Stars Show Out at Hoop Mountain Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For my second event of June I made the trip out to Batavia to cover the Hoop Mountain Shootout. In this article we cover the top players of the day.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531981' first='Cole' last='Kelly'] | Neuqua Valley 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly continues to show why he's regarded as one of the top players in Illinois regardless of class. The 6-foot-6 playmaker stuffed the stat sheet all morning, impacting the game in a variety of ways. He knocked down multiple college-range three-pointers and punctuated a strong performance with a powerful one-handed dunk down the left side of the lane. What stood out most was his vision and feel as a passer, consistently finding slip men out of ball screens and using his size to see over the defense. Kelly controlled the pace of the game and made winning plays throughout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125687' first='Travis' last='Brown'] | West Aurora 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown delivered one of the most impressive scoring performances of the day, erupting for more than 40 points. The dynamic guard scored from all three levels, showing the ability to attack the rim, pull up from mid-range, and knock down shots from deep. Brown used a crafty handle and a variety of counters to create separation and get into the paint. He was especially effective utilizing ball screens at the top of the key to free himself for open three-pointers. His offensive explosion was one of the highlights of Saturday's action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125660' first='Lamari' last='Carpenter'] | Glenbard North 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carpenter's activity level and overall offensive growth were on full display. Known primarily for his athleticism, he showcased an improved jump shot and connected on multiple three-pointers throughout the game. When the offense broke down, Carpenter was able to create for himself off the bounce, using a polished handle and creativity around the basket. His combination of athletic tools and developing skill set continues to raise his stock heading into the live period.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125634' first='Hayden' last='Schroeder'] | Wheaton Academy 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schroeder dominated from the opening tip. He started the game with a baseline spin move that led to a thunderous dunk, then followed it up with another interior score on the next possession. The physical forward scored Wheaton Academy's first 12 points while showcasing a complete offensive package that included multiple dunks, strong post finishes, and trips to the free-throw line. Schroeder also made his presence felt defensively, recording several blocks and helping his team cruise to an easy victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2406554' first='KJ' last='Miller'] | Plainfield East 2027</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller remains one of the most talented prospects in Illinois regardless of class. The 6-foot-7 playmaker immediately grabbed attention with a fast-break dunk to open his day. From there, he displayed his versatility by handling point guard duties and firing pinpoint passes to shooters around the perimeter. Miller consistently got paint touches, drew multiple defenders, and made the right read to create opportunities for teammates. His blend of size, skill, vision, and athleticism continues to make him one of the state's most intriguing long-term prospects. This version reads more like a typical Prep Hoops scouting article while keeping your evaluations and observations intact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->