What 2026 X-Factors Elevated Teams at Holiday Tournaments?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During a nine day period I covered games from Jacobs, Elgin, Wheeling, Hinsdale Central, Jack Tosh, Collinsville, Pekin, Duster-Thomas, and Pontiac.&nbsp; Who were the senior players that were the x-factors for their teams elevating them to new heights?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aidan Hopkins (Lakes – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopkins ignited Lakes in the second half as he was a key part to their victory.&nbsp; Hit several these, got loose in transition, and banked in a runner finishing with 15 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tiago Gray (Prairie Ridge – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liked what this big bodied five man brought to the table for Prairie Ridge in their near upset of Geneva.&nbsp; Rebounded well in area and was an excellent passer out of the paint and high-post for cutters and shooters.&nbsp; Scored 8 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2823438' first='Lawrence' last='Sallis'] (Larkin – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sallis really helped Larkin get the win at Hinkle vs host Jacobs.&nbsp; The 6'6” power forward scored in transition running the floor, sealed for bucket, quick to the offensive glass, and shot it well from the foul line.&nbsp; He had 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552481' first='Rocco' last='Pagliocca'] (Stevenson – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High IQ guard that is a crisp passer.&nbsp; He can do a little bit of everything knocking in shots, creative finisher, and quality distributor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552444' first='Carter' last='Newsome'] (Waukegan – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newsome didn't score in the game we covered, but the lead guard was super impactful as he created turnovers with his relentless pressure on the ball and trapping.&nbsp; Offensively he as always was on the money with his passing!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2405377' first='Darrin' last='Dick'] (Palatine – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior guard didn't score much, but was super important to his team in their first round win with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.&nbsp; He has a nose for the basketball and makes others around him better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Henry Schlickman (Wheaton North – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rock solid senior guard that had 10 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds in their opening round win.&nbsp; He is a pass first guard that does it with some flair and is a capable shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2848654' first='Sawyer' last='Holstine'] (Nazareth Academy – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Naz to win Holstine is going to have to step up.&nbsp; He gave his team a chance in their game against Metamora.&nbsp; Couple threes, jump stops for scores, and got after it defensively in a 13 point outing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552395' first='Sean' last='Day'] (Downers Grove South – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Day is so key to the success of what DGS does.&nbsp; The lefty combo guard gets after it on the defensive side of the ball, has sound passing instincts, and is a solid finisher at the cup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2397705' first='Noah' last='Therapos'] (Hinsdale South – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tough as nails lead guard that is a solid shooter from beyond the arc and has some playmaking in his bag.&nbsp; For his team to win Therapos has to produce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nathan Fridman (Glenbard North – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fridman is the guy who makes everything go for GBN.&nbsp; He is a scrappy left handed floor general that looks to pass first.&nbsp; Can put zip on passes and find his teammates off live dribbles for sweet dimes!&nbsp; Also a capable shooter from three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1977254' first='Luke' last='Smith'] (Althoff – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is a skilled combo guard that can play on or off the ball.&nbsp; When he needs to score he can as in the game we saw he won off the dribble with crisp handles and body control at the cup.&nbsp; Solid passer as well making good reads in the half court.&nbsp; He had 15 points in their win vs Quincy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323312' first='Karson' last='Komnick'] (Lincoln – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Komnick erupted in the final game of the second day at Collinsville against the host Kahoks.&nbsp; Skilled guard that plays well within the Railsplitters offense with his ability to cut, shoot, and create on his own when needed.&nbsp; 29 points in their victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2245708' first='JR' last='Swift'] (Crane – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swift continues to have a strong season as the spark for Crane.&nbsp; He is a guard that knocks in pull up jumpers, gets after it defensively, and is a perfect compliment to their stars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2334406' first='Kyle' last='Cooper'] (Woodlawn – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior guard from Woodlawn had 12 points and 3 assists in the Duster Thomas championship game.&nbsp; Worked well in the mid-range pulling up and wins on straight line takes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->