Holiday Tournament Notes!!!!!

I attanded Big Dipper, Pontiac, State Farm, Jack Tosh, Hinsdale Central, Plano, Hinkle, Wheeling holiday tournaments, eight in total. Made it to parts of all these. Here's some things I was able to observe.

Benet Academy (Lisle) FINALLY wins Pontiac Holiday Tournament in their fourth consecutive year in title game. Head Coach Gene Heidkamp was 0-5 in title games. Last Spring he won the Class 4A State title in his third try. Perseverance by him and his team. Congrats.

CLASS OF 2026 POINT GUARD JAYDEN WRIGHT WAS A BEAST IN WINNING THE PRESTIGIOUS AC WILLIAMSON AWARD:

Eastern Illinois commit was outstanding and made clutch plays scoring and passing in semifinals and title game vs DePaul College Prep (Chicago). Much improved floor general and still showed he can hit threes from 30 feet out. Took over the reins from Illinois player Blake Fagbemi from last season. Key in a bid for a repeat state title.

SOPHOMORES ARE RULING THE DAY:

Class of 2028 was thought to be special when they came to high school and they are not disappointing. Just some I saw during the holidays:

MARION PERSICH OF LASALLE PERU IS SHOWING HE'S MORE THAN A BIG TIME QB PROSPECT:

6'4" 220 pound wing is a big boned three level scorer and is showing he could be a very good basketball prospect if he so chooses. Handles the ball like a point guard, is a good passer on the move or in the post where he punishes smaller defenders. He can take bigs out to perimeter and either drive by them, stop and hit a three or mid range. Double/double machine hits both backboards. All tournament at Plano.

CHASE KASTEN OF NORMAL COMMUNITY WITH A DOUBLE/DOUBLE:

6'6" wing is known as a knockdown shooter, but showed he can hit the glass and some toughness in traffic. Looks stronger than he was in the Spring and Summer with the Illinois Wolves. Will still knock down a three or two, but will attack off the bounce as well. Led his team to Large School title at State Farm.

DARRIUS HAWKINS JR OF HOMEWOOD FLOSSMOOR IS A TWO END MONSTER:

5'11" point guard may be small in stature, but he's been big on both ends of the court. Had some big scoring games from three, mid range, and attacking the rim. Lefty has a smooth shooting stroke, and quick hands to initiate steals with deflections or outright taking the ball from offensive player. Led his team to a fifth place finish at Pontiac.

ETHAN VAHL OF OSWEGO SCORING AND HITTING THE GLASS:

6'3" point guard is a gifted scorer but is still learning when to shoot and when to pass. He's gifted in both but has to carry a big load for his team. He's been hitting the glass, averaged around 9 a game at the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic.

JAYDEN ZEPEDA OF PLANO WAS A SPARK OFF THE BENCH FOR THE REAPERS:

5'9" point guard was a spark plug off the bench on both ends for the hosts. Scored on threes, attacks to the rim, and off steals and conversions laying the ball up. Got hands on balls on the defensive end getting delfections, and switching off to other offensive players.

AMIR TUCKER AND DJ CALDWELL OF ST IGNATIUS COLLEGE PREP ARE A DEADLY PAIR:

They didn't make all tournament at Jack Tosh, but they were huge in their team winning the title. Tucker, a 6'2" point guard was instrumental in running the team, hitting threes, and mid range jumpers. Caldwell 6'3" combo guard can run a team, but he hit some timely threes on the wing during the event.

KAYDEN TURNER OF PEORIA:

6'4" combo guard is a knockdown three point shooter who can get to the mid range and rise over defenders to get his shot off. Hits the glass on both ends, and makes nice passes into the post, or in the offense. Played at the State Farm Holiday Classic.

JEREMIAH TONEY AND NOAH CORRO OF ST LAURENCE (BURBANK) HAS PROVEN TO BE A LETHAL PAIR:

Toney, an athletic 6'2" combo guard finishes through and around contact and can step out and hit a three. Corro, a 6'1" combo guard excells at scoring off the bounce, or from long range. Big reason they won the title at Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.

COLE TILLMAN, MENDOTA HAS A LOT OF POTENTIAL:

6'6" wing is good at attacking the rim and getting shot opportunities. Lefty still needs work on finishing through contact, but has a nice stroke from mid range and long range threes. He can take it off the glass and go coast to coast with it and create a shot for himself or teammates. Played at Plano Christmas Classic.

FRESHMAN WHO EXCELLED:

DENYM WALLACE OF NEW TRIER (WINNETKA):

6'7" forward was very productive the entire tourmament at Pontiac helping his team to fourth place. Had no fear posting up inside and going at opposing bigs. Showed the ability to step out and hit a three, as well as put it on the deck and drive to the rim. Grabbed defensive rebounds and a few offensive ones as well.

KEIWON GULLEY OF BLOOM TOWNSHIP (CHICAGO HEIGHTS):

6'0" combo guard is an explosive athlete, a King of Bounce who attacks the basket and scores on athletic finishes through and around contact. Good shooting stroke from three and showed it at Pontiac.

KADEN MCCLELLAN, BLOOM TOWNSHIP (CHICAGO HEIGHTS):

5'10" point guard is good at running a team, making good passes to the post, as well as lob passes to dunkers spot. Good mid range shooter and plays well with pace for someone so young. (Pontiac)

DECLAN WILSON, BURLINGTON CENTRAL (HAMPSHIRE):

6'6" forward is a plus rebounder who can score at the rim or in mid range. (Hinsdale Central)

EMRAN ALISPAHIC, NOTRE DAME COLLEGE PREP (NILES):

6'4" wing showed an ability to score at all three levels, hits threes, fearless attacker to the rim and finishing through contact. Hits the glass on both ends of the court. Good ball handler can get anywhere he wants on the court. (Wheeling)

PRENTISS GATES, WESTSIDE (GARY, IN):

6'9" center is one of the biggest upside prospects in state of Indiana. Lefty gives a wide post up in the paint, still working on finishing at the rim. Rim protector and hits the glass. (Big Dipper).

OTHER OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES:

MR BASKETBALL JAXSON DAVIS, 6'1" junior point guard, Warren Township (Gurnee) single game record 51 points in Big Dipper title game

BRYCE WEGRZYN, 6’9” senior forward of Libertyville scored a single game record of 56 points at Wheeling Hardwood Classic. (Winona State commit)

MARQUIS CLARK, 6'2" senior combo guard, Whitney Young (Chicago) (Tennessee commit) (Big Dipper)

Osiris Bell, 6'2" junior combo guard, Kenwood Academy (Chicago) (Big Dipper)

Damari Stephens, 6'5" junior combo guard, Kenwood Academy (Chicago) double/double in Big Dipper semifinals

Chandler Randle, Marion (AR) (Big Dipper)

Reginald Hinton, senior guard, Westside (Gary, IN)

MUSTAF REXHEPI 6'4" senior wing, Niles North (Skokie) a double/double in first roind at Hinsdale Central

AMIR DANFORTH, 6'0" senior combo guard, Auburn (Rockford) (Hinsdale Central) (North Dakota State commit)

PATRICK MAGAN, 6'6" junior forward, Burlington Central (Hampshire) (Hinsdale Central)

KJ MILLER, 6'7" junior wing, East (Plainfield) (Hinsdale Central)

Alijah Little, 6'4" senior combo guard, East (Plainfield) (Hinsdale Central)

Josh Abushanab, 6'5" senior wing, Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn) (Jack Tosh)

Gray Kanter, 6'3" junior combo guard, Highland Park (Jack Tosh)

Adam Flowers, 6'4" combo guard, South (Downers Grove) (Jack Tosh)

Duke Ross, 6'5" junior wing, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago) (Jack Tosh)

Chris Bolte, 6'7" senior wing, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago) (Yale commit) (Jack Tosh MVP)

Graham Schwab, 6'3" junior guard, Oswego (Jack Tosh)

Marshaun Cocroft, 6'0" senior combo guard, Kaneland (Maple Park) (Plano MVP)

Jeffrey Hassan, 6'9" junior forward, Kaneland (Maple Park) (Plano)

Donovyn Simmons, 6'2" junior combo guard, Catholic Academy (Joliet) (State Farm)

Jace Allensworth, 6'3" senior guard, Notre Dame (Quincy) (State Farm)

Justin Oliver, 6'0" senior point guard, Curie (Chicago) (Pontiac)

Kendall Holliday, 6'4" senior forward, Curie (Chicago) (Pontiac)

Rykan Woo, 6'2" senior combo guard, DePaul College Prep (Chicago) (Brown commit) (Pontiac)

Rashaun Porter, 6'7" senior forward, DePaul College Prep (Chicago) (Toledo commit) (Pontiac)

Colin Stack, 7'0" senior center, Benet Academy (Lisle) (North Dakota State commit) (Pontiac)

Edvardas Stasys, 6'8" junior forward, Benet Academy (Lisle) (Pontiac)

Jayden McDonald, 6'2" junior combo guard, Homewood Flossmoor (Pontiac)

Nedas Venckus, 6’3” junior combo guard, Lockport Township (Pontiac)

Austin Carlsen, 6'6" junior forward, Wauconda (Wheeling)

Tony Salemi, 6'2" senior wing, Wauconda (Wheeling)

Donovan "Donny" Williams, 6'0" senior combo guard, Stevenson (Lincolnshire) (Wheeling)

Rocco Pagliocca, 6'2" senior combo guard, Stevenson (Lincolnshire) (Wheeling)

Alex Sirbu, 6'9" junior forward, Buffalo Grove (Wheeling)

Edwin Karnauchovas, 6'1" sophomore point guard, Buffalo Grove (Wheeling)

Dawson Charles, 6'2" junior combo guard, St Viator (Arlington Heights) (Wheeling)

Jake Pollack, 6'9" senior forward, Deerfield (Darmouth commit) (Wheeling)

Evan Nagler, 6'3" senior combo guard, Deerfield (Case Western Reserve commit) (Wheeling)

Vasilis Stratigos, 6'0" senior combo guard, Prospect (Mount Prospect) (Wheeling)

Anderson Neach, 6'1" senior combo guard, Prospect (Mount Prospect) (Wheeling)

Nate Fridman, 5'10" junior point guard, Glenbrook North (Northbrook) (Wheeling)

Abel Poothurail, 6'0" senior combo guard, Glenbrook North (Northbrook) (Wheeling)

Gary Manso, 6'0" senior point guard, Oak Forest (Wheeling)

Jordan Williams, 6'6" senior wing, Fremd (Palatine) (Illinois State commit) (Wheeling MVP second consecutive year)

Tommy Moffett, 6'5" senior wing, Fremd (Palatine) (Wheeling)

Carmen Meccia, 6'3" senior forward, Notre Dame College Prep (Niles) (Wheeling)