Spot-Lite Open Division Notes: Sunday, September 11, 2016

Spot-Lite Open Division Notes: 

This particular piece of the event gets harder each year, due to fall leagues and other segments of September action.

TOP 12 PERFORMERS
1. Dallas Bryson 6’6” WF Jr MM Peoria Richwoods
Shot the ball at a high clip; had 27, 17, 27 points in 3 games, might be a budding star. Good-looking prospect.

2. Logan Windeler 6’9” F Sr MM-LM+ Lincoln-Way WestStepped out-side and nailed some three’s in several games, legit Division I Mid-Major.

3. Austin Richie 6’5” WF Sr LM+ BloomThis out-side specialist was attaching the rim effectively; Eastern & Western Illinois should pursue him

4. Kaleb Thornton 5’11” G Jr MM Bolingbrook 

He was terrific in transition, and he shared & created for his teammates

5. Dwayne Rose 6’1” G Sr MM Crete-Monee 

Had several moments where he was “breath taking in the open floor”

6. Kameron Reaves 6’1” PG Sr MM-LM+ Champaign CentennialHe displayed himself as a reliable ball handler and defenders; also played with poise and managed the floor well for his teammates.

7. Fred Cleveland, Jr 5’6” PG So Urban Prep Englewood 

This silver quick lad brought his A game...skilled and exciting to watch

8. Denis Alibegovic 6’4” WG Sr LM+ Downers Grove South 

He sprayed some deep jumper’s and showed why he’s a system type player

9. Quentin Shields 5’10” G Sr LM Chicago Brooks Hadn’t seen before, but the combo guard had a stellar day, he helped himself well with his play

10. Chase Adams 5’6” PG Jr MM Marian Catholic 

Strutted in like a stud... his play was slithery & potent

11. Brandon Lawani 6’7” SF Sr LM-D2 Bolingbrook Always ultra competitive, hit the glass and finished at the rim well. A small college gem

12. Jaden Gasby 6’5” F Jr MM-LM+ Urban Prep Englewood 

Had a dynamite motor, attacked the rim well, and played with some authority

Other’s: 

Ryan Kutson 6’4” Jr Lake Zurich; Jaden Gasby 6’5” Jr Urban Prep Englewood; Anthony Lynch 6’1” Sr Elgin-Larkin; Donald Taylor 5’6” So Urban Prep Englewood; Tyree Spencer 5’10” Sr Downers Grove South; Dylan Williams 6’5” Jr Danville 

Top Young Player’s at the Spot-Lite Shoot-out – Sunday, September 11, 2016

Jeremiah Hernandez    6’4” So   St. Viator   Promising prospect
Bryce Hall    6’2” Fr      Chicago Brooks    A wealth of potential
John “JR” Cison    5’10” So    St. Viator     Shot it well and distributed
Fred Cleveland Jr    5’6” So    Urban Prep    He was superb! 

 

Notables from the Wayne McClain High School Classic & Illinois Spot-Lite Open Division Shoot-out

Notables from the Wayne McClain High School Classic & Illinois Spot-Lite Open Division Shoot-out

Held Saturday, September 10 & Sunday, September 11 at Plainfield Central High School 

1st Annual McClain Classic Champion, Zion-Benton defeated Marshall 39-34 in the title game. Zion-Benton was able to hold-off Marshall after surrendering a fourteen-point cushion. The Zee-Bee’s lost the opening game of pool play to the Commando’s of Marshall, who had excellent showing through-out the event. Zion-Benton was led by Senior trio of Rod Henry-Hayes, Marquis Henry, and Jaayon Ray. Hayes is a vastly underrated six foot three guard who can stroke it from deep, or get to the rim with either hand. His recruitment should take a turn upward.

Other Event Notes:
Bloomington High came in on Saturday only and they left a lasting impression on area viewers. Behind the colorful Payton Brother’s Charles & Chris; They terrorized pool play opponents with their High-wire act. Springfield Southeast and Lanphier combined to put on an electric show on Sunday, playing a few games in the open division. 6’4” Swingman Isaiah Walton was Magnificent. The Senior showed off his athleticism and his ability to knock down some deep Ozone three’s. Top 10 2018 prospect guard Cardell McGee put on a clinic with his eye popping all-around game, then gave way to promising sophomore’s 6’5” Karl Wright and 6’3” Anthony Fairlee. Senior Lanphier guard Yaakema Rose was in his usual attacking mode.

Oak Park had a successful 2-day run, the young back court tandem of Isaiah Fuller and Dashon Enoch drew rave reviews. Fuller, at 6”1” is regarded as a Top 15 ball-handling guard in the 2018 class, really helped his value over the weekend. He is sleek, and he demonstrated a really good understanding of the game, and he plays at a good pace. Fuller looks like a Valley or A10 recruit. Enoch, we consider a Top 20 in our highly anticipated 2019 crop. Senior Cameron Gross was solid for Oak Park. He knows the watchdogs are monitoring him closely, and he knows what he has to do! Farragut’s 6’4” guard Kawanise Wilkins went for 25 on Bloomington, he was terrific as usual, even though he was hampered by a leg injury. Oak Lawn, Senior guard Rashad Johnson lit-it-up a few games. He was impressive in a play-off outing where he and his teammates took down De La Salle. Glenbard East’s two-way threat of Michael Finley was steady as usual. Finley, locked-down on the defensive end, which could become his calling card. Al Raby made it’s debut at the classic and sparkled behind the play of 6’5” Junior point guard Jaylin Washington (vastly underrated, just needs polish) and senior swingman 6’3” Tywon Henderson. East Aurora’s, Traevon Brown 5’11” 2019 prospect, who is viewed as a Top 12-15 player, did not disappoint with his play. Teammates Michael Steward opened some eyes with his shooting. Lincoln Park had a couple of games where they hit a barrage of three’s. The Lion’s played well into mid Sunday. They were led by Senior’s Alec Brent 6’3” and jet quick floor general Marco Lewis. Senior forward Hamza Gocobinja suited-up on Saturday only, but generated some buzz with his out-side marksmanship. Metamora veered in to the event in after capturing the Spot-Lite Title in 2015. This year they came in with limited weapons, Senior point guard Noah Persich played well; he could be a steal for a good Division II program. 

Joliet Central went 2-2; Jose Brubb was solid with his all-around play. Freshman guard Kee Hargrow had moments where he looked like a future standout; De La Salle Euro forward Dave Pinskus continues to “impress” scouts with his skillful play, Alex Raiford, a Top 25-30 2019 prospect played well. Hyde Park slid in on Sunday with a quality showing behind the play of 6’1” Senior guard Travis Ivy and 6’9” big man Anthony Cameron, a Division I recruit; Chicago Hope Academy had some intriguing players – Junior guard Javion May has nice length at 6’2” and the ability to create for his teammates. Khari Essex will be someone for us to watch, he is a 6’2” Junior. Also, Peoria Central finished 5-1. They came in with a nice blend of sophomores & juniors. They will be an up-coming squad to watch: over-all the event was a quality showing.

Top 10 Performers: 

Charles Payton 6’7” Sr & Chris Payton 6’6” So Bloomington; Isaiah Walton 6’5” Sr Southeast; Kawanise Wilkins 6’4” Sr Farragut; Isaiah Fuller 6’1” Jr Oak Park; Cardell McGee 6’3” Jr Lanphier; Rod Henry Hayes 6’3” Sr Zion-Benton; Mike Finley 6’3” Sr Glendbard East; Marquis Henry 6’1” Sr Zion-Benton; Rashad Johnson 5’11” Sr Oak Lawn.

2017 Early Verbal Commitments

2017 Early Verbal Commitments

REFLECTIONS

REFLECTIONS

The word on the street is that Texas El Paso Head Coach, Tim Floyd, went to Bolingbrook High School to see 6’5” Senior Nana Akenten, a Top 6 or 7 prospect in the 2017 class. And before Floyd left the Southwest Suburban School he had offered stellar Junior scoring guard Kaleb Thornton and sophomore guard Joseph Yesufu....hmmmmmm.......

Even though it’s late news, we still must comment....Belleville Althoff standout Jordan Goodwin did stay true to his word, as well as his heart. On February 6th, 2015, he revealed to me that St. Louis University was a school he envisioned himself suiting-up for and he seemed ready to commit even then. 

Wayne McClain High School Classic Schedule

The Illinois spotlite will host the Wayne McClain High School classic.  

Saturday and Sunday, September 10 and 11th, 2016

Please download the PDF for schedule.