Geneva MLK Classic Wrap-up!!!! Two Freshmen stepped up in the clutch, two sophomores enter the chat!!!

Some good tight games for the most part. I saw the last 6 games. Two freshman made clutch plays late in the game to help their teams win. Another sophomore enters the chat for top players in the Class of 2028. Two ranked teams showed they deserve to be in the rankings. Both are solid teams with size and shooting. Here we go:

Cody Rader of Geneva, and Christian Burge of Lake Park (Roselle) made plays late in the game to secure wins for their teams. Rader, a 5'9" freshman combo guard, made 4/4 from three and missed only one shot all game, a layup off a steal. He was in and out of the game most of the game. Had to stay in late because senior guard Gabe Jensen fouled out late. He had a key turnover, but came back with two huge steals, ther last one giving senior Nate Palmer the opportunity to hit a game winning three vs West Aurora. Scored 12 points 3 steals. Burge, a 5'11" point guard started and played most of the minutes. Didn't do much offensively most of the game, but hit a crushing three off a loose ball to put the game away for Lake Park. Ended up with 7 points, bright future for Class of 2029.

SOPHOMORES ENTER THE CHAT:

Class of 2028 is so strong. Isaac Muze of Huntley is a 5'8" point guard who's more of a scorer at this point than distributor. He's good at getting to the paint and scoring in mid range and on attacks to the tin (rim). Draws fouls and gets t the free throw line (5/7 FT). He had 18 points (6/12 FG, 1/2 three), ball on a string to get to his spots vs Maine South (Park Ridge) . Brennan Shannon is a 6'6" forward who's a lefty with a nice touch on his shot. Has been collecting a lot of double/doubles lately in points and rebounds. Didn't have one in this one but filled the stat sheet nonetheless. Totaled 9 points 6 rebounds 4 assists 1 steal 2 blocks in win over Prospect (Mount Prospect). Stepped out and hit a three, works well with fellow senior Freddy Battaglia, who'll I'll write about in a bit on high/low passing and scoring.

DIVISION ONE FOOTBALL SIGNEES WHO CAN HOOP:

Class of 2026 Illinois commit Tony Balangayani of Palatine and Princeton commit Hunter Stepanich of York Township (Elmhurst) are big time linemen in football. Basketball has helped both I believe with footwork. Balangayani used spin moves, powering through defenders, passing in the paint, and changng ends to make him effective at this sport. A 6'4" forward/center is the center of Palatine's team being ranked #11 in Chicago Area. Balangayani had 16 points 5 rebounds in the win over North (Naperville). Stepanich is a 6'9" center who's a load in the paint. Spin moves and powering through and around contact in the paint. Passes out of double teams to set up teammates. Scored 11 points and got to the free throw line was 5/8 from the charity stripe. Had 5 rebounds and 3 blocks in limited time in a running clock blowout over St Francis (Wheaton).

SENIORS SHOWED OUT TOO:

6'3" combo guard Panayiotis Sotos of Maine South (Park Ridge) struggled with his shot in the first half going 2/8 from the floor but got to the line 4 times. Second half he exploded for 20 of his 30 points hitting two threes, and attacking the paint backing down smaller defenders shooting over them, and finishing a few layups in win over Huntley. Did something to his finger on his shooting hand contributed to some missed free throws late in the game. Added 5 rebounds and 8 assists.

6'5" forward Sasha Matushevskiy of Maine South (Park Ridge) was hot in the first half. He was 4/5 from three, 1/1 from two, and 2/2 FT for 16 points in the first half. Hit them off catch and shoot variety. Ended up with 18 points 5 rebounds 1 steal for the game in the win over Huntley.

5'11 combo guard Aidan Gibbs of Huntley was on fire in the first half. Had 21 points on 9/10 FG, 3/3 from three and 5 rebounds. Scored on attacks to the rim and mid range pull-up jumpers. Ended up with 26 points for the game was 2/7 FG and 1/2 from three in second half.

6'4" combo guard Miles Okyne of North (Naperville) committed to Carroll College (WI) which is Division Three. It is the correct level for him as he's very good in the middle of a zone dissecting the defense and either scoring, or making passes to three point shooters, and bounce passes to bigs for layups. He did all this vs Palatine. Kept his team in the game with his scoring from mid range. Totaled 23 points (9/13 FG, 0/1 three, 5/6 FT) 5 rebounds 3 assists 1 steal in the game.

6'5" wing Elijah Loeding of Prairie Ridge (Crystal Lake) plays at a football powerhouse. He's a heck of a basketball player in this setting. He didn't shoot well from three (1/6) but scored well at mid range and at the rim. Ended up with 16 points 1 steal and 1 block vs North (Belvidere). He's also a pretty good football player as a defensive back. Plays tennis as well.

6'6" forward Freddy Battaglia of Lake Park (Roselle) is a versatile wing player. He can score from three, take you off the bounce, score on mid range pull-ups, and finish at the rim. To add he's a good passer in and out of the post. Scored 19 points 5 rebounds 4 assists 1 steal in win over Prospect (Mount Prospect).

6'0" combo guard Nathan Palmer of Geneva did not shoot well most of the game. He was 5/15 from the field, 3/9 from three. He hit the game winning three with about 10 seconds left to secure the win over West Aurora. Had 4 assists and 1 steal.

BRAYDEN LEWIS OF NORTH (BELVIDERE) IS A SNIPER FROM THREE:

6'4" combo guard scored 15 points in the first quarter on 5/6 from three. He took two shots from two point range the entire game. He scored mostly on catch and shoot variety from deep. Ended up with 23 points 4 rebounds and 3 blocks in the win over Prairie Ridge.

OTHER TOP PERFORMERS:

Senior Abram Williams, Palatine (6'4" guard) 14 points 2 steals

Junior Brady May, Palatine (6'6" wing) 13 points 6 rebounds

Junior Tyson Brannan, North (Belvidere) (5'10" point guard) 14 points (6/7 FT) 7 assists 2 steals

Nathan Alexander, North (Belvidere) (6’3” forward) 15 points 4 rebounds 3 steals

Junior Danny Simon aka "Baby Jokic", Prospect (Mount Prospect) (6'7" forward) 11 points 7 rebounds (5 offensive) 1 steal

Senior Maximillion Alvarado, Lake Park (Roselle) (5'8" point guard) 15 points 4 rebounds 1 steal

Junior Joseph Lubbe, York Township (Elmhurst) (6'3" combo guard) 10 points 4 rebounds 2 steals

Junior David Udoiwod, Geneva (5'11" combo guard) 12 points 2 steals

Senior Drew Lundberg, West Aurora (6'4" senior wing) 11 points 1 steal