Open gyms: St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)!!!!
Big Tim's express made it to Chicago and St Ignatius College Prep near UIC Campus. There was an open gym in the upstair gym named Walsh gym. Team with a lot of talent ran up and down the court for 2 hours with a lot of intensity. Here we go:
DUKE ROSS, 6'6" Class of 2027 forward was getting out in transition catching passes and scoring at the rim. Attacked the rim off the dribble in halfcourt and finishing through contact. Crashed the glass on both ends of the court. Hit a three. Was in the middle of loose balls, and hustle plays.
CHRIS CHITTARO, 6'1" Class of 2027 combo guard committed to Michigan State for baseball. Lefty was hitting threes consistently from middle of practice on. Hit a bank shot three from about 25 feet. Attacking off the bounce in transition and getting to the rim, creating for others on passes to open three point shooters. Congrats on your commitment.
AMIR TUCKER, 6'3" Class of 2028 point guard got hot from three and mid range from middle of practice on. Getting to his spots off the dribble in transition and halfcourt hitting fallaway mid range jumper. Penetrated into the lane passing out to open three point shooters.
JOSIAH HALL, 6'4" Class of 2028 combo guard was attacking the rim off the dribble consistently in halfcourt settings. Straight line drives and backing down defenders scoring through and around contact. Used body strength to keep offensive players in front of him. Reputation as a three point shooter, hit a couple in the open gym, but did not attempt a lot of them.
WALKER ROSS, 6'3" Class of 2028 point guard was hitting step back threes, and getting into his fallaway mid range jumper which he hot consistently over defenders. Good passer the best on the team and he set others u for open shots and layups. Smooth shooting lefty showed confidence in his offensive package.
DJ CALDWELL, 6'3" Class of 2028 combo guard made some nice passes in transition and halfcourt pushing the ball up the court. Defended a number of positions getting deflections and steals. Made a couple of threes, and attacked the rim in halfcourt and scored through contact.
TYLER HARD, 6’5” Class of 2028 forward hustles, runs the floor on both ends, hits the glass on both ends, sets good picks getting players loose for shots or attacks to the rim.
FRITZ MCDERMOTT, 6'2" Class of 2029 combo guard was the best player in the gym. Three level scoring, hitting threes off the catch, mid range floaters in the lane, and attacked the rim scoring in transition and halfcourt. Set up teammates for baskets running lanes, and open threes. Defended on and off the ball getting steals and pushing the ball in transition.
TEDDY DANA, 6'4" Class of 2029 wing was the second best player in the gym. He was attacking off the bounce in halfcourt and transition, converting at the rim on straight line drives. Hit open threes, and side step dribble threes. Ran the floor in transition receiving passes for layups.
CONCLUSION:
Most of the team back from a 31 win team that lost in double overtime at the Class 4A UIC Supersectionals. Duke Ross, Chris Chittaro, Amir Tucker, DJ Caldwell, and Josiah Hall all have deep playoff experience. Coach Matt Malone has taken multiple St ignatius teams to the state finals in Class 3A. Hence coaching deep in playoffs is there to guide this ball club. Youth though with experience on varsity, D Ross, Chittaro, and Will Walsh will have to show senior leadership for them to go deep in the playoffs again. Lots of guards, and wing shooters. Not a lot of size so they'll have to crash the defensive glass with all five guys. They play a five out offense so should be fine with the new 35 second shot clock. They have a tough Chicago Catholic League Blue slate as well as non conference. Should be touhgened up for a deep playoff run, possibly to Champaign in Class 4A.
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