Recap of Holiday Hoops Around the State
Now that the holiday tourneys have come to a halt, it’s safe to say we’ve come to mid-point in the high-school season. During our trail of tracking in-state prospects, one notable fact stood-out during my stops, quite a few of these holiday venues have been hit by the harsh realities of economics; the loss of corporate sponsorship was evident with many. The love & passion for high-school athletics still burns strongly with many of the event operators & volunteers, which continues to substantiate Illinois as no. 1 when it comes to participation/support with high-school basketball.
Pontiac Holiday Tournament
After play was delayed a couple times because of a power outage issue, things resumed to a high level of hoops. Based on top prospects on-hand this venue was head & shoulder above some others around the state. Curie often noted to be snake-bitten and unable to win the big-game due to malfunction in its operation etc. but managed to out-last Simeon the perennial title holder at Pontiac in the semis. It took a 28 foot heave from tournament MVP Devin Gage with 5 seconds remaining to sink Simeon 80-78. This marquee match-up lived up to its billing with an exciting finish. The championship contest featured a half dozen or so highly touted underclassmen, Curie’s Elijah Joiner (17 pts in 2nd half). 6-7 sophomore Treavon Martin, 6-5 Landers Nolley (16 pts). Manuel countered with a junior trio head-lined by slithery 6-4 guard Da’Monte Williams (15) had 37 in the semis to propel his team to a victory over Joliet where he made 3 free-throws in the waning seconds to seal a victory, Romon Douglass-Watkins a rapidly improving 6-5 forward had 19, and A.J. Youngman at 6-5 often viewed as a dead-eye shooter also tallied 15. Manuel had no answer for DePaul recruit Gage who finished with 23 in the final, including 11 consecutive points in the second period. We finally got our first glance at Bloomington freshman Chris Payton, at six foot six he illustrated to spectators right away, he’s going to become a force to be reckoned with for years to come. In fact, he’s probably one of the finer young frosh we’ve seen in a few years, he’s the younger brother of ultra-talented junior Charles Payton, considered by most to be a top 10 prospect in the 2017 class. Bloom’s senior guard Rodney Hayes was a pleasant surprise, he was exciting to watch, highly touted sophomore guard Kendle Moore had a subpar showing at the event, but fellow class-mate 6-5 Daylen Williams opened some eyes with his all-around fearless play. Joliet West had a nice win over Benet Academy in the quarter-finals 59-53. 6-5 junior Elijah Ward has started to draw some attention from Missouri Valley and Big East schools, junior point-guard Teyvion Kirk and junior forward Trevian Bell played well most of the tourney, Joliet got trampled by Simeon in the 3rd place game. Oak Park’s Cameron Gross will be a mid-major recruit, he displayed at times explosiveness & versatility. Plainfield North’s high flying wing-forward Kevin Krieger had a superb tournament where he averaged 18 an outing. Krieger is recognized as one of the top unsigned seniors in the state. Jason Malonga a burly 6-4 senior opened some eyes, he will be a player for us to view again soon. The crowds were down here, but a very good tournament to cover.
Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic
We probably spent the most time covering this holiday event, which was once recognized as the Schnuck’s Classic. The state’s no. 1 team Belleville Althoff was housed here and they were clearly the main attraction, “I mean they put on a show, it was airborne”. Large crowds packed the gym to see Jordan Goodwin & Co steam-roll most of their opponents by an average margin of 29 points a game. The Crusaders (11-1) dominated Decatur MacArthur in the championship game 85-55 with junior sharp-shooter Marvin Bateman draining five 3 pointers on his way to scoring 19 points. Goodwin was the tournament MVP averaging 21 points and eight boards & recording 3 of 4 dunks a game. Tarkus Ferguson a UIC recruit was a high light reel as well. SIU recruit Brendon Gooch was stellar, he was regulated to a lot of handyman type duties. Junior guard C.J. Coldon a wiry wing demonstrated that he could be in the mix come March madness time. MacArthur (9-3) showed it has grown up as a team with a resounding win over the Lincoln Railsplitters who were the tournament champions in 2013 and 2014. Senior forward Keymonta Johnson led the way with 24 points for MacArthur. Sophomore point-guard Amir Brummett showed flashes of being a top notch prospect, he and his twin brother Armon are a pair we will focus on a little more as the season progresses. Belleville East stand-out junior Javon Pickett had 25 points and 18 rebounds to advance his Lancers (8-4) to the consolation championship game, Pickett recorded 34 markers against MacArthur in an opening game loss. “No question he is a top 10 prospect in the 2017 class. Lincoln senior guard Aron Hopp played fearlessly, he had a great game in a come from behind victory over East St. Louis. Granite City and East St. Louis ball game was highly spirited, it was a mid-afternoon tussle in the consolation bracket in which East Side couldn’t corral. Kenny Berry a 6-1 senior and fellow classmate, 6-4 Ronn Allen was too much for the Flyers down the stretch. The East Side program is under-reconstruction as first year coach Phil Gilbert instills a system where he can create a healthy winning culture particularly after the unexpected departure of the state’s no.1 2017 player Jeremiah Tilmon to a prep-school to work on his academics, rumors are swirling that he will return to the city of East Boogie for his senior campaign. This gives Gilbert time to formulate & develop prized freshman 6-5 Terrence Hargrove as well as junior point-guard Kerion Chairs and 6-2 junior forward Art Carter. In the present, senior Kenny Roberson has come into his own as a player, he’s an explosive combo, he can make shots, but he’s terrific in transition. Quincy senior guard Mike Dade has mad squabbles and was fabulous against Althoff where he netted 20 points and handled their pressure flawlessly. He looks like a small college gem. The Collinsville Tournament has always been one of my favorites.
Proviso Holiday Tournament
Morgan Park captured the 55th annual holiday venue knocking off 3A contender Fenwick 81-55 in the final. Morgan Park shot 13 for 27 from 3 point range. Memphis recruit Charlie Moore was named tournament MVP, he averaged 25 per outing, in the final he had 20. Morgan Pk also beat area 3A contender St. Joseph in the semi-finals by 14. St. Joe’s was the defending Proviso West Champs from 2014, and reigning 3A state champs. The collision course between Belleville Althoff – Morgan Park will be a big time game to see, Althoff has all thier starters back from a squad that lost to St. Joe’s in the 3A title game last season, but 6-5 back-up junior point-guard Edwyn Brown has been out all season due to an injury that occurred in the state championship game on the gridiron against Chicago Phillips, Althoff routed all of its opponents in the Collinsville last week. Morgan Park has displayed a deep bench and has a combination of athleticism and heady play. Jarrin Randle a Western Michigan recruit has been stellar at the opposite guard slot from Moore, while forwards Alonzo Chatman and Malik Binns have been stalwarts in the paint. 6-2 senior Jamal Burton employs as the energizer bunny role that most teams lust for. In an Althoff match-up Burton will likely tangle head on with UIC recruit Tarkus Ferguson. Morgan Park – Althoff kids enjoy playing with each other an intangible we haven’t seen yet with the Simeon group. In other Proviso West news Bogan nabbed third place tumbling St. Joe’s 68-53 in the third place game, behind 28 point out-put from senior guard James Jones. Bogan lost 60-57 in double over-time to Fenwick in the semi-finals. Fenwick seniors Mike Ballard tallied a game high 23 and Mike Smith netted 21. Proviso West won the consolation title, beating Hillcrest 37-35. Hillcrest has something to build on with junior guard Marcus Garrett, sophomore Jalen Hughes and freshman Isaac Stanback. Whitney Young junior forward Lucas Williamson played well throughout the tournament, the state’s top available senior Nick Rakocevic made all tournament as did Elgin-Larkin standout junior Christian Negron.
State Farm Holiday Classic
Rock Island outlasted Normal U. High in the championship game 50-49. Rock Island got double digit scoring from CJ Neville with 16 and Jason Jones with 14. U High’s Alex Morris managed 15 in the final. We ran in and caught some action at this venue in Bloomington, Illinois held at the Shirk Center on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan. We were able to get an up-close look at North-Chicago’s junior Simeon Henton a renowned slashing combo guard, the slender prospect needs polish to his game, he and fellow junior 6-4 Terrell Grier are players to watch along with 6-2 sophomore Pierce Coleman who possess skill & poise and has a chance to be a reliable scorer as he gains some experience. Rock Island senior guard Jason Jones was terrific as usual. Thornwood’s Drew Evans was steady, the 6-4 wing could be a steal for a lower D1 situation, Springfield High’s little lefty Isaac Nelson “can score in his sleep”, senior guard Keon Day had some moments of success as well for the Senators. Zion-Benton’s Roderick Henry at 6-4 showed versatility and the ability to score, we’ve often viewed him as one of the under-the-radar types in the state’s highly publicized 2017 class. Damarcus Henry a 6-0 junior combo will also be a player to watch for Zion. Edwardsville duo of 6-4 junior Oliver Stephens and big-time football prospect AJ Epenesa were effective even though they lost in the quarters. Also, Chicago Red-North participant North Lawndale who lost in the semis to Normal U. High had a very good showing behind the trio of Tyrone Rhivers and junior forward Carlos Hines and senior guard Wendell Anderson. This tournament was not as strong as it had been in recent years.
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