Southern Illinois Showcase: Underclassmen Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuesday evening I was at Rend Lake College for the Southern Illinois Spring Showcase featuring prospects from across the 618!&nbsp; Here I dive into the 2028 and 2029 prospects at the event in <strong>Southern Illinois Spring Showcase: Underclassmen Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carterville Twins Just Produce Headlining 2028 Guards</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Always enjoy watching Carterville twins [player_tooltip player_id='2832377' first='Max' last='Lustenberger'] and Harper Lustenberger play.  They just know how to play the game and both have a high basketball IQ.  Harper is a 6'3” guard who can play both on and off the ball.  He was looking to score in this setting and did exactly that!  Crisp pull up three point shot along with spotting up from deep.  Got downhill for sweeping layups and soft touch finishes.  His brother Max had it working in the mid-range as was stopping and popping from 15 feet on a regular basis.  Made quality decisions as a passer throughout the night as well.<br><br>Carlyle guard [player_tooltip player_id='2531990' first='Ethan' last='Peebles'] is a 6'1” two guard that brings toughness and competitiveness every time he steps on the floor.  He is at his best when pressing the issue getting to the cup.  Webber 6'0” guard Bryden Dalby won on straight line takes for sweeping and spinning layups at the cup.  Broad shoulders and a solid frame at the two guard spot.  [player_tooltip player_id='2836950' first='Jake' last='Probst'] from Teutopolis is a solid passer as a combo guard who displayed a sweet soft touch finishing game along with competing on the defensive end.  [player_tooltip player_id='2873383' first='Christian' last='Swalley'] from Greenville is a 6'2” two guard that poured in mid-range jumpers throughout the evening.  NCOE two guard [player_tooltip player_id='2871678' first='Jack' last='Melton'] had a massive showing a couple weeks ago in St. Louis.  One thing is for sure about his game as the 6'1” rising junior is a flame thrower off the catch which will get him small college looks at the next level.  Crafty finishes in the paint and plays with a ton of grit.  Breese Central 5'8” point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2871900' first='Carson' last='Weber'] is a playmaking guard with strength that has a nice float game in the paint.  Trico 5'8” point guard Kaige Sidner finishes in the lane off the bounce and flashed as a shooter with his pull up game especially in the mid-range.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gwaltney and Bohnhoff Lead Group of 2028 Wings and Forwards</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Herrin 2028 combo forward [player_tooltip player_id='2832405' first='JJ' last='Gwaltney'] is one of the best shooters in the state regardless of class and that was shown in this setting.&nbsp; The 6'4” rising junior poured them in pulling up from two and three one after another making it look easy rising up knocking in shots.&nbsp; Crisp one dribble pull ups for days and threes off the catch.&nbsp; Dietrich 6'4” wing [player_tooltip player_id='2569185' first='Bryce' last='Bohnhoff'] had a monster night!&nbsp; The athletic pop has gotten significantly better since we last saw him.&nbsp; He was aggressive and explosive taking it to the cup and throwing down big dunks and spinning layups.&nbsp; Good athlete with fluid movement skills along with a nice looking jumper both pulling up and off the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carbondale 6'4” wing Will Lehman is a PHI favorite because he is such a great connective piece that can play in a variety of different lineups with his skill set.&nbsp; Excellent passer that makes sound decisions finding teammates for scores on a regular basis.&nbsp; Quality spot up shooter, gets on the offensive glass, and rebounds well.&nbsp; Going to play at the next level because of his versatility!&nbsp; Karter Oliver from Mt. Vernon was a new name to emerge at the event.&nbsp; Rangy left handed wing that needs some work with the jumper, but he can definitely play above the rim with burst as a downhill slasher on several rip takes for thunderous slams at 6'2”.&nbsp; Benton 6'4” small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2872605' first='Logan' last='Stowers'] is in the middle of a nice spring for the Bears.&nbsp; We really like his positional size along with overall skill set being able to knock down jumpers, put it on the deck, and be an effective secondary playmaker as a passer especially as a drive/kick guy.&nbsp; Xavier Foster from O'Fallon is a 6'2” shooting guard that put his name on our radar with a nice evening.&nbsp; Coast to coast takes, put his head down getting to the rim, and was solid defensively along with on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Breese Central 6'6” four man [player_tooltip player_id='2948252' first='Braden' last='Obszanski'] has a lot of intriguing tools to work with.&nbsp; Lanky frame where he might grow a little more.&nbsp; Quality athlete who rim runs for points in transition and has touch around the hoop in the paint&nbsp; Smooth looking jumper in the mid-range with potential stretching to three.&nbsp; Like what he shows defensively as a rim protector.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who Has Next in 2029?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flora basketball has a nice future with a pair of guards who have put their names on the radar in 2029 this spring in [player_tooltip player_id='3582939' first='Dane' last='Conklin'] and Rayce McCroy.&nbsp; Conklin is a 6'1” guard that is a crafty ball handler and crisp shot maker.&nbsp; McCroy is a 5'10” point guard who sneaks in on the offensive glass, has a float game, and can hit a pull up three.&nbsp; Teutopolis 5'8” point guard Sam Probst projects as a lead guard who will be able to knock down shots at a high level for the Wooden Shoes the next three seasons!&nbsp; Mt. Vernon 5'10” guard Tyler Tackitt was a consistent shot maker throughout the evening particularly in the mid-range.&nbsp; Carlyle 6'6” big man Hunter Johnson is a big boy that had great showing at Show Me Showdown a few weeks back.&nbsp; Rebounds well in his area, nice footwork as a low post five, and has good hands catching passes in traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->