Romeoville Shootout: Friday Notebook - FabSports

The first day of the new Romeoville Live Shootout didn't disappoint with a ton of games and a ton of prospects. I got to check out 4 games today and provided some live coverage on Twitter, posting impressive players and the final scores. This is the wrap up from the day!

Downers Grove North edges out a win over Bloom:

Quick start for DGN not wasting any time getting out to an early lead. They started out with balanced scoring, especially at the rim. Alex Miller had a tough take to the basket and finish while Jake Riemer got a three point play finishing through the contact at the basket. It was the second half where the offense started to pick up behind Jack Stanton. Knocked down 3s, and had a load of assists. Him and Owen Thulin made some nice plays/decisions to close out the ball game.

For Bloom, early energy for Marcus Everhart kept them in the ball game. He was active on the glass, diving on the floor, and pressured perimeter ball handlers forcing turnovers. Santana Flowers was attacking the basket putting pressure on the defense. Elijah Lovemore continues to shine this summer with his playmaking and scoring from 3 and at the basket. Bloom fell short 54-51.

Ranked guards and Simeon impress as Simeon beats Lincoln Way East:

Simeon looked real good in the second hour of the shootout. It's a complete guard show starting with Dekwon Brown. Brown started the game off using his smooth, tight handle and change of pace to get to the basket and create shots behind the 3 point line. Ameer Morrow used his uber athleticism at the basket and on the glass, while Rashad McKinne Jr used his strength on smaller defenders to score inside, and also knocked in a corner 3. To finish the first half Jashon Liggett knocked in two 3s that helped grow the lead. Lorenzo Shields is another guard who can score at ease, especially from 3, he led Simeon with 15 points. Simeon looks like a real contender during the winter, especially with their improvement from Riverside Brookfield. They took the win in this one 66-50!

My first look at LWE, they are young but talented led behind divison 1 prospect BJ Powell. He started his scoring early in the contest with floaters and contested layups. Smooth lefty lead guard who also has a nice step back 3 in his bag. Was overall intrigued by Karson Thomas, he's a strong bodied guard who shoots it well from outside and uses his size and strength to score at the basket. Has a lot of bounce and athleticism as well. The griffins got a nice boost from Brent Taylor when things started going south. Taylor scored in transition and with straight line takes to the basket. Little different look for LWE, as usually it's their size that dominates but now it is guard play.

Valparaiso commit shines in win over Andrew:

Joliet West is an underrated team in the state. Lost Jeremiah Fears to AZ Compass, but still have a ton of talent, especially Valpo commit Justus McNair! He threw down two big dunks off of steals in transition that game West early momentum. Zion Gross, an emerging prospect in the 2025 class did the same thing as McNair. Really like Gross as a slasher and scoring threat. Drew King showed flashes as well as a rebounder and rim protector. That's the inside game, but the outside game came from Luke Grevengoed. When Andrew went to a zone, Luke broke it with back to back 3s. He also got to the free throw line, with aggressive takes to the basket. West took this game 49-46.

For Andrew, they play around their 6'10 center Grantas Sakenis. Sakenis frustrates his defenders with his size and physicality inside. Scores in the paint, is a solid passer out of the post, and rebounds at a high level on O and D. Andrew got nice production from Danny Laird, scored in and out, found teammates, and made the hustle plays.

Marist handles Hyde Park in my last game of the day:

Had to check out the first day of Darshan Thomas with his new team and he gave Marist a nice lift off the bench. Stephen Brown got Marist going early with a couple of triples and a dunk. He's looking like a national prospect in the 2026 class, the best player I saw all day. Achilles Anderson dominated the paint with pick and roll finishes and putback finishes, he's a good rebounder and is a good creator. Adoni Vassilakis plays with a lot of energy especially on the defensive end pressuring the ball. He hit open shots and controlled the tempo for Marist, as they won 48-37!

Hyde Park is led by one of the top players in the state in Jurrell Baldwin. Heard he was a little banged up but it didn't shown as he had a nice steal and euro step finish. He also knocked in threes, including a nice step back. Hyde Park should still be competive in the CPL.