5 Best: Vashon (MO) vs Whitney Young (IL)
5 Best: Vashon (MO) 81 – Whitney Young (IL) 74
Chicago, Il — In one of the premier match-ups of the 2017 Chicago Elite Classic. Defending 3A State Champions Vashon Wolverines traveled to the Windy City to face Illinois 4A defending state Champs Whitney Young. Vashon featured 2019 Top-100 recruit Mario McKinney Jr. and a slew of young talented Sophomores and Freshman. While Whitney Young returned Valpo commit Javon Freeman and USF commit Xavier Castaneda. PG Javon Freeman and Myles Baker got off to good starts for Whitney Young who jumped out to a 18-13 1st quarter lead. Vashon responded well and when on several runs in both the 2nd and 3rd quarter lead by Junior guard Mario McKinney Jr. and Sophomore Cam’ron Fletcher. Turnovers and foul trouble hurt Whitney Young down the stretch. Vashon would go on to win the game 81-74. Both teams look primed for good year as these are two very talented teams. Here we look at 5 top performers.
Game MVP: Mario McKinney 6’2’’ (2019) Vashon
The Top-100 nationally ranked prospect put on a show at the Chicago Elite Classic, and was electric with the ball in his hands. McKinney Jr. plays a fiery game and competes and plays hard on both ends of the court. He showed why he holds multiple high major offers displaying a slick handle and the ability to either blow by his defender or hit pull on jumpers. He can score in a variety of ways and filled in up in this game going 12-18 shooting for a game high 33 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. McKinney is a combo guard that can play on or off the ball. At 6’2’’ McKinney uses his leaping ability to play above the rims and make plays and grab rebounds. I like the upside to McKinney who is now the go to option at Vashon for the next two years.
Offensive: Javon Freeman 6’4’’ (2018) Whitney Young HS
Valpo commit Javon Freeman had an efficient game scoring the ball for WY, but the issue was he was in foul trouble. Freeman can really put pressure on defenders with his quick first step to the rim and his ability to work the baseline to get to the rim. Freeman fouled out of the game in the 4th quarter and only played 15 minutes, but was 6-8 from the field and 10-12 at the free throw line. He finished the game with 22 points 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Keep an eye on Freeman this year who could make a run for Mr. Basketball in Illinois.
Best Rebounder: Justin Boyd 6’3’’ (2018) Whitney Young HS.
Whitney Young sharpshooter Justin Boyd’s shot wasn’t falling from deep but he did a good job attacking the glass as he grabbed 5 offensive rebounds and 8 on the defensive side to total 13 rebounds for the game. With Whitney Young lacking size it was critical for them to attack the glass from all 5 spots and Boyd did just that. Boyd also finished with 10 points.
All-Around Game: Myles Baker 6’3’’ (2019) Whitney Young HS
Junior Myles Baker is stepping into a bigger role for Whitney Young and he did a little bit of everything in the game to help keep it close. Baker knocked down a couple big three pointers in the first half, and did a good job slashing to the lane for WY. He seemed more comfortable out on the court versus last year, and it showed out in the open court with better decision making. Baker finished the game with 14 points 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.
Best Underclassmen: Cam’Ron Fletcher 6’6’’ (2020) Vashon
Sophomore Cam’Ron Fletcher may have been the player with the most upside on the court Saturday. The 6’6’’ wing is a long bouncy player that has a smooth stroke from deep. He showed good body control going to the lane and finishing. The potential is there for not only a 3 and D type wing but someone that can score from all three levels and defend multiple positions. Fletcher finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds in the win for Vashon (MO). He’ll be counted on all season as a scoring option for Vashon and will be a prospect to track as he has high-major potential.