Wesclin Thanksgiving Tournament Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “BLACKFRIDAY2025” for 50% off your annual subscription THIS WEEK ONLY***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saturday night we took in a pair of contests from the Wesclin Thanksgiving Tournament.&nbsp; In the third place game Columbia topped Breese Mater Dei.&nbsp; In the championship host Trenton Wesclin knocked off Nashville in a fun contest.&nbsp; There were quite a few prospects from the 618 in this game.&nbsp; We dive into it here in <strong>Wesclin Thanksgiving Tournament Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rahm Leads the Way for Host Wesclin in Title Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The championship game was pretty evenly matched heading into the fourth with Wesclin pulling away to win 68-62.&nbsp; It was Wesclin 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2963262' first='Gavin' last='Rahm'] who was their go to player all evening, but especially in the second half.&nbsp; The two guard lived with two feet in the paint all night long as he won consistently off the bounce for scores going coast to coast, beating his man in the half court for scores, turn around jumpers, jump stops, floaters, and got to the line.&nbsp; Did hit one long two off movement early showcasing his shot, but he was in attack mode all night getting to the cup whenever he wanted.&nbsp; Made a few nice passes to his teammates for quality looks as he notched 24 points.&nbsp; Fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='2384017' first='Eli' last='Wellen'] was outstanding for Wesclin in this game as he couldn't miss from distance.&nbsp; The 6'2” guard put himself on our radar with a night where he drained five threes en route to 19 points.&nbsp; Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2383992' first='Bryce' last='Haar'] has good size and strength.&nbsp; Spin moves in the lane, straight line takes, and posted up his defender for 8 points.&nbsp; Junior JJ Zurliene was a great glue guy for this squad as he made a couple spot up shots, converted junk points around the hoop, and had a nice soft touch finishing game for 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The show for Nashville as it has been for the last several years is 2026 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552415' first='Maddox' last='Ritzel'].&nbsp; The strong and stocky wing just produces no matter the setting.&nbsp; He is a bucket!&nbsp; Did it in this game scoring 23 points.&nbsp; Physical finisher that can bully his way to the hoop for buckets, pound the offensive glass for second chance points, cuts off the ball, and is an excellent post up guard with his strength.&nbsp; Nimble footwork and finishing in the paint.&nbsp; Excellent small college prospect!&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2831750' first='Gannon' last='Turner'] is a 2027 that popped on our radar with his spot up shooting draining four triples for 12 points.&nbsp; Blake Brooks had a nose for the ball along with hitting a couple threes for 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Columbia Takes Home 3rd Place Behind Smajic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the third place game it was tied going into the fourth quarter, but the final period was dominated by Columbia as they beat Breese Mater Dei 62-50.&nbsp; Columbia 2026 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1790001' first='Eddie' last='Smajic'] led the way with 25 points.&nbsp; Great to see him back healthy after missing the majority of the spring and summer with an injury.&nbsp; He is one of the top uncommitted wings in the senior class.&nbsp; Smajic is a bulky wing who can really shoot the ball from the perimeter.&nbsp; Quick release and can hit them spotting up, off movement, or creating own his own.&nbsp; Did it in everyway draining five of them.&nbsp; Sneaky handle and can overpower perimeter defenders when attacking downhill.&nbsp; His running mate is Creighton baseball commit [player_tooltip player_id='2376280' first='Brody' last='Landgraf'].&nbsp; The power forward is a good area rebounder who also brings solid skill to the table.&nbsp; He had 13 points.&nbsp; Kyle Chudd chipped in 11 points for the victors draining a trio of threes off the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei got a solid game from their go to player [player_tooltip player_id='1552416' first='Gavin' last='Peppenhorst'].&nbsp; The long and lean wing has a clean looking shot that he can get off and make from really deep including one where he got fouled.&nbsp; Better athlete than you think as he flashed off the bounce along with being able to back into the mid-post doing work there.&nbsp; Finished with 16 points.&nbsp; Jack Reynolds brought a spark for Mater Dei in this game having a nose for the ball and hitting a couple threes while being active defensively notching 12 points.&nbsp; Reagan Woomer and Beckett Wade each scored 9 points for Mater Dei.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->