Chicago Elite Classic: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook

***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***   The Chicago Elite Classic was a full day of hoops on Sunday as the event concluded with a marathon day from 9 AM to well after 11 PM.  So what did we see in the 14 hours of hoops?  We dive into it all right here!   King Comes Back in Second Half over Julian   The day started off with a pair of under the radar Chicago Public League programs that got a chance to play on a big stage at CEC.  King has had some buzz early in the season with a couple nice wins.  They were behind most of the game, but in the second half they edged past Julian 43-40.  [player_tooltip player_id='2814861' first='Corey' last='Wellere Jr'] is a 2027 6'2” lefty two guard tht is probably their top prospect.  He struggled shooting it from distance, but got in the mix with a couple takes and a put back for 9 points and 5 rebounds (4 offensive).  Amir Brown is another quality guard for this team that scored 9 points.  Their big man Cornelius Moore is a wide bodied 6'6” 2027 post that was efficient notching 9 points and 6 rebounds.  King's 18 offensive rebounds were huge in this win.   Julian has a 2026 guard that put his name on the radar in Malakhi Callahan leading the way with 14 points.  Got buckets from all three levels.  [player_tooltip player_id='2490487' first='Torrey' last='Barrett'] is a 2027 6'5” wing with a nice frame and length.  Has a smooth shot and can deck it a little.  Went for 13 points and 8 rebounds.   Dynamic 2028 Guards Duel and New Unsigned Senior Emerges as Homewood Flossmoor Tops Bolingbrook   The Homewood Flossmoor and Bolingbrook game was looked as a matchup between two of the most exciting 2028 guards in the state.  That was true, while an under the radar name was the difference as Homewood Flossmoor won 55-50.  [player_tooltip player_id='2962262' first='Marvin' last='Douglas'] was the difference maker as the 2026 combo forward was relentless with his motor and playing above the rim.  He had 15 points and 9 rebounds in the win.  Their star [player_tooltip player_id='2467517' first='Darrius' last='Hawkins'] struggled shooting the ball, but he still impacted the game in a major way with his shifty handles, playmaking, and leadership going for 16 points (4-20 FG).  [player_tooltip player_id='2829613' first='Danny' last='Ruffin'] is a strong bodied two guard that gives them a secondary scoring option that also made some nice dishes as he had 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.  Floor spacing and bouncy 2028 four [player_tooltip player_id='2540205' first='John' last='Brown IV'] had 5 points and 3 rebounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'] was a star for Bolingbrook.  He has everything you look for with his size for position, handles, and ability to get to the rack.  Didn't shoot it great from deep in this game, but impacted on both ends.  He had 19 points (7-15 FG), 4 rebounds, and 3 steals.  [player_tooltip player_id='1552408' first='TJ' last='Williams'] has clearly emerged as their #2 option as a slithery wing that attacks the gaps going for 11 points, 4 points, and 4 assists.  [player_tooltip player_id='2244002' first='Jayden' last='Madden'] remains one of the best uncommitted prospects in the state.  He is a long and lanky five that protects the rim and finishes when he has opportunities as he had 6 points (3-3 FG) and multiple blocks.   [player_tooltip player_id='2105360' first='Lincoln' last='Williams'] Lives Up to #1 Ranking in Kankakee Victory   Maybe the most impressive team in among the Illinois squads was Kankakee.  Yea Pace (GA) wasn't great, but they blasted them 69-49.  Their stars looked like stars and they also were without their third best player.  [player_tooltip player_id='2105360' first='Lincoln' last='Williams'] is the best senior in the state of Illinois.  Period!  He put the exclamation point on that in this game as he impacted on both ends of the floor with his length, athleticism, and motor.  Went for 28 points (12-15 FG), 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, and 2 steals.  It was as complete of a performance as he has had in his career.  Indiana State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1552625' first='EJ' last='Hazelett'] also had a big game as he stretched the floor, won off the bounce, and finished in transition.  Also extremely active defensively with 16 points (5-7 FG), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 6 steals.  Cedric Terrell was a new 2026 name that emerged for the Kays as he had 16 points and 4 dimes in the victory.   Top player for Pace was big man Jake Agolli who displayed nice touch around the hoop and could pass it a little.  He had 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists.   Oliver Shows Up with Big Performance in Curie's Win over Warren   One of the more anticipated in-state matchups at the event was Curie vs Warren.  Curie blitzed Warren in the 4th quarter outscoring them by 16 points going on to win 65-60.  Their senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='2734369' first='Justin' last='Oliver'] carried them in this one.  The rangy guard played off his athleticism, instincts, and creativity with the ball in his hands.  Also was extremely impactful on the defensive end going for 24 points (9-22 FG), 9 rebounds, and 5 steals.  Saquan Commings was massive with 17 points in an efficient manner getting in the paint for soft touch finishes.  Mike Oliver Jr dished the rock and got to the line for 11 points and 4 assists.   Warren lost after leading most of the game.  Top 2027 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] was looking to pass first in this one.  Consistently set up shooters and made the right reads as a floor general with pin point passing.  Drained a couple threes, but struggled inside the arc.  Did manage to get to the line at a good clip.  He had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 dimes.  [player_tooltip player_id='2437525' first='Joel' last='Paasch'] had his arrival game.  We saw it over the summer, but the floor stretcher played so well off Davis with his long distance shooting draining four of them in route to 16 points.  Strong bodied wing [player_tooltip player_id='2437519' first='Braylon' last='Walker'] stuffed the stat sheet for 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.   Chaminade Rallies in 4th Quarter to Knock Off Simeon   Next up was a matchup of powerhouse programs in Chaminade and Simeon.  The rosters don't have the super star names you are used too, but still a lot of prospects in this one.  Chaminade trailed the majority of the game, but came back to win 57-55 behind a 22-10 fourth quarter.  Omaha commit Jonny Jordan is this team's senior leader and he drained some feathery jumpers along with getting to the line at a super high rate.  He had 22 points (5-14 FG) (10-10 FT).  Sophomore shooting guard Elijah Poniewaz is a strong and stocky two guard that is a bucket.  He showed a well rounded game with his sweet looking shot and playing through contact as he had 20 points (7-12 FG), 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.   [player_tooltip player_id='2436956' first='Kamari' last='Hamlin'] is a thick bodied wing that brings a ton of skill to the table.  Was the go to scorer for the [program_tooltip program_id='2076046' first='Wolverines' last=''] as he posted up, straight line takes, spin moves, and finished in traffic going for 17 points (7-15 FG).  [player_tooltip player_id='2298580' first='Kaydin' last='Williams'] is the key transfer from Lincoln Park.  Looks to be the one who will be the catalyst for what the [program_tooltip program_id='2076046' first='Wolverines' last=''] do this year.  Was efficient in this game with his burst to the cup and scoring in transition.  Finished with 11 points (5-8 FG) and 4 assists.    La Lumiere Displays Depth of Elite Talent against Top Illinois Squad DePaul Prep   National power with high-major players across the roster including [player_tooltip player_id='2894776' first='Devin' last=''] Cleveland returning to the state vs three time defending state champs and the top team in Illinois in DePaul Prep.  Quite and enticing matchup here!  La Lumiere jumped out early and never looked back as they won 66-44.  The player that jumped off the floor to us was Notre Dame commit point guard Jonathn Sanderson.  He has size, strength, plus athleticism, and skill off the charts.  He passed it with such a flair and confidence.  Made great reads time and time again.  Shot it well from three banging in one after another.  Also threw down a nasty dunk.  He had 19 points (7-8 FG) (5-6 3PT), 6 rebounds, and 7 assists.  Louisville 2027 commit power forward Ferlandes Wright was a force in the first half.  The broad shouldered big man sealed, pick/roll finish, and hit a three.  Really like the upside here as he had 14 points (5-6 FG) and 8 rebounds.  In his return to Illinois [player_tooltip player_id='2894776' first='Devin' last=''] Cleveland had his moments including a sweet coast to coast take along with a pull up from 15 feet.  Went for 6 points (3-9 FG).   DePaul Prep is still the best team in the state of Illinois.  There are different levels to this stuff and La Lumiere is an EYBL scholastic team with over half a dozen high-major players.  The Rams will be just fine and this kind of game will help them long term.  Rykan Woo led the way for DePaul Prep as the Brown commit got it going from distance where he was 4-8 along with being scrappy on the defensive end finishing with 18 points (6-18 FG) and 3 steals.  Liked what [player_tooltip player_id='2376273' first='Zion' last='Lee'] did in this game.  The combo forward didn't back down from the size as he was active on the glass and knocked in a couple jumpers he had 9 points and 4 rebounds.   St. Ignatius Continues Impressive Early Season with 61-60 W vs Whitney Young   One of the hottest teams early in the season has been St. Ignatius.  They have a win over preseason #2 Benet on their resume so when the opportunity to replace Kenwood mid-week came up to play Whitney Young they jumped on it.  Also scored their second marquee win of the season over the Dolphins 61-60.  Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2323283' first='Chris' last='Bolte'] was outstanding in the victory.  He has improved so much with his ability to handle it as he took it right at the defense for several buckets.  Played with toughness around the hoop and passed it well going for 16 points (8-14 FG), 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.  [player_tooltip player_id='2125620' first='Duke' last='Ross'] has stepped up as a junior role player for this team.  He was money from three as he connected on 4-4 from beyond the arc.  Like his activity level and how he impacts winning as a connective passer going for 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal.  Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2531962' first='Amir' last='Tucker'] didn't shoot it particularly well from deep, but besides that he was solid in this game notching 9 points and 5 assists in the win.  One of the biggest shots of the game came late when sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2381425' first='DJ' last='Caldwell'] had the shot clock running down on him and he drained a step back three from NBA range.   As usual Whitney Young was pushed by Tennessee signee [player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark'].  The strong bodied combo guard slithered his way into the lane for finishes at the cup using his strength and body control to finish along with getting fouled.  He knows this is his team and was in attack mode along with setting up his teammates well for threes.  He had 23 points (7-14 FG), 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.  [player_tooltip player_id='2125591' first='Caden' last='Crudup'] had a big stretch to start the second half.  Well built guard had a few strong takes and knocked in a pair of jumpers for 11 points and 6 rebounds.  Class of 2027 guards [player_tooltip player_id='2532358' first='Zaire' last='Green'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2455378' first='Ed' last='Williams'] each had 9 points.   Sidwell Friends Defense Shuts Down Marist   Next up was DC power Sidwell Friends vs Marist. Sidwell Friends defense was suffocating throughout the game that they won 46-34. Jadah Washington shined as a sophomore super athletic point guard that played above the rim. Crazy how well he rebounded for his size getting multiple tip ins. He has burst with the rock and made some nice dishes getting a double double of 14 points (6-7 FG), 10 rebounds, and 3 assists.   Martis look out of sync.  They have the talent for sure, but there was no flow on Saturday night.  Couldn't knock down shots from three where they went 3-24.  Defensively I thought they played pretty well.  Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2323300' first='TJ' last='Tate'] was their top performer with 10 points (4-8 FG) and 5 rebounds.   Corro Dazzles in Finale as St. Laurence Tops Rich Township   The last game of the night was a post 10 PM tip, but St. Laurence 2028 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2385372' first='Noah' last='Corro'] was ready to roll as the guard led his team to a 57-55 win against Rich Township.  Corro is a slick handling lead guard that was electric in the final game of the evening.  He slithered through the defense, knocked in threes, and made those around him better.  Corro had 21 points (7-11 FG) (2-3 3PT).  Strong and stocky wing [player_tooltip player_id='2323617' first='Markese' last='Peoples'] is one of the most unique players in the state with his brute strength combined with quality skill.  He had 13 points and 8 rebounds.   Rich Township was led by Kavon Ammons who mixed it up offensively with threes, drives, and getting to the foul line as he had 16 points.  Liked what [player_tooltip player_id='2416198' first='TJ' last='Eaton'] brought in stretches for Rich as an athletic and rangy guard who had 11 points (5-7 FG) and 6 rebounds.

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