glenbrook South) brought legit size at 6'7” and 6'8” respectively.&nbsp; Good rebounders that were efficient scorers in the paint.&nbsp; Couple guards that caught our eye were [player_tooltip player_id='2437117' first='Adrian' last='Serrano'] of Waukegan and Charlie Clan of Fremd.&nbsp; Serrano is a scrappy defender that pushes off his defense for scores.&nbsp; Clan is a bucket getter that can slash and knock in a jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1552473' first='Alijah' last='Little'] led the way for [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'].&nbsp; The Plainfield East shooting guard is coming off a solid month with his high school team.&nbsp; Electric scorer that is most adept at slashing to the rim for acrobatic finishes.&nbsp; Did pour in multiple contested jumpers.&nbsp; Got to the line at a nice rate.&nbsp; Hyde Park combo guard Amare Leflore had helium coming off a big month for his high school team.&nbsp; The guard is a three level scorer that has a crisp jumper.&nbsp; Keep an eye on Oswego East 6'6” power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2617424' first='Marc' last='Sanchez-Giron'].&nbsp; Sleeper big man that has some skill and length around the cup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stack and [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 17U Dominant vs Basketball Paradise</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game was never in doubt as [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black 17U completely controlled the game from the start against Basketball Paradise.&nbsp; Their big man Benet 2026 seven footer [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] impacted the game in every way.&nbsp; Offensively he notched 16 points.&nbsp; Finished out of the dunker spot, deep post touches for hook shots, multiple spot up threes, rim runs, and catching lobs.&nbsp; He is so under recruited it is crazy!&nbsp; Blocked or altered pretty much any shot that came in the lane.&nbsp; Premier rim protector in the state without question.&nbsp; Rebounded everything in his area all game long.&nbsp; Capped it all off with a nasty two handed alley-oop.&nbsp; Hersey 6'2” combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552439' first='Logan' last='Luxem'] didn't score a ton, but his passing was outstanding in this game.&nbsp; Showed it in the half court and open floor.&nbsp; No looks, push ahead, and creativity with the ball in his hands.&nbsp; Carmel 6'3” wing [player_tooltip player_id='1552461' first='Ethan' last='Matz'] was a good defender along with scoring on a couple athletic takes and a three.&nbsp; Big game for Lake Forest Academy 6'4” small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2632005' first='Levente' last='Tallos'] as he was tough around the hoop with his physical frame.&nbsp; Knocked in 10-15 foot jumpers and passed it very well. Lake Park 2026 wing Luca Stella went for 17 points in the second half as the strong bodied wing shot it very well on spot up threes from the corners and was tough around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metea Valley 2026 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2334404' first='Tre' last='Watkins'] is the go to player for Basketball Paradise.&nbsp; Took him a while to get settled in, but once he did the jumper started flowing.&nbsp; Knocked in a tough step back jumper along with two super deep threes.&nbsp; Works well shooting behind ball screens.&nbsp; Went for 14 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2382446' first='Michael' last='Rembert'] from Oswego East is a sleeper 6'2” two guard that is a strong slasher that gets to the line and puts pressure on the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First Look at [program_tooltip program_id='2078448' first='Illinois' last='Wolves'] 14U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout the month of June we were gathering new names to track in the incoming freshman class of 2029.  Saturday we got our first look at the young prospects for the [program_tooltip program_id='2078448' first='Illinois' last='Wolves'] as their 14U played up in 15U.  We caught parts of two of their games.  East Aurora 5'8” point guard Mosiah Tang was the show.  He is absolutely electric with the ball.  Major burst and speed getting downhill and to the rack with slick handles.  Showed body control at the rim finishing through contact.  Also liked how active he was defensively getting deflections and steals.  Burlington Central might have their next standout in 6'3” wing Markus Hansen.  The long and rangy lefty was ultra smooth with the rock in his hands.  Euro steps changing hands in the paint for a layup.  Shot fake into a mid-range jumper.  And-1 blowing past defender.  Like the upside here.  [player_tooltip player_id='2415762' first='Christian' last='Burge'] of Lake Park is a 5'9” guard to track.  Projectability to continue to grow.  Likes to attack downhill and in transition.  Couple bigs to monitor on this squad are Deerfield 6'5” center Zack Newman and Burlington Central 6'5” mobile four man [player_tooltip player_id='2536509' first='Declan' last='Wilson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>15U Quick Hitters</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liked what we saw from All-In Athletics 15U backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='2405900' first='Charlie' last='Lappin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2403357' first='Andrey' last='Markov'].&nbsp; Lappin is a lead guard that just makes things happen with the rock in his hands.&nbsp; Markov is a good athlete that played well in transition and snuck in on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joliet Catholic 6'6” 2028 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2821675' first='Jahari' last='Sanders'] jumped off the floor in [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health']'s game against the Wolves.&nbsp; Excellent size and length along with a good all-around skill set.&nbsp; Can handle it well for his size getting to the rack for and-1s and fouls.&nbsp; Rebounds at the high-point and showed potential defensively.&nbsp; Lot of upside and best basketball is yet to come!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->