Ridgewood Live Event: Top Performers

The Ridgewood Live Event over the weekend was a great opportunity for PrepHoopsIllinois to see many of the best players in the state with their high school teams. Here are the prospects that had the biggest performances from the event!   Jeremiah Williams (St. Laurence – 2020) Williams left a strong impression on the opening night at Ridgewood in his matchup against OPRF. Williams is an athletic wing that is at his best getting his shoulders squared and going downhill to the hoop. Burst with the ball and finishes well through traffic. Excellent rebounder as well.   Ramean Hinton (Curie – 2020) Hinton had a high level performance on Sunday against Fenwick. He is a high-motor two way wing that always plays hard, but the top 10 prospect was the most productive we had seen him in this game. Strong slasher and shot the ball tremendously well from deep while locking down defensively.   Dante Maddox (Bloom – 2020) Maddox is a scoring two guard that was straight getting buckets over the weekend. Deep three off the catch and pulling up was falling. He has improved his ball handling which allowed him to get to the rack consistently. Was probably the high scorer for the champs over the weekend.   Keshawn Williams (Bloom – 2020) Williams is the highest ranked of the Bloom quartet. He had flashes offensively with his improving perimeter jumper and explosive burst off the bounce. What I feel continues to elevate him as a prospect is his perimeter defense checking both backcourt spots as well as his improved passing.   Martice Mitchell (Bloom – 2020) The Bloom big man played with the best and most consistent motor we have seen out of him during his career. He ran the floor hard rim running for jams over and over. In the half court he drilled some jumpers, but played more physical on the interior which was more impressive.   Donovan Newby (Bloom – 2020) Newby is such a calming force for this team. He is a true floor general that looks to get others involved before scoring himself. Don’t get confused though he can really shoot it pulling up off the bounce.   Bryce Hopkins (Fenwick – 2021) Solid weekend from Hopkins especially with his second half performance against Curie. The big bodied wing is at his best using his skill to attack the defense off the dribble going downhill along with getting on the glass.   Brandon Weston (Morgan Park – 2021) Weston had a monster performance on Saturday with the way he got to the rim with his athleticism and explosiveness. With Miller out it was the most assertive we have seen Weston showing he can be a go to scorer at the next level with his three level scoring game.   Seryee Lewis (Morgan Park – 2020) Lewis was also very good on Saturday. Dominant performance on the offensive glass pounding the boards over and over with his quickness for second chance opportunities. Also flashed his mid-range game and fluid post moves.   Beau Frericks (Cary Grove – 2020) Frericks continues to light it up from three every single event we see him play. One of the better pure shooters in the state he has more to his game as he gets others involved and is a crisp ball handler.   Frank Jakubicek (Cary Grove – 2020) After watching this post play over the weekend it is obvious we have him too low in the rankings and he will get a major bump. What I liked was his physicality on the block using his strong hands to grab passes inside. Efficient scorer who rebounded at a very high level. Committed to Belmont right after the event.   Max Christie (Rolling Meadows – 2021) The state’s top prospect regardless of class didn’t have a dominant effort, but when you look at the stats he still scored 16 points. Uber skilled scorer that can get buckets from all three levels with his wiry frame.   Jaylin Gibson (Evanston – 2021) Gibson is such a versatile player that makes an impact as a two way guy. Offensively he can score, dish, and board. Defensively he continues to prove he is one of the better perimeter defenders in the junior class.   Anthony Sayles (Niles Notre Dame – 2021) Sayles was already the top ranked point guard in the junior class, but he had the best single performance we had seen from him over the weekend. Against St. Laurence he was phenomenal with the way he drilled the three ball connecting on a half dozen from deep. Burst getting to the rim. Drive and kick when in the lane. If he shoots it like he did in that game he could push into high-major territory!   Aquan Smart (Niles North – 2020) Smart has been one of the bigger stock risers from the spring. What you have to like about his game is his size for position at 6’3” for a point guard along with his extreme explosiveness off the bounce. Competitive kid that wills his team in games.   Darius Burford (Bolingbrook – 2020) Burford is an explosive combo guard who is effective both on and off the ball. He uses his athleticism to win off the dribble getting to the rim. Also has improved as a passer especially working around ball screens.   Chris Hodges (Schaumburg – 2021) Hodges team struggled in the two games we saw, but wow was he impressive with his dominant low-post play. Carved out space on the interior over and over again making quick and precise moves on the block for scores. Event handled it a little from the top of the key.   John Poulakidas (Neuqua Valley – 2021) Poulakidas continues to see his stock soar heading into July! The lefty small forward drew a large number of mid-major and high-major coaches to his games. He didn’t disappoint showing off his feathery jump shot from three drilling five triples in the game we saw.   Brandon Lieb (Deerfield – 2020) Lieb also elevated his status with a strong showing over the weekend. The 6’11” center showed off his soft touch and how well he can score with his back to the basket in the post. Pick and pop threes. Was very good as an offensive rebounder.   Jayden Johnson (Batavia – 2020) Johnson continues to be the single most under recruited 2020 prospect in the state. Elite level shooter who went for 24 points in the game we saw. Feathery jumper from both mid-range and three. Shot maker which should be valued in today’s game   Connor Kochera (St. Viator – 2020) Kochera created the biggest buzz among college coaches over the weekend. Long and lanky small forward who is a plus shooter from three. He did that against Morton scoring 25 points connecting on an array of threes and catching the ball on the move for layups.   Dominic Martinelli (Glenbrook South – 2020) Martinelli was a complete beast all weekend scoring well over 50% of his teams points in almost every game. Crafty old school game with his slow mo handles and ability to stretch the D. Led team to title game.