O'Fallon Shootout: 12 Key Takeaways

The 2019 O'Fallon Shootout was another stellar event! We have broken down all the prospects over the last week. We close out our coverage with the O'Fallon Shootout: 12 Key Takeaways!   Springfield Southeast Ready for 3A Run Springfield Southeast had a crushing loss of their second best player Anthony Fairlee over the holidays. He was a key performer for their run to a state championship game appearance last season and is out for the year after an injury. Their star Terrion Murdix showed he is ready to step up as he made every key play his team needed against Alton. Never was rattled and was electric with the ball in his hands. Michael Tyler and Damon Davis bring senior leadership and experience as well. Their breakout star could be sophomore James Dent who is a rangy shooting guard with a sweet looking stroke.   Donovan Clay Shocks JUCO Recruiting Scene Alton opened up the event against Springfield Southeast. Their standout senior Donovan Clay had a solid outing with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 dimes. He attracted a ton of junior college coaches to see him play. When we interviewed him after the game it seemed all but certain he would end up at a JUCO. Then we received a text on Saturday night during the last game of the event he had committed to Valparaiso. The Valpo staff saw him play on Saturday elsewhere and offered on the spot. It's fair to say this sent shockwaves through the JUCO recruiting community as he was a priority for a lot of them.     Belleville West Survives Another Huge Test The defending 4A champs have played a monster schedule beating every team in the area all season long on both sides of the river. They got the game everyone wanted last year against Simeon. While the Wolverines aren't quite what they were last year Belleville West had to survive an OT win against the perennial power. Top ranked senior EJ Liddell had a serious ankle injury in the first half. He toughed it out to post a 21 point outing. Lawrence Brazil and Keith Randolph did their part like usual. In OT when they needed a play Liddell gave up the ball when doubled ala MJ back in the day to an unknown Jaylin Mosby who drained the winning three. Games like this will only prepare them more for March.   O'Fallon Has Young Nucleus Host school O'Fallon isn't quite the squad they have had in past years, but they have a young nucleus that will make this team exciting in the future. Caleb Burton is a 2022 point guard who has that “it” factor. Burst with the ball and is confident as a freshman on the big stage. Shaun Riley is a bouncy four man that is an active rebounder. Can score from 15 feet and in. Look forward to seeing how these guys develop.       Ray'Sean Taylor is Real Deal While most of the attention with the stellar 2020 point guard crop is up north in Chicago don't overlook Collinsville's Ray'Sean Taylor in the metro east. The junior put up 31 points on Springfield Lanphier effectively scoring from all three levels and in transition. So fast with the ball and gets to the rim where he has outstanding body control. His recruitment should expand this spring.         Larry Hemmingway Shoots Lights Out Springfield Lanphier senior point guard Larry Hemmingway had the game of his life against Collinsville dropping 35 points while knocking down 7-11 from three. We have seen Hemmingway in camps and with Lanphier over the years show flashes, but he put it all together at the O'Fallon Shootout.         Caleb Love Seeing Recruiting Pick Up Even More CBC 2020 point guard Caleb Love is the top junior prospect in the state of Missouri. He put his skills on display in the first half against Normal West using his size and length to blow past defenders scoring at the rim with either hand. Silky smooth guard continues to see his recruitment soar as North Carolina recently inquired about him along with being a priority for Texas, Louisville, Missouri, Virginia, and Illinois.       Normal West Competitive Without Okoro When shootouts schedule teams so far in advance sometimes the players they anticipate being there aren't for a variety of reasons. Injury or transfer most of the time. In Normal West's case the player they expected to being their star senior Francis Okoro is now at Oregon as he reclassified to the 2018 class graduating a year early. Normal West fell to CBC, but definitely held their own. They have a nice backcourt led by Shea Cupples who can shoot it from deep. Corey Walker is one to watch down the road.     Whitney Young Speeds Up Iowa Big Men Whitney Young played Iowa City West who features a pair of high-major posts in Patrick McCaffery and Even Brauns. Both are legit 6'8” plus with skill. The Dolphins sped up the out of state power. The created turnovers putting pressure on the opposing guards and didn't let McCaffery get comfortable all night. They used their advantage of speed and athleticism to press the issue. They lost the battle on the boards but only 33-30 which is impressive after reading our next takeaway. If they matchup with Belleville West again in Peoria and can do a similar feat against them they could be hold a trophy come March. Their perimeter trio of DJ Steward, Tyler Beard, and Myles Baker are the best three guard attack in the state.   Even Brauns Primed for Breakout Summer Iowa City West (IA) 2020 post Even Brauns was a man among boys on the glass. He absolutely owned the boards recording an insane 17 rebounds on the night including ten on the offensive end. The physical 6'9” center showed touch around the hoop as well. Look for his recruitment to skyrocket this spring and summer on the travel team circuit as he looked like a no doubt high-major/Big 10 caliber post.         Simeon Impresses in Defeat Against Defending State Champs It is well documented that Simeon is only 13-13 after this game. Talent wise they are still one of the ten best teams in the state. They showed that against Belleville West going blow for blow with the defending state champs. The Wolverines did it with depth. Their high scorer was Antonio Reeves who had 17 points. He showed off his three point shot in regulation and put it on the deck some in overtime. Freshman studs AJ Casey and Jaylen Drane also had flashes. It's a little different to see Simeon in the role of sleeper in March. They could be primed for an upset or two!     O'Fallon Shootout is Elite Run Shootout In its fifth season the O'Fallon Shootout has become one of the premier shootouts in the state of Illinois. It has state title contending teams. High-major prospects with star power. Competitive games. It is also without a doubt one of the best run shootouts I attend every year. Fantastic job by the O'Fallon High School staff who put this event together every year!