Great Lakes Finals: Championship Sunday Stars From Wintrust

Sunday marked the third and final day at the exclusive Prep Hoops Great Lakes Finals. This tournament always plays to one of the more competitive weekends during the spring season as teams are fighting to be the last ones standing. I was in Bedford Park for most of the day at Wintrust Sports Complex taking in the festivities. All three groups in the 15U, 16U, and 17U divisions played quality and intense basketball throughout Championship Sunday. In this article we will take a deeper look at some of the standouts from today's competition.    Saw Lemons game for the first time at our exposure event last Fall and the young prospect from St. Laurence continued to impress this weekend. Caught team's early morning Sunday contest and squad got off to a slow start but he provided a spark plug throughout. A lengthy and long athletic wing at this point in young career. Knocked down a couple threes to keep team's momentum within offensive flow. Shows above the rim pop with getting free on fast breaks and slamming one home. Has plus bounce around the hoop. Added a couple blocks on interior while contesting shots above perimeter and helped create turnovers with anticipation. Team grabbed first place to finish weekend. Continuing to like the upside here.     Saw Johnson compete at our Fall exposure camp and young guard from Marist continues to provide plus feel in multiple aspects of game. Caught squads' early morning 8AM contest and he bought a ton of energy from the git go. Tallied him for four offensive rebounds in first half alone in a slower mode game. Utilizes length around the rim and showed versatility offensively with a coast to coast finish and spotting up for 3. Makes productive reads in ½ court setting to hit cutters with smart timing and decision making. Helped team to a first place finish out of 70+ teams in 15U division.     One of the most sound and dynamic point guards I saw this weekend regardless of class. Clayton plays with great pace and creativity while having advanced shot making ability. His athleticism with the rock pops out immediately. Consistently creates separation with handle because of wiggle, hesitations, and manipulations with the ball. Scores it from all 3 levels on floaters, pull ups, and has one of the toughest mid range games I saw at the event. Finished with a one handed slam off of BLOB action. Overall a strong lead guard that will continue to turn heads.     Watched Cook play in early morning Sunday matchup and he provided assets in multiple avenues. Has length and lateral movement to guard in the paint and challenge on the perimeter. I tallied at least 4 clean blocks in the first half alone while anticipating in the passing lanes and causing disruption. Offensively runs the floor with a settled intensity to create primary break opportunities. Comfortable finishing in traffic or dishing off once help comes. Showed passing skill with several quality assists in the open floor. Overall brings a strong disciplined feel with layered effort. Helped team to the championship 15U game out of 70+ teams.     An explosive combo guard with athleticism and elite level bounce at the rim. Watched late morning Sunday game and he threw down multiple two handed dunks with one being for an alley-oop right after the tip. Utilizes quickness to pressure defensively. Showed speed and ability to finish through contact. Delivered a couple pitch aheads in the open floor for solid court vision. Has advanced playmaking ability in ½ court setting to utilize pnr or create simplistic looks for teammates. Overall impacts both ends and helped squad to a championship on the weekend out of 60+ teams in division.     Caught Brown in Sundays quarters and was a tough challenge to contain in front. A lengthy combo guard who plays with good pace and playmaking ability throughout. Made multiple drives off the bounce to then dish off for assists on the break or in ½ ct setting. Continued to be in attack mode to expand lead. Draws contact to get to stripe consistently. Spacer threat from beyond the arc within rhythm. Overall was active on both sides while playing with solid instinct and feel. Helped lead team to a semi-final finish today out of 70+ teams.

Sunday marked the third and final day at the exclusive Prep Hoops Great Lakes Finals. This tournament always plays to one of the more competitive weekends during the spring season as teams are fighting to be the last ones standing. I was in Bedford Park for most of the day at Wintrust Sports Complex taking in the festivities. All three groups in the 15U, 16U, and 17U divisions played quality and intense basketball throughout Championship Sunday. In this article we will take a deeper look at some of the standouts from today's competition.