IHSA State Finals: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We were back at it for the second day of the IHSA State Finals with the 3A and 4A semis.&nbsp; Check out everything we saw with a ton of high quality games and ranked prospects throughout the day in <strong>IHSA State Finals: Scotty B's Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3A Semi Finals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Deerfield Knocks Off Undefeated Kaneland in OT Thriller Headlined by Big Man Battle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First up was an absolute thriller as Deerfield led pretty much the entire game, but Kaneland's second half surge got them back in it late as [player_tooltip player_id='1552428' first='Marshawn' last='Cocroft'] tied the game banking in a floater late in regulation to send it to OT.&nbsp; In the extra session Deerfield went to their Dartmouth commit [player_tooltip player_id='1552404' first='Jake' last='Pollack'] for a couple key buckets and impactful defensive plays getting the win 49-48.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pollack was super impactful in the victory.&nbsp; The skilled face up four played inside and out throughout the game showing he could knock in a three, pass, and had a sweet turnaround jumper.&nbsp; Did most of his damage in the paint with skilled post moves for buckets and using his strength to draw contact getting to the foul line.&nbsp; Positioned himself well on the boards and did a nice job defensively protecting the rim as he had 20 points (6-14 FG) (7-8 FT), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 blocks putting together a complete performance leading his team to the title game.&nbsp; Case Western Reserve bound wing [player_tooltip player_id='2217962' first='Evan' last='Nagler'] got Deerfield going in the first quarter as he hit a couple threes and showed off his athleticism on a sweeping layup netting 11 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2403346' first='Drew' last='Schnurman'] had a stretch for Deerfield giving them a spark off the bench as the 2029 shooting guard at 6'1” poured in three triples for 9 points.&nbsp; Name to keep on the radar moving forward!&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2125685' first='Tommy' last='Donahue'] is a junior two guard that shot it well from mid-range and three elevating his play in the second half to give Pollack the help he needed as he went for 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaneland's 1-2 punch of [player_tooltip player_id='1552428' first='Marshawn' last='Cocroft'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2391672' first='Jeffrey' last='Hassan'] combined for just 2 points in the first half, but they were still within striking distance.&nbsp; Hassan flipped a switch in the second half going beast mode as the top 10 2027 in Illinois was super impactful on both ends.&nbsp; Snatched rebounds defensively at a very high rate all game long boxing out and grabbing them with his strong hands.&nbsp; In the second half he swatted a ton of shots and altered others as one of the premier shot blockers in the state with his timing, anticipation, and athleticism.&nbsp; The offense started to show too with a massive tip slam, up and under move for dunk, then a shot fake blow by for a slam.&nbsp; He had 10 points (4-9 FG), 15 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 assists.&nbsp; Cocroft was looking to set up others in the first half getting dribble penetration then kicking to his shot mkers.&nbsp; In the second half he got his starting with his defense turning into points on the other end.&nbsp; Mixed in floaters, shakes for pull ups, and had a sweeping bank in off the bounce to send the game to OT.&nbsp; The Grand Valley State commit had 8 points (4-13 FG) , 4 assists, and 3 steals.&nbsp; Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2393974' first='Evan' last='Frieders'] made an impression the last two games as a three and D wing who can knock down a shot and get after it defensively with his length notching 10 points and 2 steals.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2435952' first='Connor' last='Kimme'] (10 points) and Jalen Carter (9 points) each flashed with their three point shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East St. Louis Continues to Be Second Half Team Pulling Away from Leo to Move to Finals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I told several people before the game that East St. Louis is a second half team.&nbsp; They once again proved that in the semis leading by a four point margin at the half then increasing it to a winning margin over Leo 59-40 to advance to the championship game on Saturday.&nbsp; East St. Louis senior shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2822953' first='Alex' last='Johnson'] continues to post in the postseason!&nbsp; He had 19 points and 10 rebounds in the Flyers victory.&nbsp; He was aggressive slicing and dicing in the lane in addition to having the feathery jumper flowing.&nbsp; Few and-1s and used his instincts on the defensive end in the win.&nbsp; Their junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2962335' first='Phillip' last='Jones'] took it to another level in the second half.&nbsp; The Flyers floor general was more assertive as both a scorer and passer.&nbsp; Emerging 2027 talent is slippery off the bounce getting acrobatic shots in the paint for himself or slick passes to teammates for assists.&nbsp; Lived in the paint all game notching 17 points (6-9 FG), 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.&nbsp; Penn State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1873523' first='Jamison' last='White'] was dominant on the glass absolutely mauling all game long on both ends.&nbsp; Didn't shoot it particularly well from the field (4-12 FG) or line (4-10 FT), but his overall impact with his physicality and intensity are always felt notching 11 points and 15 rebounds in the win.&nbsp; Breakout player of the game was 2029 small forward Emaurion Jackson.&nbsp; The 6'4” wing came off the bench providing major juice for the Flyers.&nbsp; Long and lanky frame slashed off the bounce, knocked in a pull up J, got on the glass, and passed it well.&nbsp; Length plays laterally on the defensive end as well.&nbsp; One to definitely monitor in the 2029 class as he had 9 points (3-5 FG).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Leo the most impressive prospect was definitely their own 2029 standout in [player_tooltip player_id='2964028' first='Elon' last='Henderson'].&nbsp; Top 2029 post early in the process came off the bench not scared at all of White or the moment.&nbsp; Lanky five man blocked and altered quite a few shots in the paint, finished out of the dunker spot, and hit a pair of threes for 8 points (3-5 FG), 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2527254' first='Brian' last='Kizer Jr']. is a junior guard who emerged on our radar last summer and he has become a high-motor slashing guard that can also knock down a shot.&nbsp; Got loose in transition along with hitting a three and pull up off a shot fake for 11 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2532329' first='Jeremiah' last='Echols'] had flashes as the 2027 guard will move into our next ranking of that class.&nbsp; Can shoot it from three and is a solid passer finishing with 8 points and 3 dimes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4A Semi Finals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marist Blows Out York to Move On to 4A Title Game with Defense, Balance, and Passing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one was not close from the jump as Marist opened up 19-4 on York and never looked back winning by a final of 55-38.&nbsp; It was their pressure defense at the point of attack along with getting in passing lanes that turned York over one time after another.&nbsp; It was relentless and they scored on the offensive end in transition in a hurry scoring 23 points off turnovers!&nbsp; Also their passing as a group was phenomenal as they had 12 assists on 21 made baskets.&nbsp; Shared the wealth with a balanced scoring attack.&nbsp; Their top performer was probably 2027 combo forward [player_tooltip player_id='2125658' first='Kendall' last='Meyers'].&nbsp; Skilled forward that can handle it and was super impactful on the defensive end creating turnovers and getting them going the other way.&nbsp; Very good in transition and can really pass.&nbsp; He had 15 points (6-10 FG), 5 steals, and 4 rebounds.&nbsp; Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1552445' first='Charles' last='Barnes Jr']. continues his sensational senior campaign.&nbsp; Long and angular wing has really improved as a three point shooter knocking in a couple in this game.&nbsp; That combined with his slippery drives hitting the gaps along with his defense which has always been awesome make him one of the best uncommitted 2026s in Illinois.&nbsp; Went for 14 points (5-10 FG).&nbsp; The point guard attack of [player_tooltip player_id='2323300' first='TJ' last='Tate'] (6 points and 3 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='1845365' first='Adoni' last='Vassilakis'] (9 points and 3 dimes) shined as distributors, got out in transition, and were all over on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big man Hunter Stepanich of York is headed to Princeton as volleyball and football player, but he can hoop too.&nbsp; Was the most effective player for York in this game using his size and touch around the basket to score 10 points.&nbsp; Jackson Rennick was tough on the offensive boards for 9 points while [player_tooltip player_id='2829852' first='Nathan' last='Poku'] bombed in a couple threes for 6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Benet Wins by Narrowest of Margins Over DePaul Prep That Went to Script</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of defense. Balanced scoring. Within a couple of possessions the whole game. Come down to the last play.&nbsp; Pretty sure that's what everyone had in mind for the rematch of defending 4A champs Benet and three time defending state champs DePaul Prep.&nbsp; That's what we got along with an insane ending!&nbsp; Neither team got separation the entire game.&nbsp; Each team made runs back and forth.&nbsp; These players and coaches know each other so well.&nbsp; At the end it went down like this.&nbsp; DePaul Prep was holding for the last shot.&nbsp; They start to attack.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2425956' first='Perry' last='Tchiegne'] strips the ball loose and [player_tooltip player_id='2323620' first='Ed' last='Stasys'] streaks open for what looks like a layup, but [player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'] smartly fouls him because they had one to give.&nbsp; Then with 2 seconds left there are 5 consecutive timeouts called back and forth by friends and elite coaches for both sides.&nbsp; When the ball is thrown in North Dakota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] goes up for the lob and DePaul Prep is called for a foul.&nbsp; It was really close, but normally most good refs swallow the whistle in that case if it is 50/50.&nbsp; Nope fouled called.&nbsp; Stack his second free throw and Benet wins 39-38.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lets start with Stack for Benet who after picking up a pair of early fouls was not pulled and it paid off as he went to work down low with hook shots, finishing out of dunker spot, and rolls to the rim.&nbsp; He had 9 points (3-4 FG) and 6 rebounds.&nbsp; His twin tower inside [player_tooltip player_id='2323620' first='Ed' last='Stasys'] is a favorite of mine as he impacts the game in so many ways.&nbsp; Elite rebounder that had a stretch of back to back put backs followed by an alley-oop.&nbsp; Love his combination of athleticism, strength, and instincts as he had 10 points and 10 rebounds.&nbsp; Eastern Illinois commit [player_tooltip player_id='2105390' first='Jayden' last='Wright'] made some key plays throughout the game including a logo three along with several soft touch finishes.&nbsp; He had 11 points in the win.&nbsp; The x-factor for this group is 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2425956' first='Perry' last='Tchiegne'] who is so versatile.&nbsp; Got the key steal late along with being a connective passer scoring 6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DePaul Prep big man [player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] definitely had his moments in this game.&nbsp; The top 5 senior and Toledo signee does a great job of carving out space inside on the catch for scores on post ups and baseline out of bounds plays.&nbsp; Plays well off his guards on rolls and cuts.&nbsp; He had 14 points (6-9 FG) and 4 rebounds.&nbsp; Brown commit [player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'] got after it defensively late with multiple key steals for points by either himself or dishing to his teammates.&nbsp; Several acrobatic layups for 11 points and 4 steals.&nbsp; Northern Michigan commit [player_tooltip player_id='2323334' first='AJ' last='Chambers'] was mostly looking to dish in this one as he had 4 points and 7 dimes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->