BATAVIA, IL: I was at the Hoop Mountain on Saturday. It's a two day tournament but I was there for one day. Some top performers and teams showed up and showed out. It was my first time at the event and it was some quality basketball. Let's start with teams:
EAST (OSWEGO): They ended up winning the tournament with a tip- in at buzzer by Class of 2024 6'6" wing Noah Mason to beat Metea Valley (Aurora) for the second week in a row, this time by one point. Then won the title game 66-65 on a layup by Class of 2024 6'5" wing Braydon Murphy. Second week in a row they have won a summer tournament as they won their own shootout last week.
NEUQUA VALLEY (NAPERVILLE): Came in second as their star Class of 2024 6'3" combo guard Luke Kincaid had a chance to win with a shot in the lane at the buzzer that bounced off. He still ended up with 28 points in the game. Class of 2025 6'5" forward Vova Polishchuk was outstanding playing inside/out to help Kincaid. Class of 2024 6'2" Colin Gerrity runs the show.
Top performers:
JEHVION STARWOOD, East (Oswego): Class of 2024 6'3" point guard has showed great leadership qualities scoring on all three levels. He had some nice finishes at the basket with rim rattling dunks. Showed a nice two dribble mid range pull-up as the lefty can get any shot he wants. Will be leading a young inexperienced team to hopefully a repeat sectional title.
LUKE KINCAID (#32), Neuqua Valley (Naperville): Class of 2024 6'3" combo guard was scoring at all three levels. Pull-up jumpers, three pointers, and on off side cuts to the basket and the mid range. Had 5 threes in semifinal game and 28 in the title game.
LATHAN SOMMERVILLE (#24), Richwoods (Peoria): Class of 2024 6'10" forward was scoring on pull-up threes off the dribble, and post up spin moves and finishes at the rim. He had a coast to coast drive and two handed flush in one of the games. Rutgers commit.
BRAYDON MURPHY, East (Oswego): Class of 2024 6'5" wing looks like he will step up to another level this year. He stepped out and hit threes, along with hitting the defensive glass. Had the game winning layup in the title game.
VOVA POLISHCHUK (#44), Neuqua Valley (Naperville): Class of 2025 6'5" forward hit some threes, scored in the paint and hit both backboards to give this team some toughness. Played well in both semifinal and title game.
JAKE NOSEK, Metea Valley (Aurora): Class of 2025 6'7" wing is a knockdown three point shooter whether off the dribble or the catch and shoot. He did have a poster dunk in quarterfinal game. Can also hit mid range pull-up jump shots.
LARRY OLIVIER JR (#0), Rock Island: Class of 2024 6'1" point guard showed his scoring from all three levels, hitting threes, driving layups, and mid range pull-up jumpers. Penetrated and hit shooters in their shooting pocket. Might be the top player in the Quad Cities area this year.
OTHER EXCELLENT PERFORMERS:
Class of 2024 unless noted by *(2025) **(2026)
PHOENIX GILL, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago) *
STEFAN CICIC, Riverside Brookfield
NOAH MASON, East (Oswego)
COLIN GERRITY, Neuqua Valley
JD ETHERLY, Richwoods (Peoria)
CAMERON MERCER, Riverside Brookfield **
SAM HORENKAMP, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)
WILL ASHFORD, Metea Valley (Aurora)
DASEAN PATTON, Oswego *
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