Top stories:
Buzz about Evanston Township: Lots of folks, parents, college coaches, scouts were talking about this team. They beat Kenwood Academy(without Darrin Ames), but the Wildcats were also missing a couple of pieces(summer basketball folks). Four transfers dot the roster and two of them were outstanding today. Senior point guard Hunter Duncan showed athleticism, finishing power, passing, and hitting three pointers. Fellow senior transfer Josh Thomas was rim protecting, making shots at all three levels of the court. Played very well as a team for being together a short time.
Glenbard West(Glen Ellyn) says we are not done yet: Defending Class 4A State Champ went 2-0 today with a smaller, scrappy, and good shooting team from all spots on the floor. Sounds a little like last years team expect not the same talent or size. They will though win a lot of games this year. Senior forward Logan Brown is rugged inside with nice post moves, senior Luuk Dusek is a knockdown three point shooter. Fellow senior Benji Zander is the floor general who makes nice passes and can knock down a three pointer. Sophomore forward Dom Seaney is a future star.
St Rita playing shorthanded: Top 2 juniors James Brown and Morez Johnson Jr did not play as they are resting for Team USA 17U Trials coming up. Top 3 junior Nojus Industraitis is still getting used to their system and the team is a work in progress.
Ahmad Henderson II vs Dalen Davis: Whitney Young played Brother Rice, but they did not match against each other much. Henderson ended up with 25 as other Young players defended him. Henderson II guarded Davis most of the game and held him down in scoring, but Davis did other things such as assists to help his team win.
Cameron Christie: He scored 70 points in 2 hours time as his team won back to back games vs Bloom Township(Chicago Heights), and North(Downers Grove) in overtime. He hit the game winning basket in overtime, then clinched it with 4 straight free throws. I think he has a chance to be the best player in the Class of 2023 when it's all said and done.
Big time incoming freshman: 6'1" point guard Jamson Culture Jr of Rich Township (Olympia Fields) is powerfully built guard who gets to the basket easily and can finish through contact. He's also a good three point shooter with that smooth left handed stroke. Has to work on his free throw shooting, but has a bright future ahead of him on guard laden Rich Township.
Other top players I saw today:
Bryce Heard, Kenwood Academy(Chicago), sophomore
Calvin Robins, Kenwood Academy(Chicago), junior
Jeremiah Fears, West(Joliet), sophomore
Macaleab Rich, East St Louis, senior
Austin Kulig, Andrew(Tinley Park), senior
Jordan Pickett, Belleville East, senior
Alex Jackson, Belleville East, senior
Mekhi Cooper, Bolingbrook, senior
Deandre Craig, Mount Carmel, senior
Jack Riemer, North(Downers Grove), junior
Quentin Jones, Marian Catholic(Chicago Heights), senior
Xavier Suliaman, Oak Lawn, senior
Mekhi Lowery, East(Oswego), senior
JaKeem Cole, Rich Township(Olympia Fields), senior
Richard Barron, St Ignatius(Chicago), senior
Ian Boyd, Whitney Young(Chicago), senior
Marcus Pigrim, Whitney Young(Chicago), senior
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