Scouting O’Fallon Regional: Belleville East and Alton Advance

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wednesday night I was at the O'Fallon Regional Semis which featured four Southwestern Conference teams with a host of ranked prospects including a quartet of D1 players.&nbsp; It was a cross-town rivalry as Belleville East topped Belleville West in the opener 40-35.&nbsp; Then Alton flexed its depth and backcourt power in a 64-46 victory over O'Fallon.&nbsp; We break it all down including the prospects in both games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Belleville East Wins with Defense and Timely Scoring</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first contest the lower seeded Belleville East upset Belleville West to advance to the regional championship game. They were excellent defensively putting pressure on the Belleville West squad all game long not allowing them to get clean looks.&nbsp; Their guards knocked in some big shots throughout the evening.&nbsp; Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='3430141' first='Kenny' last='Wilson'] stepped up recording 13 points in the victory.&nbsp; Poured in mid-range jumpers, spot up threes, and scored at the rack several times.&nbsp; Connective passer as well.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='3361100' first='Jalen' last='Coleman'] is a spark for this team as he is the heart and soul of this group.&nbsp; Senior is a 5'8” lead guard that has a float game, pushed off his defense, and knocked in a three ball for 8 points.&nbsp; His energy translated over to the rest of his team.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='3361098' first='Troy' last='Alexander'] is another rock solid guard for this team who banged in a key three late scoring 7 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projectable Prospects for Belleville East Flash</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A trio of players for the Lancers showed promise with their size.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2798033' first='Bryce' last='Bennett'] is a 6'6” senior wing that I honestly don't even remember from earlier in the season.&nbsp; He flashed with his athleticism, long arms, defense, and knocked in a three ball.&nbsp; Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='2454160' first='Kameron' last='Eutsey'] is a 6'7” well-built five man that snatches rebounds and ran the floor hard.&nbsp; Nice and-1 conversion on a pick/roll.&nbsp; Both of these seniors are worth looks at the small college programs.&nbsp; Savon Wade is a 6'5” strong bodied power forward who moves well.&nbsp; Finished a pick/roll along with being active on interior.&nbsp; The 2028 is one to track down the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maroons Fall But Have Bright Future</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It definitely was not the best night for Belleville West as the higher seeded team fell to their rival.&nbsp; They do have a bright future.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2458187' first='J'dyn' last='Lloyd'] showed flashes in spurts, but couldn't quite put it all together consistently.&nbsp; Strong bodied wing got a steal in help defense and the 2027 wing threw down a nasty transition dunk.&nbsp; His passing out of the middle of the zone was his best quality in this game hitting guys on the move and shooters as he finished with 7 points.&nbsp; Wiry 6'3” wing [player_tooltip player_id='3427194' first='TJ' last='Cason'] showed some pop with a big dunk off a cut and got to the line.&nbsp; The junior had 8 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='3454780' first='Amauri' last='Fenton'] once again displayed promise as a athletic four man with a good frame that sealed on the block, rebounded in his area, quick post moves, and dished it well for a front court player.&nbsp; Finished with 6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Dakota State Commit Dominates on Both Ends</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Alton their 2026 star [player_tooltip player_id='2376270' first='Semaj' last='Stampley'] brought the intensity from the jump.&nbsp; Stampley really got it going with his defense as he was a monster on that side getting steal after steal turning defense into offense so fast with at least four turnovers for buckets.&nbsp; Shifty handles getting through traffic for acrobatic finishes in the lane.&nbsp; Also was impressive finding guys off movement for scores.&nbsp; Finished with 16 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alton Depth Shines in Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stampley led the way, but it was definitely more than just him.&nbsp; Their second best prospect 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2540188' first='Ryan' last='Howard'] is a rangy wing that is known for his long distance shooting, but on this night he scored in the paint.&nbsp; Quick second jump on the glass and scored on cuts off the ball and out of the dunker spot on bullet passes.&nbsp; He had 10 points.&nbsp; Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2962299' first='O'Bryant' last='Brown'] is a physical 6'3” guard who lived at the foul line making a ton of free throws.&nbsp; Won off the bounce with his grit getting in the lane and to the charity stripe.&nbsp; Big game scoring 15 points.&nbsp; Tysean Jones gave them a spark with his quickness and defense notching 9 points.&nbsp; A pair of sophomores showed glimpses in 6'0” guard Joshua Lumpkins and 6'4” Keelan Lowe as ones to watch in future years.&nbsp; Alton 2026 post [player_tooltip player_id='2955393' first='Jamarion' last='Green'] is a broad shouldered wiry post that was active defensively defending on the perimeter getting steals and passed well for a big man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UW-Milwaukee Commit Has Strong Outing to Finish Career</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Fallon senior [player_tooltip player_id='1501486' first='Ben' last='Akoro'] capped his career with a strong showing with 23 points.&nbsp; He just didn't have the help around him to win this game, but it was one of the better outings we have seen in his career.&nbsp; He came out aggressive as the 6'7” small forward was in attack mode scoring on spin moves for finger rolls, transition takes, slippery drives in traffic, strong post ups, and created separation on his baseline jumper.&nbsp; Did a nice job on the glass.&nbsp; Bright future at UW-Milwaukee!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->