Holiday Basketball Tournaments Illinois High School Basketball

Well I got around to more than a few holiday tournaments during the holiday season. I got to the Proviso West,McDipper, and Chicago Public Schools Tournaments. Here's my take on what I saw: Best Teams: Thornton(Harvey)-This is the best team I saw over the holidays, Brian Green Jr is a division one prospect. He's 6 foot 3 athletic guard who has a great midrange game and can shoot the three also. He absolutely dominated the McDipper in leading Thornton to the title. Thornton also is very athletic, crashes the boards and has a good back court along with a good frontcourt. Will be a tough team to beat. Benet(Lisle)-They won the Proviso West tournament. They are a good team lead by Northwestern signee point guard David Soblewski who was MVP of the tourney. Very good team but I see some weaknesses down the line for them. A great three point shooting team though and Frank Kaminsky the 7 footer headed to Wisconsin is a force inside. Farragut(Chicago)- Very underrated team in the Chicago Public League. Dee Toliver and Rashaun Stimage who is the next great big man at Farragut. Could be a darkhorse for the City Title. Will challenge Whitney Young(Chicago) in the Red West.      Players: Brian Green Jr(described above), David Soblewksi (described above),James Crockett (Crete Monee) 6 foot 4 forward athelticism off the charts led his team to the Finals of the McDipper and showed an improved jumper. Still needs work on perimeter game before he gets to DePaul. Julian Lewis (Homewood-Flossmoor) 6 foot 5- took his team on his back to a runner up finish at Proviso West. He's a junior who is moving up in the Class of 2012 charts. He is a 2 guard in college who can play some point. Was in foul trouble in the title game. Rashaun Stimage (Farragut)- 6 foot 7 poward forward who is good on the boards and can score inside. Another junior who could move up the charts and who's recruiting has taken off. Kierre Woods (Crane) Chicago- 6 foot 1 guard who is a junk yard dog. Plays out of control right now but took his team on his back to runnerup finish in the Chicago Public League Holiday Tournament. Rumor is he's headed to junior college. Well this is my rant for today. More to come.