Team Rose Chicagoland Shootout Wrap-Up and Superlatives!!!!!!

Two days with lots of ranked teams and big time performances. Here we go:

Day 1:

ILLINOIS STATE COMMIT MATT SZAFONI OF LANE TECH COLLEGE PREP (CHICAGO) WITH A DOUBLE/DOUBLE VS ST RITA (CHICAGO):

6'8" senior wing was scoring in the paint and crashing the glass on both ends in blowout win. Had 26 points 14 rebounds and 1 block.

ASA HARRIS (#10) OF LEO CATHOLIC (CHICAGO) IS A FLOOR GENERAL:

5'10" junior point guard showed in win over Riverside Brookfield that he can affect a game withoiut scoring. Was 0/5 from the field, went 6/8 from free throw line, but set up teammates off penetration and kicked out to shooters. Had 14 assists most to fellow junior Karon Shavers (#4) who had 29 points on 7/9 from three mostly of catch and shoot variety.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS EDWARDSVILLE COMMIT JAYDEN RILEY OF CHRISTIAN (YORKVILLE) ATTACKED THE RIM CONSTANTLY GETTING TO THE FREE THROW LINE:

It was continuous getting into the paint and creating for himself and for kickouts to shooters. Had 36 points on 19/24 from the free throw line with 6 assists and 6 steals in win over Lemont.

FRESHMAN KEIWON GULLEY OF BLOOM TOWNSHIP (CHICAGO HEIGHTS) IS A STRAIGHT DAWG::

5'9" point guard first year player is tough and relentless. Is not afraid to attack the rim, and score through and around contact. Scored in mid range and from three in game vs Crane Medical (Chicago). Had 23 points (4/8 from three) and found time to dish out 5 assists and 2 steals.

JACK DEMPSEY (#3) AND MARC HARVEY (#12) ARE A GREAT SCORING TANDEM FOR OAK LAWN:

A good duo who sets each other up for baskets real well, both score at the rim or from three. Dempsey 6'2" combo guard, a smooth lefty had 27 points (12/19 FG) (2/6 three) 5 rebounds 4 assists. Harvey, 6'4" combo guard had 25 points (10/14 FG, 2/3 three) 4 rebounds 4 assists 4 steals and 1 block in win over Lindblom Math and Science Academy (Chicago).

DION LANE JR (#2) AND TATE SCHROEDER (#0) OF EVANSTON TOWNSHIP WITH BREAKOUT SCORING GAME:

These juniors had big tme scoring games in win over Hillcrest (Country Club Hills). Both multi sport players (Lane baseball, Schroeder, golf) scoring needed to help other experienced players on the team. 6'1" combo guard Lane is quick in transtion and hit corner threes at key times. Lefty had 24 points (9/13 FG, 2/2 three, 4/4 FT) and scored at the end of quarter with coast to coast finish. 6'4" combo guard Schroeder totaled 21 points (7/10 FG, 2/2 three, 5/5 FT) 5 rebounds.

MARKESE PEOPLES OF ST LAURENCE (BURBANK)AKA THE PEEP SHOW SHOWED OUT:

6'2" junior combo guard did a little bit of everything in win over Walter Payton College Prep (Chicago). Scored on drives to the rim, in the post, a mid range floater, and controlled offense from out front. Uses strong body to finish and dexterity to get around defenders using great English on the ball to score at the rim. Had 23 points (10/13 FG, 0/2 three, 3/3 FT) 5 rebounds 3 assists and 3 steals.

CJ PITTMAN ENTERS THE CHAT AMONGST TOP SOPHOMORE GUARDS:

Loaded Class of 2028 has another top guard. Young man knows where he can score doing it from the mid range all night vs St Laurence (Burbank). 6'0" point guard totaled 21 points (9/15 FG, 0/3 three, 2/3 FT) 5 rebounds 3 assists 1 steal. Got to the lane at will and scored on nice pull-up jumpers, or attacks to the rim.

CURIE (CHICAGO) WILL CONTEND FOR CLASS 4A STATE TITLE WITH A TEAM EFFORT:

They have experienced players in seniors Justin Oliver (#4), Michael Oliver Jr, and Kendall Holliday (#15). Add others like fellow senior Saquan Cummings, Jayden Sidney, Gabriel Taylor, and youth like sophomore Dream Horton and they'll attack you in waves. Goodmid sized players who'll pressure you on defense, hit shots from all levels of the court, and crash the glass, and you have the City favorite as well. Used all in blowout of highly regarded East (Oswego) and DePaul commit Mason Lockett IV.

Day 2:

Caught the end of the second girls game of Whitney Young (Chicago) vs Mother McAuley (Chicago). Whitney Young took it as 5'7" sophomore combo guard Harmony Cooper had a game high 22 points.

JOE NIEGO OF BROTHER RICE (CHICAGO) KEEPS UP CONSISTENCY WITH ANOTHER BIG GAME:

Senior wing showed three level scoring in win over Lincoln Way East (Frankfort). Totaled 20 points (8/12 FG, 3/3 three, 1/1 FT) starting out the game with a couple of threes to get team going, then took it to the paint on drives, and postups on the block.

MARSHAUN THORNTON OF MOUNT CARMEL (CHICAGO) COMES OFF FOOTBALL FIELD AND DOES GREAT JOB ON SOUTH DAKOTA COMMIT MICHAEL NEE OF GLENBARD EAST (LOMBARD):

6'2" sophomore wing is a 4 star wide receiver that was a big contributor in football team winning another state title his second. Still has some rust but attacked the rim off the dribble and scored. Added a couple of mid range jump shots to his 12 points 2 steals and 1 block in upset win. Did his work on the defensive end in staying with Nee, and using athleticism to get through screens to force touch shots. Nee went 5/17 from the field, and 2/12 from three. Been on the hardwood less than two weeks.

RONALD JOHNSON OF MOUNT CARMEL IS ANOTHER TOP FRESHMAN:

6'3" point guard plays beyond his years. Smooth operator with tight dribble getting to his spots and scoring in mid range or at the rim. Quick hands to get steals and make some nice passes in the offense. Projectable size for his position so young, more experience will make him absolutely ridiculous.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS DOMINATE:

Loyola Academy (Wilmette), Mount Carmel (Chicago), Leo Catholic (Chicago), St Laurence (Burbank), DePaul College Prep (Chicago) all Chicago Catholic League won. Benet Academy (Lisle) and Marist (Chicago) are East Suburban Catholic League schools who will merge with Chicago Catholic League next season won. St Rita (Chicago) was the only Chicago Catholic League team to lose.

KENDALL MEYERS OF MARIST (CHICAGO)SHOWED OUT IN A START:

Highly touted 6'6" junior wing was behind some players to start the season. NC State football commit Stephen Brown was not in the building and didn't play. Status is unknown but he took advantage of his opportunity. Scored 17 points (7/7 FG, 2/2 three, 1/2 FT) 5 rebounds 3 steals and 1 block. Had a couple of dunks and attacks to the rim in win over Hyde Park Academy (Chicago).

KAVON AMMONS OF RICH TOWNSHIP (RICHTON PARK) CONTINUED HIS GREAT START TO THE SEASON:

6'3" senior wing continued his consistent play to start the season. Another productive game and three level scoring. Totaled 24 points (9/17 FG, 4/8 three, 2/2 FT) 3 steals vs Benet Academy (Lisle).

INDIANA STATE COMMIT EJ HAZELETT OF KANKAKEE KEPT TEAM IN GAME WITH PRODUCTIVE PLAY:

6'7" senior wing hit some big shots to help keep game close vs DePaul College Prep (Chicago). Scored on threes, attacks to the rim, and rebound put backs getting to the free throw line. Lefty totaled 21 points (6/12 FG, 2/5 three, 7/11 FT) 11 rebounds (double/double).

BROWN COMMIT RYKAN WOO OF DEPAUL COLLEGE PREP (CHICAGO) ATTACKED THE RIM AND GOT TO THE FREE THROW LINE AND CASHED IN:

6'2" combo guard is a state champion and showed the clutch play in putting game away at the free throw line. Attacked the line and drew fouls most of the game. Totaled 21 points (3/9 FG, 14/16 FT) in the game.