Hoop Mountain Shootout: Mike's Friday Evening Notebook

Games summaries from Wheaton Academy vs. Rockford East, Oak Forest vs. Lincoln Park, Wheaton St. Francis vs Glenbard West, and Riverside Brookfield vs. Providence St. Mel     Wheaton Academy Outsizes Rockford East The Warriors got off to a fast start against the E-Rabs and never looked back. Led by one of the top 2027's in the state [player_tooltip player_id='2125634' first='Hayden' last='Schroeder'], Wheaton Academy gained a lot of their momentum pressing and using their sizable length to contest on defense which turned into break points. Against similar size, Schroader showcased a plethora of movement in the paint area with great hands and feet. Catch on the elbow then drive it for a near 1 hand slam between defenders, offensive board with baby hook put back, drop step two hand slam off two feet, and baseline drive with reverse layup were all fair game. Absolutely owned the paint against multiple posts. 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3579289' first='JP' last='Brock'] also showcased versatility from the wing spot. A 3 and D prospect with length. Had multiple steals in the back court that led to quick fast break points with one being for a 2 handed slam. Presented court vision as well with throwing a couple assists to back door cutters. Another 2028 that popped was [player_tooltip player_id='2769579' first='Ray' last='Rienow'] who helped get into the passing lanes and create a tough environment to work in offensively. Utilized length accordingly and ran the floor well to help speed up pace. Made a coast to coast and1 finish to go along with a couple clean blocks to contest at the rim. All around Wheaton Academy was one of the more impressive teams with depth and length at the shootout today. Final Wheaton Academy: 65 Rockford East: 36 Oak Forest & Lincoln Park Battle In a physical and low scoring contest, it was Oak Forest that barely edged Lincoln Park by a bucket in a mid afternoon game on Friday. Bengals low post was anchored mostly by 2027 Jovan Nesby on both sides of the ball. Nesby converted for a back door cut and finish and also threw a back door pass for an assist. Contested against bigger size throughout while battling with toughness. The Bengals 2027 PG Neiko Leflore consumed full court pressure the whole game yet handled with poise. Got to the stripe a couple times after taking tough drives and consuming contact. Also hit a big spot up 3 from the wing to help team grab momentum. Lincoln Park was led by 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2542413' first='Alvin' last='Robinson'] who has true size and length as a next level wing. Athletically gifted laterally on the defensive side of the ball to challenge handler in an aggressive manner and had the motor to do it most of the game. Likes to play defense just as much as offense. Also hit a really smooth 18 foot jumper against zero gap pressure. Another 2028 from Lincoln Park that will continue to turn heads is 6'5 post [player_tooltip player_id='2822666' first='Derrick' last='Moore']. A broader sized power forward that gains positioning and is tough to fight around due to size. Hit a spot up 3 immediately after the tip, converted on a nifty and tough reverse layup, and also showed solid verticality on a clean block. Final Oak Forest: 41 Lincoln Park: 39 Wheaton St. Francis Outpaces Glenbard West It was mostly St. Francis the whole way through during a late afternoon affair against Glenbard West. The Spartans bring a good amount of length to the floor but 5'10 2027 Johnny Shannon brings more positivity in the back court as a combo guard. A 3 level scorer, Shannon found his way to the basket multiple times off dribble drive action for poised conversions at the rim. Also spotted up from 12 feet for a mid range jumper and hit multiple 3's in rhythm to provide extra spark. Competitive in multiple phases. Another 2027 that popped was 6'8 [player_tooltip player_id='2389886' first='Ben' last='Whorlow']. I've caught Worlow once last season in June and again this past Spring season and the big fella continues to bring complimentary pieces to the interior. Made a skip pass then cut to the hoop to get it back and score and also made a few other clean assists. Possesses smart IQ and plays with pace while keeping up with tempo. Final St. Francis: 55 Glenbard West: 31   Riverside Brookfield Edges Providence St. Mel In a back and forth battle during one of the last games of the day, it was Riverside Brookfield who barely outlasted Providence St. Mel in a back and forth contest. The game was highlighted by 2028 6'4 guard Noah Vantholen who put on a scoring clinic throughout. A taller primary ball handler that gets down hill with a lot of steam. Scores it from all 3 levels. Had the dunk of the day off of an offensive rebound to bring the ball back out and then drive hard through traffic for a 2 handed slam with exclamation. Composed and competitive throughout. The Knights were led by 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2947558' first='Elisha' last='Dahe'] and 2027 Point Guard Victor Norris. Dahe did a lot of work on the glass collecting rebounds on both ends. Was really impactful grabbing multiple offensive rebounds to create second chance points. Converted on multiple and 1 finishes as well. Norris earns a lot of his keep off of quick drives in transition or off the bounce within ½ court flow. More than capable to light it up from 3 as I tallied three trey balls within rhythm. Another competitive Knight to keep tabs on through the season. Final Riverside Brookfield: 56 Providence St. Mel: 45

Games summaries from Wheaton Academy vs. Rockford East, Oak Forest vs. Lincoln Park, Wheaton St. Francis vs Glenbard West, and Riverside Brookfield vs. Providence St. Mel