Grit Region Finals: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday night kicked off the Grit Region Finals in Indianapolis.&nbsp; I was at the 17U venue taking in games on opening night.&nbsp; We caught three contests featuring Illinois teams.&nbsp; We dive into them here in <strong>Grit Region Finals: Scotty B's Friday Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Looks Like They Haven't Missed a Beat</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First game was an exhibition game that we took in where [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black 17U put on a show in a 66-22 victory.&nbsp; They looked like they had not even gone back to their high school teams as they were meshing from the jump.&nbsp; In the first half they got a boost from Mundelein shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1502193' first='Evan' last='Salvador'].&nbsp; The lefty is a shot maker that hit a couple from three along with mixing in some acrobatic finishes in the lane for 13 points.&nbsp; Lyons combo forward [player_tooltip player_id='2442145' first='Ian' last='Polonowski'] continues to fly under the radar of college coaches for some reason.&nbsp; Worthy of D2 consideration with how well he shoots it at 6'7”.&nbsp; Drained five triples in the win for 15 points.&nbsp; Easy and quick release off his hand that makes you think it is going in every time.&nbsp; Hinsdale Central small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2105166' first='Vincas' last='Buzelis'] did a little bit of everything in the first half stuffing the stat sheet.&nbsp; Defended at a high level, scrappy on the glass, and passed it well.&nbsp; Closed the half with a reverse layup.&nbsp; After that he got it rolling with his offense with crisp drives, cuts, and threes.&nbsp; Plus athlete with strength needs to be recruited at the D1 level. &nbsp;Had 10 points in this one. Grant combo guard Braylon Grant is a great glue guy for this team that brings defense, passing, and transition scoring.&nbsp; Inside highly ranked Benet 2026 big man [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] held things down.&nbsp; Blocked nearly everything that came in the lane as the seven footer is one of the state's top rim protectors.&nbsp; Finished through contact, hit the glass, and made a mid-range jumper on his way to 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Big 3 Backcourt Ignites Team to Win over [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] in First Round</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liked how the Big 3 group competed and played as a team in their 59-51 win against [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'].  York guard [player_tooltip player_id='2403932' first='Connor' last='Fitzgerald'] was a huge reason they got the W.  Broad shouldered guard that gets after it on the defensive end and can really score in the lane on floaters and using his strength through opponents along with getting to the line.  Went for 18 points in the victory.  Conant's [player_tooltip player_id='2403941' first='Andreas' last='Sassaris'] is another crafty guard that made a name for himself in this one.  Strong build being able to take a bump in the paint along with hitting a three.  He had 10 points.  Lyons 6'2” two guard [player_tooltip player_id='2403912' first='Andrew' last='[player_tooltip player_id='2398927' first='Carlisle' last='']'] is a two guard that flashed some scoring potential hitting a three along with soft runners for 9 points.  Lyons 6'5” combo forward [player_tooltip player_id='2403907' first='Marshaun' last='Russell'] brings plus athleticism on the interior finishing out of the dunker spot and is quick to the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maybe the breakout player of the night for me was from [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] in Perspectives 6'7” power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2538867' first='James' last='Amison'].&nbsp; In my first look at Amison he jumped off the floor physically with his long arms and athleticism.&nbsp; Then went out and had the skill to match with multiple spin moves for scores on the block, pick/roll conversions, mid-range jumpers, hit a three, and was fluid in transition.&nbsp; Also liked his potential as a switchable defender and rim protector defensively.&nbsp; He had 20 points in the loss, but might have had the breakout night of anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] Brings Stars Shine in Win over Real</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We were told throughout the week that Jeremiah Fears would be playing with [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] in Indy.&nbsp; The recent Illinois decommitment was also joined on [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] by Joliet West 2026 duo [player_tooltip player_id='2323265' first='Aamir' last='Shannon'] and last weekends breakout star [player_tooltip player_id='2045857' first='Ethan' last='Hillsman'].&nbsp; Despite all the star power it was close until Fears took over in the second half to lead i</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The five star talent started the game coming off the bench and it took him a bit to get it rolling.&nbsp; Was looking to set others up more when he came in during the first half, but still had flashes of brilliance with a deep three along with a couple big blocks.&nbsp; With the game close in the second half he took over!&nbsp; Got to the rim at will, big dunks, hit a three, kicked to teammates, and brought the energy level up recording 20 points in the win.&nbsp; Joliet West 2026 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2045857' first='Ethan' last='Hillsman'] also has high-major potential.&nbsp; At 6'7” he is a plus three point shooter that banged in a couple early.&nbsp; Skilled with a great frame and strength to match.&nbsp; Excels in transition where he is able to get downhill and to the basket.&nbsp; Finished well through contact and has such and explosive second jump on the offensive glass.&nbsp; Went for 20 points in the win.&nbsp; Shannon is a two guard that brings plus athleticism and that was shown in this game on the defensive end as multiple times he blitzed the ball handler taking it from him for scores at the other end.&nbsp; Very active on that end as he had 8 points.&nbsp; Joliet Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='2400476' first='Deven' last='Triplett'] brought a spark to his team in this one.&nbsp; The lefty guard is active defensively, gets to the line, and is crafty finishing around the hoop as he had 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Real out of Michigan we came away impressed with the toughness and grit shown by Seth Mead.&nbsp; The 2025 shooting guard competed on the defensive end.&nbsp; Offensively it was all downhill as he scored in the paint and in transition while being constantly in attack mode racking up 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->