Midwest Melee: Scotty B's Sunday Notebook

Midwest Melee concluded on Sunday and we had scouts out in full force.  I was at Batavia for the final day of games and break down what I saw in Midwest Melee: Scotty B's Sunday Notebook!   [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 15U Top 10 Trio Shines Again   The 8 AM game featured [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose']'s talented trio which will more than likely all debut in the top 10 when the 2026 rankings are released.  Early on we saw the aggressive version of St. Rita wing [player_tooltip player_id='1552394' first='Andre' last='Tyler'] and when he is assertive attacking with his athleticism he is a tough cover.  Proviso West point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1845363' first='Rajan' last='Roberts'] then got involved with his shot making from three and straight line takes.  After a slow start big man [player_tooltip player_id='1845356' first='Jaali' last='Love'] started to go off as he ran the floor hard, finished dump offs, swatted shots, and even hit a turnaround jumper.   Team FVV Elite 15U Guards Excel in High Level Battle with M14   Next up was two more top 15U teams from Illinois as Team FVV Elite topped M14 71-63.  Once again it was the plethora of backcourt talent that led the way for FVV.  The Rockford Auburn quartet was led by [player_tooltip player_id='1845353' first='Amir' last='Danforth'] who has the look of a D1 wing early in the process.  He dropped 19 points in the win slashing with burst getting to the rim at a good rate along with bombing in a pair of threes.  [player_tooltip player_id='2105424' first='Brian' last='Harper'] was shifty off the bounce scoring with a soft touch finishing package for 14 points.  Mikwon Marshall is the energy guy that hits the glass from his guard spot, runs the floor, and finishes at the cup.  Also had 14 points.   M14 got a strong outing from Oswego East wing Mason Lockett.  Long and rangy two guard with projectability displayed his skill with the three ball, passing, and athleticism with his finishing out of the dunker spot for 12 points.  Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1874810' first='Jayden' last='Riley'] had his moments as well including spectacular passing, scoop shots, and mid-range pull ups for 16 points.    Balanced Attack Pushes [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 17U to Victory Over [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown']   It was a team effort for [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 17U in their win against [program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'] by a final of 51-42.  Michigan shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1111918' first='Daniel' last='Smythe'] led them in scoring with 12 points draining four triples.  He is a big time shot maker!  Class of 2024 combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1157226' first='Josh' last='Pickett'] is one of the better uncommitted prospects on the board in Illinois.  Good size and shot making along with creativity while putting pressure on the rim.    Big game for Stagg 6'2” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1598677' first='Connor' last='Williams'].  Plus shooter from three hit a couple off the catch along with getting loose in transition en route to 16 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='1598649' first='Alejandro' last='Diaz'] is a Fenton 6'1” two guard that does the majority of his damage in the mid-range and off movement.   Greater Purpose Athletics 16U Guards Lead Way   GPA notched a 64-57 victory over [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] with a pair of 2025 lead guards doing work!  [player_tooltip player_id='2105292' first='Ben' last='Schneider'] was outstanding for GPA as the Prospect 5'11” point guard had 21 points.  Drained threes in bunches, pushed off his defense, and had creative finishes.  [player_tooltip player_id='1598652' first='Anestis' last='Hadjistamoulou'] from Glenbrook South stands at 6'0” with a ton of toughness.  Ultimate leader that plays with grit.  Can knock down shots as he had 10 points.   [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] was pushed by Lake Zurich five man [player_tooltip player_id='1766464' first='Anton' last='Strelnikov'].  Man was he impressive with the way he played with his back to the basket.  Left handed hook shots, spins, put backs, quick moves from the mid-post, and a top of the key three en route to 18 points.   Illinois T-Wolves 17U Backcourt to Track   We caught the first half of two different Illinois T-Wolves games.  In the first one it was all about Joliet Catholic 5'10” point guard James Pilapil.  He drained five triples in the game we saw.  Had that feel that you thought it was going in every time he let it go.  In the other game I was impressed with Plainfield South's Michael Smith.  The 6'3” wiry wing has a feathery touch from three along with projectability.  Joliet West 5'10” lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1295572' first='Corey' last='Nobles'] is coming along as well as an athletic combo guard that makes shots.   [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'] UA Rise 17U Duo Impresses   Caught some out of state action as the talented [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'] UA squad shined behind an pair of prospects.  Early on it was point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1275808' first='David' last='Cundiff'] who controlled the tempo of the game running the show along with making others around him better.  Found spots to score as well with powerful slashes and threes.  Lanky small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1158231' first='Justin' last='Sims'] is oozing with potential.  His slashes and dunks stood out with his big time athleticism.   United Pursuit 17U Trio Make Us Take Notice   Although they were on the court next to us we couldn't help but notice United Pursuit putting on a show.  That started with JJ Brock who is a broad shouldered 6'6” small forward that threw down dunk after dunk and they were LOUD!  He had 14 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2057323' first='Lual' last='Abiel'] is a wiry wing that showcased a skilled offensive game as a shooter and passer while notching 11 points.  Shane Ryske actually led this team in scoring as the 6'3” wing notched 25 points in their blowout win on Sunday.   Cerese Calls Game at Buzzer in Greater Purpose Athletics 17U 4-0 Weekend   GPA vs All In Athletics 17U was the best game of the day.  It had big performances and went down to the wire.  All-In Athletics tied it up with about 20 seconds left.  GPA got a shot for their star Lake Park point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1764717' first='Camden' last='Cerese'] who called game draining a three at the buzzer.  He had 19 points including that triple.  Tough takes, pull up jumpers, and drive/kick dimes.  Evanston point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2105092' first='Brandon' last='Watson'] is a smaller guard at 5'9” that had a 16 point performance pushing off his defense and knocking in jumpers.    Glenbrook North point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1965004' first='Sam' last='Lappin'] was phenomenal in the loss for All-In Athletics.  He scored 20 points making difficult layups one after another.  Creative finisher at the rim who always seemed to finish with the right angle or spin on it.  Keep an eye out for this Glenbrook North lead guard.  Conant big man [player_tooltip player_id='1978579' first='Camden' last='Lathos'] had 13 points including a clutch pick and pop jumper to tie the game up.  Skilled five that can play with his back to the basket, but also stretch with his shooting.   Lituanica Continues Stellar Weekend Against Grit N Grind in Finale   Fun game to close things out at the event as Lituanica created buzz all weekend among our scouts.  We saw them score a 66-54 victory in the last game of the event.  [player_tooltip player_id='1978601' first='Matthew' last='Peczulis'] was outstanding as the Hinsdale Central 6'1” guard drained six from distance along with mixing in runners for 24 points.  He can flat out go!  Also [player_tooltip player_id='1500289' first='Klaidas' last='Paskauskas'] from Lemont scored 25 points as he was automatic with his jumper as well draining them one after another.   [player_tooltip player_id='1766465' first='Ikee' last='Brooks'] was excellent for Grit N Grind.  The 2025 lead guard showed he could play with his tremendous speed while being more under control.  That led to a 17 point outing as his pull up game was about as on point as we have seen it.  His twin [player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] Jr is a top 10 2025 that had his moments in a 20 point outing.  Athletic wing that excels when he gets a head of steam behind him scoring at the net.   Quick Hitters   Timothy Christian 2024 center [player_tooltip player_id='1598775' first='Thon' last='Bill'] continues to shine again as a defensive presence playing above the rim as a shot blocker, rebounder, and dunker for [program_tooltip program_id='2075467' first='ET21' last='Buckeyes'].   Illinois Valley Warriors wing [player_tooltip player_id='1541247' first='Ryan' last='Browder'] is a 6'3” shooting guard that can score from all three levels.  The Earlville wing is one of the best kept secrets in the state.  Plus shooter from three that uses his added strength to score through contact.   [player_tooltip player_id='1920633' first='Quinn' last='Krueger'] from the Illinois Storm 17U is another plus shooter from three that will be a small college find.   [player_tooltip player_id='1373448' first='Askia' last='Bullie'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1978580' first='Kaden' last='Faber'] led the way for DTM in their win against Illinois Storm 81-54.  Bullie is a shifty ball handler that won off the bounce for buckets and dishes.  Faber is a projectable forward that crashes the offensive glass and plays above the rim.  Flashes emerging skill.  Upside prospect to track.

Midwest Melee concluded on Sunday and we had scouts out in full force. I was at Batavia for the final day of games and break down what I saw in Midwest Melee: Scotty B's Sunday Notebook!