Holiday Tournament Recap: Sophomores Show Out

***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***   The holiday tournaments might be complete, but the coverage of them is definitely not here at Prep Hoops Illinois!  During a nine day period I covered games from Jacobs, Elgin, Wheeling, Hinsdale Central, Jack Tosh, Collinsville, Pekin, Duster-Thomas, and Pontiac.  Time to break down a strong group of 2028 prospects here that stood above the rest!   [player_tooltip player_id='2531961' first='Amarion' last='Smith-Holley'] (Richwoods – 2028)   Smith-Holley was electric in the first game of the Pekin Holiday Tournament scoring 18 points in a victory.  One of the most explosive guards in the state regardless of class was shifty off the bounce and displaying burst getting to the rim.  Acrobatic layup maker with great body control.  Also did a nice job dishing the rock handing the dimes out as change!  In the championship game he was even better with 24 points (11-20 FG), 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals leading his team to a title!   [player_tooltip player_id='2467517' first='Darrius' last='Hawkins'] (Homewood Flossmoor – 2028)   The sophomore HF lead guard was fantastic against New Trier in their highly anticipated quarterfinal matchup.  He carried his team for stretches with his quickness off the bounce, soft touch finishing game, and shot making from three as he had 18 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='2125627' first='Ethan' last='Vahl'] (Oswego – 2028)   Vahl helped get Oswego to the consolation championship as his team went 3-2 on the week.  He is a slick handling combo guard that slices through the lane with the best of them.  Such an effortless ball handler getting to the rack where he finishes well.  Sound looking shot from deep and stops/pops in the mid-range getting elevation off the floor.  His overall floor game showed growth throughout the week as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2877491' first='Marshaun' last='Thornton'] (Mt. Carmel – 2028)   Thornton is a strong and athletic wing that is a star football player.  He defends all over the floor and showed something we hadn't seen previously which is a reliable spot up shot from the corner.   [player_tooltip player_id='2531962' first='Amir' last='Tucker'] (St. Ignatius – 2028)   Tucker has become one of the key players for St. Ignatius as a sophomore.  The highly ranked 2028 prospect is stepping up to the moment with his smooth ball handling, creative passing, and finds his spots to score.  In the Tosh semis against Glenbard East he had 9 points and 3 assists.  He was lights out from beyond the arc in the championship game as he went 5-8 from distance putting his team on his back to capture the Jack Tosh Title vs St. Pats netting 17 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='2395586' first='Amir' last='Beasley'] (Danville – 2028)   Beasley is a top 10 prospect in the 2028 class.  The long and lanky lefty power forward has a bright future as a two way player.  Impressed in the part of his game we saw at Pontiac with his shot blocking inside and on the perimeter.  Quick to the offensive glass and can attack on the baseline.  Went for 10 points and 4 rebounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='2532014' first='Logan' last='Brown'] (St. Laurence – 2028)   Brown had a solid first half in their opening game at the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.  The lefty wing has good size for position and when he is aggressive is a big time force.  Knocked in a corner three, had a one handed tip in, and got loose in transition.  A lot of potential on the defensive end with his length and instincts.   [player_tooltip player_id='2385372' first='Noah' last='Corro'] (St. Laurence – 2028)   Corro continues to display an excellent feel for the game picking his spots to score and dish.  Smooth ball handler who can get anywhere he wants on the floor with his slippery drives and passing on the move.  Crosses his man and pushes in the open floor.  Three level scorer with a solid jumper and sweet soft touch finishing game.   [player_tooltip player_id='2531979' first='CJ' last='Pittman'] (Walter Payton – 2028)   Pittman was fairly quiet through the first three quarters of their first round game against Palatine.  He came alive late hitting a couple of threes and attacking.  Overall the shot wasn't falling, but he still managed to rack up 12 points and 3 assists against Palatine.   [player_tooltip player_id='2751060' first='Brady' last='Jones'] (Metamora – 2028)   Jones is a strong wing that brings physicality, toughness, and skill to the table.  In their first round win at Tosh against Nazareth they were all on display.  He had a couple nice takes to the cup, finished in the pick/roll, and was very good defensively getting steals along with deflections on a consistent basis.   [player_tooltip player_id='2194655' first='Braydon' last='Porter'] (Yorkville – 2028)   Porter is a top 5 talent in the 2028 class.  Against Glenbard West he didn't have his best shooting game with the jump shot, but he still scored 15 points because he put his head down and got to the rim with his elite athleticism.  Big time slasher that loves to attack along with snatch rebounds for second chance points.  Showed glimpses defensively and as a passer.   [player_tooltip player_id='2766431' first='Kyler' last='Payne'] (Waubonsie Valley – 2028)   The big man from Waubonsie Valley continues to improve each time we see him.  He is a five man that brings legit size and skill to the table.  Light on his feet and has nimble footwork around the hoop spinning either way along with shakes for finishes.  Has soft touch around the cup as he scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds against Morgan Park.   [player_tooltip player_id='2381555' first='Kendall' last='Howell'] (Decatur MacArthur – 2028)   Howell is a long and rangy combo forward that went to work at the Collinsville Holiday Tournament.  Liked how he worked out of the mid-post area for turnaround jumpers, quick passes, and used his springs to fly in on the glass.  Finished out of the dunker spot and used his length well defensively.  Against Lincoln he had 16 points and 9 rebounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='2389804' first='Lucas' last='Thompson'] (Triad – 2028)   Sophomore forward brought it in the semis against MacArthur.  He is a plus three point shooter with a soft touch on his shot from distance as he was 3-7 behind the line.  Skilled ball handler as well on spin moves and crafty takes through contact netting 16 points and grabbing 5 rebounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='2393606' first='Cole' last='Jansons'] (Oswego – 2028)   Solid showing from the legit five man in the consolation championship game for Oswego.  The skilled post scored through contact and got on the glass for 7 points.  Potential as a rim protector.  His best basketball is ahead of him!   [player_tooltip player_id='2369943' first='John' last='Morgan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2369867' first='Ryan' last='Morgan'] (Crystal Lake South – 2028)   The Morgan twins show flashes of the players they are on the way to becoming.  John is a playmaking five out of the mid-post that can handle it off the bounce finishing through contact.  Ryan used his power finishing out of the dunker spot and a big jump stop before finishing inside.   [player_tooltip player_id='2411146' first='Edwin' last='Karnauchovas'] (Buffalo Grove – 2028)   Karnauchovas is a point guard that plays with a ton of toughness.  He is a solid set up man that will get others involved along with scoring with creativity on step throughs, scoop shots, and and-1s.   [player_tooltip player_id='2751053' first='Jacob' last='Only'] (St. Viator – 2028)   Only is the lead guard for St. Viator as a sophomore.  Well built guard that pushes the pace and has a good feel for the game.  Drive and kick facilitator along with just being a connective passer.  Got past defenders with his burst scoring 9 points.

***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***