Show Me Showdown: Scotty B’s Sunday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sunday was the final day of games in St Louis at the Prep Hoops Show Me Showdown. Time to dive into the Illinois talent in <strong>Show Me Showdown: Scotty B's Sunday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wauconda 2029 PG Puts on Clinic for CBG 15U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first game of the day Wauconda 2029 point guard Tim Grunfeld had it all working! The 5'10” guard plays with a ton of swagger. Elite passing feel in the half court as he consistently got all his weapons involved. Makes reads around ball screens, hit cutters, and found his shooters. That was actually what he was probably best at, but he also scored 28 points. Stop and pop pull up game with his three-point shot and getting in the mid range. Burst with the ball in his hand, blowing past defender, finishing with either hand of the cup. Richmond Burton shooting guard Reed Robinson has plus positional size and a clean shooting stroke on threes and was effective on turnaround jumpers as well. Micah Zajac out of Wauconda was super efficient in the first half with his touches around the hoop scoring on Pick and roll plays along with cuts to the hoop. Active player that had 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Melton Melts Nets in Morning Shot Making Display</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a game from NCOE 2028 6'0” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2871678' first='Jack' last='Melton']! He was about as money as you could be in the first half recording 25 points in the first half alone. Absolutely scorched the nuts pouring in six triples finishing the game with 29 points. Such a quick and consistent release from beyond the arc and moves well without the ball. Also showed some toughness around the hoop and was scrappy defensively leading his Bears team to a win. Another nice game for [player_tooltip player_id='3633300' first='Camden' last='Woolard']. Another strong outing for the wing with size as he connected on four threes in this game along with showing good athleticism for 17 points. Carlyle wing [player_tooltip player_id='2531990' first='Ethan' last='Peebles'] continues to be the glue guy for his squad. Excellent defender and a junkyard dog on the offensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Illinois Mavericks top player was Steward Strasburg 5'10” point guard [player_tooltip player_id='3570656' first='Eli' last='Jones']. Lead guard is a solid athlete with good handles getting into the cup and knocking in short jumpers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Family First 16U Duo Too Much for Deep [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] Squad</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a 16U clash Family First scored a victory over [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] Saddoris. For the Missouri squad it was all about their forward combination of 2029 Bryce Means and 2028 Skyler Jaegers. Means has a ton of tools you look for at 6'8” with plus athleticism. Plays above the rim on the offensive glass like a volleyball player getting put backs. Runs the floor throwing down dunks in the transition game and has a clean looking shot from distance. Went for 13 points. Jaegers is another good size forward that is a shot blocking presence on the defensive end. Offensively he was adept at finishing with his acrobatics on reverse layups and scoring on cuts. He had 15 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Herrin 2028 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2832405' first='JJ' last='Gwaltney'] was the best player on the floor for the Bears. We have always been a fan of this shooter with size as the lefty wing has a strong frame and good length. Can really shoot it from distance off the catch as he hit four of them in this game. He had 21 points in the loss. Carterville 2028 lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='2832377' first='Max' last='Lustenberger'] is a competitive player that pushes the pace, makes good decisions, and can let it fly from deep as he had 13 points. Continue to love where the game of [player_tooltip player_id='2751050' first='Ayden' last='Foley'] is going. Okawville 6'6” post has gained strength and confidence over the last year. Super impactful on the defensive end with his shot blocking swatting a ton of attempts around the rim. Boxed out well on the boards and is a sound passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Illinois Warriors Score W over STL Impact in Exciting Contest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up we saw the Illinois Warriors 17U get a 73-67 W against STL Impact in a fun up and down contest.&nbsp; Decatur MacArthur guard [player_tooltip player_id='2382373' first='Danterion' last='Knight'] was in attack mode throughout the game as the slippery guard got to the rack for acrobatic layups on the regular along with a big dunk for 12 points.&nbsp; Central A&amp;M wing [player_tooltip player_id='2382372' first='Ace' last='Spinner'] got hot again in the second half with his sharp shooting pouring in a trio from the land of three.&nbsp; Mt. Zion 6'2” guard [player_tooltip player_id='2382376' first='Holden' last='Wirey'] has solid size and was impactful on both ends notching 9 points.&nbsp; Effingham big man [player_tooltip player_id='3574734' first='Maxwell' last='Love'] brought the energy early on the glass for 8 points all in the first half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>STL Impact features a prospect from Illinois in East St. Louis 6'2” pogo stick athlete [player_tooltip player_id='3631783' first='Jamir' last='Allen'].&nbsp; The athleticism really popped in the second half scoring all 11 of his points including an explosive baseline take finished by a two footed slam!&nbsp; Evan Longmeyer is 6'2” shooting guard that brings a strong frame and burst getting downhill.&nbsp; The Pattonville (MO) unsigned senior should find a home at the small college or JUCO level because of his ability to blow by guys off the bounce and finish at the rim as he had 19 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southern Illinois Raptors Put Exclamation Point on Event</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nice win for the Southern Illinois Raptors 17U squad 75-69 against Triple Threat Academy.  They put the excitement on the event as in the final minutes of the game Vandalia big man [player_tooltip player_id='2383975' first='Lucas' last='Bowers'] who is a country strong post with athleticism went up strong for a two handed slam and literally ripped the rim right off the backboard.  In 15+ years I have never seen that.  Shattered backboards yes, but never just ripping the rim off.  Calhoun 6'4” wing [player_tooltip player_id='2822200' first='Lane' last='Eilerman'] is the top prospect on this team.  Continue to like where his game is trending as he has gotten taller and stronger since we last saw him as his frame is filling out.  The athleticism shined as he won off the bounce slashing for explosive scores with excellent body control at the cup.  Quick first step and passed it with instincts off live dribble.  He had 14 points in W.  Staunton 2027 5'11” guard Isiah Laux had a strong outing as the point guard knocked in multiple threes, showcased crisp handles, and had a sweet soft touch finishing game en route to 18 points.  Fellow Staunton guard Jeremiah Graham notched 9 points in the win with his shifty handles and shake setting up his pull up game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->