The RWA Program arrived with a 17-U and 2 16s. One 16-U Program was coached by enthusiastic leader Daniel Burford. The RWA Program founded by A.J. Jennings and Walt Fisher has built some steam with their mission. The pair seems to be in line for a shoe deal in the near future. The 17’s laced-in with a roster made-up of rapidly emerging prospects Collin Dietz 6-7 Metamora-had a very quiet showing, Payton Havens 5-11 PG Metamora, Jeremiah Oden 6-7 St. Rita, Fred Cleveland PG Leo H.S., Julian Barr A 6-3 sharp shooter from Lincoln-Way East all had its moments. Adam Taylor a 6-5 all-around performer has vastly improved, he made shots all weekend. He likely will be courted by Ivy & Patriot League schools. Treye Tucker, an under-rated point-guard from Harlem H.S. near Rockford, can flat-out bring it. Look for his recruitment to take off in April
The 16-U RWA went un-defeated & had a contingent of under-classmen dandies who were led by sharp shooter Bo Frericks six-footer out of Cary Grove H.S. , Nate Seputis six-foot nine mobile face-up threat out of Lincoln-Way East, Elijah Jones 6-6 wing from Marian Catholic, and John Duszynski a hardnose scoring threat from Ridgewood H.S. We are high on these youngsters.
The Y&R Group headed by Stan, Jay, Par, Aubrey, and Brown. The 17’s was comprised of two teams, the first one opened on Saturday coached by Aubrey. Had a roster of Dachaun Anderson 6-6 out of Leo H.S. considered a top 20-25 prospect in the 2019 Class, St. Viators Jerry Hernandez considered Top 20, and seniors (2018), Terrence Shannon (Lincoln Pk), and Morgan Taylor (Marist) showed-up and got some run. Shannon, will likely suit-up with the Mac Irvin Fire during the spring period. Taylor will probably elect to leave his options open. Parham on Sunday trotted in his 17-U group with noted performers, acrobatic Chris Roberts (Lincoln Pk), under-rated gem Alex Raiford (De La Salle), Malik Tidwell (Marian Catholic), Dave Pinskus (De La Salle 2018 Grad), Kia Parham-a talented guard from Milwaukee Goldie Mier and Brandon Harmon from the same Milwaukee school.
The 16-U Y&R Team coached by Stanley-featured several of the top 10-20 prospects in the 2020 Class. Seryee Lewis- a 6-8 Sophomore at Kenwood, respected out-side marksmen, Johnny Close (Rockford Boylan), Leo H.S.-forward Kendale Anderson provides some serious punch. The back-court has potential to do some damage on a national circuit starting out with elite talent, Keshawn Williams (Bloom)-athletic/explosive performer whom checks in at a top 10-12 slot in the class. His back-court mate left hander, Reggie Strong hails from Farragut and knows how to play. Missing was highly regarded top 25 guard, Josh Homes from Jones Prep, who was out of the country on a school trip. Promising prospects Kee Hargrove (Joliet Central), Jaden Williams (Leo), touted frosh Elijah Bull (Evanston), Dakoda Joachim (Joliet Central), and Ja’Quan Davis, rounds out this impressive group.
Made Men-headed by Q. Peterson & Phil Gary Jr. arrived in Plainfield with 3 groups (15,16, &17). The younger groups hooped on Saturday & Sunday. The 17s played their 3 games on Sunday. The 15s had some promising youngsters I will follow this spring; while 16’s featured a trio of prospects we’ve followed through the past season: Jabari Chiphe, a 6-4 high-jumper from Walter Payton. Chiphe made a splash at the season’s end with 26 points vs. Uplift. Justin Cross, a gangly six foot six soph from Oak-Pk is a player to watch; Michael Osborne (Proviso East), Paul Ziminski (Richards), a 6-2 sharp shooter will be players we will follow. The 17-U Made Men finished Sunday with a 2-1 record, they dropped their only game to Next-Level 24. 2018 recruit Isaiah Fuller spearheaded this cast, which featured Chase Robinson (Oak-Park), Charlie Hoehne (Oak-Park), 6-5 junior Anthony Roberts is one of the sleepers in the 2019 Class, every time I see him, he shows me something different.
Next Level 24 is a South-Suburban based organization that has built its brand by core values of fundamentals and hard-work. Jason Kent, a one-time Division One Assistant operates the Program. They brought a 17-U squad & a 15-U. Jason’s 17-U had a strong showing from Hillcrest guard Jeremiah Stanton, Chance Love 6-5 out of Rich-Central, 6-4 Chris Harrison (Shepard), and promising soph Jayson Kent (Oak-Forest), freshman Jolo Amoran 5-11 from Andrews was really good for Next-Level’s 15-U squad he had a couple of really good games.
NBU-founded by Francis Parker H.S. Head Coach, Kevin Snider, participated with 4 groups (14-U – 17-U). Snider’s teams are comprised of players from Academic Schools on the North-Side of Chicago as well as down-town. Lane-Tech, North-Side Prep, Latin, Francis Parker, Whitney Young & Jones College Prep. Max Williams from IMG in Florida was impressive in a couple of games, he suited-up in. He looks to be a Division One recruit in academic environment.
Kessel Heat-showed up on Sunday with 14-17U Groups. Their Program is out of the North-Suburban area and ran by Kyle Kessel & his dad, by not having a roster on-hand I can only wing-it so much with my observation piece. I was totally impressed with 15-U -2021 prospect, Scotty Ebube a 6-7 wiry lad from Mundelein with a bright future. Kyle Kessel had all of his teams playing at a high competitive level.
Chicago Select-the Program most noted as the Sonny Parker foundation is coached by Tim Ervin. Players who shined at the two-day event were: Taeyon Neal (Providence St. Mel), Myles Baker (Whitney Young), Greg Outlaw (Bogan), Damari Nixon (Fenwick). Jeff Duncan happens to be the general manager.
Windy City Magic 16-U-headed by Mark Serdar had his South-Suburban cast extremely impressive, even though they finished with a 2-2 mark, their play was good. Several of his guys helped they’re stock. The Carl Sandburg tandem of Atharva Atreya, a 6-3 all-around performer is an Ivy League Patriot League recruit. A total hidden gem and Leo Serdar, six foot one, strong player who has shown the ability to score, will likely be recruited by academic schools. Providence Catholic, Noah Vassau had a break-out game. Lockports’s 6-4 Tommy Ferriter has always been on our radar. Windy City will be a fun team to follow.
The Illinois T-Wolves – a Program managed by Kent Robinson & crew. They entered the Jamboree with three groups (15-17U). This Program has been around, they are at the stages of resurrecting their presence in the South Suburban’s areas of Joliet, Plainfield, Romeoville, Lockport, Bolingbrook, and Oswego. We will continue viewing them build their brand in April. They will be a force sometime soon.
Hoopers – a Bolingbrook based Program with several good players; starting with Top 20 performer Tyler Cochran, the cast of 6-5 Marquise Ratcliff, Ikenna Okeke a 6-5 forward, and 6-7 Kameron Leonard, all from Bolingbrook. Plainfield South’s 6-4 swingman Diamond Presniakovas once again displayed how talented & overlooked he is.
Mean Streets – 15-U rolled in with rising young Coach Reggie Bates, they and their bus-load of young talent for a Sunday only run. They were impressive rolling past several 16-U squads, even though Kessel Heat’s 15-U team gave them a good opening game test. Bates rolled in with a roster comprised of talented freshman Amar Augillard 6-5 (Zion-Benton), hot-shot scoring guard Norvell Meadows (Prosser), Brandon Hall a 6-2 under-rated combo from Thornton, Josh Smith a 6-3 wiry wing (Oak-Park), and hardnose play-maker Kenton Wright (Hillcrest).
Old-Gold – from Chicago, had a South-Side contingent of youngsters mostly from the East-Side. Antonio Wilks-the Hyde Park Academy Coach brought a 14-U/15, both groups had several talented players & they provided well.
D1 Express – was a late entry, but eagerly ready to strut their stuff. The up & coming Program had promising big-man 6-9 London Denman (T.F. South), Bryonte Washington (Rich-Central) a brash talking scorer.
Hoopers – a Bolingbrook based Program with several good players; starting with Top 20 performer Tyler Cochran, the cast of 6-5 Marquise Ratcliff, Ikenna Okeke a 6-5 forward, and 6-7 Kameron Leonard, all from Bolingbrook. Plainfield South’s 6-4 swingman Diamond Presniakovas once again displayed how talented & overlooked he is.
Mean Streets – 15-U rolled in with rising young Coach Reggie Bates, they and their bus-load of young talent for a Sunday only run. They were impressive rolling past several 16-U squads, even though Kessel Heat’s 15-U team gave them a good opening game test. Bates rolled in with a roster comprised of talented freshman Amar Augillard 6-5 (Zion-Benton), hot-shot scoring guard Norvell Meadows (Prosser), Brandon Hall a 6-2 under-rated combo from Thornton, Josh Smith a 6-3 wiry wing (Oak-Park), and hardnose play-maker Kenton Wright (Hillcrest).
Old-Gold – from Chicago, had a South-Side contingent of youngsters mostly from the East-Side. Antonio Wilks-the Hyde Park Academy Coach brought a 14-U/15, both groups had several talented players & they provided well.
D1 Express – was a late entry, but eagerly ready to strut their stuff. The up & coming Program had promising big-man 6-9 London Denman (T.F. South), Bryonte Washington (Rich-Central) a brash talking scorer.
Next-up more Club Teams
To be continued…
