Pekin Holiday Tournament: Scotty B's Monday Notebook

<a>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</a>   Monday was the first day of the Pekin Holiday Tournament.  We caught games all day long from this historic event and dive into our takeaways here!   Top 3 Sophomore Shines as Richwoods Rolls in Round 1   The #3 seed was led by the third ranked sophomore in Illinois as Richwoods throttled Plainfield South by a final of 79-46.  It was their star 2028 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2531961' first='Amarion' last='Smith-Holley'] leading the way.  Such a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands as he has elite handles and burst getting to the cup with tremendous body control.  Was very impressed at how well he set others up in this contest with his passing in the half court finding guys off live dribbles.  He had 18 points in the win.  Manual transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2323294' first='Tony' last='Bradford'] is fitting in nicely as the senior guard had 19 points in the win.  Slender two guard that is good finding creases for scores along with getting out in transition playing off his defense throwing down a nice left handed slam.  Big man Davion McClendon brought a presence inside as an active player around the hoop that can finish.  He had 10 points.  Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2362360' first='Anfernee' last='Moore'] was tough around the hoop on the glass and getting to the charity stripe for 11 points.   The prospect that popped to us for Plainfield South was [player_tooltip player_id='2821119' first='Isaiah' last='Robertson'].  The 6'6” bouncy four man has a long and lanky frame along with quickness to the glass.  Finishes out of the dunker spot and displayed touch on a mid-range jumper.  Also flashed potential on the defensive end.  Finished the game with 14 points.   Montgomery Goes Off vs Moline as Crane Moves to Winners Side of Bracket   Moline vs Crane was one of the more intriguing first round matchups at the event.  Crane absolutely dominated this one from start to finish winning 59-44 behind their junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2125641' first='Jamier' last='Montgomery'].  The long and angular point guard was about as good as we have seen him in this one.  Poured in a variety of twos and threes pulling up in the first half.  High level shot making.  Slick driver that can get to the rim and did a nice job creating for his teammates in the half court.  Went for 21 points in the victory.  In the backcourt next to him [player_tooltip player_id='2245708' first='JR' last='Swift'] notched 11 points with a crisp 15 foot pull up game.  Elite athlete up front [player_tooltip player_id='2454169' first='Brad' last='Blackman'] was a force blocking shots as always and the 2026 uncommitted forward made quick passes to cutters on the move while scoring 8 points.   Moline star point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2455383' first='Brady' last='Welch'] had flashes hitting a couple of threes and showcasing his passing off live dribbles while scoring 12 points.  Sophomore thick bodied wing Alante Anderson played physical around the hoop notching 9 points.   Washington Tops Minooka to Advance   Next up it was a 52-36 win for Washington over Minooka.  Washington was led by senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='2749984' first='James' last='Johnson'] who had 12 points and 12 rebounds in the victory.  Jackson Vanderheydt and Luke Kamienski each had 10 in the win.   Skilled 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2454180' first='Brady' last='Hairald'] had 13 points in the loss for Minooka as he was the only double digit scorer.   Leo's Guard Play Wins Battle of Lions over Lanphier   The fourth game of the day saw the Leo Lions vs the Lanphier Lions with both teams school colors being orange and black.  Lanphier gave Leo a run early on, but Leo would pull away to win in the second half by a final of 56-36.  It was the trio of guards who made the difference in this game.  They got a spark off the bench in the first half from 5'9” 2029 point guard Andre Tucker who poured in multiple deep balls as he finished with 11 points.  Brian Kizer is a rock solid guard that plays with strength and produces at a high level.  Finishes well in the paint, pushes in the open floor, and can knock down a deep ball as he notched 16 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2323606' first='Asa' last='Harris'] is a lead guard who can score and pass whenever either is needed.  Slick driver that loves the scoop shot and drained a couple of threes for 15 points.   The prospect that jumped off the floor to us for Lanphier was Braylon Thomas.  The sophomore wing has some projectability in his frame to continue to grow and was effective scoring from 15 feet and in for 8 points.  Also keep an eye on 2028 6'2” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2991012' first='Jailan' last='Bunch'] who flashed athleticism and a fluid all-around game for 7 points.   Johnson Plays Like Top Freshman in Class in Massive Performance Leading Mt. Carmel over Oak Lawn   Could this have been the game where [player_tooltip player_id='2767906' first='Ronald' last='Johnson'] took hold of the top spot in the 2029 class?  We will not rank that class until after the season, but he had a statement performance in Mt. Carmel's win against Oak Lawn 62-54.  The freshman 6'3” lead guard did it all in this contest.  Passed it insanely well in the half court showing very good vision.  Also crashed the glass and defended at a very high level.  As a scorer he did it in a versatile way getting put backs, physical takes for and-1s, banking in runners, and using his burst to get to the rack.  Also knocked in a three.  He had 12 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals.  Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2403910' first='Logan' last='Wessel'] was the difference in the second half.  The versatile 2027 prospect has a skilled game where he can handle with creativity, knock in open shots, and has a nose for the ball.  Notched 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in the win.  [player_tooltip player_id='2403604' first='Dominic' last='Scalise'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2832912' first='Luke' last='Segroves'] each played their roles in the win with 6 points a piece.  Defender and athletic wing [player_tooltip player_id='2877491' first='Marshaun' last='Thornton'] had 8 points including a pair of spot up threes from the corner.  [player_tooltip player_id='2915584' first='DK' last='Heard'] flashed in this one with 4 points including a big dunk and the freshman phenom also had a pair of really nice passes to cutters for buckets.   It really was the [player_tooltip player_id='2734444' first='Marc' last='Harvey'] show for Oak Lawn.  The senior long and lanky forward slithered his way in the lane consistently for scores as the won off the bounce over and over.  Attacked the heart of the defense with penetrating dribbles then finishing maneuvering his body at the cup.  Spins and jump stops in the paint.  He had 28 points (12-17 FG) and 8 rebounds in the loss.   Morton Moves on in Close Game vs Lake Park   The sixth game of the day saw Morton top Lake Park by a final of 48-42.  Collin Burns was big time for them as the 6'3” wing utilized his grit around the hoop to score through contact as he was always around the ball notching 16 points and 6 rebounds.  [player_tooltip player_id='2734458' first='Alex' last='McKie'] notched 10 points including a key bucket late.   Lake Park big man [player_tooltip player_id='2962284' first='Freddy' last='Battaglia'] has grown and become a legit big man since we last saw him in June.  Scored in the paint with touch around the hoop, hook shots, ran the floor, and high pointed rebounds.  Can deck it a little too as he had 16 points.  Nice small college prospect!  Couple young players caught our attention in 2028 center Brennan Shannon who had 5 points and 11 rebounds.  Well built lefty has solid size and touch on a turnaround jumper.  Rebounded everything in his area and has some feel as a passer including a long outlet.  [player_tooltip player_id='2415762' first='Christian' last='Burge'] is a young 2029 point guard that emerged as a rangy backcourt player that gets in the lane for floaters and hit a three for 7 points.   Wade County Comes to Pekin as Springfield Knocks Off Host School   Springfield did what is always a difficult task which is winning on the road in a tournament setting on opening night as they got the victory against Pekin 52-41.  It was all about the Wade brothers in this one.  Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2492520' first='Elijah' last='Wade'] was fantastic through three quarters before going down with an injury at the end of the 3rd quarter.  Big 6'4” wing that got downhill with strength through traffic for scores in the lane along with euro step finishes.  Also made a couple threes for 16 points.  His brother 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2990989' first='Noah' last='Wade'] plays more on the ball for this team as he showcased nice decision making in the half court along with scoring when needed as he notched 11 points.  Inside junior undersized post [player_tooltip player_id='2991000' first='Mayango' last='Jallah'] was a beast on the glass as he had 10 points and 11 rebounds.   Junior Braylon Kormah was the top player for Pekin as the floor general is a quick ball handler that notched 10 points.  Keep an eye long term on a couple of 2029 prospects in Mason Hess and Carter Pogioli.   Simeon Opens Up New Era at Pekin with Blowout over Freeport   In their debut at the Pekin Holiday Tournament Simeon destroyed Freeport 71-36.  It was a balanced effort across the board.  Strong and athletic power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2323288' first='Isaiah' last='Coleman'] led the way as he came out with a lot of energy for a late night game while also showing some improved skill.  Hit a corner three along with a short jumper.  Then the power came along as he threw down a tomahawk dunk, got on the offensive glass, and had a transition dunk for 11 points.  Big bodied senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2436956' first='Kamari' last='Hamlin'] is going to be the go to guy for the [program_tooltip program_id='2076046' first='Wolverines' last=''] this year.  He can shoot it from distance and is a crafty ball handler getting downhill as he netted 14 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2298580' first='Kaydin' last='Williams'] is their top ranked prospect, but came off the bench in this one.  Looked to set others up in a blow out while finding his spots to score.  Class of 2027 wing Jayden King is a lanky guard that put his name on our radar as he had 8 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2532341' first='Keyae' last='Lacy'] is another junior guard to watch as he finished with 12 points.

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