Open gym runs: Southland College Prep (Matteson)!!!!

Unknown program right down the street from Rich Township (Richton Park). Won a regional title last season in Class 2A. Young team with some nice up and coming talent. Made it to South Suburbs to check out under the radar program. Been on vacation so just getting around to this writeup. Visited on Wednesday, October 1st. Here are some of the standouts I saw:

TRISTAN GARNER, Class of 2028 6'1" combo guard was doing a lot of point guard things before having to sit out rest of practice due to a cramp. He was getting to the paint and making nice passes along with floaters in mid range. Hit a couple of threes and used his dribble economically.

EMMANUEL SOWEMIMO, Class of 2027 was hitting threes as well as scoring in the mid rsange and in transition. Aggressive with his offense looking for his shot on creating off the dribble or off the catch.

ROBERT BOYD JR AKA BOBBY, Class of 2028 5'8" point guard was attacking the rim and scoring at the basket. Defended well on the ball getting steals and scoring layups in transition. Hit a couple of threes in scrimmage. Quickness off the dribble attacking in transition and half court.

BARRY BREWER, Class of 2028 6'4" combo guard transferred from Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights) was the best player in the scrimmage. High motor athletic young man who was crashing the boards on both ends. Created off the dribble and made good passes off penetration and in the post. Showed nice mid range jump shot and rim protected getting some nice blocked shots. Futures bet. Brother of Northern Illinois football commit and two sport star at Rich Township (Richton Park) Troy Garner.

XAVIER LANE, Class of 2026 6'4" forward was hitting the glass and rim protecting. Runs the floor well in transition finishing on passes from guards. Scores in the post on turnaround jumpers and cleaning up on the glass.

AAYDEN WARE, Class of 2027 5'9" point guard was scoring from mid range and on attacks to the rim. Made some nice passes to open three point shooters in transition. Quickness personified on both ends. Gets into opposing guards on defensive end.

AIDAN MELLS, Class of 2027 6'4"forward is a transfer from Providence Catholic (New Lenox). Showed great energy in rebounding and rim protecting. Changes ends well and was blocking shots at a high clip as well as altering shots at the rim. Scored on post ups on the block, turnaround jumpers, and had a nice jump hook.

CONCLUSION: Young team starting over with a new lineup. Lots of sophomores and juniors, a couple of transfers that will help the reloaing process. Nice gym looks like a new school with high academic standards and high academic players on the team. Won first regional title in Class 2A, lost in sectional semifinal, so they know what success looks like. Garner is one of the top underrated sophomores in the state as is Brewer, who's a real up and comer. Decent size and a good rotation of forwards in Brewer, Lane, and Mells. Might take awhile to gell with young team, but look out later in the season. Could be a year away from being a real Class 2A state title contender.