I was at the first open gym run for the Fall at Evanston Township High School. The Wildkits had it on the second floor of their building. This school has like 23 gyms (not sure that is exact), the most I've ever known to be in a high school. Seems like every corner you turn in the high school you run into a basketball gym. It's a BIG high school area wise one of the biggest campuses in America. Here we go:
Yes most open gyms have sloppy play as teams are learning about each other, and experimenting with certain passes, shots, and plays. This one though ws not bad. The team created a lot of open shots from three, the defense wasn't bad, and they are working two transfers into the mix. So shot creation for teammates was not bad at all. Players defending driving layups very well, with more than a few blocked shots. The guards got into the lane and made come crisp passes out to teammates for three pointers. Dribble drive offense is a work in progress but very good for a first open gym. Some Top performers:
MVP: VITO ROCCA, 6'5" CLASS OF 2027 WING:
He was everywhere, scoring from three, on drives to the basket, rebounding, getting multiple steals on, off the ball, and digging in on drives to the rim. He was making a lot of winning plays and showing grit and hustle on both ends of the court. Will be a big contributor during the season likely off the bench but could get some starts. If he plays like he did tonight consistently he could get a spot in the lineup with his brother Theo. Speaking of:
THEO ROCCA, 6'5" CLASS OF 2025 COMBO GUARD:
He did a little bit of everything tonight. Some scoring from three and in the mid range, made some good passes, more than a few to his brother Vito, hit both backboards, and stole the ball multiple times. Showed some leadership especially late in the open gym. Is a better defender than he showed last season. Should be the leading scorer on the team this year.
BEN OJALA, 6'1" CLASS OF 2028 COMBO GUARD:
Incoming freshman played some good defense on the ball, and reaching in for steals. Plus defender for a young man who has not played a regular season varsity game yet. He did not shoot a lot of shots but hit a couple of threes, and hit the defernsive glass. Showed he can run point as well as off the ball. Bright future and should be a big time contributor in his first campaign.
KAIDAN CHATHAM, 6'3" CLASS OF 2025 POINT GUARD:
Transfer from Niles North (Skokie) is still getting comfortable. He can get a piece of the paint anytime he wants, but is still learning not to drive too deep into the paint. He's a fast learner and is getting the hang of Coach Mike Ellis's dribble drive offense. It usually takes a point guard a year to learn this offense, but this will have to be a speed lesson in it. He played good defense as usual, getting steals, and kicking the ball out to three point shooters.
GEORGE RICHARDSON, 6'6" CLASS OF 2025 FORWARD:
Transfer from DePaul College Prep (Chicago) has a state championship ring in Class 3A. He's the classic stretch four in this offense stepping out and hitting threes, which he did on the regular tonight. Had a couple of strong finishes on drives to the rim and a couple of post up baskets. Hit the defensive glass tonight and had a couple of blocked shots.
TIMI OGUNSANYA, 6'2" CLASS OF 2026 WING:
Slasher, attacker off the bounce to the rim looking to finish on athletic drives to the basket. his a couple of catch and shoot three point shots, and a mid range pull-up jumper. He will be key though on the defensive end trying to lock down similar athletic slasher and three point shooters. He'll have to stay out of foul trouble guarding the other teams talented wings.
DION LANE JR, 5'11" CLASS OF 2027 POINT GUARD:
Quickness personified he can get by hos man off the dribble to put pressure on the defense to score, or kick it out to shooters. He did it a few times tonight and was very effective. He could be a good reserve off the bench the better he learns the offense. Hit a couple of catch and shoot threes off passes from teammates tonight. Nice lefty stroke.
IAN PETERS, 5'10" CLASS OF 2025 POINT GUARD:
Hit 4 of 10 from three tonight and showed a confident stroke. He penetrates the defense to make passes to shooters, it's usually not to finish at the rim. He gets after it defensively on the ball and makes the ball handler work. Hits threes off the catch and off the bounce.
CONCLUSION:
This team can make a deep run with the potential to get to Champaign. They will have to work the transfers into the lineup, but the summer it looked very good and will get better as the season progresses. The guards especially Chatham are good at shot creation for himself and teammates at the three point line. They can get plenty of open shots for their teammates. If they hit at least a 35% clip from the three point line, this team will be dangerous for anyone in the state. They have some decent size for a high school team with Richardson, Rocca brothers, Monte Dillard Jr (Class of 2026 6'6" forward), and Class of 2025 6'5" forward Ryan Ivory, who had a nasty two hand poster dunk tonight over Dillard. Could make first run to Champaign since 2019 (I feel two trips were taken away by COVID19).
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