PH Windy City War: Gilbert’s Saturday Superlatives

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second day of the Windy City War was loaded with outstanding play. It wasn't just limited to the main courts and big name teams. Following is a completely arbitrary skill set overview from the action I watched </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Performance </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2349619' first='Brady' last='Harris'] <strong>5</strong>-<strong>10</strong> <strong>2027 Francis Parker</strong> <strong>(IL) </strong>(<strong>pictured</strong>) There really is no other place to start. As an out of state scout, I planned to see the Chicago Cannons with a player that caught my eye last summer. While that player was listed on the roster, he was not playing on Saturday. Consequently when the Cannons got off to a slow start. I began to think about finding a different game. Harris had different plans. The sub six foot point Simon had everything working. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He scored from beyond the arc. Finishing with six threes. Many of them well beyond the three point line. When defenses began to adjust he began to attack the basket. While he will probably never be an above the rim finisher. He was crafty at the basket and showed skill in drawing fouls. Got to the rim with an above average and low to the ground handled. Making him difficult to turnover. Also scored I the mid range. This wasn't just some unconscious hero balm performance. Good live dribble who found open teammates throughout the game. Finished with an eye opening 37 points. And while his team did not get the win. Certainly caught my attention.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Point Guard </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3587106' first='Sam' last='Briggs'] 5-9 2028 Hononegah (IL) </strong>Intentionality using the “point guard” moniker. Not a lead guard or combo guard. Briggs led Rockford Elite to a 2-1 record on the day with old school point guard play. Nothing too flashy but often simply made the right play and the right pass. Operated well in two man situations. I even saw that endangered species known as a post entry pass. The full three game Saturday slate showed by the end of the day in a decisive and haggard loss. However only a junior, Briggs still two years to continue to improve physically. The skillset is already there.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Shooter </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125588' first='Bennett' last='Kammes'] 6-1 2027 Glenbard West (IL) </strong>Like Harris, there really isn't any other direction to go in this category. Kammes was automatic from deep in his squads opening close loss, Hit seven threes. More importantly, racked them up in a variety of ways. Mostly as movement shooter and not of the standstill variety, Quick release and at 6-1, doesn't need much room to get it off. Solid all around guard who displayed playmaking lead guard skills as well. Finished with 23 points against a defense thar began to key in on him as the game progressed,&nbsp;<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Versatility </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140368' first='Griffin' last='Ott-Large'] 6-2 2027 LaPorte (IN) </strong>Kind of cumulative award here as I really liked this player at a Michigan tournament a few weeks ago and couldn't find a spot for him in coverage. I'm going to go with versatility for Saturday. As Ott-Large had to slide over to the point guard position after an injury to a teammate in the opener. The physical guard did an admirable job. Got to his spots easily with dribble. Also got his squad efficiently into their sets. Penetrated often and sought out contact on drives. Operated welI in the midrange with a snake dribble that also sought out contact.&nbsp;<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Rebounder </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3592879' first='Yakhya' last='Fall'] 6-4 2027 Willowbrook (IL) </strong>The Basketball Paradise prospect isn't the biggest post.&nbsp; However, really attacked the ball in the air and owned the glass in their victory against 1 Dream. Plenty of bigs and leapers can rebound. It's just natural physics. Fall excelled in rebounding out of his area. The ball didn't need to bounce to him. Was able to jump from odd angles and reach for difficult boards. That quality is more rare.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Advanced physically with a thick upper body and broad shoulders. The strength extended to his hands. Seemingly caught everything that was thrown at him. Got out in transition quickly and was a strong finisher. Wasn't just jumping over everyone. Was skilled and had a post game. Finished with 12 points in the aforementioned victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Athlete </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3575083' first='Enoch' last='Olukolade'] <strong>6-5 2027 Oak Forest (IL) </strong>Not going to try and get out the scouting thesaurus here. Olukolade could really…JUMP. There were shoe circuit teams in the field. Arguably some of the best athletes in the nation. I did not see anyone who could rise as quickly as this prospect. I believe I saw him miss a lob because he simply jumped… too high. That is the best way I can put it.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caught a ball in the air around his waist, but missed the lay in on the way down, Let that mechanics of that sentence sink in. Had the gym buzzing more than once. Oddly enough, I don't believe he had a dunk. He simply got attention with the audacity of his attempts. Ran the court well and bounded around the court. Huge upside on the defensive end. If the offense comes around, this could be a late blooming prospect at the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Spark Plug </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2750002' first='Byron' last='Walton'] 6-1 2027 Lyons Township (IL) </strong>The previously mentioned Basketball Paradise squad got off to a very slow start against 1Dream. Walton did not start. However, he quickly changed the tenor of the game after coming in off the bench. Used his speed to make plays on both ends of the court. The speed was accented by his lanky 6-1 frame.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Attacked the basket aggressively and created his own offense. Seemed to get stronger as the game progressed. Wanted the ball in his hands late as things tightened up. Also displayed the ability to shoot from beyond the arc. Finished with a team high 13 points in the victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Long Term Potential </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Josh Sanderson 6-2 2030 Penn (IN) </strong>The [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'] 16U squad had a rough day against aguabky the most difficult schedule in the field. However Sanderson acquitted himself nicely while playing up two…that's right two age divisions. Often players that can pull this feat off are very physically advanced. That is not the case with Sanderson.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Has a nice frame, but gets by more at the moment with guile and heady fundamentals. Understandable as he has strong basketball bloodlines. Older brother is a top 100 recruit heading to Notre Dame. Doesn't make mistakes and shows the versatility to play the 1-3 spots already. Takes what the defense gives him. That is often penetration. Is a strong driver and finisher. Put up an impressive 21 points in a loss to the [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'].&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->