As we continue to cover the entire scope of basketball, we were recently in Chicago for the Elite Classic. There was so much talent in the building that we had to produce this recap into two parts, here is part 2.
Riverside Brookfield
Stefan Cicic (2024 C) - The big man used his size down low to create mismatches for his team. He was effective in passing out of the post and finding shooters when the opponent doubled teamed him. He also did a good job of protecting the rim. He finished with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks.
Steven Brown (2024 G) - Made a pair of threes from the left wing and routinely found his teammates on cuts from the corners as well as in transition after defensive rebounds. He had 10 points and led his team with 4 assists.
St. Ignatius
Phoenix Gill (2025 G) - He was effective in multiple ways offensively for his team. He made a pair of threes, was active as a cutter and showed his ability to finish through contact at the rim. He also grabbed a pair of offensive rebounds and steals.
Philip Erickson (2024 G) - Played with high intensity and looked to shoot the ball as soon as the game started. He made a spot up three from the right corner and also had a jump stop into a mid range jumper from the left elbow, that stood out to me.
Thornton Township
Chase Abraham (2024 G) - Abraham was aggressive getting to the rim, getting fouled or finsihing through traffic using his euro step. A play that stood out to me, Abraham displayed his quick hands getting the steal and pushing the ball in transition, he passed the ball and then relocated to the left wing and made the spot up three pointer. He finished with 20 points with a pair of three pointers.
Morez Johnson (2024 C) - Good size and strength. He made his presence felt on the glass on both ends of the floor. He was able to finish through contact against similarly sized opponents. He also showed the ability to pump fake and put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim. Defensively, he showed good hands getting a steal and some deflections as well as protecting the rim. It appeared that he dislocated his pinky, but he got the looked at and returned to the game shortly. He finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds(4 offensive), and a steal and a block.
Isaiah Green (2024 G)- Made multiple hustle plays and displayed quick hands defensively. He routinely was able to get steals and deflections and pushing these up the floor in transition. He also was able to get to the rim and finish through contact. He finished with 7 points, 3 assists and 5 steals.
Kenwood
Jaden Smith (2024 C) - Used his height and length to finish at the rim and protect the rim at the other end. He also showed his ability to spot up from beyond the arc, making two threes from the right wing, as well as score as a roller in pick and roll, and used a variety of moves including a pro hop into an easy shot in the post. He also displayed the ability to rebound the ball and push it in transition to finish at the rim through contact. He had 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks.
Chris Riddle (2024 F) - He showed his ability to defend on the perimeter and did a good job of stopping opponents’ drives. He was active on the defensive glass and pushed the ball in transition after rebounds. He made one CNS three from the top of the key. He finished with 5 points, 6 rebounds and a steal.
Vashon
Nicholas Randle (2025 F) - Had an efficient game finishing at the rim and through contact. He had multiple dunks this game as well. He liked to face his opponents up while in the post and made a nice pull up jumper from the free throw line. Finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Mount Carmel
Angelo Ciaravino (2024 F) - The senior guard did a lot for his team in this game, finishing with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals and made multiple hustle plays. He showed his ability to find open teammates on cuts to basket numerous times and caught an impressive lob in transition.
Grant Best (2025 G) - Showed good on ball defense in both the full and half court. He did a good job of setting his teammates up for easy opportunities and made a great lob pass from half court in transition. He also showed his ability to make shots and hit a deep contested three from the top of the key.
Warren Township
Jaxson Davis (2027 G )- The athletic lefty was instrumental in initiating offense for his team. He finished with 17 points and 9 assists, and used his quickness to put pressure on the rim. His displayed his athleticism in transition and kept his head up for pass ahead assists. He also displayed shot making ability, making a three in transition.
Alex Daniels (2024 F) - The athletic 6’6 big man was active on the glass and had 11 rebounds with 6 of them being offensive. He was effective as a finisher in pick and roll situations.
Javerion Banks (2025 G) - Displayed the ability to make shots from behind the arc, finishing with 18 points and 4 made three pointers. He was effective in making shots off of the catch as well as off of the dribble. He had a nice step back three from the left wing.
Immanuel Brown (2024 F) - Crafty finisher, he was effective on both ends of the floor for his team, as a rebounder and rim protector. He had 7 offensive rebounds and 3 blocks. He made a nice play using a pro hop to get to his floater. He finished with 17 points.
Bolingbrook
Davion Thompson (2027 G) - The lefty freshman was aggressive all game attacking the rim for his team, and got to the free throw line often. He also showed this ability to make jumpshots off of the dribble going to his left hand, including an and-1 off of a pull up jumper from a dribble hand off from the right wing.
JT Pettigrew (2025 F) - Used his size to get opponents in the post and was strong finishing through contact. He liked to face his opponents when he got the chance and made some jumpers from the mid post. He also pushed his defensive rebounds in transition and got an and-1 on a coast-to-coast layup.
Until next time...