This team will be the best since their all time great team in state history, the 2022 Class 4A State Champs that did not lose to an Illinois team. Went 37-1 against a tough schedule. Five players are playing college basketball. Three are division one basketball (Braden Huff, Caden Pierce, Bobby Durkin). The other two starters are playing division two basketball at Lewis University (Paxton Warden, and Ryan Renfro). No more reminiscing and to the current talent. Here we go:
THADDEAUS "TJ" WILLIAMS, Class of 2026 6'3" point guard is just gifted. Got anywhere he wanted on the court, scored on mid range jumpers, drives to the rim, and a few threes off the bounce. Gets so high on his jump shot it can't be blocked on this level. Has the athleticism to be a lock down defender. Rose for a couple of nasty dunks in the open gym. One of a few big time point guards in this class in Illinois. Twitter handle: @ThaddeausTj.
BRYCE HUFF, Class of 2025 6'3" combo guard made some nice cuts for baskets in the open gym. Can knock down mid range jumpers as well as a three. Runs the floor well to get easy baskets, gets rebounds mostly on defensive end of the court. Younger brother of former Mr Basketball Braden Huff who's now at Gonzaga.
JOSH ABUSHANAB, Class of 2026 6'5" wing dominated this scrimmage. Transfer from Glenbard North (Carol Stream) is playing with extreme confidence. Most confidence I;ve ever seen from him on the court.Assertiveness using his many abilities on the court. Scored from all three levels, rebounded, made nice passes, steals, and showing leadership by talking constantly to teammates. Seems like he has come out of his shell and look for a big jump from him this year. Twitter handle: @AbushanabJosh.
ASHTON FLOWERS, Class of 2026 5'10" point guard was hitting threes, and attacking the basket for layups. The lefty showed a nice stroke on his jumper, and confidence to get to whatever spot he wanted on the court. Transfer from DePaul College Prep (Chicago). Twitter handle: @AshtonFlowers13.
JULIAN YEH, Class of 2025 6'2" forward is a star Lacrosse player but showed a nice three point jump shot in this setting. He hit multiple threes mostly off the catch and shoot variety. Will have a tough time though breaking into a deep rotation of the Hilltoppers.
DREW GACEK, Class of 2025 6'3" combo guard showed in this setting why he hit 50 threes last season as a junior. Excellent off the catch and shoot from three and can get hot at any time. Hits threes in bunches though hit them at a steady rate here. Big time baseball player for the Hilltoppers. Twitter handle: @drew_gacek.
CONCLUSION: Deep team as they were missing football players like 6'8" football commit Mike O'Connell who has a nice touch on his jumper. Dominic Seaney a 6'5" shooter, and 6'5" forward Logan Glover sat out the open gym with a minor injury. This team could go deep in the Class 4A playoffs, Sectional Final or even a Supersectional. Coach Jason Opoka is back with a contender after two years out of the running.
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