Highland Shootout: Scotty B's Notebook

The Highland Shootout is one of my favorite events of the year.  To see what it has grown into as one of the premier shootouts in the country in southern Illinois is awesome!  We had a loaded day of hoops with teams from Illinois, Missouri, California, and Indiana.  Time to break it all down at once in Highland Shootout: Scotty B's Notebook!   Waltonville Forward Duo Dominates Host Highland   We opened the day with a Waltonville 61-49 win over Highland.  Waltonville got a big win over Webber on Friday and turned right around in a noon game to score a victory to move to 15-2 on the season.  In the first half it was all about power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2383402' first='Jagger' last='Mayville'].  The face up four man ran the floor, put it on the deck, and snatched rebounds in traffic en route to 19 points (9-14 FG), 10 rebounds, and 3 steals.  His running mate 2026 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1552409' first='Gage' last='Peterson'] turned it up a notch in the second half as he came out very assertive.  Got the jumper flowing from three and a sweet turnaround.  Loved what he brought as a distributor in the first half in drive/kick along with quick passes on the move.  Scored out of the post as well for 20 points (9-20 FG), 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals.  [player_tooltip player_id='2384747' first='Witten' last='Devor'] gave them perimeter shooting as well going 4-7 from deep for 12 points, 3 dimes, and 2 steals.   Highland was led by Harrison Scholl.  The shooting guard with solid size in the 2026 class had several nice drives for buckets long with hitting a couple threes for 15 points (5-15 FG) and 6 rebounds.  Trent Kronk was a tough shot maker on a step back in the mid-range along with going 3-3 from deep for 12 points.   Chaminade 2028s Dazzle in Second Half for Win over Indiana Commit   Great matchup next as national power Chaminade faced [player_tooltip player_id='2873530' first='Logan' last='']-Rogersville with their Indiana commit [player_tooltip player_id='2334901' first='Chase' last='Branham'].  [player_tooltip player_id='2873530' first='Logan' last='']-Rogersville led most of the game, but a 20-1 final quarter pushed Chaminade over the edge winning 62-57.  It was 2028 big man [player_tooltip player_id='2920307' first='Mo' last='Kourama'] who shined in this one.  The 6'8” sophomore post has a grown man's frame already in only his second year of basketball.  He was sensational in this game across the board.  He was a dominant rebounder that snatched them one after another in the victory on both ends.  Also liked his activity defensively getting steals and defending out on the perimeter moving his feet.  The lefty was more than adequate at putting it on the deck for scores in the paint attacking from the high-post numerous times.  Ran the floor and even stepped out to hit a three going for 22 points (9-12 FG) and 13 rebounds.  He looked like a mid-major plus and possibly high-major post in this one.  Another 2028 stepped up in the second half in [player_tooltip player_id='2569202' first='Elijah' last='Poniewaz'].  Strong and stocky guard is a tough driver that didn't shoot the best percentage, but when a play needed to be made scoring or dishing in key times he did for 12 points (4-13 FG) and 4 dimes.  Omaha commit [player_tooltip player_id='1446576' first='Jonny' last='Jordan'] is the senior leader that makes everything on this team go.  Struggled shooting from deep, but made winning plays in the 4th going for 13 points (4-13 FG) and 3 dimes.  [player_tooltip player_id='2536464' first='Tricy' last='Collins'] gave his team a lift as well as the scrappy guard netted 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 dimes, and 3 steals.   Indiana commit [player_tooltip player_id='2334901' first='Chase' last='Branham'] was fantastic in this game and I think the Hoosiers got a major get early in the process in 2027.  He is a combo guard with nice size and length.  Excellent pace as he doesn't get sped up.  Was at his best in this game playing off his defense for scores in transition and getting to the rack.  Slick ball handler that sliced up Chaminade's defense for scores with great body control inside.  He had 31 points (12-21 FG) (6-7 FT), 6 rebounds, 3 dimes, and 3 steals.  [player_tooltip player_id='2607456' first='Titus' last='Moore'] is one of the better 2028s in Missouri.  The big bodied power forward has skill as he can stretch the floor in the pick/roll or spotting up.  Also a solid passer that can make dishes that lead to buckets as he went for 13 points (5-11 FG) (3-5 3PT), 5 rebounds, and 3 dimes.   Fishers Depth Shines with Super Star Out as McGrew is Sleeper Unsigned Senior   The top notch program from Indianapolis had no problem with Cardinal Ritter as Fishers rolled 61-37.  [player_tooltip player_id='2194415' first='Jason' last='Gardner'] Jr was out with a hand injury which gave others a chance to step up.  [player_tooltip player_id='1509229' first='Kai' last='McGrew'] did just that as the unsigned senior 6'8” post is one who mid-major programs should be looking into for the late signing period.  Strong frame and is extremely efficient with everything he does.  Pounded the offensive glass, ran the floor, shot fake/step through, and a pick/roll conversion at the cup as he dropped 21 points (8-12 FG) (2-3 3PT) and 9 rebounds in the victory.  Their exciting junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140345' first='Cooper' last='Zachary'] is a wizard with the ball in his hands.  Smooth playmaker who does a great job at getting others involved along with being scrappy on the defensive end forcing turnovers.  Takes and makes deep three balls going for 11 points (4-13 FG), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals.  A prospect I have seen play quite a bit in Illinois is a new fit at Fishers in 2026 wing Ethan Hillsman.  The combo forward shot it well from beyond the arc and was effective on the glass along with defensively being an anchor finishing with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks.  Two freshman caught our attention in big man [player_tooltip player_id='2385390' first='Max' last='Hopkins'] who had 5 points on 2-2 from the field and [player_tooltip player_id='2860080' first='[player_tooltip player_id='2375418' first='Tristan' last='']' last='Breland'] who looks the part of an up and coming wing that can slash.   Cardinal Ritter got 10 points and 7 rebounds from big man [player_tooltip player_id='2403749' first='Ismael' last='Isidor'].  He is a well built post that blocked shots, sealed, and had a nice hook shot.   Top Player in Illinois Shows Out as Warren Tops Vashon in Chicago vs STL Clash   Maybe the best matchup coming into the day turned into a blowout win for Warren as they beat Vashon 82-61.  [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] proved once again why he is the best player in Illinois and a bonafide high-major floor general.  He did it all in this game showing off his scoring burying an array of threes creating on his own.  The euro step was about as good as we have ever seen it as he even slowed it all the way down on one letting the defender fly by.  Shook defenders off the bounce all night.  One of the best pure point guards in the country in 2027 with his pinpoint passing which he showed in this game along with his elite leadership.  Also got after it defensively with his ability to get turnovers.  He had 33 points (13-25 FG) (6-10 3PT), 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals in the win.  His running mate [player_tooltip player_id='2437519' first='Braylon' last='Walker'] had a strong performance as well.  Good sized two guard loves to create in the mid-range elevating over the defense for jumpers which he did at a high rate going for 19 points (7-14 FG), 10 rebounds, and 4 dimes.  Going to see a nice bump in our next update after this performance.  Liked how others stepped up as well.  [player_tooltip player_id='2437525' first='Joel' last='Paasch'] is the shooting specialist who did just tht draining threes for 12 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='3037102' first='Cashius' last='Collins'] is a lengthy wing that brought energy and was quick to the offensive boards for 5 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2403208' first='Javin' last='Griffin'] has a nose for the basketball as  he had 12 points (5-7 FG), 6 rebounds, and 2 assists.  [player_tooltip player_id='2469077' first='Tayte' last='Cordova'] provided a spark off the bench with his athleticism and shot making for 7 points.   Vashon got a big game from SIU-Edwardsville commit [player_tooltip player_id='2090498' first='Kain' last='McCaskill'].  The senior bouncy wing brings off the charts athleticism to the table.  Majority of his scores were playing off the offensive glass along with explosive downhill takes as he had 25 points (11-13 FG) and 5 rebounds.  Standout 2027 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2334898' first='Jimmy' last='McKinney Jr.'] had flashes in this game.  I thought he made some nice plays as a passer showcasing he can play on the ball at the next level, but needs to cut down on the turnovers.  He drained several threes shooting 3-7 from distance along with mixing in some soft touch finishes for 18 points (7-15 FG) and 6 assists.  Leon [player_tooltip player_id='2873209' first='Powell' last=''] Jr. is an intriguing 2027 power forward prospect who brings athleticism and much improved handles to the table.  He had 10 points (5-11 FG) and 7 rebounds.   Principia Balanced Effort Pushes Them Past East St. Louis   The game of the year in STL didn't quite turnout as close as many hoped for.  Principia won 88-54 going away against East St. Louis.  Their 2027 post [player_tooltip player_id='2334910' first='Sekou' last='Cisse'] was outstanding in the victory.  Best we have seen him play in his career.  The 6'9” post was a grown man on the interior all night.  He sealed so well down low, spin moves, reverse layups, and was very good on the offensive glass.  He was a dominant defender and rebounder as well going for 25 points (11-13 FG), 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks.  Looked like a mid-major plus big with the chance if this keeps up to be high-major!  Their 2027 wing duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2334905' first='Gassim' last='Toure'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2377735' first='Kingston' last='Money'] brought it!  Toure is a well built wing that is a plus athlete.  He scored on strong takes off the bounce, nifty conversions, and played with a nice combination of skill/power/athleticism.  Also gets after it defensively moving his feet s he had 13 points (6-14 FG) and 8 rebounds.  Money was straight cash as he played off his athleticism and pure mid-range jumper for 13 points (6-11 FG), 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.  Don't forget about the #1 player in the senior class in Missouri in Wake Forest commit [player_tooltip player_id='2352805' first='Quentin' last='Coleman'].  He had a quiet first half, but in the second he scored 18 of his 22 points as the wing got the three ball going and played off his defense.  Also liked what we saw as a passer on several sweet outlets.  He had 22 points (8-18 FG), 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.  [player_tooltip player_id='2348237' first='Wyatt' last='Slay'] is a wing that might fly under the radar, but the 2027 can shoot the ball and is a stat sheet stuffer with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 dimes, and 2 steals.   The story for East St. Louis was they were without their star Penn State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1873523' first='Jamison' last='White'] after he got ejected on Friday night in what has to be one of the worst official calls I have ever seen as he didn't do anything which was shown on tape.  Being ejected he has to sit out the next game.  Super disappointed as this is the kind of stage he shines.  They turned to their backcourt of 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2962335' first='Phillip' last='Jones'] and 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2822953' first='Alex' last='Johnson'].  Jones is a 6'0” guard that can definitely make shots.  Solid looking pullup game from both two and three.  Plays with speed and can get a little turnover prone at times, but there are definitely tools there to play at the next level as he had 23 points (10-18 FG), 3 rebounds, 3 dimes, and 5 turnovers.  Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2822953' first='Alex' last='Johnson'] continues to produce while still flying under the radar of coaches.  Athletic wing that can really shoot it from distance and gets after it defensively as he had 19 points (3-5 3PT) and 4 steals.   Mizzou Commits Crowe and Adkinson Duel in Fantastic Finale   The last game featured two Mizzou commits going head to head.  The likelihood that 2026 Inglewood (CA) point guard Jason Crowe Jr and Webster Groves 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2334870' first='Scottie' last='Adkinson'] ever play together isn't super high as Crowe Jr is an expected one and done, but it was still fun to watch them get after it in a competitive game that saw Inglewood capture a narrow 77-76 victory.  Crowe definitely had his moments in this one.  He likes to get in the mid-range for pull ups.  Hit a couple of tough threes and threw down a big dunk.  Bit of a volume scorer on this night.  What actually caught our attention was how well he passed it.  Got others involved especially in the half court with on the money dimes in the shooters pocket or to his teammates for buckets.  He had 28 points (11-27 FG), 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks, 3 steals, and 5 turnovers.  David Conerly is a wing who jumps off the floor to us.  Projectable 2027 wing who has a smoothness to his game and wasn't rattled in the crazy environment hitting two dagger threes.  Rebounds, defends, and can shoot!  A lot to like here as he had 16 points (6-9 FG), 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.  Senior guard Matthew Gibbs-Martinez made some key shots throughout the nights scoring 12 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='2334870' first='Scottie' last='Adkinson'] had a lot of good things going for him in this game.  First thing we noticed is he has added strength and was really impressed with his improved playmaking feel.  Known mostly as a scorer the 2027 guard dished it in this game and overall handled the full court pressure well.  He is a plus rebounder for a guard and got into Crowe throughout the game making him work for everything he got.  As a scorer most of his damage came early on with a couple of threes as he had 8 of his 17 points (4-8 FG) in the first quarter.  In addition to the buckets he also had 7 rebounds and 5 assists.  Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2509009' first='Jackson' last='Tabash'] was a crowd favorite.  The lengthy 6'3” junior gave them a spark early as Inglewood kept leaving him open for threes in the corner.  Then on one right in front of me he shot faked and got kicked in the head in a scary moment.  Would sit out for a while before returning and the crowd went crazy every time he buried a corner three.  Went for 26 points (8-12 3 PT).  [player_tooltip player_id='2560378' first='Jayden' last='Woods'] is an athletic wing that was most effective scoring around the hoop for 14 points.  Saw some flashes from 6'0” 2028 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2569194' first='Bryce' last='Millien'] with his strength, athleticism, and plus shot making going 3-6 for 11 points.

The Highland Shootout is one of my favorite events of the year. To see what it has grown into as one of the premier shootouts in the country in southern Illinois is awesome! We had a loaded day of hoops with teams from Illinois, Missouri, California, and Indiana. Time to break it all down at once in Highland Shootout: Scotty B's Notebook!