Young Prospects Headline Night 1 at Salem Invitational Tournament

<a>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</a>   The Salem Invitational Tournament is an event that I have a lot of fond memories of growing up and throughout my career.  The annual mid-winter tournament kicked off on Wednesday night with quarterfinals as Centralia moved to 20-1 on the season with a 66-40 win against Champaign Central.  Then it was Mattoon getting the victory over host Salem 62-45.  Time to look at the prospects who caught our attention!   [player_tooltip player_id='2751256' first='Archie' last='Goewey'] (Centralia – 2028)   Goewey is a top 20 prospect in both hoops as a wing and football as a QB.  Quite the athlete!  The sophomore won MVP at this event a year ago as a freshman and is off to a good start to repeat as he led the way for the Orphans with 18 points in the victory.  Like the positional size on the wing at 6'4” with the ability to really knock down shots from the perimeter draining four from distance.  Up and under post moves, shot fakes for drives, and is a high level connective passer.  Potential D1 hooper if he opts for that route.   [player_tooltip player_id='2826261' first='Kenny' last='Bratton'] (Centralia – 2028)   Bratton is also a highly ranked prospect on the gridiron as the athletic forward doubles as a big time wide receiver.  He has made strides since we last saw him on the hardwood with his overall skill level particularly his spot up shooting as he loved knocking them in from the corners.  Finished out of dunker spot and put it on the deck several times.  Quick to the glass on both ends, improved passer in half court, and really defends at a high level.  He had 16 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='2751229' first='Michael' last='Organ'] (Centralia – 2027)   Organ is the shooting specialist on this team and that is what he brought as the junior had 9 points in the wing including a couple of threes.  Quick and concise release from the compactly built guard.   [player_tooltip player_id='2125643' first='Jaxson' last='Hancock'] (Centralia – 2027)   Hancock is the floor general that runs the offense and keeps everything going.  High IQ guard that is a coaches son and you can tell!  Feel in the half court making the extra dish for a better shot.  Mixed in a couple jumpers for 9 points.   Kruz Jackson (Centralia – 2028)   Jackson goes 6'1” and has been creating some buzz with his early season play.  Scrappy defender who got after it on that end creating turnovers.  Was at his best offensively getting downhill for layups and scoop shots netting 10 points.   Treyton Branch (Centralia – 2029)   Branch is a 5'11” freshman guard that got action in the first half and has some projectability.  Flashed on an and-1 score along with playing with poise.   Dre Hooper (Centralia – 2028)   Hooper is another new named that popped to us with his athleticism on a strong take along with getting on the glass for a put back.   [player_tooltip player_id='2913371' first='Cayden' last='Love'] (Champaign Central – 2027)   Love is a junior shooting guard that provided most of the offense for the Maroons on this night.  The strong and athletic two has a compact frame.  Shot it well from three banging in four of them including several deep ones with defenders in his face.  Sweeping layups and a nice give and go.  Notched 20 points in the loss.   [player_tooltip player_id='2963436' first='Landyn' last='Cooper Sutton'] (Champaign Central – 2028)   Cooper Sutton is a slender 2028 lead guard that is crafty around the hoop as a finisher.  Showcased the float game along with draining a clean looking three for 7 points.   Lincoln Hayes (Mattoon – 2026)   Hayes is a 6'2” senior point guard who showed promise in this game.  Strong handles with the ability to score off the dribble on crisp takes with acrobatic finishes.  Also snuck in a couple times on the offensive glass for put backs and hit a three for 17 points.   Jayvien Middleton (Mattoon – 2027)   Middleton is an angular 6'2” small forward in the junior class that played off his athleticism and energy.  Quick to the boards for second chance points, pushed in transition coast to coast off his defense, and had a nice shot fake for a drive finishing with 8 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='3427821' first='Tyler' last='Haacke'] (Mattoon – 2027)   Haacke definitely caught our attention as a 6'3” junior wing with some projection.  He has a clean stroke from three which he showcased early in the game.  Mixed in floaters and transition scores for 13 points.   Max Wetzel (Mattoon – 2028)   Wetzel had a big second half for the Green Wave.  The sophomore 5'10” guard got it going from distance banging in a trio from deep.  Crafty finisher in the paint on soft touch finishes as well notching 13 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='2873314' first='Avery' last='Gullion'] and Payton Gullion (Salem – 2027)   The 6'3” twins for Salem are their top prospects.  Good size as guards that can handle it and have nice length.  Avery attacked the hoop for a couple of drives along with swatting multiple shots for 8 points.  Payton proved to be a solid passer, active defender, and got to the foul line for 9 points.   Owen Tennyson (Salem – 2029)   Tennyson is a freshman that has some athletic pop and length at 6'0”.  The guard showed a clean jumper on a corner three along with a mid-range shot late for 5 points.

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