Premier Prospects to Watch in 2A Sectional Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are the top prospects still playing in the small school playoffs?&nbsp; PHI dives into the ranked prospects in 2A that will be in action on Friday night in the sectional finals!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2426366' first='Cooper' last='Knowles'] (West Hancock - Warsaw)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best prospects still on the board in the 2026 class.&nbsp; Knowles is an uber bouncy four man who protects the rim with the best of them, throws down explosive dunks, and brings face up skill knocking in shots from the perimeter.&nbsp; Low-majors should for sure be on him and he is a no brainer at the D2 level.&nbsp; Checks in at #15 overall in the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2426365' first='Hunter' last='Froman'] (West Hancock – Warsaw)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Froman continues to build up buzz among D2 programs as a 2027 combo guard that pushes in the open floor.&nbsp; Creative finisher in the lane and an active defender.&nbsp; Can play on and off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105417' first='Joshua' last='Humbles'] (Peoria Manual)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong and athletic wing that plays off his physical gifts.&nbsp; Should be getting strong looks from small college and JUCO programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2734472' first='Reginald' last='Postlewaite'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2734423' first='Jaquan' last='Brown'] (Peoria Manual)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Manual senior backcourt duo can put up points in a hurry!&nbsp; Postlewaite is a combo scoring on ball guard that is a bowling ball with the rock in his hands.&nbsp; Brown is more of a lanky off ball wing scorer and defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2734406' first='Zach' last='Vanblaricom'] (Rockford Lutheran)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top player for Rockford Lutheran is this 6'2” shooting guard.&nbsp; Sound perimeter shot maker that can really heat up from distance along with moving well off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2823673' first='Mason' last='Keller'] (Rockford Lutheran)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two way wing that is good at creating space for both his jumpers and drives.&nbsp; Clean looking shot from two and three.&nbsp; Attacks close outs and plays with a good basketball IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2413887' first='Josh' last='Kaunas'] (Johnsburg)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaunas is a lengthy combo forward that has a nice looking shot from three especially off the catch.&nbsp; Can handle it when needed and coverts well at the rim.&nbsp; Competes defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2381893' first='Richard' last='Darr'] (Bishop McNamara)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Darr is a PHI favorite that can really shoot it off the catch stretching the floor along with being able to impact around the hoop with his athleticism as both a finisher and shot blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2411845' first='Karter' last='Krutsinger'] (Bishop McNamara)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hard nosed shooting guard that impacts on both ends.&nbsp; Sound passer and tough finisher in the paint.&nbsp; Like what he brings defensively on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1874810' first='Jayden' last='Riley'] (Yorkville Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best point guards in the senior class.&nbsp; The SIU-Edwardsville class is a dynamic playmaker that is a bucket being able to go off for 30+ on any given night while also possessing outstanding passing feel and instincts.&nbsp; Pitbull defender at the point of attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125688' first='Tray' last='Alford'], [player_tooltip player_id='2125654' first='Jordan' last='Purvis'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2417805' first='Blake' last='Wells'] (Yorkville Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This trio of Yorkville Christian guards are excellent compliments playing off of Riley's passing as they can all knock down shots and are solid athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2422336' first='Sean' last='Drynan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2528189' first='Joseph' last='Christian'] (Yorkville Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Drynan is a top 70 sophomore that brings intriguing size, skill, and strength at 6'7”.&nbsp; Christian is an up and coming 6'1” off guard with long term potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2454169' first='Brad' last='Blackman'] (Crane)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among the best uncommitted forwards remaining on the board in 2026.&nbsp; At 6'6” he is a four man who possesses excellent length and athleticism.&nbsp; One of the best shot blockers in the class with his timing and anticipation.&nbsp; Slasher, explosive transition athlete, and is an underrated shooter.&nbsp; #27 overall prospect in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2245708' first='JR' last='Swift'] (Crane)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swift has had a breakout senior campaign as a point guard that can really shoot it off the catch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125641' first='Jamier' last='Montgomery'] (Crane)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery is a slick handling lead guard that is among the better CPS prospects in the 2027 class.&nbsp; Creative off the bounce with his handles getting to his spots for pull up jumpers and nifty finishes at the cup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2338332' first='TyJuan' last='Hunter'] (Hope)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunter is the heart and soul of a Hope program that is looking to do something truly special once again!&nbsp; Smaller guard that is dynamic with the rock in his hands and has super deep range on his long ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2372438' first='Jaiden' last='Simmons'] (Hope)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bouncy forward that is super quick to the offensive glass, defends all over the floor, and is a monster in transition!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1845355' first='Latrell' last='Kelley'] (Farragut)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seems like this senior guard has been playing forever!&nbsp; Tough city guard has been a productive player ever since his freshman season.&nbsp; Went for 50 points in one of his last regular season games.&nbsp; Small colleges and JUCOs should be on him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2963274' first='DeAngelo' last='Embrey'] (Farragut)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Embrey caught our attention with his long and lanky frame on the wing.&nbsp; Flies in for rebounds and has a nice looking shooting stroke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323319' first='Colton' last='Hawkins'] (Carterville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hawkins checks in at #66 overall in the 2026 class and still remains uncommitted.&nbsp; Such a consistent presence as a scoring point guard that brings good size along with nice passing feel to the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2477842' first='Amareon' last='Adams'] (Carterville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bouncy four man at 6'6” with good strength.&nbsp; Excels using his quickness getting on the glass for put backs, finishing out of the dunker spot, and being an impactful defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832359' first='Harper' last='Lustenberger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2832377' first='Max' last='Lustenberger'] (Carterville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These twin guards have next at Carterville.&nbsp; They provide a spark for this team when needed!&nbsp; That included a game winning three by Max in the sectional semi.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->