Week 10: Underclassmen Making Waves

Week 11 is underway, but it's worth taking a step back to revisit some of last week's action with an eye toward the underclassmen who made an impact. Last Wednesday, a non-conference matchup as Nazareth Academy (East Suburban Catholic) took on Downers Grove North (West Suburban–Silver). A late fourth quarter effort by Roadrunners came up short as DGN escaped with a 49-44 victory.   On Saturday, Glenbrook South hosted the Hoops Against Hate Showcase, featuring eight teams. I witnessed the opening game, a tightly contested battle between Lake Forest and Deerfield, as the Warriors rallied and ended with a 46-43 triumph.   Now, here are my takeaways on individual underclassmen performances that stood out, highlighting prospects who played meaningful roles for their teams.    Donahue knocked down tough shots against Lake Forest that helped Deerfield gradually seize control. He connected on two crafty baseline pull-ups, including a fading jumper at the third-quarter buzzer to give the Warriors a 33–30 lead. He stayed in constant motion along the perimeter, finding space to spot up from deep and drilling two three-pointers on the afternoon.   The 6'4” combo guard blends ball-handling with shot-making ability and projects as a significant factor for Deerfield as postseason play approaches.     Haas endured a tough afternoon shooting the ball, as shots simply didn't fall. Had he found a rhythm offensively, the outcome may have swung differently, with Lake Forest positioned to potentially pull off the upset against Deerfield. He did connect on his lone three-pointer in the fourth quarter, providing a spark.   Even with an off shooting night, Haas found ways to impact the game. He was active on the glass from the opening tip and stayed engaged throughout, showing consistent effort rebounding. Encouragingly, his scoring struggles didn't affect his overall presence, as he also displayed passing vision by finding teammates cutting through the defense.     Picek is a new name to know in the sophomore class, and it was his collection of small plays and consistent hustle against Deerfield that made him stand out. He played with a good low defensive stance, showing quickness sliding with ball-handlers and a willingness to apply pressure on the perimeter. In the halfcourt, he was active as a cutter, slipping in front of defenders to create angles and gain access to the rim off feeds.     Woo is another new name to track in the 2028 class alongside his teammate Picek. He showed his ability as a perimeter shooter, knocking down two three-pointers against Deerfield, including a big make in the fourth quarter that trimmed the Warriors' lead to 42–40.   Beyond the shooting, Woo displayed feel and awareness, delivering a nice read to a cutter and timing his own cut perfectly for a finish at the rim. He connected on a couple of timely shots late, helping keep Lake Forest within striking distance down the stretch.     Doyle was the key player in Downers Grove North's win over Nazareth. The 6'7” junior brings length and physicality, making his presence felt early from the block. He posted with purpose, showed touch on a baby hook, and kept his head up to read the defense and deliver smart passes out of the paint.   He competed with grit on the glass, attacking missed shots and outworking defenders for offensive rebounds. On the perimeter, Doyle showed a strong rip-through to get downhill and into the paint. Even without the ball, he found soft spots in the defense, creating easy drop-off opportunities for his guards. Defensively, his help-side awareness and activity stood out as well.     Crowley competed with poise as a sophomore, showing comfort in multiple roles. Off the ball, he created spot-up opportunities, while with the ball he displayed versatility as a handler, attacking effectively with both hands. His use of ball screens was another positive, showing patience as he allowed plays to develop rather than forcing action.   He also made several plays that came purely from effort, and his foundation of sound fundamentals points toward continued, successful development moving forward.     Ganier caught the eye immediately upon checking into the game, making an instant impact off the bench. His defensive awareness stood out, showing proper closeouts with a high hand, solid lateral movement, and the ability to beat a ball-handler to the spot on a drive to draw a charge.   Offensively, he knocked down a wing three against Nazareth, but it was his defensive presence that defined his role. Ganier's attention to detail and effort on that end proved valuable in the flow of the game.     Another junior making an impact off the DGN bench, O'Reilly stood out with his hustle and effort plays. Despite being undersized, he grabbed key rebounds, dove for loose balls, and consistently put his body on the line. He also contributed offensively, knocking down two three-pointers, showing awareness of his role and executing it effectively.

Week 11 is underway, but it's worth taking a step back to revisit some of last week's action with an eye toward the underclassmen who made an impact. Last Wednesday, a non-conference matchup as Nazareth Academy (East Suburban Catholic) took on Downers Grove North (West Suburban–Silver). A late fourth quarter effort by Roadrunners came up short as DGN escaped with a 49-44 victory.