Pontiac Holiday Tournament: Scotty B’s Tuesday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 94^th annual Pontiac Holiday Tournament was in day 2 on Tuesday which is always my favorite!&nbsp; Everyone plays and there are competitive matchups throughout the day!&nbsp; Time to see what prospects and teams excelled in <strong>Pontiac Holiday Tournament: Scotty B's Tuesday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 5 Junior Brown Leads West Aurora over Talented Young Bloomington Squad</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fun opener with West Aurora getting the win 59-48 over Bloomington.&nbsp; Their star [player_tooltip player_id='2125687' first='Travis' last='Brown'] was a monster in the second half as the slender slick handling lead guard got whatever he wanted with his handles hitting the holes in the defense getting downhill along with shooting it well from distance as he had 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 dimes.&nbsp; Jaden Matthews-Thomas played off his athleticism and toughness inside scoring 11 points while [player_tooltip player_id='2217958' first='Drew' last='Lundberg'] dropped in a couple threes for 8 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bloomington has a bright future!&nbsp; With a pair of freshman and one of the best 8^th graders in the state waiting in the wings they will be making noise in future years!&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2767828' first='Dallas' last='Marshall'] is a 6'5” wing that jumps off the floor.&nbsp; Plus athlete with size and a good frame.&nbsp; He won on explosive takes downhill for scores at the rack.&nbsp; Spin moves on post up, put backs, drained a three, and got to the charity stripe going for 14 points and 11 rebounds.&nbsp; Another talented freshman is Jaden Naville.&nbsp; The 6'0” long armed point guard is a lefty that is quick off the dribble and did a nice job getting to the line as he had 8 points.&nbsp; Long and rangy junior small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2323677' first='Camron' last='Dunson-Riggs'] showed flashes and was assertive getting to the foul line where he was 7-9 finishing with 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Charles North Tops OPRF to Move on in Consolation Bracket</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This wasn't close for most of the game, but OPRF made a run late.&nbsp; St. Charles North still managed to hold them off winning 64-55.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2217951' first='Cooper' last='Mellican'] was his usual productive self.&nbsp; The skilled and well built forward was efficient scoring down low, sweeping layups, and won on drives.&nbsp; Also mixed it up on the defensive end and on the glass for 22 points.&nbsp; Jake Love is the other senior go to player for the North Stars as the two guard can really shoot it from distance as he racked up long balls in a 15 point outing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OPRF top prospect is 2027 wing Geroge Gray.&nbsp; Lengthy wing with a projectable frame.&nbsp; He had 16 points in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Trier Knocks off Homewood Flossmoor in Battle of Highly Ranked Squads</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first quarterfinal game saw the #11 team in the state heading into the holidays New Trier play #10 Homewood Flossmoor.&nbsp; Maybe the best matchup in state history for a quarterfinal game of two teams that can cut down the nets in March.&nbsp; New Trier was without their star Princeton commit, but others stepped up as they won 69-64 despite a fourth quarter comeback run by HF.&nbsp; Freshman big man [player_tooltip player_id='2405910' first='Denym' last='Wallace'] was a monster in this game.&nbsp; He is so big, strong, and skilled for a kid his age.&nbsp; Nimble footwork in the paint, power moves, pounds the offensive glass, and sealed off his man en route to 21 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1552486' first='Danny' last='Houlihan'] displayed his tough shot making hitting one after another in the second half along with making some nice passes for 18 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2839877' first='Elton' last='Jaegerskog'] picked up the missing scoring load as the wing poured in a plethora of threes and pull ups for 15 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2394678' first='Max' last='Vogel'] is a versatile wing that passes, rebounds, defends, and scores when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2467517' first='Darrius' last='Hawkins'] came out scorching hot for Homewood Flossmoor as the sophomore guard poured in several deep threes to get things going.&nbsp; The lefty guard is a bucket with his ability to create his own shot with the jumper along with shifty ball handling and blow by speed as he had 18 points.&nbsp; The breakout player for HF was 2027 shooting guard Jayden McDonald who had 18 points in the loss.&nbsp; Wiry framed wing that can really knock down shots from beyond the arc and has good athleticism as he also scored 18 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2829613' first='Danny' last='Ruffin'] brought his slashing, wing rebounding, and passed better than we had seen previously while scoring 8 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joliet West Gives DePaul Prep a Scare but Rams Show Who They Are in 2^nd Half</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DePaul Prep has been #1 since the beginning of the season and comes in as the favorites at Pontiac knowing they are going to get their biggest tests of the year.&nbsp; Joliet West did that in the first half as the scrappy squad stayed close, but an avalanche in the second half was too much as DePaul Prep cruised to a 63-36 win.&nbsp; Toledo commit [player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] balled out in this game!&nbsp; He had 20 points and 5 rebounds in the victory.&nbsp; Most aggressive we have seen him in a while offensively.&nbsp; Hook shots either way, rim runs, lob dunks, and straight line takes at the defense.&nbsp; Physically imposing presence at high school level.&nbsp; The guards were great as well.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'] had a well rounded game with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 dimes, and 3 swipes.&nbsp; Opened up draining a three while being fouled.&nbsp; Got in the lane off hesi moves and finished well as always.&nbsp; Such a great passer in the half court.&nbsp; Michigan Tech commit [player_tooltip player_id='2323334' first='AJ' last='Chambers'] stuffed the stat sheet per usual with 9 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals.&nbsp; He is such an integral part of this team with the way he fills in wherever is needed on both ends of the floor.&nbsp; Unsigned senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2376273' first='Zion' last='Lee'] showed off his versatility on both ends being able to guard all over the floor along with score in the paint as he had 6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2400465' first='Brockton' last='Goehrke'] got Joliet West going early in the game.&nbsp; The well built 6'1” two guard knocked in several threes finishing with 11 points.&nbsp; Bouncy 2026 wing [player_tooltip player_id='2323265' first='Aamir' last='Shannon'] got it going in the second half on slashes to the rim for sweeping layups and big dunks en route to 14 points.&nbsp; The intriguing long term player to watch is 2028 wing [player_tooltip player_id='2546996' first='Abrey' last='Robinson'] who has projection and a clean looking 15 foot shot!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bloom's Young Guards Show Their Promise in Blowout over Plainfield North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big game for the Bloom backcourt as they rolled over Plainfield North 51-28 in a consolation quarterfinal.&nbsp; Class of 2029 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2918202' first='Kaden' last='McClellan'] came out of the gates firing from three hitting a plethora of them.&nbsp; Sharp shooting guard that can also really pass it.&nbsp; He notched 13 points in the victory.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2918205' first='Keiwon' last='Gulley'] is their other standout 2029 guard.&nbsp; Little bit taller and stronger.&nbsp; He has such a dynamic burst to the cup getting to the rack in both the half court and transition going from 0 to 60 in a second.&nbsp; Solid passer as well that makes sound decisions with the ball.&nbsp; Hit a couple threes as well for 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 dimes.&nbsp; Jaquan Harris burst on our radar with a strong performance.&nbsp; The athletic 6'0” guard from Bloom is a good defender, transition player, and has some shot making to his repertoire.&nbsp; Finished the game with 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Benet Breaks Away from Manual in Second Half</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Third quarterfinal saw heavily favored Benet have to fight off a scrappy Manual squad in the first half then get separation in the second half to win 61-38.&nbsp; Their twin towers of [player_tooltip player_id='2323620' first='Ed' last='Stasys'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] were way too much for the Rams inside.&nbsp; The 2027 power forward Stasys stock continues to soar as he is a high level rebounder, explosive finisher, and defensive presence down low with his strength.&nbsp; He had 12 points and 9 rebounds.&nbsp; Stack is a 7'1” center that is the top five man in the senior class.&nbsp; Makes it look easy with tip dunks and catching lobs.&nbsp; High pointed rebounds all game long and swatted shots to the tune of 9 points and 14 rebounds.&nbsp; Eastern Illinois commit [player_tooltip player_id='2105390' first='Jayden' last='Wright'] was a spark in the second half as he started to get downhill to the rim for scoop shots while setting up others going for 15 points, 10 assists, and 4 rebounds.&nbsp; Great pick up for EIU as he is a shot maker that has improved off the bounce and makes others better.&nbsp; Versatile guard [player_tooltip player_id='2425956' first='Perry' last='Tchiegne'] notched 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.&nbsp; Sharp shooter off the bench [player_tooltip player_id='1552419' first='Ryan' last='Walsh'] hit multiple threes for 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manual was led by the sharp shooting of junior Tahj Tolliver.&nbsp; He got them out early to the lead with his three point marksmanship finishing 3-5 from deep for 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pontiac Wins on Home Floor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Danville came out early, but Pontiac settled in to win on their home floor and advance in the consolation quarterfinals.&nbsp; Cayden Masching led the way with 16 points.&nbsp; They got a lot of toughness from Aden Brummel with 10 points and 6 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side for Danville their top prospect 2028 top 10 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2395586' first='Amir' last='Beasley'] showed flashes with his fluid athleticism on both ends of the floor.&nbsp; He had 10 points (5-11 FG) and 4 rebounds.&nbsp; Blocked shots inside and out.&nbsp; Most productive player in this game was DeAndre Burns with 13 points (5-9 FG) and 11 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Curie Avoids Upset as Lockport Gives #2 Team Major Test</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing you don't want to do is get upset before the final four if you are one of the top teams at Pontiac.&nbsp; Most of the time Curie has navigated that path, but they got pushed by Lockport on Tuesday who led at the half.&nbsp; Star [player_tooltip player_id='2734369' first='Justin' last='Oliver'] wasn't having it as he scored all 18 of his points in the second half carrying his team to the final four.&nbsp; Josh Hurley Jr and [player_tooltip player_id='2823632' first='Kendall' last='Holliday'] also stepped up with 13 points and 10 points a piece.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was the twins as usual doing the damage for Lockport as they got 16 points from [player_tooltip player_id='2125668' first='Nedas' last='Venckus'] and 11 points from [player_tooltip player_id='2125671' first='Nojus' last='Venckus'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->