The Top 10 Performers at the Event

The Top 10 Performers at the Event

1. Micah Bradford    6-0    SR    PG    MM    Bradley Bourbonnais – “He showed why he will be one of the top unsigned seniors in the state come spring.  He dazzled the audience.”
2. Nare Kennell    6-5    SR    WG    MM    Metamora – “Shot the piss-out-of-it in big games, the Bradley recruit led his team to the title.”
3. George Willbourn    6-3    SR    WG    MM    De LaSalle – “Did everything for his team, but drive the team bus, he averaged close to 25 each outing.”
4. James Jones    6-3    SR    WG    MM    Chicago Bogan – “Against East St. Louis he demonstrated why he is often considered one of the top 10 players in the 2016 class.”
5. Tajuan Agee    6-7    SR    WF    MM    Chicago Hyde Park – “The lanky late bloomer showed versatility & the ability to score outside or inside, he’s vastly underrated, his value will increase as the season approaches.”
6. Caleb Coleman    6-6    JR    F    MM    Hammond High (IN) – “A highly regarded athlete in Indiana.  He is one entertaining performer with a bright future.”
7. Marcus Latham    6-2    SR    PG    MM-LM+    Alton H.S. – “One of the more unknown commodities in the 2016 class, the lefty torched the open division field.  He’s a pure scorer OVC, Summit, MAC Conferences should take a look immediately.”
8. Matthew Brown Jr.    6-0    FR    G    ?    St. Joseph-Kenosha (WI) – “This 14 year-old phenom was spectacular, he can score in a variety of ways, he looks to be a special talent.  He was blowing by defenders.”
9. Darrius Martin    6-6    JR    WF    MM    Bettendorf (IA) – “A one-time Moline H.S. prized prospect; Martin is a finisher he played well in some marquee match-ups, shot the ball well, handled it and had about 8 dunks at the event.  A Missouri Valley recruit.
10. Deshawn Jackson    6-3    SR    G    LM+    Peoria High – “An unknown prospect who we first saw in early March, Jackson is a solid-all-around prospect, finishes with both hands at the rim, very good on the ball defender.  A combo now but his future could be at PG and he’s a respectable outside shooter.  Murray St, Eastern IL, Western IL have started to take notice.

Lemont’s terrific junior guard P.J. Pipes out dueled Alton’s Marcus Latham in one game where he went for 27 points, Latham blistered the nets for 24 points.  Pipes was just off a visit from Northern Illinois on Saturday.  Unknown 6-2 guard Demitric Young a junior from Sterling H.S. had 23 in a game versus Latham’s group also.  One of the bright surprises of the open division was the play of Peoria Central combo guard Deshaun Jackson a wiry performer who plays at a good pace & has a solid understanding of the game.  He was a top 10 nominee.  Zion-Benton’s six foot three junior guard Rod Henry was impressive in his only game, he came for one but had a school commitment at Orr H.S.  Former Moline player who now suits-up at Bettendorf High-School in Iowa Darrius Martin a six foot six versatile wing was really good.  Skilled, capable of being utilized in multiple roles at both ends.  Martin can score as well as finish plays at the rim.  Brandon McCombs, Jacksonville 6-7 front-courter played well, he rebounded, ran the floor and finished plays at the rim.  I hadn’t seen him before, but he’s now on the board in a talented 2017 class.  Brandon looks like a low division one recruit.  Sophomore Daylan Williams from Danville a chiseled 6-5 well rounded scoring threat, this kid is certainly a top 10-15 player in the 2018 class.  We will view him again soon.  I hear he’s a gym rat.  Josiah Wallace from Marshall (IL) one of my favorites in the 2017 class was off the mark in one of the games with his shooting particularly when he was matched-up against Micah Bradford, but he was stellar in his other three ball games.  Proviso West junior gunner Emanual Cross shot a lot of balls and looked like he was enjoying himself, he’s a kid I need to see again.  We were impressed with Marquan “Bay Bay” Williams’ leadership skills and his ability to make shots.  He was hurt after the second game.

Special Mention Top Performances:  Cameron Gross 6-4 JR Oak-Park, Brice Barnes 5-9 SR Bogan, Jaylan Catledge 6-3 JR Richards, Noah Persich 5-9 JR Metamora, Michael Adams 6-4 SR Metamora, Rafael Cruz 6-2 JR Von, Marquise Chairs 5-8 SR East St. Louis, P.J. Pipes 6-1 JR Lemont, Logan Windeier 6-8 JR Manteno, Jamal Nixon 6-4 JR Fenwick, Josiah Wallace 6-3 JR Marshall (IL), Brandon McCombs 6-7 JR Jacksonville, Daylan Williams 6-5 SO Danville, Conner Fuller 6-4 SR Oak-Park, Dwayne McClendon 6-5 JR Hammond High.

We would like to recognize some guys who helped make this event successful.  They are the real crime fighters of grass-roots basketball and they demonstrate it on a regular basis with their passion for helping student athletes in their respective areas.  Jeff Duncan, Steve Lamberti, Marlon London, Corey Taylor, Dexter, Max, Verdell Jones.