Opening Day Delivers Drama at Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <strong>Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic</strong> kicked off on Friday!&nbsp; With a pretty balanced field it was a good day of hoops!&nbsp; We caught a few games on day one and give you our takes here!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Laurence Pulls Away After Early Test in Opener</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tough first game for a team that many consider the favorite at Hinsdale Central as St. Laurence got a 65-44 win as they pulled away in the fourth against Wheaton Academy.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2125677' first='Reggie' last='Stevens'] turned it up in the second half as the junior guard finished with 17 points (7-13 FG) and 3 dimes in the victory.&nbsp; Pushed in transition for scores at the cup along with finding teammates.&nbsp; Love how 2028 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2385372' first='Noah' last='Corro'] is playing right now.&nbsp; Slick ball handling guard that makes those around him better while picking his spots to score on threes and floaters.&nbsp; He had 11 points (4-9 FG) and 3 steals.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2532002' first='Jeremiah' last='Toney'] was effective in this game for St. Laurence as the slender wing was an active defender, quick to the glass, and got out in transition.&nbsp; Went for 10 points (4-6 FG), 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2532014' first='Logan' last='Brown'] was very good in the first half as a spot up shooter and was aggressive taking it to the cup notching 9 points (4-7 FG).&nbsp; The x-factor that emerged for St. Laurence was [player_tooltip player_id='2405708' first='Jacob' last='Johnson'].&nbsp; The 6'6” power forward emerged as a defensive presence blocking shots and getting steals.&nbsp; He had 4 points, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wheaton Academy star [player_tooltip player_id='2125634' first='Hayden' last='Schroeder'] went for 20 points (9-19 FG) and 12 rebounds in the loss.&nbsp; The top 5 junior in the state ran the floor hard, got deep post position, and finished efficiently down low.&nbsp; Slams out of the dunker spot and got on the offensive glass for multiple put backs.&nbsp; A name that burst on our radar was 2028 6'5” wing [player_tooltip player_id='2769579' first='Ray' last='Rienow'] who went for 11 points (4-8 FG).&nbsp; Plus shooter with size that has a long and lanky frame.&nbsp; Should emerge as a legit prospect over the upcoming months as he flashed some passing as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rockford Auburn Guards Overcome Halftime Deficit as Danforth Becomes All-Time HC Scorer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our second game we took in from Hinsdale Central might have been the best of the day.&nbsp; Plainfield East led the majority of the game including at the half 30-19, but Rockford Auburn kept fighting back and they got it to six at the end of the third quarter.&nbsp; The run never stopped there as Auburn kept it up winning 60-55.&nbsp; Their star as always is North Dakota State signee [player_tooltip player_id='1845353' first='Amir' last='Danforth'].&nbsp; The scoring guard did just that in the second half as he drained a three in the third quarter which made him the all-time leading scorer in Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic history.&nbsp; The majority of his points in this game came off transition scoring and using his explosive first step burst to get in the paint for scores.&nbsp; Such an acrobatic finisher around the cup as he notched 19 points in the win.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2323314' first='Mikwan' last='Marshall'] is back at Auburn and he was a huge difference maker in this game with 17 points.&nbsp; Strong and compact guard was aggressive on straight line takes using his acceleration to get by defenders score nifty layups and soft touch finishes.&nbsp; Also had a few nice dimes in the half court.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2105407' first='Champ' last='Parker'] is another standout guard for this team.&nbsp; He used his athleticism around the cup and glass for 8 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2962328' first='Kaidan' last='Dozie'] is the x-factor as the projectable guard attacked close outs, got to the line, and hit a key three along with defending at a high level en route to 7 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plainfield East 6'7” guard [player_tooltip player_id='2406554' first='KJ' last='Miller'] continues to show a ton of promise.&nbsp; He is a jumbo playmaking guard with a wiry frame that he can add strength on.&nbsp; Did a nice job of using his smooth handles to create off the bounce for scores or getting to the charity stripe.&nbsp; He shot it well despite having an over the head release it goes in at a very high clip as he poured in three from distance along with a couple in the mid-range.&nbsp; He is oozing with potential as he flashes his playmaking feel as a passer.&nbsp; Stuffs the stat sheet.&nbsp; He had 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals in the loss.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1552473' first='Alijah' last='Little'] is a scoring guard who returns from Whitney Young to the Tigers for his senior campaign.&nbsp; One of the more underrated pure bucket getters in the senior class.&nbsp; Body control at the rim, finishes through and around contact, along with being a solid pull up shooter from two and three.&nbsp; He notched 17 points and 7 rebounds.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2387505' first='Nana' last='Atakorah'] had 8 points and 7 rebounds while other energy forward [player_tooltip player_id='2387603' first='Leslie' last='Pobee'] had 6 points and 5 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Morgan Park's Intensity and Big 3 Push Past Waubonsie Valley to Close Night</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the last 1^st round game at Hinsdale Central it was a fun contest between Morgan Park and Waubonsie Valley with Morgan Park coming out on top 52-44.&nbsp; Their defensive pressure kicked up another notch in the second half which created turnovers and got them running!&nbsp; It was Jamarri Watson who changed the game with his physicality, athleticism, and intensity.&nbsp; He played to his strengths and went 8-10 from the field for 16 points while grabbing 4 boards and getting a pair of steals.&nbsp; In the backcourt they have a nice duo in [player_tooltip player_id='2734410' first='Jacque' last='Lewis'] and Daniel Wallace.&nbsp; Lewis got them going early with pull up jumpers while dishing the rock to others going for 12 points and 5 assists.&nbsp; Wallace is a smaller guard who went 3-5 from beyond the arc for 13 points including some big plays late.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Waubonsie Valley their top 10 standout in the 2027 class [player_tooltip player_id='2125659' first='Kristopher' last='Mporokoso'] was awesome in the first half recording 15 of his game high 21 points in the first two quarters.&nbsp; Lefty 6'5” wing that can bomb in deep threes with a ton of arc, play above the rim, and slash off the bounce.&nbsp; Also made a few nice dishes in this one.&nbsp; Big man [player_tooltip player_id='2766431' first='Kyler' last='Payne'] has a bright future.&nbsp; The skilled wide bodied 2028 post is extremely skilled with his footwork downlow including one where he faked one way and went the other ala Hakeem!&nbsp; Touch and feel for scoring down low as he backed defenders in and used the glass notching 10 points and 5 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->