Pinckneyville Panther Showcase: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday I spent the day at the Pinckneyville Panther Showcase which is always a fun day of hoops with prospects from all over southern Illinois and St. Louis.&nbsp; Here is a look at all the action from the day in <strong>Pinckneyville Panther Showcase: Scotty B's Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairfield Puts Clamps on in Second Half for Mules Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first game of the day Greenville was rolling in the first half, but the second half was all Fairfield as they came back to win 61-51.&nbsp; They were led by Jake Easton as the senior 5'9” guard earned game MVP honors with a 20 point outing.&nbsp; Thick guard that used his toughness on straight line takes along with hitting three triples in the win.&nbsp; Owen Gruen is a 2027 forward that has some size at 6'5” scoring on slashes, euro steps converting with off hand, and give/go buckets for 11 points.&nbsp; Breychan Kovacich is one to watch as a junior that impacted on both ends while scoring 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenville had the most impressive prospect on the floor in 2028 6'1” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2873383' first='Christian' last='Swalley'].&nbsp; Good athlete is a multi sport guy that can really shoot the basketball off the move.&nbsp; Clean stroke with a quick release as he had 18 points including four threes.&nbsp; His junior brother 6'0” [player_tooltip player_id='2831746' first='Austin' last='Swalley'] chipped in 11 points as an inside/outside threat.&nbsp; Name to watch long term is 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2916484' first='Taevon' last='Petty'].&nbsp; Long and lanky 6'2” wing is a freshman with projection that flashed on glass and had a nice coast to coast take.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Griffo and Marlow-Evans Duel as Mascoutah Edges Past Carbondale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up was a fun contest between Carbondale and Mascoutah.&nbsp; It came down to the last shot with Mascoutah winning 56-55.&nbsp; Their 2027 combo guard Micah Griffo lit it up in this game!&nbsp; At about 6'2” he was in Steph Curry mode for parts of the game scoring off movement with a feathery shot coming off his hand from deep.&nbsp; Mixed in floaters and acrobatic finishes for 28 points.&nbsp; Carbondale was forced to face guard him in the 4^th quarter.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2871705' first='Brayden' last='Watson'] is a name to watch in 2029.&nbsp; The 6'5” broad shouldered forward brings explosive pop off the floor getting second chance points on the boards, is a solid defender, and shoots it well from the line.&nbsp; He had 8 points.&nbsp; Michael King also scored 7 points in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carbondale's star guard [player_tooltip player_id='2823690' first='Jaxon' last='Marlow-Evans'] lit it up all game long scoring 22 points.&nbsp; Good small college guard that isn't the biggest at 5'10”, but man does this kid have heart!&nbsp; Consistently attacked the paint all game long for scores off the bounce using his quickness to get in the paint for scores.&nbsp; Shakes his man off the bounce and has body control at the rim scoring and getting fouled.&nbsp; Undersized 6'2” lefty post Mikaden Greene is a thick bodied four that was big in their comeback attempt as he was crafty around the hoop using his strength and touch for 15 points.&nbsp; Couple of wings in Destin Watson-Spears and Deon Overy had flashes scoring 7 points and 6 points respectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Muphysboro Veteran Trio Too Much for Meridian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a show of size and seniority as Murphysboro doubled up Meridian 62-31 in the third game of the day.&nbsp; Murphysboro 2026 6'7” wide bodied five man [player_tooltip player_id='2823657' first='Kemmeon' last='Hale'] is a force inside.&nbsp; Against a smaller Meridian team there was nothing they could do as he overpowered them scoring inside and on the glass.&nbsp; Carves out space down low, gets on the glass, and is an intimidating defensive force.&nbsp; Also got loose on a couple transition slams.&nbsp; He had 18 points and 13 rebounds.&nbsp; Great option at the small college or JUCO level.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2831779' first='Myles' last='Guthman'] is another player that can play at that level as the 6'4” wing was more of a shooter when we had previously seen him, but he was tough as nails scoring off the bounce and with transition scores in the win as he had 21 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2385164' first='Cash' last='Brooks'] is a 2027 guard that notched 9 points in the win as he showed flair as a lead guard with creativity to his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meridian was led in scoring by Cassius Woodson as the 6'0” senior guard had 10 points.&nbsp; Jumped passing lanes for scores and played off his athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Triad Depth Steps Up in Victory over Freeburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a game that could have gone either way at the end Triad won 50-47 over Freeburg as they got big performances out of 2027 shooting guard Justin Schrage and 2026 wing [player_tooltip player_id='2823684' first='Nolan' last='Keller'].&nbsp; Schrage put his name on our radar with a strong performance showcasing his athleticism and all-around game.&nbsp; Hit the glass, finished out of dunker spot, ran floor, hit a three, and was always around the ball.&nbsp; He had 15 points.&nbsp; Keller got game MVP honors with 16 points.&nbsp; Shooting guard got buckets from three levels with his shot making from distance along with aggressive takes for 16 points.&nbsp; The Thompson brothers usually lead the way in scoring, but they showcased their versatility in this one.&nbsp; Class of 2028 wing [player_tooltip player_id='2389804' first='Lucas' last='Thompson'] had 10 points scoring in transition, spot up threes, and getting to the line.&nbsp; Liked his passing in the half court.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1552447' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] couldn't find his shot, but the senior wing with size did it in other ways as a willing passer, versatile defender, and rebounded very well in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freeburg's star is their 2026 big man Oren Byman.  Five man has legit size and is a nice get for Rend Lake.  He works well in pick/roll situations.  Right handed hook shot, sweeping take on an and-1 from the mid-post, and got on the glass for 10 points and 8 rebounds.  Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2825695' first='Brady' last='Kerr'] is a 2027 to continue to monitor as he had 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Centralia Scores Win over Waltonville in Fun Environment</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The gym really started to get going with this game as Centralia took on Waltonville.&nbsp; 3A southern Illinois power vs annual small school contender with a ton of talent on both sides.&nbsp; Waltonville hung with the Orphans within a few possessions for most of the game before Centralia pulled away to win 60-47.&nbsp; Centralia 2028 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2751256' first='Archie' last='Goewey'] continues to live up to his billing as a top 20 hoops recruit.&nbsp; He had 17 points in the win as the wing showcased his outside touch along with scoring on instinctive cuts off ball.&nbsp; Bouncy 2028 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2826261' first='Kenny' last='Bratton'] opened the game with a spark for Centralia playing above the rim with a sweeping take, put back, and throwing down a lob.&nbsp; Played above the hoop defensively as well blocking shots while scoring 8 points.&nbsp; Their point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2125643' first='Jaxson' last='Hancock'] is the conductor of this team with his vision and passing feel in the half court along with crisp ball handling and timely shots netting 12 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2894776' first='Devin' last=''] Meier continues to fight through a shoulder injury and isn't the sharp shooter he usually is because of it, but his absolute tenacity on the glass was extremely impactful as he had 8 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waltonville 2027 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2384747' first='Witten' last='Devor'] entered the rankings on Monday and already deserves another look at that after dropping 25 points hitting heat checks one after another.&nbsp; Bombed in 5 triples along with an array of tough mid-range shots.&nbsp; Their star senior [player_tooltip player_id='1552409' first='Gage' last='Peterson'] didn't have the long ball working, but scored inside 15 feet with tough mid-range shots along with post ups and acrobatic layups for 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Columbia Comes Back Late to Shock Host Pinckneyville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It looked like Pinckneyville had it all wrapped up against Columbia as the small school powers clashed on Saturday night.&nbsp; Led by nine at the half and were pretty much in control the entire game until late when the press came and they just turned it over too many times.&nbsp; Columbia picked up momentum with each steal and bucket.&nbsp; With 16 seconds left Columbia put it in their star [player_tooltip player_id='1790001' first='Eddie' last='Smajic'] hands who did not have a good game at all, but they trusted him and he buried a dagger three to give Columbia the win 47-45.&nbsp; That was one of two shots the usual sharp shooter saw go in for six points in the game.&nbsp; Creighton baseball commit [player_tooltip player_id='2376280' first='Brody' last='Landgraf'] led the way with 12 points.&nbsp; Skilled post on the hardwood who is assertive on the baseline and has touch around the hoop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Pinckneyville it was pretty much the [player_tooltip player_id='2323278' first='Ty' last='Laur'] show.&nbsp; The Southern Illinois commit showcased his low post game sealing multiple times, good footwork, and put it on the deck from the mid-post area.&nbsp; Right hand hook shot was on point.&nbsp; His passing continues to be his biggest asset in my eyes as he sees the floor so well in a variety of settings and spots on the floor.&nbsp; Very high IQ for the game.&nbsp; Rebounded well in his area throughout as he had 19 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coleman's Final McDonald's All-American Statement in Principia Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The McDonald's All-American Game rosters will be announced this upcoming week.&nbsp; One of the players that should be in the game is Principia shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2352805' first='Quentin' last='Coleman'].&nbsp; The Wake Forest commit is one of the hottest names in the 2026 class nationally ever since a massive showing at Peach Jam and dominant senior season including on the national stage at City of Palms.&nbsp; It's probably already decided, but he has my vote after another terrific outing as Principia topped Mt. Vernon 73-47!&nbsp; Saturday night Coleman went to work as always with his complete game.&nbsp; Opened with a feathery three off the catch and would later hit one on a step back.&nbsp; Effortless handles getting to the cup off the bounce.&nbsp; That was none more evident on one secondary break play where he crossed his man and accelerated past the defense like they were standing still.&nbsp; High level passer playing on or off the ball.&nbsp; Works very well in pick/roll situations along with finding cutters when attacking.&nbsp; Defensively he is super active getting steals and blocked a jumper.&nbsp; Notched 21 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2377735' first='Kingston' last='Money'] continues to perform at a high level for this squad.&nbsp; The wing brings plus athleticism and a lethal mid-range J that he poured in to the tune of 16 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2334910' first='Sekou' last='Cisse'] is a 2027 five man that is pretty much automatic in the pick/roll as a finisher and lob threat.&nbsp; Did it over and over again.&nbsp; Rebounds at a high level in traffic.&nbsp; High-major player.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2334905' first='Gassim' last='Toure'] is another legit player in the 2027 class.&nbsp; Wing athlete that rebounds, defends, and hits open shots as he had 9 points.&nbsp; They have a 6'9” freshman post in Majok Ater who has a world of upside.&nbsp; Long and lanky frame and is an explosive finisher around the rim as the fluid athlete notched 6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game was a little closer than the score might indicate.&nbsp; Despite trailing from the jump we liked the fight we saw out of Mt. Vernon especially their two stars.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2455403' first='David' last='Barnes'] is a junk yard dog 2027 wing that was not intimidated as he kept attacking the big Principia front line.&nbsp; Pounded scores inside with his strength in transition, spin moves, and tough takes for 22 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2334401' first='Cale' last='Maurer'] is the senior star as the lefty played with a high activity level while scoring the majority of his points in the paint along with one three for 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->