PH Windy City War: Gilbert's Sunday Duos

<p>The highly competiive Windy War concluded with a full slate of Sunday action. As I went through my notes. I realized an unusual ammount of teammate duos (both grassroots and regluar season played well on Sunday. Following are four that caught my eye</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Backcourt Duo: Illinois Outwork (Morton/Cicero)</h2>   <p>The Morton duo won the game that didn' want to end. A pressure triple... that's right triple OT thriller. Three extra periods means a seemingly endless string of consequential high leverage possessions. With a minor hiccup, the Outwork backcourt handled the pressure well and pulled out the victory over a good Basketball Paradise squad.</p>   <p>They were led by Morton (Cicero) products [player_tooltip player_id='2125584' first='Angelo' last='Lazo'] <strong>(pictured at top)</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='2834308' first='Jordyn' last='Deleon'] Lazo led the way with 15 points. He was also the bigger prospect. Used his size well on penetration. Driving to rim without fear and drawing contact. Plenty of speed and the court vision to handle the myriad of traps thrown at him late. Changed direction well on penetration and was good at getting defenders on his hip. Deleon was playing up an age group as only a 2028 prospect. Physically he certainly looked he was playing up an age group. Functionally, the poise and ball handling ability resembled a seasoned vet. Dribbles and plays low to the ground. Making him difficult to turnover. Also craftily stayed out of trouble. Didn't get smothered by bigger players out on the perimeter. Not very big, program said 5-1. While that is certainly not correct, I would say he is closer to 5-8 or 5-9. Good shooter with a quick release. That will be important due to his size. Hit three from deep to finish with 11 points.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Frontcourt Duo: Thornton Fractional (North and South)</h2>   <p><em>**when I started this column, I was under the impression that these players played at the same school. I appear to wrong. However, I decided to still group them together** </em></p>   <p>The only duo on this list that does not play grassroots basketball together. The Thornton Fractional (North/South) duo of <strong>Tim Adenrele</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='2835148' first='Kahari' last='Ali']. Adrenele has eye opening size. As an out of state scout. I did not see a height listed for Adenrele. Nor could I find one. Eye test, I would guess he is a least 6-8 (maybe even 6-9) with length that helps play taller. Opened Blueprint Hoops finale on Sunday with a big dunk. Was able to play a little volleyball at times on glass. As he displayed a quick second jump. The offense is a work in progress. But there is a lot to work with for a patient developmental coach.</p>   <p>On the North side of the district. Ali is closer to a finished product, even as a 2028 prospect. On Sunday played well against an Indiana Game frontline that did not feature a lot of size. Like Adenrele, has a lengthy frame that should help him play taller than his listed height if utilized correctly. Put up eight points in that contest and provided rim protection. Has decent ball skills for his size and can operate on the perimeter. The perimeter skills make me wonder if he is the product of a late growth spurt. Whatever the case may be, this is a prospect with some upside and potential.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Perimeter Duo: [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] Gold (Lockport) </h2>   <p>Cheating a bit here as I go with a familial duo. The twin attack of [player_tooltip player_id='2125668' first='Nedas' last='Venckus'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2125671' first='Nojus' last='Venckus'] As you would expect. the Lockport twin brothers have similar perimeter attacks. Both are 6-3 multifaceted wings with good athleticism. Nojus showed the ability to finish above the rim with a steal and dunk on Saturday. Nedas showed the scoring tough with a 19-point outburst on Sunday. They both display the ball handling ability to play the point in a pinch. They are fundamentally sound shooters with quick well schooled releases.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Longterm Potential: Illinois Force (Grayslake Central)</h2>   <p>The performance of the day came from a very young player. Grayslake Central's [player_tooltip player_id='2832503' first='Danny' last='Vagnoni'] is a 2029 prospect playing up with Illinois Force in the 16U division. The physical tools are readily apparent. Possesses a long, tightly wound frame. Stands about 6-3 (maybe 6-4) and runs the court fluidly. Good leaper who got off the ground quickly. However, it was the mindset that impressed me. Played with an aggressiveness and wiry strength you don't usually see from a player this young. Especially playing up an age group.</p>   <p>Owned the boards and sought out contact on shot attempts. Accordingly, got to foul line often. Showed a smooth and effortless stroke there. I would imagine he is a good shooter from the perimeter. Though I did not see it much on Sunday. Didn't really need it. Put up 24 points in a loss to the Milwaukee Trail Blazers. This a duo column. While the stats were not there. I liked the play of 2029 Grayslake Central product [player_tooltip player_id='3587891' first='Payton' last='Parker'] Parker is a physically advanded guard who manned the point for Illinois Force 16U. Good ball handler but looked like he was still trying to manage the nuances of the position. Had no problem getting to the basket but seemed to struggle with pressure at times. Still very young, and at a sturdy 6-0. He might not even be a point long term. Either way, there is some strong 2029 talent to monitor on Chicago's far North Shore.</p>

The highly competiive Windy War concluded with a full slate of Sunday action. As I went through my notes. I realized an unusual ammount of teammate duos (both grassroots and regluar season played well on Sunday. Following are four that caught my eye