Rock N Ball League: Takeaways Pt 1

<p>The Rock N Ball Winter League in Hammond, Indiana was a tremendous addition during an unusual year.  It gave players an opportunity to play and elevate their games in a time where there was no high school basketball in Illinois.  Here we look at some of our takeaways from the league over the last couple months.  This is <strong>Rock N Ball League Takeaways Part 1!</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Future is REALLY Bright in Catholic League for St. Rita</strong></p> <p>The biggest takeaway is that the state is in good hands moving forward as the 2024 class looks to be loaded with talent especially at St. Rita.  Playing for Team Mamba the St. Rita 2024 quartet of <strong>James</strong> <strong>Brown</strong>, <strong>Morez</strong> <strong>Johnson</strong>, <strong>Jaedin</strong> <strong>Reyna</strong>, and <strong>Joshua</strong> <strong>Pickett</strong> all shined.  Brown and Johnson could very well fight for the top spot overall in the class for several years and Reyna is the best floor general we have seen in that class to date.  You combine the freshman with their stellar 2023s in <strong>Darrion</strong> <strong>Baker</strong>, <strong>Solomon</strong> <strong>Mosley</strong>, <strong>Kaiden</strong> <strong>Space</strong>, and <strong>Evan</strong> <strong>Jackson</strong> and wow what a future for St. Rita!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="765148" first="Ahamad" last="Bynum"] is a Bucket</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="765148" first="Ahamad" last="Bynum"]</strong> is headed to DePaul next season, but he wanted to get as much basketball in this winter as he could.  The Simeon star played for multiple teams throughout the Rock N Ball including playing four games in one night for two different teams.  The microwave scorer had several monster scoring outings throughout the league lighting up scoreboards!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="939059" first="Jalen" last="Griffith"] and [player_tooltip player_id="925193" first="Avyion" last="Morris"] Produce Despite Size</strong></p> <p>This backcourt put together quality performances for Nunn Better during Rock N Ball.  The 2022 and 2023 floor generals are small for sure, but each has a knack for getting the job done.  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="939059" first="Jalen" last="Griffith"]</strong> has the ball on a string and can score from all over.  <strong>Ayvion</strong> <strong>Morris</strong> might have the best floater game in the state.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920942" first="Grant" last="Newell"] and [player_tooltip player_id="920945" first="Jaehshon" last="Thomas"] are So Under Recruited</strong></p> <p>I don’t know what more <strong>Grant</strong> <strong>Newell</strong> and <strong>Jaehshon</strong> <strong>Thomas</strong> have to prove to schools that they are D1 talents.  There were questions after their junior years as they didn’t have quite the seasons that were expected out of them.  Both have taken it up a notch over the last six months and put those questions to rest.  Newell is a face up four that is producing playing with a much higher motor, knocking in shots, rebounding, and competing on the defensive end.  Thomas is built like a rock at the point guard spot.  Strong bodied lead guard that hits mid-range jumpers and gets others involved. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="771516" first="AJ" last="Casey"] and [player_tooltip player_id="939057" first="Dalen" last="Davis"] Future for Whitney Young</strong></p> <p>Both 2022 power forward <strong>AJ</strong> <strong>Casey</strong> and 2023 point guard <strong>Dalen</strong> <strong>Davis</strong> had their moments of brilliance and times they struggled for Black Magic 21.  There is no denying that these two play well off each other and have skill sets which mesh.  Casey has versatility to score inside/out.  Davis runs the show and knocks in pull up shots.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kenwood Loaded with 2023 Talent</strong></p> <p>The future of the CPS has had a shift with Nick Irvin leaving Morgan Park to coach in college.  New power player with young talent will be Kenwood with his brother Mike Irvin.  Their 2023 trio played with Showtime at Rock N Ball and they lived up to the name putting on a SHOW!  Top ranked <strong>Javonte</strong> <strong>Taylor</strong> more than lived up to the billing scoring with such ease from all over.  <strong>Darrin</strong> <strong>Ames</strong> used his speed and shot making to take over games.  <strong>Davius</strong> <strong>Loury</strong> is a power forward that recently broke into the top 10 and still might not be high enough.  Physical rebounder that has emerging offensive game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Matas Buzelis Would Have Been #2 in 2023 Without a Doubt</strong></p> <p><strong>Matas</strong> <strong>Buzelis</strong> was one of the other stars for Showtime.  He was a top 10 2023 recruit before his recent move out east to play at Brewster Academy.  If he would have stayed in state the #2 spot would have been all his in 2023.  No doubt high-major prospect with his elite size for position at the small forward spot, bounce, and overall skill package.  Can beat a defense in so many ways and he put them all on display during Rock N Ball.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Quality Look at [player_tooltip player_id="996061" first="Tavarius" last="Vinson"]</strong></p> <p>Dyett seven foot center <strong>Tavarius</strong> <strong>Vinson</strong> has been a mystery man in the 2022 class.  All we had been able to see was grainy footage from his sophomore season.  There was enough to put him on the board, but we didn’t feel we got a great read on him.  After seeing him at Rock N Ball we have a better idea of what we are looking at.  Still a lot of unknowns with the raw big men.  Right now best as a rim protector.  Offensively he is mostly a catch and dunk threat on lobs or dump off passes.  Conditioning needs to improve as he only played in a few minute spurts.  Enough there to continue to be intrigued long term.</p>