Standouts from the 2025 Maine East Holiday Tournament

The Maine East Holiday Tournament has had great basketball and performances throughout. From the games I was able to watch, these players below had great games or impressive performances in the first couple days of the tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='1552448' first='Brady' last='Larsen'] (2027) | 6'3 G | Vernon Hills High School   Larsen started off his tournament with an efficient 15 points helping lead his team to a win. Larsen displayed the ability to finish strong at the rim with either hand. He has a good jab step that allows him to break down defenders and finish strong at the rim. Off of his drives, he showed good vision finding open teammates. In the PnR he made some nice pocket passes that allowed his teammates to get good looks at the rim. Larsen has a smooth jumper that allows him to knock down threes from deep.    [player_tooltip player_id='2403780' first='Graham' last='Lis'] (2027) | 6'0 G | Vernon Hills High School   Lis plays the point guard position very well. He has a good handle and vision that allow him to create plays for himself and his teammates. Lis' decision making on the court is a strength of his, which helps limit turnovers. The lefty can shoot the three and attack the basket at a high level. Lis finished one game with 11 points and tallied some assists to go along with it.    Matt Novak (2026) | 6'0 F | Elk Grove High School   Novak is a force inside on both ends of the floor. A great rebounder who is constantly hustling and diving for loose balls. Novak gets his team extra possessions with his effort on the offensive glass. He is super composed with the ball in the post, rarely taking forced shots. Novak has impressive footwork on his spins and pumpfakes that allow him to get good looks at the rim. He can also find teammates out of the post allowing the offense to run smoothly. In a victory, he finished with a double double showcasing his strong presence inside.    [player_tooltip player_id='2439367' first='Jeramyah' last='Tucker'] (2027) | 6'1 G | Berwyn/Cicero Morton High School   Tucker showcased his 3 level scoring abilities throughout the entire tournament. Tucker has a clean jumpshot that allows him to knock down threes consistently and rise up on shots in the mid range. He is a tough shot maker who can also finish well at the rim. Tucker's handle allows him to create shots for himself anywhere on the floor. He had multiple games with over 10 points.    [player_tooltip player_id='2439344' first='Chas' last='Ontiveros'] (2027) | 6'4 F | Berwyn/Cicero Morton High School   Ontiveros showcased his 2 way abilities throughout the tournament. He attacks the rim at a high level, using his length to finish over defenders. Ontiveros is super effective when he is driving downhill to his right and has a quick controlled spin that creates a lot of space. Defensively, he can be in the passing lanes with deflections and steals but is more effective around the rim where he blocks shots at the rim. In a close win against Grayslake North, Ontiveros finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds.    Kendall McDowell (2027) | 6'2 F | Sandburg High School   McDowell started the tournament with 14 points and a handful of assists in a win for Sandburg. He is great at attacking the basket, especially with his left hand. McDowell can finish through contact but also makes great drop off passes on his drives. This is why teams can have a difficult time guarding him on drives. Defensively, McDowell is quick laterally and can guard multiple positions.    [player_tooltip player_id='2821694' first='Jonah' last='Johnson'] (2026) | 6'2 F | Sandburg High School   Johnson is a long athletic wing that can play both sides of the floor. Johnson excels at getting to the rim and finishing over defenders. He uses his athleticism to stack up rebounds on both the offensive and defensive glass. Defensively, he uses his size to his advantage stopping guys on drives. He also plays well as a help defender, able to deter shots at the rim.    [player_tooltip player_id='3300543' first='Bryson' last='Dagon'] (2027) | G | Sandburg High School   Dagon had a very good tournament but had 17 points in a win to help Sandburg advance in the tourney. Dagon can score at all three levels, making him a difficult guard. He can get to his spots in the mid range where he has a smooth pull up jumper. Dagon was super active on the offensive glass where he had many rebounds and tips to earn his team extra possessions. Defensively, he is a strong on ball defender who can switch on to multiple positions.    Robert Darling (2028) | G | Leyden High School   In Darling's first game of the tournament he dropped a very efficient 23 points. He is super shift and has a crafty handle allowing him to break down his defender and get to the rim. Darling can also knock shots down from beyond the arc, making defenses play up on him. Darling handles ball pressure very well either dribbling out of double teams or making the right pass.    [player_tooltip player_id='2446889' first='Albert' last='Cooper'] (2028) | G | Maine East High School   Cooper had multiple games with over 10 points, finishing his last game in the tournament with 18 points. The sophomore guard gets downhill at a high rate and has nice touch with his floaters around the rim. Cooper is efficient at attacking the rim and can finish over taller defenders. He can also knock down the occasional three. Defensively, he has good fundamentals and footwork when guarding the ball.    [player_tooltip player_id='2369873' first='Jared' last='Van Donselaar'] (2028) | 6'7 G/F | Grayslake North High School   Van Donselaar is a big lefty who can finish around the rim and stretch the floor. He has a nice handle for his height and has the ability to bring the ball up the floor. Van Donselaar has good vision and uses his height to pass over defenders. The sophomore forward excels with the ball in the post, where he can finish over defenders but also make good reads out of it.    Zayd Ibrahim (2026) | 6'0 G | MCC Academy   Ibrahim is a super efficient scorer with a great handle. Ibrahim is a 3 level scorer who has the ability to make tough shots. He has a smooth jumpshot and can get to his spots anywhere on the floor. Ibrahim can finish around the rim and has good range from beyond the arc. He is very effective with the ball in his hands and has a great change of pace.

The Maine East Holiday Tournament has had great basketball and performances throughout. From the games I was able to watch, these players below had great games or impressive performances in the first couple days of the tournament.