Niles Notre Dame vs St. Patrick: Top Performers

<p>The rivalry between Niles Notre Dame and St. Patrick didn’t have quite the feel that it usually does with limited fans, but after a slow start it was a fun second half where each team made runs.  In the end Niles Notre Dame took home the win 52-45.  Here are our thoughts in <strong>Niles Notre Dame vs St. Patrick: Top Performers</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920940" first="Anthony" last="Sayles"] (Niles Notre Dame – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Sayles made all the difference for Notre Dame with his return after missing their loss to Mundelein on Saturday.  The top uncommitted prospect in the state did what he always does.  Brought toughness to the table getting the charity stripe early on to get things going for his team.  Made drives in the lane getting the defense to fly at his shot fakes then converting with runners.  Cuts well without the ball and was effective as a distributor making the simple plays throughout the night.  Connected on a key corner three late, but overall struggled with the jump shot.  That is the biggest area college coaches are tracking out of him this season.  Closed it out with a pair of free throws for 15 points in the win.  In my eyes he is a no doubt mid-major prospect.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="765152" first="Troy" last="D’Amico"] (Niles Notre Dame – 2021)</strong></p> <p>D’Amico is headed to Southern Illinois next season.  Early on the future Saluki didn’t have much going in fact only connecting on some free throws in the first half.  His passing was still on point as the skilled three man can play some point forward in spots.  The second half when they needed him he went to work.  Corner three, put back, and a couple more excellent dishes.  Finished with 9 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="765153" first="Louis" last="Lesmond"] (Niles Notre Dame – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Lesmond was the best player on the floor in this game.  The top 10 senior and Harvard commit was aggressive from the jump knocking down a baseline jumper and three to put his team up 5-0.  The three ball was falling for the skilled and athletic small forward as he nailed a trio of them on the night.  Floor spacer also displayed his crisp passing and ability to clear the defensive glass.  Speaking of that end he was a monster in the first half defensively shutting down St. Patrick from getting into their sets.  Went for 14 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="939079" first="Sonny" last="Williams"] (Niles Notre Dame – 2023)</strong></p> <p>Next season this will be Williams team.  Right now he is just happy to be a key supporting cast member to the Big 3.  The 2023 lead guard is slick with the ball in his hands often making trips to the foul line because of it.  He knocked down six from the line for 8 points in the game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="821824" first="Caleb" last="Corro"] (St. Patrick – 2021)</strong></p> <p>This Olivet Nazarene commit wasn’t quite himself in the first half, but when the game was on the line he came to life.  Like how this high IQ guard makes others better and when it is time for him to get a bucket he can do that as well.  The beginning of the fourth quarter he had a scoop shot, coast to coast layup, and a turnaround jumper to give his team a chance.  Projects to be a great player at the small college level as he is rock solid every time out.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921006" first="Nick" last="Galati"] (St. Patrick – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Galati is a well put together 6’2” shooting guard that will make the small college that lands him very happy.  He is a crafty scorer that had spinning and sweeping layups along with a tough step back jumper en route to 11 points.  Flashes passing feel in the half court as well at times.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049574" first="Michael" last="Hamilton"] (St. Patrick – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Hamilton is headed to Augustana and the power forward brought his A game in the first half.  With the lack of any true big man other than him on the floor he went to work.  Quick post moves on the block, finished dump offs, hit the offensive glass, and ran the floor hard for scores.  Efficient night for the post netting 10 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="771543" first="Timaris" last="Brown"] (St. Patrick – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Brown is a 6’5” big bodied lefty small forward that has a nice combination of skill and power.  The power was shown on several tough drives to the rack where he finished through traffic.  He had a steal that he took the other way for an and-1.  Hit a mid-range jumper early and then a pair of super difficult triples late to keep his team in the game.  One of them was a tremendous shot that was contested.  Like we talked about with Sayles the jump shot consistency is where scouts and coaches will be tracking Brown this season.  He had 15 points.</p>