Chicago Elite Classic: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 14^th Annual Chicago Elite Classic kicked off on Friday night with four games.&nbsp; The annual two day basketball marathon is a must attend for Illinois high school fans.&nbsp; Here is a recap of the teams and prospects that shined on the first night in <strong>Chicago Elite Classic: Scotty B's Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Perspectives Impresses in CPS Battle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First game of the night Perspectives won over Crane 60-57 in a battle of programs that have veteran squads with expectations to make a move this year.&nbsp; Class of 2026 big man [player_tooltip player_id='2439310' first='[player_tooltip player_id='2375418' first='Tristan' last='']' last='Howard'] set the tone with his play on the interior.&nbsp; The post was active on both ends and dominant on the glass.&nbsp; Protected the rim, rebounded well, and finished around the cup for 9 points (4-8 FG), 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks.&nbsp; Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1874813' first='Jayden' last='Taylor'] was the table setter getting everyone involved.&nbsp; Make good decisions on a consistent basis throughout the game in the half court.&nbsp; Quick and shifty handles splitting the defense as he had 6 points, 9 assists, and only 1 turnover.&nbsp; Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1845364' first='Morgan' last='Travis'] got them going scoring the majority of his points in their early run knocking in jumpers for 9 points.&nbsp; The sharp shooters were [player_tooltip player_id='2399236' first='Xavier' last='Porter'] (13 points 3-4 3PT) and Keyion Thomas (9 points 3-6 3PT) that were knock down off the catch.&nbsp; Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2391336' first='Ian' last='Flowers'] flashed his shot making and scoring in transition with good size scoring 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crane was paced by [player_tooltip player_id='2454169' first='Brad' last='Blackman'] as their star showcased his length, athleticism, and quickness around the hoop.&nbsp; Big time defender that is very dynamic on that end.&nbsp; Plays with a high-motor.&nbsp; Struggled shooting a bit, but his impact on the game was definitely major as he had 17 points (7-21 FG), 11 rebounds, and 6 blocks.&nbsp; Blackman is one of those guys we will look up at in four years and is at a mid-major after transferring a couple of schools.&nbsp; He has that kind of upside long term.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2125641' first='Jamier' last='Montgomery'] is an intriguing junior guard with his rangy frame and slick handles.&nbsp; Knocked in several jumpers including a spinner in the mid-range along with a three as he scored 13 points along with 5 rebounds, 3 dimes, and 4 steals.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2245708' first='JR' last='Swift'] is an x-factor for this squad as a spot up shooter who had 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OPRF Moves to 4-1 in Rivalry Win over Fenwick</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every year at this event Oak Park River Forest and Fenwick clash in a rivalry game on Friday night.&nbsp; Fenwick had a pretty good week winning the state title in football earlier this week and their football stars didn't play.&nbsp; OPRF got the win behind a massive student section 51-43.&nbsp; It was the [player_tooltip player_id='2860531' first='George' last='Gray'] show!&nbsp; The long and rangy wing caught our eye this summer and had a breakout high school game on Friday.&nbsp; Lanky wing that was constantly in attack mode all night.&nbsp; Used his long strides to get to the cup finishing and getting to the line at a high rate.&nbsp; He had 25 points (8-21 FG) (8-10 FT), 8 rebounds, and 4 steals.&nbsp; Cameron Woods is a strong bodied wing that was physical off the bounce and rebounded well going for 12 points and 8 rebounds.&nbsp; Long term a couple of 2028s caught our attention with their athleticism and physical tools in [player_tooltip player_id='2381426' first='Trent' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2366141' first='Owen' last='Towne'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the Fenwick side [player_tooltip player_id='2830449' first='Ryan' last='Murray'] knocked in three triples for 14 points.&nbsp; Dae'lon Wofford and Luke Vonglukiat each notched 7 points in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Trier Dominates Lane Tech Behind D1 Commits</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Really thought this was going to be more of a competitive game, but New Trier jumped out with their dominant defense and cruised to a 52-27 win against Lane Tech.&nbsp; In front of his future Princeton coaches on the baseline New Trier senior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1554516' first='Christopher' last='Kirkpatrick'] had his moments.&nbsp; Banged in a deep three, worked well in the mid-range, crisp passing, and had a big slam en route to 11 points (5-11 FG).&nbsp; High Point commit [player_tooltip player_id='1552486' first='Danny' last='Houlihan'] is among the best shooters in the state.&nbsp; He showed that draining a pair of threes along with stepping in for 15-18 footers.&nbsp; Also got to the line a few times attacking close outs for 14 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2839877' first='Elton' last='Jaegerskog'] is a 2027 wing that had a rock solid game.&nbsp; The junior is a wing with solid size and crafty handles off the bounce.&nbsp; Won off the dribble and in transition along with getting to the charity stripe as he had 11 points and 5 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a pretty quiet game for the whole Lane Tech team as they shot 11-40 from the field and 2-11 from three.&nbsp; Illinois State commit [player_tooltip player_id='2297870' first='Matthew' last='Szafoni'] racked up a few buckets late for 7 points and 8 rebounds.&nbsp; Upside 2028 post [player_tooltip player_id='2436293' first='Cole' last='Christian'] had 7 points and 5 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hyde Park Backcourt Leads Way in Victory over City Rival Lincoln Park</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The finale was Hyde Park for the majority of the game as they topped Lincoln Park 56-50.&nbsp; Coach Oliver has a deep team with a lot of guards he can run out there and play in different spots.&nbsp; Amare Leflore is their senior leader that went for 14 points (5-11 FG) and 4 rebounds.&nbsp; Knocked in a couple threes and was creative off the bounce.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2962331' first='Lonnie' last='Mosley'] didn't shoot it great, but he was tough and got to the line at a really high rate (9-10 FG).&nbsp; Crisp passing and good feel that had 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists.&nbsp; A third guard off the bench in junior Camarion Weathers caught our eye with his size, instincts as a passer along with a sweet reverse layup notching 5 points and 5 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Park was carried by [player_tooltip player_id='2831535' first='Larry' last='Harris'] in this game.&nbsp; The undersized four man is a dominant rebounder that plays with a super high-motor.&nbsp; He was relentless grabbing rebounds and finishing in the paint as he had 20 points (9-14 FG) and 11 rebounds.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2734375' first='Jaylen' last='Dickerson'] is a strong and compact senior guard that got downhill for scores finishing with 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->