Thanksgiving Week: Top Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHI took in a full week of games across the state during Thanksgiving Tournaments.&nbsp; Time to look back at what we saw including here in <strong>Thanksgiving Week: Top Performances</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598743' first='Keshaun' last='Vaval'] (Marist – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vaval is a super athletic combo guard from Marist that can score from all three levels. &nbsp;He dropped 23 points in his first game with his new team.&nbsp; Loves to attack off the bounce converting and-1s on a regular basis.&nbsp; Also made several threes and showed growth as a distributor with slip passes and dump offs inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1194341' first='David' last='Douglas'] (Yorkville Christian – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is going to be a tough year for Yorkville Christian losing all their seniors and transfers, but this opens the door for Douglas to put up ridiculous numbers.&nbsp; He had 23 points against Metamora showcasing his offensive repertoire draining a deep three from the top of the key early along with another step back one.&nbsp; Slender built Douglas is effective at slithering his way through defenders for scores in the lane on scoop shots and spinning layups.&nbsp; Legit D2 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='989274' first='Brock' last='Harding'] (Moline – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harding and his Moline squad fell to a state title contender from Wisconsin, but the Iowa Hawkeyes commit more than did his part.&nbsp; Crisp ball handler and shifty playmaker got wherever he wanted for pull up threes from deep consistently knocking in triples along with using his creativity finishing game for scoop shots at the rim in a 34 point outing.&nbsp; Making a very strong case to move into the top 5 in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1562176' first='Jeremy' last='Fears'] (Joliet West – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Solid week for the Michigan State commit in his return to Illinois.&nbsp; He had 17 points in each of his first two games coming alive in crunch time in both their first two wins.&nbsp; In their third contest he netted 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 dimes.&nbsp; Plus defender that got steals and was very good as a shot blocking guard ala Dwayne Wade.&nbsp; Floor general that has a feel for getting others involved and in both contests when he needed to score he found his spots making key threes or using his burst to the cup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jahiem Savage (Phillips – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Savage had a breakout performance dropping 31 points at TOC.&nbsp; It was his ability to knock down threes in bunches with a sweet and concise lefty shot that got him going as he had a handful from beyond the arc.&nbsp; Good size at 6'4” and rebounds well for a guard.&nbsp; Should peak the interest of high level JUCOs and small colleges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285522' first='CJ' last='Savage'] (West Aurora – 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Savage was outstanding in their victory against Fenwick.&nbsp; With their star in foul trouble he absolutely took over.&nbsp; The point guard consistently knocked in threes early and as the game went on started using his handles to get in the lane where he finished with 23 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939051' first='Darrion' last='Baker'] (Hillcrest – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baker was a man among boys in the Chicago Heights championship game.&nbsp; The Hillcrest star was so dominant throwing down monster dunks, displaying an improved game off the bounce, and rebounded at a high level.&nbsp; Netted 21 points in the game.&nbsp; Akron continues to get steals from Illinois!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1170017' first='Arius' last='Alijosius'] (Riverside Brookfield – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a show that the Winona State commit put on against Curie!&nbsp; One of the truly elite shot makers in the state drained an array of threes in route to 30 points.&nbsp; His ability to knock down shots off the catch in bunches with a quick release is remarkable.&nbsp; Every time it leaves his hands you think it is going in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->