2017 EARLY COMMITMENTS

NAME HT POS HIGH-SCHOOL COLLEGE

• Kezo Brown 6-2 G Chicago Simeon Chicago State
• Darius Beane 6-3 G Carbondale Southern Illinois Univ.
• Sam Shafer 6-5 WG Lincoln-Way East Southern Illinois Univ.
• Tamell Pearson 6-8 SF Morgan Park U.A.B.
• Javon Freeman 6-4 G Whitney Young Valparaiso Univ.
• Kendle Moore 6-0 G Danville Drake University
• Zion Morgan 6-6 F Hinsdale South Iowa State
• Xavier Castenada 5-11 PG Whitney Young South Florida Univ.
• Maurice Commander 5-8 PG Chicago Curie    U. Tennessee Chattanooga
• Kani Acree 6-6 F Carbondale Ball-State University
• George Conditt 6-9 F Chicago Corliss Iowa State
• Messiah Jones 6-5 SF Chicago Simeon Drake University
• Jake Wolfe 6-5 SF Aurora Christian Lipscomb University
• Ethan Schuemer 6-6 SF Willowbrook St. Cloud State

Some of our home-grown products in the College coaching carousel has left a mark in the area in recent months. D Rob at Iowa State landed verbal’s from two un-heralded gems in Hinsdale’s Griffin and Chicago Corliss rising forward Conditt. While Georgia Tech’s T Hardy, has versatile scoring wing Talen Horton-Tucker (Simeon) coming to campus this weekend, the following week, Horton is off to Iowa State for an official visit. Ohio State seems to be in close pursuit and Illinois is still in the picture as well.

FORMIDABLE VIEW

East St. Louis received an early Xmas gift when Vashon (STL) Big-Man Joseph Reece transferred in early in the week. The six foot eight 2018 prospect has the likes of Missouri State, Cleveland State, Old-Dominion, and Murray State in pursuit. Reece will join forces with the Flyers talented 2019 forward Terrence Hargrove. Reece can handle the ball well & run the floor, his shooting isn’t quite there now but he’s a promising prospect. “They are going to be happy in East Boogie.”

Whatever has happened with Kezo Brown. The talented southpaw at Simeon, we are sending him well wishes. People tend to forget some time that basketball is just a small fraction of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

UNDER-CLASSMEN CAMP SCHEDULE

UNDER-CLASSMEN CAMP 2020-2021
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1ST, 2017

• 10:00AM – 11:00AM  Registration

• 11:00AM Speaker
ROBERT COLLINS – Administrator
Former Northern Illinois Associate Athletic Director
Former Assistant Coach at DePaul
Former Assistant Coach at NIU

• 1:00PM Instructional/Skills Play – Break down in groups

• 2:00PM PIERRE PIERCE – Founder/CEO DBLP Training
All-Stater from Westmont High-School, one of Illinois All-Time leaders in scoring.
Stand-Out All-Conference Guard in the Big 10 at Iowa

• 3:00PM PAT SELLERS – Former DePaul Assistant Coach
Long time player/coach in China
Former Assistant Coach at University of Connecticut Final Four Team


CAMP INSTRUCTORS
• Tom Allen – Former Founder of TBA Program
• Phil Gary – Former Thornton & Long Beach St. Star
• Pierre Pierce – All Conference Big-10
• Pat Sellers – Former College Assistant Coach
• Quinn Peterson – Current Head-Coach at Walter Payton

Event Director – Larry Butler
Site Coordinator – Greg Bayer

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)

ILLINOIS SPOT-LITE 2017 FALL CLASSIC

MEMORY OF MY DEAR FRIEND: WAYNE McCLAIN

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

St. Viator 48 – Glenbard East 32

In Plainfield, IL (Sept 16-17): Jeremiah Hernandez and Peter Lambesis tallied 14 points apiece as St. Viator defeated a surprising Glenbard East squad in the Final of ISL Fall Classic. Both teams played well through-out the two-day event surprising most observers with their quality team play. Viator beat a really good Oak-Park team in the semi-finals capping 6-0 finish. While East upset 2A power Hope Academy in the other semi-final contest. Hope stand-out guard Javion May was saddled with a leg injury so he did not perform. St. Viator’s cruised through pool play behind sparkling performances from Co-MVPs – Jerry Hernandez and Trey Calvin, the junior tandem provided a potent scoring duo throughout the event. Senior swingman Peter Lambesis was one of surprises at the event. The six foot four lefty was lethal; he demonstrated athleticism by finishing at the rim. He knocked-down shots consistently and displayed precision with heady floor play. Ivy League and Patriot schools should pay him a visit quickly. He’s definitely a division one talent and someone to follow this season. Hernandez validated his status as a Top 15-20 prospect in the state’s 2019 Class. He demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to score in a variety of ways when needed. Trey Calvin is a sleeper type in the “19” Class, was un-assuming threat with silky-smooth skills. He’s very talented and poise with good speed & quickness and a penchant for big play moments. In addition, he knows how to play. Glenbard East has a bright future and it all starts with un-heralded (2020) guards, DaRon Hall and Alijah Nelson. The pair was terrific all weekend. The both of them can be innovative in the open floor. And the plus part is that they take care of the ball and don’t commit costly miscues. Hall had 19 markers in the final, while senior James Peterkin went for 11 points and 10 boards. Hall and Nelson are two players to watch in our promising 2020 Class, as well as Viator Sophomore guard Connor Kochera who did his thing in the shadows of his mates through-out the tournament. This was our second official year hosting the classic in which we honor my friend and former Illinois Coach Wayne McClain, a Peoria native. I will always remember his laughter & passion for the game. As well as our many conversations regarding basketball in our state and our life experiences. His voice of reasoning is always in my thoughts!

There are some areas with this event I will address and tighten in moving forward. I’m always looking for ways of improving while assisting our area coaches in helping them provide a positive environment where they can evaluate their program in a reflective, positive way. Special thanks to the Plainfield Central Staff. I am extremely proud of our lengthy relationship we have built over the course of twenty plus years. I consider Principle Dave Stephens a close friend who was once boys varsity Coach at Plainfield Central, then Athletic Director, and now Principle. Newly appointed Head Coach, Greg Bayer has stardom scripted all over him. His energy and spirit reminds me so much of Dave during his early tenure in the 90s. Greg actually played for Dave in the early to mid 2000s. I thank them for all their support.