Romeoville Shootout: Saturday Notebook - FabSports

Day 2 of the Romeoville shootout had me up early at 8 am to watch some good basketball. I got to check out 5 games today, seeing a ton of talent, especially D1 talent. Here's what I captured!

St Laurence wins on sudden death layup against Oswego East:

My first time seeing the new look St Laurence team with transfers Nojus Indrusaitis and Josh Pickett. But it was Zerrick Johnson who got them started with straight line takes to the basket for easy baskets or getting to the free throw line. Those driving lanes started to close which led to Nojus Indrusaitis knocking down open 3s. However, St Laurence was down in the first half but stuck with it until the second half where Josh Pickett got himself going from 3, stepping into them at the top of the key in transition. He was also big on the glass on both ends of the floor. The game was pretty much back and forth until the end. This game went to double overtime which means sudden death, and the coaching staff drew up a beautiful back door play for Zerrick Johnson to win it 48-46.

The wolfpack were led by their divison 1 recruit in Jehvion Starwood. Starwood was being guarded heavily at the beginning of the game but still found a way to control the game. Had a nice back cut for a layup, a really nice pass and a 3 in transition. Damien Lewandowski was impressive, he's a 6'4 wing in the 2025 class who had some strong takes and a bunch of baskets inside. Oswego East came up just a little short in this one.

Evergreen comes back down 20 to defeat Lyons Township:

The mustangs started a little slow by missing open shots and being bullied in the paint by taller/bigger opponents. While everybody else was struggling offensively Tre Dowdell took over the scoring role. He started with attacking close outs and getting to the basket for easy layups, then when he saw soft close outs, shot the 3 knocking down 2 of them in that time span. The mustangs found themselves down by a significant amount at halftime, and I honestly thought it was over. But, Nolan Sexton came alive scoring 23 points in the second half, hitting 3 after 3 after 3. The mustangs capitalized off of his hot shooting to a comeback win of 73-70.

For Lyons, they got off to a good start riding the mismatches with Brady Chambers. Chambers posted up and put the ball in the basket, he's also an animal on the glass and a solid passer. LT also got good production from Liam Taylor who scored in transition, took the ball coast to coast and finished at the basket. His size, length, athleticism and ability to make the outside shot attacks college coaches.

St Ignatius' hot shooting handles Neuqua Valley:

The story of the weekend so far has been the 3pt shooting of 2024 Philip Erickson. He hit 7 threes the other day and brought that to this game. He knocked down 3 triples right away, one of the better shooters in the state, with size at the off guard position. Setting him up for shots was Phoenix Gill. Gill plays the right way, he doesn't care about how many points he scores or who's watching, he just makes the right play, the winning play. He passed well out of the post and in transition and knocked down open shots. Erickson also showed he could score at the rim as well with solid takes and finishing through contact, he had 21 points, while Gill added 18.

Yorkville size and grit helps take care of young star and Whitney Young:

I was looking forward to this game all day the match up of the two highly recruited D1 prospects of Jason Jakstys and Antonio Munoz. In games like this seniority usually wins and that's what happend in this one as Yorkville won 61-50. Jakstys got going early with baskets inside and a face up 3. He dominated the glass on both ends and passed well. The energy came from Bryce Salek and Jory Boley. Salek plays well in the open floor able to finish above the rim, finshed a lob! He also can knock in a 3, and is good defensively. Boley had his moments of scoring solid 3 level guy. Yorkville looks like a real contender in 4A!

Antonio Munoz is a big time prospect in the 2025 class and he proved that in this one. Best as a slasher, plays above the rim, and makes some unbelievable athletic plays that a normal person his age shouldn't be making. He's the reason Whitney Young stuck in this game.

Mount Carmel is the real deal, shows why in blowout win over Rolling Meadows:

Mount Carmel is a team I highlighted to watch this June and they haven't disappointed. Angelo Ciaravino has turned into a high level divison 1 player, in this game knocked down 3s, dunks in transition, and is a great leader. Had the same amount of points that Rolling Meadows had at half time. His partner in crime Lee Marks III has received D1 attention as well with his athletic play around the rim. Transfer Christian Uremovich has brought paint scoring and rebounding. The caravan dominated this game and several this weekend!