Team Rose Shootout: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook

The [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] Shootout kicked off on Saturday with 8 games.  It was a 12+ hour day of hoops.  We dive into the prospects, games, and more here in [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] Shootout: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!   Lane Tech Front Court Leads Way in 71-32 Win over St. Rita   The day started off with Lane Tech recording a 71-32 victory over St. Rita.  Illinois State commit [player_tooltip player_id='2297870' first='Matthew' last='Szafoni'] is a power forward that was excellent in this game recording 26 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.  What we liked most was how assertive he was.  Constantly attacking whether it was off the bounce from the high-post, big dunks, or hitting a three.  He got help inside from 2028 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2436293' first='Cole' last='Christian'] who is an emerging post in that class.  Knocked in a pair of top of the key threes along with running the floor consistently for buckets.  Was active on the defensive end as well blocking shots and getting steals for 16 points.  Isaac Summers is a 2028 guard that put his name on our radar with his sharp shooting.   St. Rita was led by their sophomore star [player_tooltip player_id='2531995' first='Eze' last='Nwagwu'] who is a slick handling lead guard that pushes the pace and slithers through the defense for scores in the paint.  Sound shot maker from mid-range and hit a pair of threes.  Solid decision maker getting in the lane and kicking to shooters.  Michael Hampton is a 6'2” shooting guard who popped on our radar as a strong lefty wing that shot it well from deep along with bringing some strength to the table scoring 14 points.   Shavers and Mercer Duel in Leo's Win Against Riverside Brookfield   Biggest stock risers of the day?  Leo 2027 combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2632058' first='Karon' last='Shavers'] would be an excellent place to start as he dropped 29 points leading Leo to a 66-50 W against Riverside Brookfield.  Well built guard shot it with a ton of confidence all game long off the bounce and catch pouring in six from deep.  Also did a nice job getting to the line by pressing the issue.  [player_tooltip player_id='2323606' first='Asa' last='Harris'] was the set up man for Leo.  The lead guard had 12 assists in the game making consistent reads and being a pesky defender as well.  Nate Stephens is a thick bodied wing that was most effective scoring and rebounding in the paint as he had 12 points.   Riverside Brookfield's star [player_tooltip player_id='2105396' first='Cameron' last='Mercer'] came out on fire and didn't relent for most of the game.  Mercer is a two guard that when he is on looks like one of the best shot makers in the class.  The uncommitted wing banged in three triples in a row to start along with a sweet fadeaway.  He had elevation and pure mechanics.  Moves well off the ball to get open for shots.  Mixed in an and-1 and step through for 25 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2839941' first='Noah' last='Van Tholen'] is a jumbo 2028 point guard that brought shooting to the table in this one with four threes en route to 12 points.   SIUE Commit Dazzles Dropping 36 in Yorkville Christian Victory   Next up was Yorkville Christian's 80-70 win over Lemont.  SIU-Edwardsville commit [player_tooltip player_id='1874810' first='Jayden' last='Riley'] was in his bag in this game.  Dropped 36 points in the victory in addition to his passing with flair.  He hit a three early, but the rest was getting to the cup for scores on shifty drives or blowing right past his defender with pure speed.  Acrobatic finisher that makes tough shots and consistently makes trips to the foul line.  Kid is a baller!  [player_tooltip player_id='2125688' first='Tray' last='Alford'] is a 2027 name that is emerging in the junior class.  Went coast to coast multiple times in their win along with pouring in three from beyond the arc for 18 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2417805' first='Blake' last='Wells'] contributed in the win as well with 11 points shooting it well from beyond the arc on spot up threes.   Lemont was pushed by their star [player_tooltip player_id='2749990' first='Zane' last='Schneider'] who is one of the more underrated pure scorers in the 2027 class. He scored 19 points despite being in foul trouble most of the night hitting from deep, getting to the charity stripe, and flashing as a passer. Senior 6'3” wing Ryan Crane emerged in this one as a shooter with size that should be on the small college radar as he had 15 points. Their glue guy is Luke Glotzbach who has a well rounded game and is always around the ball.   Crane's Defense and Depth Too Much for Talented Young Bloom Squad   The defense for Crane was impressive in their 67-56 win against Bloom.  Crane's D is anchored by the shot blocking of [player_tooltip player_id='2454169' first='Brad' last='Blackman'].  Long and lanky 6'6” forward that probably projects best as an athletic forward at the next level.  He swatted everything that came near him all game long.  Along with that on the offensive end he played above the rim and made his free throws scoring 21 points.  Their point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2125641' first='Jamier' last='Montgomery'] is active on the defensive end with his length getting in passing lanes.  Crisp pull up jumpers, quick second jump on the glass, and passed it well finishing with 9 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2426018' first='Evan' last='Harris'] is a junk yard dog forward who brings a ton of toughness to this squad.  He had 11 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2245708' first='JR' last='Swift'] continues to have an up arrow as he notched 8 points in the win.   [player_tooltip player_id='2918205' first='Keiwon' last='Gulley'] put on a show for Bloom.  The 2029 is one of the best freshman guards in the class.  He had 23 points in one of his first primetime performances on a big stage.  Played with poise and confidence for a freshman.  Burst with the rock converting in a variety of ways in the paint along with making multiple threes.  His 2029 running mate [player_tooltip player_id='2918202' first='Kaden' last='McClellan'] is more of a distributor at this stage as he got others involved and was pesky defensively.  Northern Illinois football commit Troy Garner was a force on the glass and caught a lob in addition to a pair of 15 footers for 10 points.   Senior Oak Lawn Trio Carry Them to W over Lindblom   Oak Lawn won 74-56 against Lindblom behind their 2026 standouts.  [player_tooltip player_id='2433457' first='Jack' last='Dempsey'] is a two guard who brings a ton of swagger to the table.  He brought it from the jump being aggressive getting to the rack for reverse layups and playing with athleticism in addition to a solid shot finishing with 26 points.  Long and rangy [player_tooltip player_id='2734444' first='Marc' last='Harvey'] had 20 points in the win.  The 6'4” small forward is an intriguing prospect with his length and frame.  Smooth slasher with the rock in his hands getting to the cup for scores including on euro steps for 20 points.  Omar Saleh is an undersized 6'3” power forward that just has a nose for the ball and is very productive.  Array of crafty finish around the hoop for 13 points.   Jaden Edwards was the leading scorer for Lindblom as the guard used his speed to get to the hoop for 13 points.  Most intriguing long term prospect for Lindblom is definitely 2028 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2384522' first='Elijah' last='Shim'].  Screams upside with his shot blocking, flushing on a slam out of the dunker spot, and getting on the offensive glass.   New Names Emerge for Evanston in Close Game vs Hillcrest   Evanston is one of those programs under Mike Ellis that you know is good for 25+ wins a year and a deep run in the state tournament.  This year does not look like anything different as they won 83-79 against a scrappy Hillcrest squad.  Let's start with the known names.  Class of 2028 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2531970' first='Ben' last='Ojala'] is a high IQ guard that plays with excellent pace and feel.  Makes those around him better.  One of the most pure shots from both mid-range and three in the class as he poured them in en route to 13 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2540157' first='Vito' last='Rocca'] also had 13 points by our count.  The tough and athletic wing does all the little things as a versatile wing that can pass, score, and defend.  Junior 5'11” point guard Dion Lee was a revelation with his speed getting to the rack and creativity converting at the cup.  Pushed the tempo in transition all game long for 22 points.  Tate Schroeder also made an impression notching 18 points as a strong bodied 6'3” shooter that can knock down shots, rebound in traffic, and be a great glue guy.   For Hillcrest it was [player_tooltip player_id='2540107' first='Jamir' last='Ratliff'] that had the big game dropping 25 points without his running mate.  Ratliff is a lead guard that when Hillcrest needed a bucket he consistently got it.  Sweeping layups, turnaround Js, and also good passing in the half court.  Senior should be on the small college radar.  Jamari Thomas chipped in 16 points as well as [player_tooltip player_id='2499153' first='Jaylen' last='West'] who had 9 points.   Peoples Flexes Muscles for St. Laurence   St. Laurence continues to pick up impressive wins as they got the victory 54-46 over Payton.  [player_tooltip player_id='2323617' first='Markese' last='Peoples'] is a strong bodied wing that is almost positionless at the high school level.  Used his power, killer spin move, physicality, and skill to overwhelm Payton.  Lived in the paint all game long slicing them up as a passer and scorer dropping 23 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2125677' first='Reggie' last='Stevens'] made some key plays in this one as he buried a pair of key threes along with some plays on put backs and good instincts as a passer.  [player_tooltip player_id='2385372' first='Noah' last='Corro'] had his flashes as well being a slick passer while still scoring 7 points.   Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2531979' first='CJ' last='Pittman'] is a big bodied scoring lead guard.  He kept his team in the game with his ability to post up defenders for bully scores down low, knocking in short pull ups, and being relentless going for 18 points.  Their point guard Jhamarie Guthrie caught our attention scoring 11 points with a nice soft touch finishing game.   Curie Caps Off Night with Dominant Performance on Both Ends   The finale was all Curie right from the start as they blew out Oswego East 62-37.  The toughness, defense, and depth swarmed Oswego East all game long.  [player_tooltip player_id='2823632' first='Kendall' last='Holliday']'s presence inside as a dunker, rebounder, and shot blocker was an intimidating presence as he had 12 points.  Their senior star [player_tooltip player_id='2734369' first='Justin' last='Oliver'] dropped dimes, threes, and was a force defensively as he had 14 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='1845358' first='Michael' last='Oliver'] was scrappy on the defensive end while notching 7 points offensively.  Saquan Commings, [player_tooltip player_id='2540149' first='Tobyus' last='Banks'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2844431' first='Dream' last='Horton'] all played key roles in the win.   Oswego East shooting guard Mason Lockett was their leading scorer in this game.  Athletic two guard is headed to DePaul who flashed three level scoring, but not enough notching 10 points.

The Team Rose Shootout kicked off on Saturday with 8 games. It was a 12+ hour day of hoops. We dive into the prospects, games, and more here in Team Rose Shootout: Scotty B's Saturday Notebook!