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<p>The Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions started on Tuesday night. In its 20<sup>th</sup> year this event raises money for a great cause and has big time basketball from across the country. We caught a trio of games with five Illinois teams and one from Missouri. We dive into it all in our <strong>Kevin Brown TOC: Tuesday Notebook</strong>!</p>
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<p><strong>Jacksonville Routt Looks Like Small School Contender</strong></p>
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<p>In the first game from the TOC we caught a pair of small school programs as Jacksonville Routt faced off against Kingsville from Missouri. Routt got out early in the game with their defense as they pressured all over the floor and double teamed their opponents star big man. At the half they doubled up Kingsville 44-22 and went on to win by a final of 76-54.</p>
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<p>The top player for Jacksonville Routt is 6'4” 2026 small forward Bryson Mossman. Definitely going to get added in the next update after the way he played. Monday night he became his schools all-time leading scorer. Then on Tuesday he dropped 42 points at a marquee national event. The lefty has a solid build with a plus shooting stroke from beyond the arc. Poured them in from distance including draining five in a row in the third quarter. Made 10 three point shots! Also played well off his defense using his active hands to create turnovers and push the other way for buckets in transition. Solid passer that makes the simple read passing up a good shot for a great one. Liked the all-around game from Mossman as he emerged as a high end D3/NAIA recruit that we can definitely see down the line being a D2 player. Player that should have got more exposure over the summer which could have helped his recruitment. Really liked what we saw! Fellow senior Adam Abell also caught our attention as the 6'7” post has a long and lanky frame. Plus three point shooter as a face up big man that can stretch along with blocking shots inside. He netted 12 points. The younger brother of Routt's star Nolan Mossman is a 2028 to track at 6'2” as he made a trio from deep for 9 points. Quinn Darr came off the bench as a freshman to notch 8 points on a couple threes and a layup. The 6'2” 2029 has some projection and wasn't afraid at the TOC.</p>
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<p>UT-Chattanooga commit 7-0 center [player_tooltip player_id='1790002' first='John' last='Fleeman'] was the man for Kingsville. He had the entire defense focused on him, but still managed to get 24 points and 19 rebounds in the loss. Legit size and I really liked how he would pass, cut, and then score. Did it over and over again consistently leading to and-1s. Seals down low and has a nice power drop step. Showed some touch to mid-range. Big time rebounder in his area that despite not being a plus athlete he boxes out well and uses his length to grab rebounds at their highest point. Solid developmental post at the mid-major level. Chase Stout also made an impression as the 5'10” senior guard had 16 points including four threes in the game. Should be under consideration at the small college level. Christian Stevenson also hit a couple triples for 9 points.</p>
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<p><strong>Host School Washington Wins Tight Contest in Opener</strong></p>
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<p>The next boys game at TOC went down to the wire as Washington topped West Hancock in a 45-43 game that could have easily gone either way. Washington got a big night from 2028 6'0” guard Ayden Kneer. He carried them for stretches especially in the first half. The lefty guard poured in three after three racking up 18 points. Mixed in some crafty drives as well in addition to his sharp shooting. The leader of this team is [player_tooltip player_id='2749984' first='James' last='Johnson']. The Washington 2026 prospect brought strength inside on the defensive end, rebounded at a high level, and made some nice passes. Stuffed the stat sheet despite only scoring a few points. Good small college 2026 combo forward. Dean Davidson is a 6'2” senior that made a couple big shots off the catch.</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='2426366' first='Cooper' last='Knowles'] is among the top uncommitted prospects in the senior class. The 6'9” post is a long and lanky big man that brings plus athleticism and skill to the table. Early in the game Washington used their strength inside to push him away, but as the game went along Knowles started to show what makes him such an intriguing prospect. Fluid rim runner where he caught it on the move for a spin and finish. Nice seal inside. Worked out of the mid-post on turnaround jumpers and takes off the bounce. Good in the pick/roll action as he spinned into a dunk. Can stretch with his shooting out to three. He consistently drew fouls throughout the game on 50/50 calls. Good rebounder that gets vertical grabbing the rebounds at the high point. Upside as a defender as he consistently altered shots all game long and blocked a couple including volleyball swatting a three. He had 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks. His running mate [player_tooltip player_id='2426365' first='Hunter' last='Froman'] is a 6'2” 2027 combo guard that has added strength since last season. Pushes in transition and is assertive putting it on the deck. Gets in the lane for scoop shots. Can hit a three on occasion. Got a steal for a transition layup cutting a passing lane. Was their second best rebounder in this game as well. Probably more comfortable playing off the ball, but can play on it when needed. He had 13 points.</p>
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<p><strong>O'Fallon Starts with Victory over Morton Behind Akoro</strong></p>
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<p>In the final game of night Morton topped O'Fallon on as their star [player_tooltip player_id='2734458' first='Alex' last='McKie'] hit a three to win it 56-55. Missed free throws and turnovers cost O'Fallon this game down the stretch as Morton stormed back to win. McKie didn't have his best game, but drained a pair of threes late including the game winner along with some nice passing. Morton had a well-balanced effort from their group that was predicated on their toughness, passing, and defense. Silas Steffen is a football prospect that had a strong senior year. The 6'4” wing excelled in transition, scored in the post, and shot it pretty well for 14 points. Brendan Petty brought the athleticism on both ends notching along with hitting a couple threes for 12 points. One to watch moving forward! Collin Burns is the heart and soul of this team as the 6'0” senior battled much taller opponents in the paint for scrappy rebounds and buckets going for 8 points.</p>
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<p>UW-Milwaukee commit [player_tooltip player_id='1501486' first='Ben' last='Akoro'] got it going as the game went along for O'Fallon. He has excellent size as a small forward that can really pass it. Likes to work in the mid-range for pull up jumpers and showed he can stretch it to three. The top 15 senior is a smooth ball handler in the open floor that pushed off a defensive rebound coast to coast for a smooth euro step. When he is assertive taking it off the bounce he is so tough to contain with his burst and agility at the rim. Upside on the defensive end with his physical tools including showing that off with a couple big blocks and a steal which he turned into points on the other end. He has all the tools to be a good college wing with his size, skill, and athleticism. Went for 18 points. His running mates [player_tooltip player_id='2454165' first='Lawson' last='Bynum'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2734465' first='Jayden' last='Dancy'] bring strength on the wing. Bynum did his damage with baseline jumpers and finishes around the hoop as he impacted on the glass for 11 points. Dancy is a thick bodied wing that knocked in several deep balls and had a few nice passes leading to points. </p>
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