Summer Shootout Recap

The Riverside-Brookfield High School Summer Shootout took place this past weekend providing an initial look at numerous Chicago area high school teams and players for the upcoming 2014-15 season. While the Chicago glory days are gone with the graduations of Jahlil Okafor, Cliff Alexander, and Tyler Ulis there is still plenty of talent in and around the Windy City.

Defending Champs: 

Whitney Young

It’s fair to say that this upcoming season will be a “down year” for Whitney Young. The Dolphins just graduated Jahlil Okafor, the No. 1 player in the class of 2014 along with the Georgetown bound Paul White and SLU bound Myles Reynolds. Those three started a lot of games over the past years and how the Dolphins perform next year is up in the air. While they probably won’t contend for a state title next year, Whitney Young did go 3-0 in their Saturday afternoon pool play winning by almost 13 points a game.

Rodney Herenton, 6’0, PG, 2016

After a sophomore season getting meaningful minutes for the state champs and a spring on the EYBL circuit, the tough 6’0” point guard looks ready to lead the way for Whitney Young next year. In his second game Herenton was cooking from deep hitting multiple deep three’s in each half. In his third game of the afternoon he displayed an ability to get deep in the lane off the dribble and used his strong upper body to finish in the paint. Herenton averaged around 13 minutes a game playing for the Meanstreets AAU program and while he only scored 3.7 points a game he did register two double digit scoring performances in the last EYBL session. Rodney Herenton is definitely primed for a breakout junior season.

Future Champs: 

Simeon 

Simeon failed to win their fifth straight state championship this past year; however they did lay the ground work for a possible run this year. Despite missing several of their key players in forward Ed Morrow and guard Zach Norvell the Wolverines took home the crown with a 6-0 record. 6’5” Isaiah Moss took home the MVP for the Wolverines while showing that the cupboard is fully stocked for Simeon once again.

Stevenson

The back to back 4A runner-up is primed for a state championship this upcoming season. The two superstars of the team return in point guard Jalen Brunson and shooting guard Connor Cashaw and the Patriots should be the favorites to cut down the net this year. Stevenson went 2-1 in pool play, but did so with Brunson on the bench coaching his teammates up. Cashaw struggled in his first game, but came to play in the afternoon. The wiry guard was hitting pull-ups and driving to the basket in a poised manner. After getting used to EYBL play for the Mac Irvin Fire, Cashaw should see his stock rise during the Peach Jam. He finished the spring averaging nine points a game while scoring 15 and 12 in his last two EYBL games.

Favorite Player:

Glynn Watson, 6’1”, PG, 2015, St. Joe’s

Legendary coach Gene Pingatore was not the least bit pleased with the play of St. Joe’s in their second game of pool play. Down double digits early, St. Joe’s finally got rolling before falling in double overtime to Bativia. Despite the lifeless start, Watson certainly showcased his skills. The first word that comes to mind when watching Watson is “smooth.” The senior point guard uses his long arms to control the ball like a yo-yo and can usually beat his man off the dribble with one or two quick moves. Once in the lane, Watson can pull-up or finish with a lay-up. He hit several shots from the outside as well. While Watson is not going to wow anyone with his speed or outside shooting he is above average in both areas. Watson is a Top 100 player and the talented point guard wrapped up a strong spring showing with his play over the weekend. 

Future Star? 

Justin Smith, 6’5”, F, 2017, Stevenson

Don’t jump when you see freshman forward Justin Smith coming at you on the break. A helpless defender for Proviso East learned the hard way when Smith throw down a viscous right handed dunk last Saturday. An athletic forward with long arms you can tell that Smith is just scratching the surface of his potential. Right now he is around 6’5” and sporting an impressive wing span. He is a combo forward that will need to transition to a full time small forward over the years, but right now he can run the floor and finish above the break. He didn’t hit any outside shots in the Proviso East game, but given his form the outside shot should come to him soon.

Smith has plenty of talented teammates around him in Brunson, Cashaw, and senior Matt Johnson and definitely won’t get top billing this year, but he just might be the X-factor that produces a title for Stevenson. 

Other Players That Caught My Eye:

Jarrin Randle, 5’9”, G, 2016, Morgan Park – Wow. Randle has a quick release, a soft touch, and an ability to freeze his defender with an in and out dribble. Despite his size, Randle can play.

Nick Rakocevic, 6’9”, F/C, 2016, St. Joe’s – An agile big man that can run the floor. He worked well with Watson running the pick and roll but could float out to the perimeter a bit much at times. 

Taylor Adway, 6’8”, PF, 2015, Hillcrest – Solid post player, used his size inside to get baskets. Played with the Meanstreets on the Nike EYBL circuit and averaged close to five points a game.

Lamous Brown, 6’10”, 2015, C, Morgan Park - It’s rare that a player his size can run the floor the way Brown does. Very raw, but improving steadily.

Jason Towers, 5’10” G, 2017, St. Joe’s - The young guard didn’t get a lot of early PT for St. Joe’s but was a key kog in their comeback loss. He played bigger than his size and hit some clutch baskets.