Pure Sweat Fall Jamboree Notebook
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The talent level at the 2023 Pure Sweat Fall Jamboree might have been the highest it has ever been. This annual event each fall in Carterville allows Prep Hoops Illinois to get a look at the top prospects from southern…
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Continue ReadingThe talent level at the 2023 Pure Sweat Fall Jamboree might have been the highest it has ever been. This annual event each fall in Carterville allows Prep Hoops Illinois to get a look at the top prospects from southern Illinois. This year it was the best of the best in an invite only format which brought out the premier prospects from the area! We break it all down here! We examine the evening in Pure Sweat Fall Jamboree Notebook!
Top 2025 Power Forwards in the House
The first aspect that stood out was the power forwards in the 2025 class. The best of the best from southern Illinois were in the house. There was a great battle in a couple of games between Benton’s Docker Tedeschi Docker Tedeschi 6'9" | PF Benton | 2025 State IL and Columbia’s Sam Donald Sam Donald 6'8" | PF Columbia | 2025 State IL who are two of the best in the 618! Early on it was Donald who was draining feathery jumpers from all over the floor. Plus shot from both pulling up and off the catch. He is so smooth rising up and getting his shot off. Liked how he could take it off the defensive glass and push it the other way. Was active defensively both vertically and horizontally with blocks along with steals. Tedeschi is a skilled face up four man that brings toughness and athleticism. The 6’7” four man is super bouncy around the hoop throwing down dunks inside and on rim runs. Also was effective putting it on the deck for floaters. Plus spot up shooter that was a very good three point floor stretcher on a regular basis. Impacted defensively swatting shots. Both Donald and Tedeschi have the looks of D1 posts in 2025. Two other of the top 2025 posts were in the house. Centralia’s Donovan Collins has been on a tear this spring with his play in camp settings. The 6’6” four plays with such a high-motor every possession. The athleticism really pops as well as he threw down a couple nasty jams. Rebounds flying in for boards and runs the floor super hard. Can put it on the deck a couple dribbles especially on the baseline. Belleville East’s Savion Mitchell Savion Mitchell 6'6" | PF Belleville East | 2025 State IL caught our attention during June with the Lancers at Riverside Brookfield. Mobile post that has a good frame. Seemed to have slimmed down some and rim ran in transition for scores. Quick to the offensive glass for second chance points. Passed it pretty well. At times tended to drift to the perimeter and his jumper wasn’t falling.
Pinckneyville Primed for This Year and Future
It is a new era of Pinckneyville basketball with new head coach Matt Laur at the helm of this historic program. They had three of their best on display at the event on Monday night. Feature a standout prospect in each of the next three classes. In 2024 it was 6’0” combo guard Hunter Smith Hunter Smith 6'0" | SG Pinckneyville | 2024 State IL who brought the energy. He was constantly scoring in transition running the floor hard and pushing for layups. Also shot it well from distance draining several threes. Kid is tough as nails! Their 2025 to track is 6’5” wing AJ Keith AJ Keith 6'4" | SG Pinckneyville | 2025 State IL . Like the size on the perimeter here and the athleticism really shines. Couple of super smooth moves with the rock in his hands including a nasty dunk. Plays well in transition and has a solid skill set. The youngest Pinckneyville prospect was Ty Laur Ty Laur 6'6" | C Pinckneyville | 2026 State IL in the 2026 class. At 6’5” he is a five man that will continue to grow. He is still growing into his body, but the flashes of skill were impressive including a lefty hook shot and beautiful spin move. Also showed some passing feel as well. Rebounds well in his area.
2025 and 2026 Guards Push the Pace
In an up and down type setting a lot of the tempo is dictated by the point guards. They did a nice job in this setting. Carterville 2025 point guard Drew Barrington Drew Barrington 6'0" | PG Carterville | 2025 State IL was gritty on the defensive end getting steals going the other way for a scoop shot. Plus passer that loves to push ahead. Herrin 2025 point guard Kyrese Lukens was dropping dimes on dump off passes, in the open floor, and throwing long outlets. Also looked smooth hitting a three. Mascoutah 2025 point guard Jayden McCoo Jayden McCoo 6'1" | PG Mascoutah | 2025 State IL is a long and rangy combo guard that is an excellent defender starting the break, slices through the defense, and was very good finishing at the cup. First look at Carterville 2026 point guard Colton Hawkins Colton Hawkins 6'2" | PG Carterville | 2026 State IL . He has nice size at 6’2” with an excellent feel for the game. Dished it with flair and make sound decisions all night long while mixing in his own offense. Marion 2025 point guard Kyan Cole is a scrappy guard that also pushed it well.
Wings to Watch in All Classes
It was a strong group of wings headlined by one of the best in southern Illinois Waltonville 2026 small forward Gage Peterson Gage Peterson 6'6" | SF Waltonville | 2026 State IL . The 6’5” sophomore has good size and strength. Tough finishes off the bounce including a wrap around layup along with scoop shots. Plus shooter with a crisp looking shot from distance and pulling up. Breese Central 2024 two guard Mason Shubert Mason Shubert 6'2" | SG Breese Central | 2024 State IL is going to be a gem of a get at the small college level. Everything he does is precise and with purpose. Solid shooter, crashes the glass, and was excellent in drill work. Belleville East 2025 small forward Nathaniel Smith Nathaniel Smith 6'5" | SF O'Fallon | 2025 State IL jumped on our radar with Illinois Orange over the summer playing up. What you have to like here is the size at 6’4” with two way potential. Rebounds well and starts the break along with getting to the rim for conversions. Carlyle 2025 shooting guard Hayden Huels is a two guard that can hit an open shot and was effective in the open floor getting to the cup.
Sleeper Centers to Track
There were five men with legit size that will attract attention at the next level with just their height alone. Dongola 6’9” 220 pound five man Blake Herren Blake Herren 6'9" | C Dongola | 2024 State IL is a massive 2024 post. He had a couple of big dunks, finished in the pick/roll, and even hit a short jumper. Will find a home at the small college level for sure! Race Hickey Race Hickey 6'10" | C Marion | 2025 State IL from Marion is a 2025 that rivals Herren’s height at 6’10” 200 pounds. A bit on the thin side he has added some strength since we last saw him. The center blocked a few shots, finished dump offs, ran the floor, and got a couple put backs. Okawville 6’9” 205 pound center Aidan Anderson Aidan Anderson 6'9" | C Okawville | 2025 State IL is a 2025 post to monitor with how well he rebounds in his area and can seal on the block. Carlyle post 2025 Matthew Guthrie was a new name on our radar. Got up and down the floor and even flashed a right handed hook shot.