The Tune Up Illinois: Scotty B's Friday Notebook

***Use 4th of July Code “Fourth50” for 50% off your subscription. Code Only Good Through Weekend***   The Tune Up: Illinois concluded on Friday with the second day action from the event.  Here I dive into what I saw in the games I watched in The Tune Up Illinois: Scotty B's Friday Notebook!   [program_tooltip program_id='2622592' first='Flight' last='Athletics'] 17U Opens 14-0 Never Looking Back   First game of the day saw [program_tooltip program_id='2622592' first='Flight' last='Athletics'] score a victory against [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Black as they began with a 14-0 run and it wasn't really ever close after that.  Lincoln Way Central 6'6” forward Nick Brzeniak spaces the floor with his shooting draining an array of threes finishing with 19 points.   Lincoln Way East 6'6” four man [player_tooltip player_id='2387442' first='Wes' last='Shelby'] shined as a tough rebounder onb both ends, threw down a poster dunk, and also hit a three doing most of his damage in the second half.  Metea Valley 2027 6'0” guard [player_tooltip player_id='2409204' first='Collin' last='Booker'] got it rolling as well with his scrappy defense, shooting, and getting to the line for 9 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2822689' first='Nate' last='Munson'] is a lead guard out of Lockport with a strong frame and a nice feel for the game setting up his teammates while mixing in a couple threes for 8 points.   [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package']'s top performer was Lyons point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2125630' first='Gavin' last='Huth'].  The lead guard ws a solid shooter from three who also had nifty moves off the bounce going for 15 points in the loss.   Friday Was For Taylor and 2030 Prospects   For those who know me know this Swiftie was super happy for Taylor on her big day.  My focus in the gym Friday was ringing in a new era with 2030 prospects!  Some of them we had had seen in the past while others it was our first chance to check them out.  That included a highly anticipated clash between [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] EYBL 14U and [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] Smith 14U.  The Fire came away with the narrow 60-56 W.  There were several prospects missing for each side, but still a ton of talent on the floor.  For [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] Smith [player_tooltip player_id='2966991' first='Kamarion' last='Sandifer'] continues to shine.  Intitially he was attending Simeon, but now it is Morgan Park for the lengthy forward.  Super bouncy four that impacts the game on both ends with his high energy, shot blocking, and activity on the offensive glass.  The 6'6” forward had 14 points in the win.  They got a huge spark from Rich Township guard Darrin Alexander who made threes when opportunities presented along with being a connective passer, and always seeming to be around the ball to make a play as he had 14 points as well.  In front of his brother Zach Norvell future Simeon guard [player_tooltip player_id='3588221' first='Cody' last='Jackson'] showed some flashes as the well built guard likes to get out and run notching 6 points.  Super high ceiling for 2030 wing Nasir Faniel out of Merrillville (IN).  Smooth shot cretor that is slippery off the bounce showcasing explosive acceleration to the fup while passing with flair along with having a quick second jump for 16 points.   On the [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] 14U EYBL side the player who stood out the most recently joined the team in Larnell Smith.  At 6'7” the long and lanky center showed a ton of intriguing tools with his offensive rebounding, walling up defensiely, finishing out of dunker spot, aned even flashed a three for 10 points.  Big game out of Indiana product Filipe Hogan El is a stocky guard that displayed excellent body control on his drives through defenders getting two feet in the paint consistently along with being a quality defender.  He had 20 points.  Another intriguing prospect that is just stratching the surface is Hillcrest rangy wing Ashawn Criag.  Southpaw has a nice looking shooting stroke, float  game and solid size netting 7 points.   The other Fire squad at the 14U level [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] Black is loaded with prospects as well.  Joliet West combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='3664728' first='Chad' last='Carter Jr']. projects as one of the best in the class with his ability to create his own shot from anywhere on the floor with a lethal jumper from three along with being explosive downhill scoring on assertive takes to the rack netting 20 points in the win.  His brother [player_tooltip player_id='2369892' first='Connor' last='Carter'] had a strong performance as well with the wing scoring on sweeping takes and tough perimeter defense scoring 10 points.  Hillcrest wing Al Cooper Jr popped as an athletic scoring guard who got to his spots and maneuvered for athletic finishes at the rim netting 13 points.  Relly intrigued with the upside of Rezmon Wyatt (East St. Louis) and Tre Johnson (Bloom).  Wyatt is a 1 percent athlete!  Bouncy four man was a monster on the defensive end and using his springs for put backs as he had 8 points.  Johnson has a lot of intriguing physical qualities early in the process.  Size, length, and fluid athleticism are all there notching 6 points all in the second half.  Rich Township PG Jacob Miller got others involved with his passing while pushing the pace along with draining a pair of threes for 9 points.   Team Compete Captures 14U Crown   We caught the tail end of the 14U championship where Team Compete took home the championship over [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] EYBL 13U.  The Wisconsin squad was paced by 2029 duo Koy Kartman (22 points) and Carter Clendemen (21 points).  Monster second half for Lawson Sommerville as he helped carry his team back with 15 points all coming in the final 18 minutes.   [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] EYCL 17U Depth of Perimeter Power Pushes Past [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health']   This fun in-state matchup saw [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] EYCL 17U win over [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] by a final of 84-76.  Rockford Auburn 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3658680' first='Cooper' last='Kopp'] caught our eye in the spring and had our full attention on Friday as he dropped 24 points in a victory.  Wing with solid size at the two guard spot won consistently on straight line takes, along with knocking in some clean looking long balls for 28 points leading the way.  Marian Central Catholic guard [player_tooltip player_id='2532321' first='Elijah' last='Bell'] burst out of the games scoring 15 of his 17 points in the first half.  Has gained strength in his upper body which allowed him to finish in the paint on drives, through contact in transition, and posting up weaker guards.  Rich Township guard [player_tooltip player_id='2416198' first='TJ' last='Eaton'] is a versatile defender and plus athlete netting 13 points.  In the second half King 2027 guard Corey Wellere asserted himself notching 9 of his 11 points in the contest often on acrobatic finishes at the cup.  Francis Parker guard [player_tooltip player_id='2349619' first='Brady' last='Harris'] is a 2027 I was not familiar with, but he is apparently one of the top scorers in the state.  Displayed some of that in the win as the 5'10” guard used his slick handles and soft touch finishing game for 11 points while also proving he can run a team with his passing.   Continue to love where the game of New Trier 2027 combo forward [player_tooltip player_id='2839877' first='Elton' last='Jaegerskog'] is trending.  Can be a small ball four that stretches the floor with a clean stroke from distance while using his athleticism on straight line takes, blocking shots, and finishing through defenders as he had 22 points continuing his helium from July.  Daniel Ruffin and Sam Carter will be important parts of the Homewood Flossmoor backcourt this season.  Ruffin is a known commodity with his running back type frame and game consistently hitting the hole to the rim for scores, pushing off his defense, and zip on his passes for 14 points.  Carter isn't as well know, but made a name for himself as the PG should see minutes off the bench behind Hawkins for HF as he is a crafty scorer in the paint showcasing a capable shot and good feel while going for 12 points.  Owen O'Reilley out of Downers Grove North shot it at a high clip in this one pouring in five triples en route to 15 points.  Sharp shooter that is connective off ball passer.   2029 Prospects Shine for Fire 15U   The [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 15U dominated all weekend behind a super six of highly ranked prospects! In the backcourt [player_tooltip player_id='2767906' first='Ronald' last='Johnson'] (Mt. Carmel), [player_tooltip player_id='2918205' first='Keiwon' last='Gulley'] (Bloom), and [player_tooltip player_id='2918202' first='Kaden' last='McClellan'] (Bloom) each shared ball handling duties, pushed in open floor, made some open shots, and were active defensively. Bouncy front court players [player_tooltip player_id='2915584' first='DK' last='Heard'] (Mt. Carmel), Zahari Threatt (De La Salle), and [player_tooltip player_id='2922280' first='Jalonny' last='Billingsley'] (Simeon) consistently played with high-motors along with athleticism on both ends of the floor in parts of both games we watched. All six should be on D1s radars early!   All-In Williams Tops [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] 16U as 2028 Prospects Elevate Stock   The last game I took in was All-In Williams 16U against [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] with All-In scoring the 54-45 win.  Warren 2028 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2389107' first='Haze' last='Massey'] is about to breakout in a major way!  It is going to be his show at Warren next season and the junior has a ton of momentum.  Elite freak athlete which he showcases above the rim with monster slams along with being a top notch defender.  Saw him lock down guys moving his feet along with getting steals.  High flier got to and above the rim for slams along with one play where he got a stop on one end then took it coast to coast spinning into a reverse 360 layup.  Libertyville big man [player_tooltip player_id='2390523' first='Evan' last='Okey'] had a strong performance with 13 points.  The power forward runs the floor very well, has quick efficient post moves, and is overall extremely skilled as a scorer along with passing.  Aiah Baldwin out of Wisconsin is one to watch.  Good size and frame on the 2028 post as he was a force early o the offensive glass using his physicality down low to over power opponents for 12 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2403305' first='Michael' last='Schaechter'] is a point guard who is a slick passer getting others involved while being a capable spot up shooter in the corner.  OPRF wing [player_tooltip player_id='2366141' first='Owen' last='Towne'] brings such versatility to the table as a quality defender that can deck it as he scored 8 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='2394723' first='Caiden' last='Henderson'] from OPRF was the leader for [program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] in this one as the 5'10” point guard displayed quickness with his handles shaking defenders and making instinctual decisions on the fly as he had 6 points.   Quick Hitters   Buffalo Grove guard Mason O'Neil deserves a shout out as the Pac Elite guard competed against a loaded Fire squad.  Skilled guard in 2029 drained a pair of threes along with getting to the line for 12 points.   Leonard Thomas from Tinley Park put together another strong day as he shot it well from the perimeter.  High IQ guard that can fill it up from distance for [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] 15U!

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