Gary West Side vs. East Chicago Central -Eight Prospects to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our tour through The Region brought us to West Side Leadership Academy on Thursday night to watch the Gary West Side Cougars take on the East Chicago Central Cardinals. This battle between rivals could have served as a preview of a Sectional 17 championship matchup as well. Let's take a closer look at some of the top prospects from the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3029033"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cd940b511a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clay Jr. is poised beyond his years. This game between Gary West Side and East Chicago Central was played at a very fast pace that bordered on hectic a lot of times. However, the freshman played without getting sped up and was comfortable both on and off of the ball. He has good size at a 6'2", a smooth jump shot, and an impressive all-around skill set. Clay Jr. had 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists for the Cougars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560969"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cd940b51b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top unsigned senior big men in the state, Crews continues to flash his high upside and prove why he is wroth a flier at the next level. The 6'10" center rebounds well and is a consistent shot-blocker on the defensive end. His offensive game will continue to become more polished, but he is explosive out of the dunker's spot, is a lob threat, and can win a foot race on the rim run. Crews finished with 6 points, 4 rebounds, and blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3033269"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cd940b5225"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This young big man just keeps getting better and better. Gates came off of the bench and made an instant impact on both ends of the floor for Gary West Side. The 6'7" freshman displayed good hands making some tough catches, great all-around fundamentals, and a real knack for protecting the rim. He went on to finish with 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a 56-47 win. The left-handed big man is one of the top prospects Indiana's Class of 2029.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2888361"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cd940b5290"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of three freshmen that have made big impacts for East Chicago Central this season, Gillis was the most productive of the trio on Thursday night. The 5'10" guard connected on a pair of three-point shots and went on to finish with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Gillis impressed with his ability to handle the ball against pressure, make sound reads as a passer from a live dribble, and knock down outside shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560995"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cd940b52f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was admittedly a slow start for Hinton. He connected on a three-point shot in the first quarter, but only had five points at the half for Gary West Side. However, the explosive point guard went off for 20 points in the second half and led all scorers with 25 points and 6 rebounds in a 56-47 victory. Hinton is committed to play Division II basketball next season at Johnson C. Smith.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2918106"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cd940b535f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meux is the freshmen for East Chicago Central who has had the best overall season statistically for the Cardinals averaging just shy of double-figures. His size in the backcourt stands out and he is very comfortable with the ball in his hands. The 6'1" guard scored just 3 points on one triple against Gary West Side, but his potential was very evident.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561120"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cd940b53c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pollard got a bucket early for East Chicago Central, but then went quiet for a little bit. However, the senior guard stepped up when it meant the most. He buried a pair of three-point shots in the fourth quarter that nearly brought the Cardinals all of the way back. The unsigned senior guard scored 10 points in the 56-47 loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2625504"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cd940b5429"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Watkins Jr. led East Chicago Central in scoring with 14 points while also collecting 5 rebounds in the Cardinals 56-47 loss to Gary West Side on Thursday night. The 6'1" unsigned senior got his jump shot working in the second half scoring 12 of his 14 points after the break. He is quick enough to create good separation and explosive enough to rise up and get off clean looks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->