O’Fallon Shootout: 2021 Illinois Evaluations

<p>The O’Fallon Shootout featured many of the top prospects from the state of Illinois.  PHI was in the house for the entire event.  Here we break down the juniors in our <strong>O’Fallon Shootout: 2021 Illinois Evaluations</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/james-dent/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/james-dent/">James Dent</a></a> (Springfield Southeast)</strong></p> <p>Springfield Southeast wing <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/james-dent/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/james-dent/">James Dent</a></a> is one of the premier scoring wings in the junior class.  That was shown at the O’Fallon Shootout where he went off!  The 6’5” long and wiry two guard was excellent with his feathery jumper along with his ability to create off the bounce.  His biggest strength is his ability to knock down jump shots.  Free and easy release from beyond the arc hitting them at a high rate from deep.  As a scorer off the dribble he is improving that area tightening up his handles and getting to the rim.  His middle game in the 15-18 feet area is also getting better utilizing a jab step to open up space for his shot.  Rebounds well for a wing.  Much improved passer since the summer displaying an improved feel for the game.  Defensively he can check either wing spot and gets in passing lanes frustrating opponents.  He had 31 points (13-25 FG), 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Braden Bryant (Mascoutah)</strong></p> <p>Bryant is a lefty two guard that has a gritty game.  He likes to take it to the cup off the bounce with crafty drives and is a decent wing passer.  Bryant had 12 points and 3 dimes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mason-blakemore/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mason-blakemore/">Mason Blakemore</a></a> (O’Fallon)</strong></p> <p>Blakemore transferred over to O’Fallon from Centralia.  Stars as a running back on the gridiron, but is also a quality wing on the hardwood.  The athletic and angular shooting guard brings a burst attacking the hoop.  He had several athletic finishes including a sweet up and under.  Scored 5 points in each game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Drew Tebbe (O’Fallon)</strong></p> <p>Tebbe is a smaller guard that didn’t shoot it as well as he usually does going 2-9 in the two games we saw.  That will be his forte at the small college level down the line.  Crafty with the rock in his hands.  In their win over Chaminade he netted 11 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tommie-williams/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tommie-williams/">Tommie Williams</a></a> (Belleville West)</strong></p> <p>Williams was the only player on this year’s Maroons to see significant minutes last season on their state championship team.  The top 30 two guard is a plus athlete that brings a lot of energy.  That is shown with how well he rebounds from his guard position.  Flies in for rebounds on both ends.  Offensively he is at his best off the dribble and getting to the charity stripe.  Streaky perimeter shooter that didn’t have it falling at the O’Fallon Shootout.  He is a quality wing defender that can guard either backcourt player.  Went for 12 points (4-14 FG), 11 rebounds, and 2 steals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Javieon Wallace (Belleville West)</strong></p> <p>Wallace brought some life for Belleville West in their win.  Plays mostly off the ball, but at his size he will need to be a point guard at the small college level.  Quality shooter from three had 12 points (5-7 FG).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Dre' Scott (Pinckneyville)</strong></p> <p>Scott is a bigger wing at 6’4” with a nice frame and strength.  For his high school team he plays more inside, but is a wing at the college level.  Effective in transition and has a burst when he catches the ball in space.  Efficient around the hoop.  Went for 16 points (7-8 FG), 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks.  Developmental upside prospect!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>JT Welch (Bloomington Central Catholic)</strong></p> <p>Welch stands at 5’10”.  This flashy point guard plays with a lot of flair.  He has shifty handles and won off the dribble getting in the lane for acrobatic scoop shots in the lane.  Decent three point shooter.  Creative passer that is also a pesky defender at the point.  He had 13 points, 2 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nick-owens/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nick-owens/">Nick Owens</a></a> (Curie)</strong></p> <p>Owens was very good in Curie’s win over Mehlville.  The small guard stuck to his strengths and shined because of it.  He was excellent dishing the rock finding teammates in transition and throwing lobs.  As a scorer he hit 3-5 from three point range.  Quick and concise release on his shot.  Went for 9 points and 5 dimes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaehshon-thomas/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaehshon-thomas/">Jaehshon Thomas</a></a> (Whitney Young)</strong></p> <p>Thomas had one of his best games of the season for the Dolphins.  The Whitney Young 6’2” guard is the #2 point guard in the 2021 class in Illinois.  He has a strong frame.  Thomas finishes well around the hoop on drives and is a sound shooter.  He knocked in 2-2 from three point range against Marion (AR).  Has a stop and pop mid-range game as well.  Thomas went for 16 points (5-5 FG).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nathan-hall/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nathan-hall/">Nathan Hall</a></a> (Collinsville)</strong></p> <p>Hall is a projectable face up four man that has emerged over the last six months.  He has mobility and solid athleticism.  Runs the floor well.  Quick to the glass on the offensive end for tip ins.  He hit 2-5 from three and is actually a decent shooter, but has no spin on his shot.  Hall is intriguing to track.  He had 14 points (5-12 FG) and 8 rebounds.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ahamad-bynum/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ahamad-bynum/">Ahamad Bynum</a></a> (Simeon)</strong></p> <p>The DePaul commit was dynamic in the first half with his electric scoring.  Got loose in transition for a dunk and hit a couple deep threes.  Missed his heat check shots, but was still very effective recording 12 points (5-13 FG).  Volume microwave scorer that gets buckets!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Fred Poole (Simeon)</strong></p> <p>This was probably the best we have seen Poole play on the varsity level.  The Simeon two guard did it on both ends of the floor.  Played well defensively against Taylor.  Offensively hit a three, got to the foul line, and overall was aggressive.  He had 9 points and 7 rebounds.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dylan-ingram/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dylan-ingram/">Dylan Ingram</a></a> (Simeon)</strong></p> <p>Ingram came off the bench for the Wolverines and his biggest contribution came on the glass.  Rebounded well on both ends scoring his only bucket on an offensive rebound put back.  Ingram has had a solid junior season using his versatility as a combo forward.  In this game he had 2 points and 7 rebounds.</p>