All-In Athletics Fall League: Week 6 Recap

The All-In Athletics Fall League is underway for the 2021 season. Just like past years you can get a recap from AIA’s Tyler Pearson each week on the latest happenings from the league. Here is All-In Athletics Fall League: Week 6 Recap! NOTE: Evaluations are written by Tyler Pearson of All-In Athletics.   2:00 PM Games Court 1: Ida Crown (62) vs Bulls (49) The Bulls struggled in this one as Ida Crown came ready to play. Bulls could not seem to make a shot in the first half, as they have shown the ability to do in the past. Ida Crown was playing stifling defense that proved to be difficult for the Bulls to handle as they could not consistently get great shot opportunities. Ida Crown looks ready for the season as they were executing and making play showing levels of high chemistry here in the preseason. Ida Crown was able to advance to the next round of the playoff with a great game one win.   Court 2: Ida Crown (63) vs Payton Varsity (68) Playoff energy was in the building! Ida Crown came out running, taking an early lead through the strength and pressure of their defense. It took a few minutes for Payton to match the intensity and get the ball rolling on their end of the court. Steady play from their guards helped navigate their way back into this one and eventually take a small lead after a few minutes of play. In the first half, Ida Crown was able to get out in transition and finish their fastbreak opportunities that allowed them to stay competitive as the score at half was 31 - 27 Payton. Payton’s offense was able to keep the momentum after taking a moment to find it into the second half. Despite Ida Crowns stellar play and exhibition of grit and toughness, Walter Payton was able to finish this one off and advance in the playoffs.   3:00 PM Games Court 1: Wheeling (63) vs Ida Crown (33) Wheeling was able to cruise to a win in this one. The Wildcats are a skilled team with diverse athletic profiles who really play well of each other. Wheeling’s athleticism made it tough for Ida Crown to be productive on either end of the floor. Ida Crown just could not get their offense flowing, while Wheeling was able to get out and run, which allowed them to run away with the score in this one. Court 2: Elk Grove (69) vs Walter Payton (65) Payton picked up where they left off the following game jumping out to a quick lead, capitalizing on early turnovers and misses from Elk Grove. That momentum quickly shifted behind the play of Elk Grove’s backcourt of Bronson Bartuch and Josh Mottley. Elk Grove’s offense started showing signs of life after both guards started making plays on the offensive end of the floor combing for 49 of Elk Grove’s points. Walter Payton exhausted a lot of energy in the game prior, Elk Grove was able to capitalize on their fatigue with the elements of a high tempo competitive game.   4:00 PM Games Court 1: Leyden (62) vs Loyola (54) Leyden was able to take control early, playing with high energy and passion which in turn lead to fun basketball to watch. The passion Leyden was playing with lead to them being solid on the defensive end constantly creating turnovers and stops that their starting front court of Andrew Mann Jr. and Jonathan Ayala. Despite things seeming to go in Leyden’s favor, Loyola was able to battle back after being down big to cut it to a 9-point game with 6 min remaining. However, their efforts came a little too late as Leyden was able to finish the game out strong. Court 2: Vernon Hills (88) vs Lakers (58) Vernon Hills has been a dominate team in our league and they showed up in this game against a Lakers team that normally possess fire power offensively. The Lakers were in this one early only down by 6 headed into the second half, really competing with solid defensive efforts, and making shots early. The Lakers were not able to maintain their play throughout the second half as they seemed to hit a wall two minutes into the half where Vernon Hills was able to go on an 18 to 0 run. Vernon Hills was able to route this victory and advance to the semifinals in the playoffs.   5:00 PM Games Court 1: Leyden (49) vs Wheeling (63) Wheeling came out and took control of the game early again and Leyden did not respond well. Leyden is usually a team full of energy and heart but got out played by a sound Wildcat team. Teams are similar in talent and personnel, but Wheeling locked in defensively while also having quality possessions on the offensive end of the floor. Good win for Wheeling to move to the final round in the playoffs.   Court 2: Vernon Hills (57) vs Elk Grove (63) One of the best games of the day as both teams gave their all in this semifinal matchup. Elk Grove found themselves winning at half 31 - 25, in this up-tempo match up. Vernon Hills led by their man in the middle senior Erik Remus was able to find consistent offense working the ball inside and playing out of pant touches. A very good battle in this matchup between two similar bigs in Vernon Hills’ Remus and Elk Grove’s Bartek Sarat. Both providing an anchor in the middle on both ends of the court. Elk Grove was able to inch this one out down the stretch, hitting key shots down the stretch and making big plays to seal this one and advance to the championship.   6:00 PM Games Court 1: Wheeling (84) vs Elk Grove (69) The championship game was one deserving of its title! A competitive matchup between These two clubs brought out a great game to watch despite the final score. Elks Grove got off to another slow start offensively despite the play of guard Josh Mottley who was able to create early getting downhill and finishing at the rim. Even with the slow start, Elk Grove was able to hold the deficit to 7 points going into halftime. Wheeling came out with a second half burst following halftime that extended the gap between the two teams that Elk Grove was just not able to overcome. Wheeling dominated behind the play of Elijah Hutchinson (26 points) and Aima Igiehon (35 points). Great fall season from Wheeling as they look to carry it over to the regular season. Court 2: Bucks (55) vs Payton JV (52) A first round matchup that was a pleasant surprise! The bucks who have had their ups and down during the regular season came to play and gave Walter Payton a run for their money. The play of Ryan Brown and the rest of the Bucks kept this game within 3 points with only 2 minutes remaining in the first half. Walter Payton was led by promising sophomore Kai Fulgoson whom was a focal point in Payton’s offense as he had 18 points in the first half alone. As his team lead 32 to 28 going into half. In the second half the Bucks got it going and were able to seal this one away.   7:00 PM Games Court 1: Ida Crown JV (50) vs Vernon Hills JV (51) - OT Ida Crown came out to play in this one against a very sound Vernon Hills squad, able to maintain the lead early in this low scoring game. Vernon Hills zone naturally slows the game down, but teams have been playing to their advantage by dribbling into double team allowing Vernon hills to create turnovers and get out in transition. Ida Crown has learned from past transgressions and had a sound game plan heading into this one by maximizing their possessions and using team play. Vernon Hills however is not a team that goes away easily even without their normal rate of transition baskets they were able to stay in this game and tie it up at 48 a piece with 45 seconds remaining. In overtime Vernon Hills was able to capitalize on the first few possessions and defend down the stretch to put this one away. Court 2: Bucks (69) vs Hampshire (25) Hampshire is a talented team with a talented sophomore group! Hampshire jumped on the Bucks early in route to a 40-point victory to advance to the championship. The Bucks played hard and competed the entire way through but it just wasn’t enough to close the gap between the two clubs. 8:00 PM Championship Game Court 1: Hampshire (51) vs Vernon Hills (44) An anticipated match up that lived up to It’s expectations! Both teams played and battled to the point where they went scoreless for the first 5 minutes. Locking in defensively and maximizing each possession working for a good shot. Hampshire got acquainted to Vernon Hills zone well into this one, by getting the ball in the middle and sneaking a guy behind the defense allowing them to open things up. 19-13 at half Vernon Hills hit a wall trying to score the ball as they couldn’t find any momentum early while Hampshire was able to take advantage and jump on a 11-0 run. A game that started off competitive flipped after that run as Vernon Hills lost all push and desire in this one as Hampshire ran away with this one. Guard play of Alex and Nick for Hampshire was strong and helped secure the championship win for five club.   <h2>Player Standouts:</h2> Julian Villegas 6’0” G Walter Payton Class of 2022 Villegas has been consistently one of the better guards in our league as he had a 26-point exhibition in todays contest. Villegas was finishing at the basket making high level layups that will transition to the next level. A guard that can really play and get it done on both ends of the court. A Small college player that should be tracked.   Yoni Arent 6’1” G Ida Crown Jewish Academy 2022 High energy defensive guard that can get downhill and make plays. Was slicing through teams all day and making sound decisions with the ball. A fun player to watch for this Ida Crown team that plays with a high level of competitiveness that enhances his skills on the floor. A promising player for his team who plays extremely hard.   Josh Mottley 6’0” G Elk Grove High School 2023 A passionate player who steps up and makes big plays for his team and at times provides the exact spark that they need. Has had some solid showings in our league, but today was by far his best showing. Had back-to-back solid games with his high of the day being 26 points. Mottley is an athletic small guard who can defend and make shots on the perimeter consistently for his team.   Elijah Hutchison 6’3” G/F Wheeling High School 2022 An athletic guard that shows tremendous potential and is lining up to be an All-Conference player in his senior year. A long guard that can finish above the rim in traffic, as he has shown over the last couple of weeks. Hutchinson has also shown he can be efficient being a traditional point guard with scoring ability from all three levels of the floor. A player that may end up being better at the collegiate level as his skills and profile will transfer over nicely.   <h2>Scoring Leaders:</h2>   Aims Igehion Wheeling High School - 37 Bronson Bartuch Elk Grove High School-33 Aidan Romanski Buffalo Grove High School -35 Bryce Drexler Vernon Hills High School - 29 Nathan Raub Walter Payton Academy - 27 Justin St.Louis Vernon Hills High School- 28 Julian Villegas Walter Payton Academy - 26 Nick Louis Hampshire High School - 22 Jonathan Okner Ida Crown Jewish Academy - 24 Jonathan Ayala Leyden High School - 25 Josh Mottley Elk Grove High School - 23 Andrew Mann Jr Leyden High School- 20 Erick Remus Vernon Hills High School - 25 Elijah Hutchison Wheeling High School - 24 Max Brusso Vernon Hills High School - 20 Bosun Mobi Loyola Academy - 20 Billy Kotin Loyola Academy - 23