Johnsburg Thanksgiving Tournament Day 1: Forwards and Bigs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “BLACKFRIDAY2025” for 50% off your annual subscription THIS WEEK ONLY***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monday was day 1 action of the IHSA boys basketball 2025-2026 season. I was in Johnsburg catching tipoff of opening night which consisted of 3 games all at the High School's main gymnasium. Let's review some of the action from the guys who played in the 3 through 5 spots that impacted the game in positive ways. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the results for all 3 games from tonight through each quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game 1<br>Grayslake Central: 7, 15, 29, 40<br>Barrington: 12, 24, 38, 56</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game 2<br>Waukegan: 18, 33, 58, 68<br>Crystal Lake South: 7, 20, 32, 38</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game 3<br>Cary Grove: 10, 25, 40, 62<br>Johnsburg: 21, 27, 39, 55</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"DJ Young","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Barrington","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69256c2271a17"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Deems a defensive asset downlow while challenging against bigger sized opponents. Played stronger and more physical than appears. Possessed efficient activity getting hands on the ball for tip steals to turn defense into offense. Consistently ran the floor well for multiple lay ins from passes off smart guard play during transition phase. Rebounded it at a solid rate. Finished a hard day's work with a cool 2 count jumper off a baseline drive over defender's outstretched arm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1845351"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69256c2271a8d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Put on a show from start to finish on both ends of the floor. Defensively created havoc from inside and out anticipating passes or drives. Made multiple turnovers to get out on the break and speed the game up. Came away with at least a half a dozen dunks in which half were alley oops off of EOB, fast break off the glass, and a backdoor cut. Finished with nearly 30 points and 10 boards. Showcased a ton of athletic ability within flow and rhythm of game that was hard to match on the other side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1845356"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69256c2271ad6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Made a challenging paint presence using length to get in the passing lanes or at the rim off missed shots. Can sky for rebounds while catching it at the highest point. Liked his ability to outlet quickly to his guards or wings to initiate break offense. Had a couple slams going down the middle of the lane and hit a soft touch baseline floater from 3 feet. Uses athletic abilities to advantage and plays well alongside other post player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2482184"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69256c2271b1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Was one of only a couple true bigs from the 6 teams at the first day of the shootout tonight. Posts hard on the block and fights for positioning throughout the offense's timing. Not afraid to stretch the defense out at times and catch to shoot or drive from the arc. Makes strong moves on the block going off defenders weak side and is disciplined down low. Got on the glass making key offensive rebounds at crucial times in the game. Finished with an easy double double.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2413887"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69256c2271b60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A lengthy wing that can play in the 3 or 4 slots with mobility. Had him down for 3 3's in the first half alone off catch and shoot opportunities. Can stretch defenders out with length. Looked comfortable handling it if needed. Converted on two takes to the rim while finishing at a high point. Defensively challenged on the low post with verticality and solid presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->