HOLIDAY WRAP-UPS

• PONTIAC – Curie’s two-year dominance at Pontiac has solidified their squad as one of the top 2 or 3 programs in the city. Many of us locals have been impressed with their continued growth throughout the last 5 years. The Condors got by No.1 Bloom 72-67 in the title game capturing back to back titles. Southeast Missouri recruit Ramean Hinton finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals in the final, landing him MVP/sportsmanship honors. Joliet West loss to Curie 68-58 in the semi-finals, but indicated a statement to hoop followers around the state that come March they will be a serious threat at challenging for a sectional title. January 20th will be a big test for the 12-2 Tigers when they face off against highly regarded Lincoln Park in the Spot-Liter’s MLK Classic. 

• HINSDALE CENTRAL – Homewood-Flossmoor captured the title, knocking off DePaul Prep in overtime 53-48. Tournament MVP RJ Ogom was a force. DePaul’s junior leader/point guard Ty Johnson continues to draw rave reviews with his productive floor game. He’s listed as one of the top playmakers in the 2021 Class. 

• YORK – Bolingbrook won the prestigious Jack Tosh Holiday Classic getting pass the host team. Elon recruit Darius Burford was the tournament MVP, averaging nearly 23 markers in five games. York’s Nate Shockey (North Dakota signee) was stellar throughout the event averaging 23. The state’s No.2 prospect, junior Max Christie of Rolling Meadows, had a terrific showing as did Wisconsin recruit Junior forward Chris Hodges (Schaumburg). 

• PROVISO WEST – Bogan regularly recognized as one of the elite programs in the Chicago area, has already notched victories over Morgan Park & Simeon, won the West tournament for the second consecutive year. Senior Antoine Bloxton scored 33 points in the Bengals route of Morton 71-52. Bogan received strong performances from senior swingman Kyndall Davis (Long Island recruit) and junior playmaker Darrion “DJ” Jones. Most of the tournament conversation centered around Proviso charted the “jaw dropping” performance of the state’s No.3 prospect, Fenwick junior Bryce Hopkins. He averaged 29 per outing, Bryce is becoming a special talent. 

• WHEELING – Niles Notre Dame was the marquee squad at this ritzy venue. Evanston transfer Louis Lesmond has established himself as a top 5 prospect in the 2021 class. The six-foot five snipper had several exhilarating moments where he electrified the sometimes-snooty audience. Notre Dame should be regarded as one of our area’s top teams, most folks do not know they bounced Bogan at the D Rose Classic with its lone defeat a few weeks ago. The North Shore program will be dangerous and difficult to derail come March, especially behind the play of juniors Troy D’Amico and Anthony Sayles, while senior forward Jason Bergstrom (Illinois-Springfield recruit) gives them the necessary leadership and outside shooting they need. Glenbrook South standout Dom Martinelli sparkled and was named to the All-tourney team, along with Niles North high scoring guard Aquan Smart, the top un-signed senior in the state.

• CENTRALIA – Evanston ventured down to Southern Illinois and forged together just enough unity to run out of there with astonishing championship victory over the host team. The Wildcats are off to 14-0 start, fueled by the play of juniors Jaylin Gibson, Blake Peters, and slippery general Isaiah Holden.

• JACOBS – The Hinkle Holiday Classic held out in northwest suburban Algonquin watched Waubonsie Valley win the title behind senior forward Marcus Skeete’s 41 points and the play of junior standout Ben Schwieger to get by Cary Grove 78-65. Cary’s Beau Frericks (Lewis University) had 24 points and Belmont recruit Frank Jakubicek tallied 16. Payton’s un-signed senior forward Jabari Chiphe impressed landing All-tourney honors. 

• BIG DIPPER – Tai Streets has his Thornton program off to a hot start. The Wildcats had some traction heading into the Holidays, brandishing victories over Bloom and Bolingbrook before running the tide on opponents at Rich South where they seem to steam roll everyone by a twenty-point margin. Junior guard Brandon Hall is emerging as a budding stand-out.

• COLLINSVILLE – Mundelein made the trek to the metro east area of our state and ran into tournament MVP RaySean Taylor. The six-foot one Collinsville’s guard is a legitimate assassin as he illustrated during much of the event. This Southern Illinois Edwardsville recruit is worth the price of admission and is primed to garner first team all-state votes in a couple of months. 

ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY TOURNAMENTS

PONTIAC HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

DECEMBER 26TH-28TH, 2019
(1ST ROUND MATCH-UPS)

9:00am – Benet Academy vs Danville

10:30am – Peoria Manual vs Warren Township

1:00pm – Bloom vs Lockport

2:30pm – Oak Park vs Plainfield North

4:00pm – St. Charles North vs New Trier

6:00pm – Chicago Curie vs West Aurora

7:30pm – Chicago Simeon vs Pontiac

9:00pm – Joliet West vs Bloomington

Notes: The state’s No. 1 Tournament will feature several of the state’s top teams & programs with Curie, Bloom, and Simeon. Curie and Simeon should collide on the 27th, Bloom could cruise to the final. Dark-horse teams shape up as Joliet West and St. Charles North, Peoria Manual will arrive with a sparkling record, while North could throw a wrench into people’s travel plans. You can anticipate a full house on the 27th & 28th. Head-liners: Minnesota recruit Martice Mitchell, Keshawn Williams (Tulsa), Donovan Newby (Milwaukee-Wisconsin), Dante Maddox (Cal State Fullerton), Christian Schumate-Top 10 unsigned senior, Ramean Hinton (S.E. Missouri), Connor Linke (Bradley), Colin O’Rourke (Wisconsin-Parkside), some notable top unsigned Saiveon Williams (Curie). Seniors, Jeremiah Williams (Simeon), Jamere Hill (Joliet West), Justin Cross (Oak Park), Colin Crothers (Benet), Axel Matola (West Aurora), then you have some really good juniors on hand: Ahmad Bynum (Simeon), Tevin Smith (Danville), Nathaniel Hoskins (Danville), Isaiah Barnes (Oak Park), Nick Owens (Curie-vastly underrated), Philip Berryhill (Curie), Josh Smith (Oak Park).


HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC
MONDAY-DECEMBER 23RD – SATURDAY-DECEMBER 28TH
(1ST ROUND MATCH-UPS)

9:30am – Homewood-Flossmoor vs Maine South

11:00am – Lincoln Way Central vs St. Charles East

12:30pm – Oswego East vs Rockford Auburn

2:00pm – Stevenson vs Glenbrook North

3:45pm – St. Rita vs Willowbrook

5:15pm – Marian Catholic vs T.F. South

7:00pm – Hinsdale Central vs Westinghouse

8:30pm – DePaul Prep vs Richards

NOTES: This West Suburban destination has increasingly become an attractive venue. Organizers can proudly bolster this is the top Holiday Tourney in the Chicagoland area. Contenders for the title likely will be, Marian Catholic, DePaul Prep, Stevenson, and Homewood-Flossmoor. Dark-horse title hopefuls are Oswego East, Willowbrook, and Auburn. Some of the area’s top coaches will be placed under duress. Stevenson’s Pat Ambrose, Tony Lavorato Maine South, Auburn’s Bryan Ott, Tommy Kleinschmidt of DePaul Prep, David Weber-Glenbrook North, & Willowbrook’s Chris Perkins.

ILLINOIS HOOP TOURNAMENTS TO FOLLOW
Top players to watch: Ahron Ullis (Marian Catholic’s Iowa signee, best prospect at the event). Un-signed seniors on-hand: Oswego East 6-6 tandem of Sam Shultz and Will Wolfe, Marian Catholic counters with Yemi Elutilo 6-3 & six-footer Joe Green. Western Illinois signee Elijah Jones (Marian) will need to stay out of foul trouble to be a valuable contributor to his team. H.F. will have 6-6 R.J. Ogom arguably the third best player featured at the event, The College of Charleston recruit is a force offensively, might have just enough fuel to get his squad to the title game. Josiah Palmer has begun to assert himself as a reliable scorer on the wing. Rockford-Auburn will be armed with talented junior prospect 6-4 Josh Ausler. He’s recognized at the Spot-Liter as No. 6 hoopster in the 2020 Class. Stevenson will present some challenges for opponents with their strategic ways, led by Matt Ambrose-a University Indianapolis recruit. Westinghouse visits with a talented quadruplet’s led by senior guard Devin Davis, the high scorer has been shelved with an injury the last few weeks. He is expected to return, Davis is considered one of the top un-signed seniors in the area. Back-court mate junior Kier Jordan has shown some serious promise in recent weeks. Six-foot six sophomore forward Martell Webb has the potential to be a budding stand-out, junior forward Gary Johns at 6-7 shows blemishes of being a break-out prospect. DePaul prep has rapidly rising junior leader & play-maker Ty Johnson and senior swingman Lance Mosley who has a wealth of experience. A Marquee match-up could prevail between the Rams and Marian Catholic. Willowbrook will have the nifty left-hander Everette Stubblefield spearheading their attack. Hinsdale Central has sharpshooter Ryan Isaacson of Merrimack College recruit. Watch-out for speedy Richards guard Kajuan Wines.


JACK TOSH HOLIDAY CLASSIC
AT YORK H.S.
DECEMBER 26TH – 31ST

GYM 1
9:00am – Highland Park vs Solorio

10:30am – Downers Grove South vs Schaumburg

12:00pm – St. Francis vs St. Laurence

1:30pm – Carl Sandburg vs Lyons

3:30pm – Batavia vs Andrew

5:00pm – Conant vs Rolling Meadows

6:30pm – Nazareth vs St. Ignatius

8:30pm – Montini vs York

GYM 2
8:30am – Elk Grove vs Hinsdale South

10:00am – Providence Catholic vs Lemont

11:30am – Stagg vs Riverside-Brookfield

1:00pm – Palatine vs Wheaton North

3:00pm – Glenbard East vs Brother Rice

4:30pm – Naperville North vs St. Patrick

6:00pm – Lake Forest vs Timothy Christian

7:30pm – Minooka vs Bolingbrook

Notes: Ritzy Western Suburban venue will feature head-liner Max Christie, the No.1 prospect in the junior class and arguable the second-best player in the state regardless of class. Wisconsin recruit, Junior forward Chris Hudges (Schaumburg) is a player to see, Batavia’s Jaden Johnson is considered one of the top un-signed seniors in the state. Billy Durkin (Hinsdale South), Aaron Tims (Hinsdale South), Darius Burford (Bolingbrook), Devon Ellis (Conant), Dom Galati (St. Patrick), Daron Hall (Glenbard East), Kai Evans (Bolingbrook), Nate Shockey (York).


PROVISO WEST HOLIDAY CLASSIC
AT PROVISO
DECEMBER 26TH-30TH

9:30am – Morton vs Leo

11:00am – Hyde Park vs Hillcrest

12:30pm – Chicago Uplift vs Proviso West

2:00pm – Fenwick vs Elgin-Larkin

4:00pm – Lane Tech vs St. Joseph

5:30pm – Bogan vs Crete-Monee

7:00pm – Dunbar vs Zion-Benton

8:30pm – Proviso East vs Perspective

Notes: The nearest event that resembles a Chicago flavor. This venue is on a gradual path towards restoring its once lofty status as the top Holiday Event in the state. Bogan is the favorite.

Top players to watch: Louisville recruit Bryce Hopkins will be the marquee player on hand. Hopkins is the No.2 prospect in our 2021 Class. Teammate Trey Pettigrew, a talented sophomore, has enjoyed a really nice start. Bogan’s Antione Bloxton, Kyndall Davis (Long Island), and a junior guard Darion “D.J.” Jones will give crowds some excitement. Hillcrest has talented junior guards Jakobi Heady and Julius Rollins, both are highly regarded Division One recruits. Hyde Park junior point guard Jalen Houston has elevated his rep as a top 25 prospect in the 2021. His play thus far has been splendid. Sophomore shooter Lamont Williams averages over 20 an outing. Newcomer Zion-Benton trots in with cagey six-foot five senior Damontae Taylor and junior standout Amar Augillard. Leo’s Kendale Anderson will pose a difficult task for opponents on the block.


WHEELING HARDWOOD CLASSIC
OPENER DECEMBER 23RD-28TH

9:00am – Libertyville vs Elgin

10:30am – Geneva vs Maine West

12:15pm – Notre Dame vs Mather

2:00pm – Prospect vs Deerfield

3:45pm – Niles North vs Waukegan

5:30pm – Buffalo Grove vs Fremd

7:15pm – Wheeling vs St. Viator

8:45pm – Glenbrook South vs Ridgewood

Notes: Day 2 (Thursday-26th) should offer some interesting games as well as scenery. The North-Shore’s finest will stroll through fashionably.

Top players on hand: the top uncommitted prospect in the senior class, Aquan Smart will dazzle the swanky audience with his scoring ability. Favorite to win is Niles-Notre Dame with junior trio of Louis Lesmond, Troy D’Amico, Anthony Sayles, and senior forward Jason Bergstrom (Illinois-Springfield recruit). Hot-shot shooter/scorer Kam Craft will sparkle for Buffalo Grove; St. Viator guard Connor Kochera (William & Mary) is flat-out surgical and worth the price of admission, watching him slice-up opponents. Glenbrook South’s 6-4 swingman Dom Martinelli is the guy many be fixated on. “Got old-school floor game.”

BIG DIPPER AT RICH SOUTH
DECEMBER 23RD – 28TH

Day 2 (Thursday the 26th should be livelier than the opening day.

Notes: Thornton will be the favorite; they are currently ranked No.10 in the Chicago area. Farragut might see them in the finale. Rich East, Central, and South will pack the house, with the Thornton faithfuls.


HINKLE HOLIDAY CLASSIC AT JACOBS
IN ALGONQUIN
DECEMBER 22ND-28TH

MATCH-UPS FOR 26TH-THURSDAY
9:00am – Prairie Ridge vs Grant

10:30am – Johnsburg vs Streamwood

12:00pm – Marian Central vs Grayslake Central

1:30pm – Chicago Prosser vs Bartlett

3:00pm – Waubonsie Valley vs Walter Payton

4:30pm – Rockford Jefferson vs Crystal Lake South

6:00pm – Barrington vs Cary Grove

7:30pm – South Elgin vs Jacobs

Notes: Quality event out in the northwest suburb. Most Chicago hoop buffs aren’t making the track out to this eccentric environment. The Spot-Liter is a usual visitor.

Top players to watch: Frank Jakubicek 6-8 forward-Cary Grove, signed with Belmont and silver smooth teammate Beau Frericks, a Lewis University recruit. Payton’s Jabari Chiphe (un-signed), Marcus Skeet (Waubonsie), topflight junior prospect Ben Schwieger (Waubonsie), Jaden Henderson (Jacobs).

EARLY VERBAL COMMITMENTS

           NAME                         HT       POS     HIGH SCHOOL             COLLEGE CHOICE

·      Frank Jakubicek      6-8      PF        Cary Grove               Belmont University

·      Ahron Ullis               6-2      PG       Marion Catholic      University Iowa

·      Marcus Watson      5-11    PG       Morgan Park            Wake Forest University

·      Elijah Jones              6-5      WF      Marian Catholic    Western Illinois University

·      Jordan Kwiecinski   6-8      F          Loyola Academy     Drake University

·      Connor Kochera      6-4      G         St. Viator                  William & Mary College

·      Destin Whitaker      6-6      WF      Romeoville               Fresno State University

·      Colin O’Rourke        6-8      PF        Plainfield North      Wisconsin Parkside

·      D.J. Stewart             6-3      G         Whitney Young       Duke University

·      Daniel Burford         6-2      G         Bolingbrook              Elon University

·      Bennett Kwiecinski 6-8     F          Loyola Academy     Siena College

·      Donovan Newby     6-3      PG       Bloom                        University Milw. -Wisc.

·      Ramean Hinton       6-4      G/F     Chicago Curie         South East Missouri State

·      Martice Mitchell     6-10    F          Bloom                        University Minnesota

·      Isaiah Rivera            6-4      G         Geneseo                 Colorado State University

·      Ryan Isaacson         6-7      WF      Hinsdale Central     Merrimack College

·      Beau Frericks           6-2      G         Cary Grove               Lewis University

·      Dante Maddox        6-2      PG       Bloom                        Cal State Fullerton

·      Ray’Sean Taylor      6-1      PG       Collinsville       Southern Illinois-Edwardsville

·      Aquan Smart           6-4      G         Niles North               East Tennessee State

·      Kyndall Davis           6-5      G/F     Chicago Bogan        Long Island University

·      Nate Shockey           6-2      G         York                            North Dakota State

·      R.J. Ogom                 6-5      PF        Homewood/Flossmoor College of Charleston

TOP PROSPECTS IN 2021 CLASS

There’s a surplus of high-major recruits in this group and immensely a quality of depth positioned at the mid to the bottom half of the class. Some observers see a resemblance of our 1997 and ‘98’ Classes. The Blue Bloods, Duke, and the Carolinas including Wake Forest have all been sighted as frequent visitors in the area. You can bet Kansas, Kansas State, the Oklahomas, and Arizona schools along with the Big 10 mainstays will continue to invade. Hopefully we will have very few skid marks in terms of development within the core group.

NAME / HT / POS / LEVEL / RANK / HIGH SCHOOL

• Max Christie 6-5 PG HM 1 Rolling Meadows“He is smooth & plays the game so effortlessly at times. Shaun Livingston clone, likely could land at Duke.”

• Bryce Hopkins 6-6 G HM 2 Fenwick
“We love his floor game & where it’s headed. Can score in variety. Nebraska, Northwestern, and the Blue Bloods in a hunt for his services.”

• Ahmad Bynum 6-2 G HM 3 Chicago Simeon
“Prolific jump shooter can drain them in bunches. Has a little of former New York city legend/NBA stand-out, Lloyd B. Free. Nebraska, DePaul, just to name a few.”

• Louis Lesmond 6-6 WG HM 4 Niles Notre Dame
“Smooth operator has a nice feel/flow to his game. Highly skilled. Big 10 schools draped all over him.”

• Brandon Weston 6-5 WF HM 5 Morgan Park
“New York native plays with an enormous amount of energy and emotions. Very talented performer, we are still learning more about him & his game.”

• Chris Hodges 6-8 PF HM 6 Schaumburg
“Potential to be terrific player in the right setting/system. He does play hard, still learning how to exhibit his athleticism more.”

• Josh Ausler 6-4 G HM 7 Rockford Auburn
“Coming off of MVP honors at the ISL Fall Classic last weekend. High-level shooter on the perimeter & will take defenders off the bounce hurriedly.”

• John Poulakidas 6-5 G/F HM 8 Neuqua Valley
“High character/academics, a budding stand-out. This South Paw can shoot & has that unorthodox feel offensively that he keeps defenders off balance. Made all Tourney at the ISL Classic.”

• Grant Newell 6-8 WF HM 9 Whitney Young
“Not even close to being a finish product at this present stage but he has a wealth of potential to eventually become a top-notch player.”

• Darrion “D.J.” Jones 5-11 PG HM 10 Chicago Bogan
“A punishing play-maker, flat-out hooper. Ambidextrous attacking both sides of the rim. Plays like Chicago guards used to in the 1970s.”

• Kimarhi Wilson 6-1 PG HM 11 Carmel
“Has the necessary physical gifts to be a high-level recruit, now has to polish up certain areas of his game after a spotty summer of play.”

• Isaiah Barnes 6-6 WG HM 12 Oak Park
“Sleek cager has Illinois & a host of big schools angling for his services. Awfully skilled, needs to bring tools with him regularly.”

• Troy D’Amico 6-7 F MM+ 13 Niles Notre Dame“Rugged performer has the ability to be a stat-stuffer. Excellent motor, respectable out-side shooter. Valuable part in a good system.”

• Anthony Sayles 6-2 PG MM+ 14 Niles Notre Dame
“Terrific athlete may opt for football but he’s fun to watch on the hardwood. Capable of managing his team or a game.”

• Tevin Smith 6-4 G MM+ 15 Danville
“Has stand-out capabilities, he’s currently in the recovering stages of a knee injury, reportedly prognosis looks bright for a return in up-coming months.”

• Bennie Slater 6-5 WG MM+ 16 Springfield High
“Still masks as an unknown prospect on many charts/grids. He is one talented lad who is destined for a breakout season.”

SUPREMACY

The State Tournament down in Peoria over the weekend was terrific. A lot of buzz and excitement, attendance was one of the largest we’ve seen in many many years due to the contingent of schools representing corners of our State. East St. Louis/Belleville area, Rockford, Evanston, and our beloved Chicago area teams. The metro east/St. Clair county fan base was down there in full force, colorful and entertaining. The Peoria Civic Center was a happening environment and a place to be over the weekend. The Southern part of our State near the STL pretty much validated what we’ve been saying for few years now about some of our best players residing in that area. The likes of Liddle, TJ Hargrove-East St. Louis, Donovan Clay-Alton, Ra’Shad Taylor-Collinsville, Bryce Bultman-Nashville, Will Shumpert-Belleville West, Richard Robinson-East St. Louis, Emmitt Gordon-Madison, Jaylin Mosby-Belleville West, Tommy Williams-Belleville West, Malik Smith-Alton; supremacy in the South.

4A State Final: Belleville West 71, Evanston 59

The State’s top player E.J. Liddle performed with grace and precision, reaffirming what his game/play is all about, which is winning. He racked up 24 points, 10 rebounds, and dished out 6 assists. On Friday night in the Semi-Final game he was a stud in a victory over Curie.  Ohio State is getting a bonafide winner.

3A State Final: East St. Louis 68, Bogan 63 (OT)

East boogie was in the house in true fashion, they had about 2000 fans descend on Peoria. They were a fun bunch that took over the arena, which added to an exciting weekend. T.J. Hargrove capped off a monster weekend demonstrating why he is widely recognized as one of the top 5 players in the 2019 Class. The St. Louis U. recruit treated the fans to an exhilarating display with numerous dunks. He and Bogan’s Rashaun Agee put on an afternoon ariel show. Hargrove recorded 32 points, 10 rebounds, & 7 or 8 dunks. Agee finished with 24 points, 14 rebounds, & 5 or 6 dunks, he was magnificent as well. This was a great ball game, Bogan had control for most of the game but had a difficult time closing it.

ILLINOIS HIGH-SCHOOL CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENTS

PONTIAC HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
December 27th – 29th, 20189:00am – Simeon vs Lockport
10:30am – Danville vs St. Charles North
1pm – Curie vs Joliet West
2:30pm – New Trier vs Plainfield North
4pm – Bloomington vs Warren Township
6pm – Benet Academy vs Peoria Manual
7:30pm – Bloom vs Pontiac
9:00pm – Oak Park vs West Aurora

Notes: The State’s No. 1 Tournament, Curie should roll in un-defeated with a wave of scrappy hard playing athletes led by Kansas State recruit Dajuan Gordon. Supporting cast of Ramean Hinton, Damari Nixon, Josiah Hammons, & Armond Williams Jr. New Trier looks to present some problems for opponents with its towering front-court of Ciaran Brayboy, a Harvard recruit and 6-8 SR Spencer Boehm, under-the-radar floor general Sam Silverstein. Bloom-Curie match-up would make this venue a frenzy affair to view. The Trojan’s Junior Trio, Keshawn Williams, Donovan Newby, & Martice Mitchell will exhilarate an audience. Watch-out for guard Justin Moore. Benet Academy will be angling to knock-off someone behind the play of Senior forward Kendrick Tchoua one of the state’s top un-signed seniors and Junior Colin Crothers. Usual perennial favorite Simeon having a slow start with a line-up of young players logging significant minutes will still be a much-watched squad, with senior scorer & top un-signee Antonio Reeves, senior guard Kejuan Clements, junior Bryce Hall, soph wiz Ahamed Bynum. Two prized freshmen A.J. Casey & Jaylen Drane. Bloomington will be a tough squad to deal with featuring SIU recruit Chris Payton and top un-signed guard Caleb Donaldson. Oak-Park comes in with a senior laden quartet of Chase Robinson, Anthony Roberts, Charlie Hoehne, & Dashon Enoch, and soph guard Isaiah Barnes should be someone to watch. Dark-horse team is Plainfield North who has a line-up of impressive juniors Kaleb Fenelus Williams and Colin O’Rourke.

HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC
December 26th
9:30am – Willowbrook vs Richards
11:00am – Marian Catholic vs Glenbrook North
12:30pm – St. Charles East vs Stevenson
2pm – DePaul Prep vs Urban Prep Englewood
3:45pm – St. Rita vs Rockford Auburn
5:15pm – Oswego East vs Westinghouse
7:00pm – Hinsdale Central vs Homewood-Flossmoor
8:30pm Lincoln Park vs Maine South

Notes: This will be a good tournament to view, the location is in close proximity with the Proviso West Xmas event as well as York. DePaul Prep is playing at a high-level right now and could be the early favorite with Brown recruit Perry Cowan performing like an All-Stater un-song junior Lance Mosley. Sophomore to watch 6-8 Brian Matthews. Marian Catholic has junior Ahron Ullis averaging close to 20, senior Chris White junior guard Joe Green. Oswego East comes in with Boise State recruit Raymond Dennis & junior forward Sam Schultz. St. Rita will have un-signed senior Jeremiah Oden. Richards, Lincoln Park, and Homewood-Flossmoor should be entertaining to watch as well.

HARDWOOD CLASSIC HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
At Wheeling – December 26th, 2018
1st Round Match-Up
9:00am – Waukegan vs Grayslake Central
10:30am – Fremd vs Libertyville
12:15pm – Notre Dame vs Prospect
2pm – Glenbrook South vs Taft
3:45pm – St. Viator vs Ridgewood
5:30pm – Buffalo Grove vs Deerfield
7:15pm – Wheeling vs Geneva
8:45pm – Niles North vs Maine West

Notes: The St. Viator squad should be the favorite with a line-up of Wright State recruit Trey Calvin and Kent State signee Jerry Hernandez and promising junior Connor Kochera. Buffalo Grove has sharp shooting frosh Kam Kraft, he’s a player to watch. Waukegan will be local heart-throb at the event with Bryant Brown, Jordan Brown, and Andre White Jr. Anthony Sayles of Notre Dame will likely draw the interest from College Coaches & Scouts. Geneva will have shooter Mitch Mascari. Glenbrook South has under-valued all-purpose performer Dom Martinelli who can score a variety of ways. Niles North carts in talented junior Aquan Smart and promising 6-5 sophomore Jalen Butler.

45TH ANNUAL JACK TOSH 2018 CLASSIC AT YORK H.S.
December 26th – 31st, 2018
1st Round Match-Up
SOUTH GYM
8:30am – Palatine vs Metea Valley
10:00am – Lake Forest vs Lyon Township
11:30am – Carl Sandburg vs Naperville North
1pm – River-Side-Brookfield vs McHenry
3pm – Timothy Christian vs Wheaton North
4:30pm – St. Francis vs Brother Rice
6pm – Elk Grove vs Batavia
7:30pm – Downers Grove South vs Highland Park

NORTH GYM
9:00am – Providence Catholic vs St. Patric
10:30am – Minooka vs Conant
Noon – Hinsdale South vs Lemont
1:30pm – Nazareth vs St. Lawrence
3:30pm – T.F. South vs Schaumburg
5pm – Glenbard East vs St. Ignatius
6:30pm – Stagg vs Rolling Meadows
8pm – Andrew vs York

Notes: A few of teams housed at this Holiday destination, one thing is for certain the head-liners will be Marquise Kennedy of Brother Rice heading to Loyola-Chgo. He’s a Top 5 player in the State. Another Rambler recruit Tom Welch (Naperville North) on-hand. State’s No. 1 sophomore Max Christie is sure to fill the stands. Drake Univ. recruit Nate Ferguson (Lemont) will be some-one to view closely. Schaumburg stud, 6-7 Chris Hodges is legit. T.F. South will feature the Stewart twins Elijah & Andrew. St. Lawrence is one of the area’s surprising teams with break-out junior guard, Jeremiah Williams. River-Side-Brookfield has a solid team-oriented cast and will contend for the title. Wheaton North has talented senior forward Deng Reng who’s un-signed. York has Top 25 Junior PG Nate Shockey, an exciting player. Don’t be surprised at 6-7 soph Julian Campbell of Palatine, a rising player has some success.

JACOBS HIGH-SCHOOL HINKLE HOLIDAY CLASSIC
December 22nd, 2018
1st Round Pairings
3:00pm – Johnsburg vs Dixon
3:00 pm – Cary Grove vs South Elgin
4:30pm – Crystal Lake South vs Chgo Walter Payton Prep
4:30pm – Bartlett vs Waubonsie
6:00pm – Barrington vs Prairie Ridge
6:00pm – Chgo King Prep vs Steamwood
7:30pm – Rockford Jefferson vs Marian Central
7:30pm – Jacobs vs Grant

Wednesday December 26th, 2018
Day 2 Match-Ups
9:00am – South Elgin vs Marian Central
10:30am – Prairie Ridge vs Johnsburg
Noon – Grant vs Chgo King Prep
1:30pm – Cary Grove vs Rockford Jefferso
3:00pm – Barrington vs Dixon
4:30pm – Chicago Walter Payton vs Bartlett
6:00pm – Crystal Lake South vs Waubonsie Valley
7:30pm – Jacobs vs Streamwood

Notes: This is a Holiday venue that I was a frequent visitor there, an event where you could potentially notice some sleeper prospects. Cary Grove’s pair Beau Frericks a stellar junior guard & six-foot eight junior forward Frank Jakubicek. Northern Illinois signee Keenon Cole will be attraction coming in with his Streamwood squad. Quinn Peterson one of the area’s top young Coaches will be on-hand with his Walter Payton team, Barrington, South-Elgin, Dixon, & Rockford Jefferson has promising young talent.

BIG SHOTS
Our area lost one of all-time great high-school players when former St. Francis De Sales stand-out Eric Anderson passed away last week-end at 48. Anderson led De Sales to a 29-2 record and a second-place finish in the Class AA 1988 Season. He went on to become a heck of player at Indiana where he led the Hoosiers to the 1992 Final Four.

The two-day Team Rose event at Mount-Carmel December 8th & 9th was a really good event. Some match-ups attracted a huge viewing with Bloom vs Morgan Park; St. Viator vs Oswego East; Brother Rice vs Uplift; Bloomington vs Leo; Kenwood vs Hillcrest; and Oak-Park vs Orr all were prime games and highly competitive. “It was the place to be in Chicago last week-end.”

TOP UN-SIGNED SENIORS TO FOLLOW
• Myles Baker 6-3 WG MM Young – “Playing extremely well, stock-climbing.”
• Tujautae Williams 6-6 G MM Orr – “Nice length, likes to get up & down.”
• Kendrick Tchoua 6-6 F MM Benet – “Patriot League really interested.”
• Deonte Billups 6-4 G MM Moline – “He & his team are playing well.”
• Rashawn Agee 6-7 PF MM Bogan – “Had a monster week with double/doubles in some big victories.”
• Cortez Mosley 6-4 WG MM Peoria Richwoods – “Sleek player who can score.
• Antonio Reeves 6-4 WG MM Simeon – “Has game & savvy. Pontiac will be his outing to shine.”
• Dylan West 6-7 PF LM+ Hillcrest – “A sleeper type; rising prospect.”
• Jeremiah Oden 6-7 F LM+ St. Rita – “Xmas venue will provide answers.”
• Greg Outlaw 6-5 WF LM+ Orr – “A raw promising talent. Good defender.”
• Caleb Donaldson 6-5 G LM+ Bloomington – “Nice length, can handle & create for mates, good finisher.”
• Bryant Brown 6-4 G/F LM+ Waukegan – “Just a hooper.”

PROVISO WEST HOLIDAY CLASSIC
December 26th, 2018 – First Round Pairings
9:30am – Leo vs Longwood
11:00am – Uplift vs Elgin-Larkin
12:30pm – Proviso East vs Hyde Park
2:00pm – Bogan vs Niles West
4:00pm – Fenwick vs Dunbar
5:30pm – Hillcrest vs Proviso West
7:00pm – Whitney Young vs Crete-Monee
8:30pm – St. Joseph vs Morton

Notes: Not as strong as its been in previous years but a couple of match-ups might lure a sizeable crowd. New addition Chicago Leo could provide some healthy fireworks for this venue. Leo’s Fred Cleveland Jr. and Uplift’s Markese Jacobs (DePaul signee) will be fun to watch if the match up occurs, now the Anderson Brothers (Dechaun-Kendale) could be too much for Uplift. Bogan probably boasts more talent than anyone in the field with Rashaun Agee, Jeremiah Washington, Jordan Booker, Kyndall Davis, & rapidly improving junior forward Kennedy Brown. They could be the favorite. Whitney Young rolls in with top notch juniors D.J. Steward & Tyler Beard. Senior leader Myles Baker has been consistently good. Colleges will flock to this venue as well to get a close-up look at a few of these standout prospects, including highly touted sophomore Bryce Hopkins a 6-5 scorer from Fenwick.

BIG DIPPER AT RICH SOUTH H.S.
December 26th, 2018 – First Round Pairings
7pm - Morgan Park vs Bowen
Noon - Hammond High (Ind) vs Rich-East
4pm - Marshall vs Romeoville
1:30pm - Michigan City, Ind vs Rich Central
8:30am - Thornton vs Hope Academy
9:00am - Vocational vs Clark
10:30am - Farragut vs Butler Charter
5:30pm - Bowman vs Rich South

Notes: It will be a plenty of skin’n & grinning with laughter at this event. Morgan Park will likely be the favorite, even though they’ve hit some bumps of late. Some name Coaches will make things real colorful: Tai Streets (Thornton), Donnie Kirksey (Vocational), William Nelson (Farragut), Larry Moore Jr. (Hammond), Henry Cotton (Marshall), Marc Howard (Romeoville), Terry Head (Clark), Anton Harmon (Hope Academy), a couple of young up-coming Coaches Cornelius Crossley (Rich Central) & Paul Hobson (Butler Charter).

CENTRALIA HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
December 27th – 29th, 2018
(1st Round Pairings)
8:30am – Champaign Central vs T.F. North
10:00am – Mt. Vernon vs Arlington, TN
12:30pm – Belleville West vs Cahokia
2:00pm – Centennial, TN vs Chatham Glenwood
3:30pm – Alton vs Lausanne
6:15pm – Carmel vs Confluence
7:45pm – Centralia vs Marist
9:15pm – Evanston vs Germantown

NOTE: The State’s best player is on-hand – Belleville West E.J. Liddle who signed with Ohio State. High-jumping Champaign Central sophomore Khaillid Terry will also be a player to watch.

BLOOMINGTON HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
10:30am – Thornwood vs Springfield High
Noon – Kenwood vs Plainfield South
1:30pm – Zion-Benton vs Normal U-High
3pm – Metamora vs Harlem
5pm – Normal vs Mahomet-Seymour
6:30pm – Joliet Central vs North Chicago
8pm – Rock Island vs North Lawndale
9:30pm – Peoria Central vs Wheaton-Warrenville South

COLLINSVILLE PRAIRIE FARMS HOLIDAY CLASSIC
December 27th, 2018 – 1st Round Pairings
9:00am – Springfield South-East vs Oakville (MO)
10:30am – Edwardsville vs Quincy
1:00pm – Rockford East vs Decatur Eisenhower
2:30pm – East St. Louis vs Belleville Althoff
4:00pm – Decatur Macarthur vs O’Fallon
6:30pm – Collinsville vs Chicago Hansberry
8:00pm – Lincoln (IL) vs Madison
9:30pm – Belleville East vs Granite City

Note: Usually a pretty good event, draws nice crowds. The teams to watch: Southeast, Edwardsville, Lincoln and East St. Louis always bring out the fashionable masses. Rockford East Junior Sincere Parker may light-up the score-board, he’s been terrific early on.

EVENT WRAP UP - ILLINOIS SPOT-LITE 2018 FALL CLASSIC

ILLINOIS SPOT-LITE 2018 FALL CLASSIC        
MEMORY OF MY DEAR FRIEND WAYNE McCLAIN

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME-SITE: PLAINFIELD CENTRAL
RICHARDS 58 – EAST AURORA 29

In Plainfield, IL (Sept. 15th & 16th) the title game on Sunday featured two surprising but promising programs Richards from Oak-Lawn and East Aurora; the two un-foreseen teams squared off in the Spot-Liter finale where Richards went on to walloped the fatigued west suburban Tomcats behind the splendid play of stand-out junior forward Paul Zilinskas and senior athletic stud Trevon Jones. Zilinskas was named tournament MVP, the six-foot five Euro-type swingmen demonstrated why he is highly regarded as a top 35-40 prospect in the 2020 class. The 6-4 Jones is under-recruited prospect, he’s a match-up nightmare capable of scoring in the paint but can also drain jumpers on the perimeter consistently. Richards outlasted several pretty good teams to reach the title game, they beat Niles North in the quarters and a vastly improved Chicago Corliss squad in the semi-final. Junior guard Kajuan Wines also performed well during the two-day hoop classic. East Aurora was a total stunner, they managed to escape a tough pool despite dropping their first game to an under-rated Plainfield North squad on Saturday. They defeated a talented junior-Laden Crane team on Sunday morning to build some steam heading into the play-off bracket. The Tomcats were spearheaded by steady guard play, leading the way was all-tournament first teamer Tarone Kirkwood with help from senior tandem of Jules Williamson and Josh Pryor. East Aurora knocked-off Chicago Farragut, T.F. South, and Plainfield North to advance to the title game. Unfortunately, senior swing-man Williamson could not suit-up due to leg cramps; another key member of their un-song cast was hampered by injury during the final.

TOP 35 2021 PROSPECTS

“A highly anticipated cast of potential high-major recruits.”

NAME HT POS RANK HIGH-SCHOOL/CLUB TEAM
• Brandon Weston 6-4 WG 1 Lake Forest Academy/PSA
• Max Christie 6-4 G 2 Rolling Meadows/Illinois Wolves
• Ahmad Bynum 5-9 G 4 Chicago Simeon/Mac Irvin Fire
• Kimarhi Wilson 6-0 PG 5 Carmel/Y&R
• Chris Hodges 6-7 F 6 Schaumburg/Illinois Wolves
• Anthony Sayles 6-0 PG 7 Niles Notre Dame/Illinois Wolves
• Jaylin Gibson 6-3 WG 9 Evanston/Spiece Indy Heat
• Tevin Smith 6-3 WG 10 Danville/Mean Streets
• Amar Aguillar 6-5 WF 15 Zion-Benton/Mac Irvin Fire
• Jallen Butler 6-6 F 12 Niles North/Chicago Elite
• Ismail Habib 5-9 PG 18 Lincoln Park/Chicago Elite
• Isaiah Donnell 6-1 PG 8 Peoria Richwoods/Bradley Beal
• Scotty Ebube 6-8 WF 11 Mundelein/Kessel Heat
• Troy Pilon 6-5 PF 22 Niles Notre Dame/Mean Streets
• Khaillieo Terry 6-5 F 3 Champaign Central/Indy Heat Spiece
• Blake Peters 6-3 WG 13 Evanston/Mean Streets
• Darrion Jones 6-0 PG 29 Chicago Bogan/Chicago Huskies
• Kevin Miller 5-8 PG 24 Morgan Park/Mac Irvin Fire
• Nick Petty 5-11 G 28 Peoria Manual/---
• Julio Montes 5-9 PG 26 Lincoln Park/Chicago Elite
• Isaiah Holden 5-7 PG 27 Evanston/Y&R
• Isiah Barnes 6-5 WF 16 Romeoville/Illinois Wolves
• Norvell Meadows 5-8 G 18 Chicago Prosser/Chicago Grainers
• Brandon Hall 6-2 G 30 Thornton/Mean Streets
• Elijah Bull 5-7 G 25 Evanston/Y&R
• Marquis Irvin 5-9 G 17 Hillcrest/Team Rose
• Kenton Wright 5-8 PG 34 Hillcrest/Mean Streets
• Kyonte Thomas 5-9 PG 23 Bolingbrook/Team Rose
• Grant Newell 6-5.5 WF 19 Whitney Young/Mean Streets
• Kai Evans 6-1 WG 35 Montini H.S./Team Rose
• Connor Enright 5-11 PG 32 Mundelein/Illinois Wolves
• Bryce Hopkins 6-4 G/F 20 Fenwick/Illinois Wolves
• Jolo Arrovan 5-8 PG 33 Andrews/Next Level 24
• Nathanael Hoskins 6-2 G 21 Danville/Mean Streets
• Derek Courtney 5-8 PG 36 Lincoln Park/Lock-Down

THE TOP HOLIDAY TOURNAMENTS TO WATCH

PONTIAC HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
December 28th, 2017

1st Round Pairings
• West Aurora vs Warren 9:00am
• 3 Curie vs Niles West 10:30am
• 5 Oak-Park vs Lockport 1:00pm
• 5 Bloomington vs Joliet West 2:30pm
• Benet vs Peoria Manual 4:00pm
• 2 Danville vs Plainfield North 6:00pm
• 1 Simeon vs Pontiac 7:30pm
• St. Charles North vs Bloom 9:00pm

Jottings: 
Our view of the field seems slightly down from a year ago, but the Pontiac event represents our state’s top Xmas venue. The Tournament will mark the debut of Pontiac’s first-year Coach Durrell Robinson a Danville native. We seeded our thoughts on the Top 5.

Players to follow: 
Talen Horton-Tucker – Simeon, Messiah Jones – Simeon, Xavier Pinson – Simeon, Ahmad Bynum – Simeon, Zion Young – Simeon, Chris Payton – Bloomington, Chris Pugh – Bloomington, Kendle Moore – Danville, Maurice Commander – Curie, DaJuan Gordon – Curie, Tyree Martin – Curie, Jaden Gasby – Curie, Camron Donatian – West Aurora, Isaiah Fuller – Oak Pk, Dashon Enoch – Oak Pk, Chase Robinson – Oak Pk, Anthony Roberts – Oak Pk, Kyle King – St. Charles North, Brandon Ellis – Warren, Colin Crothers – Benet, Keshawn Williams – Bloom, Donovan Newby – Bloom, Tommy Ferriter – Lockport.

PROVISO WEST XMAS TOURNEY

December 27th, 2017

1st Round Pairings

• Whitney Young vs Longwood 8:30am

• Downer’s Grove North vs St. Joseph 11:00am

• Proviso East vs Bogan 5:30pm

• Uplift vs Providence St. Mel 9:30am

• Fenwick vs Proviso West 12:30pm

• New Trier vs Hillcrest 4:00pm

• Elgin-Larkin vs Kenwood 2:00pm

• Orr vs Morton 7:00pm

Notes: A quality venue, doesn’t have a wealth of individual star attraction the individual star attraction that Pontiac has, but does bolster some very good programs: Young, Orr, Bogan, Fenwick, St. Joseph, Proviso East, Elgin-Larkin, Kenwood; while Uplift has an opportunity to redeem itself from a slow start. Break-out player might be East’s senior guard-Quinlan Bennett. Orr’s Chase Adams will dazzle audiences, while Larkin’s Jalen Shaw will display what his bright future could look like in a few years. Markese Jacobs of Uplift carries the weight of a 6,000-pound elephant. He’s got to get himself into a groove where he can just play and get rid of all the other on-court theatrics. Lately his on-court demeanor does not display the type of leadership this undermanned team needs right now. Fenwick’s D.J. Stewart will garner some close viewing. Chicago Bogan could be a dark horse with their contingent scrappy players. Chicago Orr 

HINSDALE CENTRAL

December 27th, 2017 

1st Round Pairings

• DePaul Prep vs Crete-Monee 9:30am

• Homewood-Flossmoor vs Stevenson 11:00am

• St. Rita vs Westinghouse 12:30pm

• Maine South vs Richards 2:00pm

• Glenbrook North vs Rockford Auburn 3:45pm

• Bolingbrook vs Up-Englewood 5:15pm

• Hinsdale Central vs St. Charles East 7:00pm

• Marian Catholic vs Lincoln Park 8:30pm

Notes: DePaul Prep should not look past Crete-Monee, they’re 1st round opponent. Crete has an exciting left-hander Tyrese Hunt and fellow senior guard Josh Evans, these guys can play. The cream of the crop suppose to be Bolingbrook, but H.F. or Marian Catholic should up-stage last year’s Tournament Champion. Lincoln Park will be the most entertaining team in the field. The Lions bolster an athletic squad that are young and inexperienced, but fun to watch.

2017 WHEELING HARDWOOD CLASSIC 

December 28-30th, 2017

1st Round Matchups

This will be a hot North-Suburban destination, we are anticipating a really good vibe after the 1st set of games. Expect large crowds with an elegant flair. Quite a few notable players with a considerable amount of buzz will fill this event. Look for some really good match-ups in the quarters and semifinals.  This is the place to be later in the week. Top players to follow: Damaria Franklin – Niles North, Drew Peterson – Libertyville, Jerry Hernandez – St. Viator, Trey Calvin – St. Viator, Peter Lambesis – St. Viator, Bryant Brown – Waukegan, Anthony Sayles – Notre Dame, Troy D’Amico – Notre Dame, Dusan Mahorcic – Notre Dame. 

• Niles North vs Vernon Hills 9:00am

• Buffalo Grove vs Dundee-Crown 10:30am

• Prospect vs Maine West 12:15pm

• Geneva vs Niles Notre Dame 2:00pm

• St. Viator vs Glenbrook South 3:45pm

• Waukegan vs Deerfield 5:30pm

• Wheeling vs Fremd 7:15pm

• Grayslake Central vs Libertyville 8:45pm

YORK’S JACK TOSH HOLIDAY CLASSIC

December 26th, 2017

1st Round Pairings

• Schaumburg vs St. Ignatius 9:00am

• Wheaton North vs Downers Grove South 10:30am

• Metea Valley vs Glenbard East Noon

• Hinsdale South vs Rolling Meadows 1:30pm

• McHenry vs Conant 3:30pm

• Riverside-Brookfield vs St. Patrick 5:00pm

• Stagg vs Minooka 6:30pm

• T.F. South vs York 8:00pm

• Oswego vs St. Laurence 8:30am

• Lyons vs Palatine 10:00am

• Andrew vs Lake Forest 11:30am

• Waubonsie Valley vs Brother Rice 1:00pm

• Nazareth vs Batavia 3:00pm

• Highland Pk vs Carl Sandburg 4:30pm

• Providence Catholic vs Timothy Christian 6:00pm

• Elk Grove vs Naperville North 7:30pm

North: A cluster-frick of teams, Schaumburg’s frosh Chris Hodges will be on-hand, Brother Rice sleeper Junior Marquise Kennedy will draw a wave of viewers.

STATE FARM HOLIDAY 

December 27th, 2017

 

In Bloomington-Illinois Wesleyan Shark Center

• Wheaton-Warrenville South vs Plainfield South 9:30am

• Thornwood vs Mahomet-Seymour 8:00pm

• Rock-Island vs Rockford Lutheran 5:00pm

• Normal vs Springfield High 6:30pm

• North-Lawndale vs Zion Benton 1:30pm

• Chatham Glenwood vs Metamora 10:30am

• Joliet Central vs Normal U-High Noon

• North Chicago vs Rockton-Hononegah 3:00pm

Notes: A Tournament that seems to be sagging this time around. Zion-Benton, Metamora, and Joliet Central Should provide some excitement. Freshman Amar Augillard (Zion) has been impressive thus far. North-Lawndale could surprise!

CENTRALIA HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT 

December 28-30th, 2017

1st Round Matchups

• Mundelein vs Mount Vernon 8:30am

• Germantown, TN vs Alton 10:00am

• Confluence vs Cahokia 12:30pm

• Belleville West vs Collierville, TN 2:00pm

• Champaign Central vs Lausanne 3:30pm

• Evanston vs O’Fallon 6:15pm

• Centralia vs Salem 7:45pm

• Marist vs Arlington, TN 9:15pm

Notable players area to see: Tim Finke – Central, E.J. Liddle – West, Amir Spann – Mt. Vernon, Morgan Taylor – Marist, Khaillied Terry – Central, Lance Jones – Evanston, Jahiem Holden – Evanston, Matthew Hall – Evanston, Connor Enright – Mundelein, Malachi Smith – Belleville West, Kevin Caldwell – Alton. 

McDIPPER HOLIDAY CLASSIC

At Rich South

December 26-30th, 2017

This event will draw some of the hippest fashionable south suburban dudes you can find. They haven’t wondered in the gym all season, but they will come at you with a lot of hip yada yada so you have to have your social cues sharp. The speakers will be booming with tracks from migos-travis scott-hustle gang..

• Clark/Johnson winner vs Gary Bowman 8:30am

• Chicago Leo vs Michigan City, IN 10:00am

• Rich Central vs Hammond High 1:00pm

• Rich East vs Farragut 2:30pm

• Rich South vs Marshall 4:00pm

• Romeoville vs Chicago Ag. Science 5:30pm

• Morgan Park vs Butler Charter 7:00pm

• Thornton vs Hope Academy 8:30pm

PRAIRIE FARMS HOLIDAY CLASSIC

At Collinsville H.S.

December 28-30th, 2017

1st Round Matchups

Same vibe! The East boogie cats will come over in full force supporting their flyers. Junior standout 6-6 Terrence Hargrove and Old Dominion recruit, Joe Reece will have fans on the edge of their seats with their high wire act. We’ve always enjoyed this venue, now the twins from MacArthur-Armon & Amir Brummett will have spectators scratching their heads at some of their antics, they are talented pair. 

• Springfield Southeast vs Granite City 9:00am

• Decatur Eisenhower vs Oakville, MO 10:30am

• Lincoln vs Hazelwood East 1:00pm

• Quincy vs Belleville East 2:30pm

• East St. Louis vs Urbana 4:00pm

• Collinsville vs Riverview Gardens 6:30pm

• Edwardsville vs Althoff 8:00pm

• Decatur MacArthur vs Rockford East 9:30pm

ILLINOIS SPOT-LITE 2017 FALL CLASSIC (2)

TOURNAMENT CO-MVP – JEREMIAH HERNANDEZ & TREY CALVIN

1ST TEAM ALL-TOURNAMENT

Peter Lambesis 6-4 G/F SR St. Viator
DaRon Hall 5-10 PG SO Glenbard East
Jeremiah Hernandez 6-4 G JR St. Viator
Sam Shafer 6-5 G SR Lincoln-Way East
Alijah Nelson 5-11 PG SO Glenbard East

2nd TEAM ALL-TOURNAMENT

Isaiah Fuller 6-1 G SR Oak-Park
Cameron Blackmon 6-0 G SR Joliet Central
Taeyon Neal 6-10 C JR Providence St. Mel
Javari McClendon 6-3 G SR Hope Academy
Ethan Schuemer 6-7 SF SR Willowbrook
3RD TEAM ALL-TOURNAMENT
Terrance Shannon 6-7 F SR Lincoln Park
Joshua Rosenborough 5-10 G SR Thornwood
Ryan Trotter 6-2 G JR Walter Payton
Javion May 6-2 G SR Hope Academy
Fred Cleveland 5-7 PG JR Chicago Leo

NOTABLE TOURNAMENT SLEEPERS & SURPRISES

All of these players participated in the playoffs, except for the Metamora kids who played outstanding during their games while losing several close ones and Liam from Payton.
• Matt Myers 6-3 SR WG Willowbrook (shot the ball really well)
• Chase Robinson 6-1 JR G Oak-Park (coming into his own now)
• Payton Havens 5-9 JR G Metamora (strong with the rock)
• Collin Dietz 6-6 JR F Metamora (coaches gloat over him)
• Joe Buggemi 6-4 SR F Lincoln-Way East (competed hard)
• Sami Ismail 5-11 SR G Carl Sandburg (shot the ball well)
• Liam Dillon 6-5 SO F Walter Payton (was impressive)
• Connor Kochera 6-3 SO G St. Viator (he was un-heralded)
• Jalen Chavers 6-2 SR G Thornwood (displayed talent)
• Tim Ervin 5-6 JR PG Providence St. Mel (ran his team)
• Adem Osmani 6-3 SR G/F Oak Lawn (made playoffs)
• Jason Pygon 5-11 SR PG Carl Sandburg (was a lil general)
• Sami Osmani 6-1 SO G Oak Lawn (impressive)
• Sean Willis 5-8 JR PG Richards (coming along)