Show Me Showdown: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Show Me Showdown kicked off in St Louis on Friday with three sets of games. I focused on Illinois prospects and caught a lot of new talent. Dive into it here in <strong>Show Me Showdown: Scotty B's Friday Notebook!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southern Illinois Raptors 15U Impresses in Opener</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First up was the SI Raptors scoring a 69-28 win against Royalty Hoops. Raptors got a monster outing from Staunton 2029 guards Jace Spickerman and Austin Spickerman. Jace poured in 20 points in the win as the lefty knocked in five triples in a variety of ways. Austin shoots right handed, but was also bombing them in from deep for 11 points. The twins really brought it defensively as well. Calhoun 2029 post Brody Eilerman is one to track. Scored just four points but showcased alot of projection with length and athleticism. Another Calhoun product to monitor is guard Selby Pohlman. Plus shooter from deep with passing feel as he had 13 points. Staunton post Weston Washburn played with physicality inside rebounding and getting points in paint for 9 points. Breese Mater Dei wing [player_tooltip player_id='2858512' first='Dylan' last='Souder'] brings it all together with his intangibles, passing, rebounding, and defense. Maryville Christian guard Evan Rakers had a pair of layups and a three for 7 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Royalty Hoops was pushed by Bloomington 2030 guard Ray Shegog. Strong bodied combo guard was aggressive getting downhill and to the rack in transition. He had 10 points. Wide bodied 2029 Normal five man Oliver McGriff boarded in his area and flashed some touch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Royalty Hoops 2027 Wing Duo Puts Name on Map</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up was Royalty Hoops 17U squad scoring a 79-47 win in their opener against OCYM Holy Hoops.&nbsp; Two wings really emerged in this game in Mahomet Seymour 6'4” small forward [player_tooltip player_id='3631983' first='Brayden' last='Graddy'] along with Monticello 6'0” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='3592402' first='Ayden' last='Mccool'].&nbsp; Graddy is a broad shouldered wing that combines toughness with skill.&nbsp; Spinning layups, coast to coast takes, finished through contact, and hit multiple threes.&nbsp; Pushed off his defense recording a game high 27 points.&nbsp; Mccool wasn't too far behind with 19 points of his own.&nbsp; Guard uses his length getting on the glass, can shot fake and go around his man, along with pouring in trio from deep in the win.&nbsp; Champaign Central 6'3” small forward Gabriel Kirkland popped on the defensive end as an angular wing that used his length to get steals and blocks.&nbsp; Monticello 6'1” point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2492974' first='Gus' last='Reppert'] is a crafty ball handler and sound passer that can knock in an occasional shot.&nbsp; He had 7 points.&nbsp; Sawyer Mawell out of Arcola proved to be a well rounded glue piece for this squad who also had 7 points.&nbsp; Cyrow Childs didn't do much in the first half, but the 6'3” small forward out of Peoria was a force in the second half on the glass and playing above the rim for 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] 2027 Notable Names in Final Session</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tracked two of the [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] 17U squads at the same time in the final game of the night.&nbsp; They both fell, but there were standout performers on both squads.&nbsp; Massive showing from Fairfield 2027 6'5” face up four Owen Gruen who is playing the best basketball of his career as he notched 25 points for Bears Cameron.&nbsp; High-motor big man that can space the floor with a flurry of corner threes along with using his skill and toughness off the bounce for several nice slashes.&nbsp; Competes on the boards and is efficient with his touches.&nbsp; Not his best game, but continue to see something with Marion 2027 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2978085' first='Cameron' last='Curry'].&nbsp; Plus athlete who competes on the defensive end with steals and blocks along with being an outstanding rebounder from his guard spot flying in on a consistent basis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Bears Haar, [player_tooltip player_id='2384011' first='Bennett' last='Becker'] from Breese Central had a strong night.&nbsp; The 6'5” lefty small forward continues to improve his skill set which included a feathery three point shot for the southpaw.&nbsp; Ran the floor hard and got to the line at a nice clip.&nbsp; Cumberland point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2383848' first='Cameron' last='Roedl'] emerged as a 6'0” 2027 point guard who brings solid athleticism with the rock in his hands and is a capable shot maker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->