Underclassmen Light It Up at When Sides Collide

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual <strong>When Sides Collide</strong> event at Benet Academy is known for showcasing some of the top talent in the Chicagoland area, and this year several underclassmen took advantage of the big stage. From physical post play to high-motor guards impacting winning in multiple ways, these young prospects made their presence felt throughout the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2405910' first='Denym' last='Wallace'] – New Trier | 2029 | 6'7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wallace showed why he's one of the more intriguing freshmen bigs in the area. Possessing a wide, physical frame, Wallace was comfortable operating on the block and didn't shy away from contact. He finished efficiently with either hand, flashing soft touch with his left and even converting a teardrop over a defender. His physicality stood out on both ends as he battled inside, finishing the game with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and a block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'] – Bolingbrook | 2028 | 6'4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top prospects in the sophomore class, Pettigrew put together a polished scoring performance. He showed a variety of finishes in the paint—floaters, euros, and strong takes through contact—while using his explosive athleticism to score with either hand. Pettigrew continues to expand his offensive arsenal, particularly in the mid-post where he elevates cleanly on fadeaways. He led Bolingbrook with 26 points, asserting himself as the go-to option.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2532021' first='Mason' last='Williams'] – Bolingbrook | 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams didn't have a big scoring night, but his impact was felt on the defensive end. The quick, bouncy guard was a constant pest on the perimeter and made one of the highlight plays of the event, elevating high to swat a shot off the backboard. His energy and defensive presence stood out, even without the offensive production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531981' first='Cole' last='Kelly'] – Neuqua Valley | 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a slow start offensively while [player_tooltip player_id='2839878' first='Mason' last='Martin'] carried the scoring load, Kelly flipped the switch in the second half. He ramped up his activity, attacking the glass hard and pushing the pace off rebounds, often going coast-to-coast. Kelly used strong footwork and body control to get to his spots, showing an advanced feel for sealing defenders in the post and scoring with simple effective moves. He was just as disruptive defensively, showing great timing around the rim and finishing with six blocks. Kelly posted one of the best stat lines of the event with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2842573' first='Blake' last='Choice'] – DePaul Prep | 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The starting guard for DePaul Prep impacted the game beyond the box score. While his scoring was limited, he helped steady the offense and made winning plays when it mattered. His biggest moment came late in the third quarter, when he jumped a passing lane for a steal and dished to [player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] for a buzzer-beating basket. Logging meaningful minutes in high-level games continues to build Choice's confidence as DePaul Prep pushes toward another deep state tournament run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->