Jack Tosh Holiday Classic: Dec 30 Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monday we spent the day at the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic.  It was a fun day of hoops which we recap here in Jack Tosh Holiday Classic: December 30 Notebook!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nazareth Size Enforces Will Inside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big men for Nazareth were the difference in their 60-45 win over Minooka in an early morning consolation game.&nbsp; In the first half it was 6'5” junior [player_tooltip player_id='2415520' first='Eddie' last='Austin'] who was efficient scoring down low on sweeping layup and nifty finishes around the rim.&nbsp; He finished with 14 points (5-9 FG).&nbsp; Their 6'8” senior center [player_tooltip player_id='2321464' first='Danny' last='Wrzesinski'] had a big outing in the second half as the legit five went to work down low throwing down dunks, sealing for scores, hitting the offensive glass, and overall playing extremely physical.&nbsp; He had 19 points (9-12 FG) in the victory.&nbsp; Good late small college addition!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zane Caves is a 2026 Michigan State baseball commit that is the top hooper for Minooka.&nbsp; The 6'5” small forward is a crafty wig scorer that loves to get in the lane for floaters and buckets getting two feet in the paint.&nbsp; He had 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lemont 2026 Sularski Lives Up to Ranking in Duel with Riverside Brookfield's Loftus</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1552393' first='Gabriel' last='Sularski'] has been toward the top of the 2026 rankings since they came into high school.&nbsp; In their game on Monday against RB it might have been the most impressive performance we have seen out of him in their 70-58 victory.&nbsp; The 6'6” small forward was in his bag getting whatever he wanted.&nbsp; Really liked how aggressive he was off the bounce.&nbsp; Put his head down and got to the rim, pushed in the open floor going coast to coast, and mixed in several jumpers although he didn't force them.&nbsp; The passing was on point as he made several live dribble dishes on the move for assists.&nbsp; One of the more complete game we have seen from Sularski as he had 32 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2321410' first='Alanas' last='Castillo'] is a hard nosed wing that can really shoot it from three.&nbsp; Shooter with size that should find a home at the small college level as he had 12 points.&nbsp; Keep an eye out for young gur [player_tooltip player_id='2749990' first='Zane' last='Schneider'] as the sophomore scores on cuts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverside Brookfield was led by [player_tooltip player_id='2415420' first='Danny' last='Loftus'] with a monster performance.&nbsp; The scoring guard is a bucket that is nifty around the rim for finishes.&nbsp; Puts pressure on the rim both in transition and the half court.&nbsp; Scoop shots, creative layups, and mid-range jumpers.&nbsp; Also like how high of a rate he gets to the line.&nbsp; He had 27 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lyons Tops Conant 56-50</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lyons scored a nice victory over Conant by a final of 56-50.&nbsp; They were led by 6'1” 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2399391' first='Owen' last='Carroll'] who shot it well from the perimeter.&nbsp; The lefty connected on an array of threes going 3-8 from distance for 16 points and 5 rebounds.&nbsp; Their other guard Timmy Sloan stuffed the stat sheet for 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 dimes.&nbsp; Their top prospect is senior skilled forward [player_tooltip player_id='2442145' first='Ian' last='Polonowski'].&nbsp; Usually a lights out shooter he only went 1-7 from deep, but was still effective having 7 points and 15 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conant's top prospect is 2025 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1545127' first='Bradley' last='Biedke'] who is a skilled forward that play inside and out.&nbsp; Stretches the floor with his shot making from beyond the arc off the catch.&nbsp; Crafty finisher around the basket on his post moves.&nbsp; He finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds.&nbsp; Also got a big game from 6'1” senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2403913' first='Nate' last='Hahn'] who kept them in the game with his perimeter shot making and tough drives through contact scoring 20 points in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Glenbard North 2027 Duo Lead Way against Yorkville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a fun matchup which saw Glenbard North come away with a 64-51 victory over Yorkville.&nbsp; In this game there was a ton of underclassmen talent on both sides.&nbsp; Let's start with Glenbard North 2027 6'5” small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2455373' first='Oturo' last='Redento'].&nbsp; He is a strong bodied wing that can handle it very well getting to the rim with powerful slashes.&nbsp; Also a threat with a smooth stroke as a shooter off the catch which he nailed an array of them.&nbsp; Good defender and plays well in transition.&nbsp; He had 22 points and is a big stock riser!&nbsp; His 2027 running mate is long and wiry shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2125660' first='Lamari' last='Carpenter'].&nbsp; He nailed three triples in the win en route to 11 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1459000' first='Jack' last='Schager'] is a 6'0” 2025 guard who put his name on the map with his shot making, toughness, and heady play as he notched 14 points in this game.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2454188' first='Maharri' last='Thatch'] is a great glue guy for this team that makes plays when needed as he had 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yorkville's future is their 2028 duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2194655' first='Braydon' last='Porter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2532003' first='Joey' last='Jakstys'].&nbsp; Porter is a 6'3” slashing wing that loves to take it to the rack along with working in the mid-range with his shot.&nbsp; Plus athlete with strength and two way projection had 9 points.&nbsp; Jakstys older brother was one of the top seniors last year and is now at Illinois.&nbsp; This big man has skill and touch around the basket with his hook shot, slick euro step, and had a couple quick passes scoring 8 points.&nbsp; Frankie Pavlik put his team on his back in the second half trying to get them back in the game with slick takes and being active on the defensive end.&nbsp; He had 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Laurence Advances to Consolation Championship in Great Game vs Glenbard West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams could have very easily been playing for the regular semis, but instead each got upset in round one and here they were in the consolation championship game as St. Laurence narrowly defeated Glenbard West 59-51 in a fun game of runs.&nbsp; In the end though St. Laurence had too many weapons including their sharp shooter [player_tooltip player_id='1544818' first='Bradley' last='Stratton'] who went 6-9 from deep in the win for 18 points.&nbsp; He was absolutely lethal off the catch and should have D3s and NAIAs all over him!&nbsp; Purdue Fort Wayne commit [player_tooltip player_id='1766461' first='EJ' last='Mosley'] was outstanding in this game as he had 14 points and 7 dimes in the game.&nbsp; What we like most was how well he controlled the game from the point gurd position.&nbsp; He had 7 assists and only one turnover against the Glenbard West 1-3-1.&nbsp; Also made plays as a scorer with his float game, transition scoring, and hit a three.&nbsp; Another good showing for the St. Laurence sophomore duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2323617' first='Markese' last='Peoples'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2125677' first='Reggie' last='Stevens'].&nbsp; Peoples continues to step up to the challenge with his toughness around the hoop as he had 6 points and 7 rebounds while Stevens is a big time shot maker hitting 2-3 from deep for 6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glenbard West's star 2026&nbsp; wing [player_tooltip player_id='1552441' first='Josh' last='Abushanab'] has plus size and strength on the perimeter.&nbsp; He is an above average shooter both off the catch from three along with creating in the mid-range pouring in 15-18 foot shots.&nbsp; Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1552408' first='TJ' last='Williams'] struggled shooting it, but was effective attacking off the dribble and in the open floor for 10 points.&nbsp; He had 11 points in the loss.&nbsp; Up front senior [player_tooltip player_id='2389800' first='Logan' last='Glover'] played with energy and athleticism going for 10 points and 5 rebounds including multiple put backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bolingbrook Avenges Last Season's Title Loss in Semis vs Metamora</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's overtime classic between Bolingbrook and Metamora was one of the best games all season.&nbsp; This was a game of runs with Metamora getting out early leading at the half by 10, but Bolingbrook came storming back behind their plethora of perimeter weapons to win 61-47.&nbsp; Sophomore superstar [player_tooltip player_id='2323624' first='Davion' last='Thompson'] was held in check in the first half but scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half leading his team to the victory.&nbsp; He did it with his crafty game off the bounce as his tight handles allowed him to get in the lane for layups and short jumpers.&nbsp; Posted up and used shot fakes to get in the mid-range.&nbsp; When he needed it the three ball was there as he poured in a couple deep ones to close the night.&nbsp; The passing feel was on display as well with his 6 assists and active hands defensively snatching 3 steals.&nbsp; His young running mate [player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'] played with a ton of poise for a freshman on the big stage.&nbsp; Runners, turnaround jumpers, dunks, reverse layups, and he totally looked like he belonged while scoring 10 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1874876' first='Trey' last='Brost'] gave his team a spark in the second half with his perimeter shooting, defense, and getting to the foul line as the combo guard went for 9 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1385301' first='JT' last='Pettigrew'] brought toughness inside on a few grown man finishes as the game went along and he shut down the Metamora post scoring after it got loose early.&nbsp; He had 8 points and 10 rebounds.&nbsp; Jeremy McCullum is a player that deserves a mention as the junk yard dog four had 10 points playing a key role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metamora got 25 points from their Player of the Year candidate [player_tooltip player_id='1545146' first='Matthew' last='Zobrist'].&nbsp; The Bradley commit was fighting through an injury about midway through the game, but he kept making plays.&nbsp; NBA range on his shot and does such a great job of getting separation to get it off.&nbsp; Banged in multiple deep threes along with turnaround jumpers.&nbsp; Showed he could finish with either hand at the rim and was excellent again passing.&nbsp; South Dakota commit [player_tooltip player_id='1576619' first='Jonah' last='Funk'] is a bouncy four man that plays above the rim with big slams, put backs, and has touch shown on a hook shot.&nbsp; Brought a lot of energy early in the game as he finished with 10 points and 8 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>****PHI's Steve Parham will have coverage of the second semi between Fenwick and Lake Zurich.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->