Emerging Names to Be Added in Next Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What players have emerged over the last couple of months that are highly likely to see their names in our next rankings update?&nbsp; Here are a few in 2026, 2027, and 2028!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln Hayes (Mattoon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayes is a 6'2” point guard who brings strong handles and can take a bump in the paint.&nbsp; Sneaks in on the offensive glass for rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elijah Eschmeyer (Lake Forest Academy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Really liked what we saw from this 6'7” five man for LFA.&nbsp; He has stretch ability with his shooting along with high pointing rebounds in bunches.&nbsp; Touch around the hoop as a low post scorer as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Simon Tekeste (Chi-Prep)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 6'8” wing burst on our radar at the Champaign stop of the Grind Session.&nbsp; Originally from Sweeden and played last year in Arizona the reclass wing posted a strong showing at the event.&nbsp; Clean three point stroke.&nbsp; Very good rebounder with plus athleticism.&nbsp; Cuts well off the ball and plays above the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Micah Griffo (Mascoutah)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Griffo is a 6'2” shooting guard that went for 28 points when we saw him at the Pinckneyville Shootout.&nbsp; Plus shooter from three with a clean looking stroke.&nbsp; More than just a shooter as he can win off the bounce with slippery drives for acrobatic finishes and soft touch conversions in the lane.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Justin Schrage (Triad)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schrage is a 6'3” shooting guard that brought a scoring punch for Triad scoring 15 points against Freeburg.&nbsp; Good athlete that can defend, runs the floor hard, finishes out of the dunker spot, and hit a three.&nbsp; Versatile kid to track!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2825695' first='Brady' last='Kerr'] (Freeburg)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kerr is a player we had seen before, but he has made a jump in his game.&nbsp; Showed he could score off the bounce, push in the open floor, and play off his athleticism defensively as well as on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaxton Faulkenberry (Herrin)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Herrin 6'0” shooting guard popped when we saw him against Marion as he dropped 21 points.&nbsp; Thick guard that can handle it off the bounce and defenders bounce off him scoring through contact.&nbsp; Good length and is tough in the paint!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cameron Casey (Marion)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Casey was one of the breakout players of the second half for me.&nbsp; I had heard some buzz, but seeing him go for 23 points against Marion he looked like a legit D2 player.&nbsp; Explosive getting downhill on a consistent basis winning on straight line takes to the rim.&nbsp; Sliced and diced for scores and proved to be a solid passer.&nbsp; Multiple steals for dunks on the other end.&nbsp; The swing skill we need to see is the perimeter shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blake Blue (Marion)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blue is a 6'5” four man that displays intriguing physical and athletic tools.&nbsp; Moves his feet defensively and has active hands laterally and vertically.&nbsp; High points rebounds and has flashed potential as a face up player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orville Cross (TF South)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cross is a bit undersized for a post at about 6'4”, but makes up for it with his relentless motor and sturdy frame.&nbsp; Finishes out of the dunker spot, spinning post moves, owns the offensive glass, and is fluid in pick/roll.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kayvion Graham (Limestone)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graham brings solid perimeter size at 6'4” with three level scoring potential getting to the line, sweet floater game, and can hit a three.&nbsp; Solid wing rebounder on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryan Carpenter (Burlington Central)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carpenter opened eyes with a playoff performance of 17 points.&nbsp; The 5'11” guard is a solid passer that likes to get in the lane for spinning layups off his crisp handles including double cross moves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bennek Braden (Burlington Central)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Burlington Central 2027 shooting guard goes about 6'2” with a thick frame.&nbsp; Capable shooter from three hitting a pair from deep along with a crisp pull up from 15 feet in a 19 point game against Geneva.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeremiah Jamison (Rock Island)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jamison is a 5'10” point guard that is a good athlete and plays taller with his long arms.&nbsp; Lefty is quick in transition and sneaky getting on the glass from his guard spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sam Ogeto (Mt. Carmel)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ogeto is a name that has created some buzz the second half of the season with his play for Mt. Carmel.&nbsp; The 6'4” big man is a lefty with a physical body.&nbsp; Right now he is best at rebounding in his area and finishing out of the dunker spot.&nbsp; Brings a toughness inside to the Caravan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Savon Wade (Belleville East)</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong bodied 6'5” combo forward has the physical and athletic tools you look for at this age.&nbsp; Fluid in the pick and roll and is aggressive going after rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->