Crossover Series - Part One | Prep Girls Hoops

In our Crossover Series we take a look at what is going on with both boys and girls hoops across the state of Illinois diving into a variety of topics. Here Prep Hoops Illinois' Scott Burgess and Prep Girls Hoops Illinois' Jacob Wohlwend each dive into a variety of topics including how the pandemic has left its mark on recruiting, best uncommitted players, and who our preseason top five would have been! Check it out below in the Crossover Series! Want to “Crossover” and get more coverage on the other side? You can sign up for the other site right here! Prep Hoops Illinois Boys Basketball <a href="http://www.prephoops.com/product/illinois-all-access-pass">http://www.prephoops.com/product/illinois-all-access-pass</a> Prep Girls Hoops Illinois Basketball <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/subscribe/">https://prepgirlshoops.com/subscribe/</a>   How has the pandemic impacted recruiting overall?   Scott It has left a major impact on recruiting for boys basketball in the state of Illinois. The spring travel team season was cancelled including the live periods which were a huge opportunity 2021 prospects to get seen. Overall it really slowed down the scholarship offers. For the most part the top prospects (12 of the top 13) made their decisions early and signed. It is starting to trickle down to 2022 prospects now as they are not getting evaluated by college coaches during the high school season which puts them behind the eight ball heading into the spring. Like Jacob mention, the NCAA has allowed another year of eligibility for everyone which puts a scholarship crunch on schools even more to go along with the expected on time transfer rule. This is dramatically cutting down the opportunities for 2021 prospects in Illinois at all levels.   Jacob The pandemic has greatly impacted recruiting really in every way imaginable. First was the cancellation of AAU events and the restrictions on attending those events for Media and Coaches. Evaluating players in-person is always best, and that was not entirely possible this summer. Then, because of the pandemic, the NCAA allowed an optional year of eligibility due to the nature of the season being currently played. Coaches are now trying to determine what their rosters are going to look like over the next couple of years before offering more players and accepting commitments.   What are some of the new avenues for evaluating players without a high school season?   Scott I do quite a bit of watching games live and on film over the computer, but with the pandemic it has become more crucial than ever. Every Prep Hoops Circuit event was streamed on Baller TV so we are able to review film of each Illinois prospect that played in those events. Trainers have put together workouts and streamed them. Same with grassroots teams hosting one night showcases online for their players to be seen in front of college coaches and scouts. During the fall there have been a couple winter leagues pop up for Illinois prospects in Northwest Indiana for Chicago players and in Missouri for Southern Illinois prospects. Quality talent in each league have allowed us to continue to get updated evals on the players each week.   Jacob AAU programs around the area continue to have scrimmages or workouts throughout the week, while following the guidelines and restrictions that are set in their part of the state. I have attended a handful of these events so far and have been able to evaluate a good number of players throughout the Fall and early Winter.   What level of prospect is being hurt the most without a season?   Scott As I mentioned before 12 of the top 13 prospects in the state committed and signed during the early period. Most of them had their decisions made earlier than usual. It is that next tier of prospect that is getting hurt the most. The late developing or emerging seniors that could have gotten looks at the low-major or D2 level. This was a top heavy class to begin with, but without a season it is hard for new prospects to emerge. Every single year there are a handful of prospects who make a big jump with monster senior campaigns. That avenue most likely will not be available this season.   Jacob It appears that the low D1/High D2 players are the most affected with limited AAU/High School seasons. These players are trying to prove that they belong on a D1 roster and are not getting much of an opportunity. At the same time, college coaches are more hesitant offering scholarships to this group of players because they are not able to evaluate them in person. Add in the possibility of the one-time transfer rule and an extra year of eligibility coming into play after this season, which makes this situation all the more complicated.   Who are the top unsigned prospects at each position in the 2021 class?   Scott Anthony Sayles (Niles Notre Dame) Sayles checks in at #8 overall and the top point guard in the PHI rankings. The explosive lead guard is a tough and athletic playmaker that can get to the rim and is an underrated shooter. James Dent (Springfield Southeast) Dent is the highest ranked two guard remaining at #20 overall. Dent is an uber smooth and fluid two guard that has a feathery jump shot from beyond the arc. He can let it fly with ease off the catch and showed growth this summer putting it on the deck. Jakobi Heady (Hillcrest) Heady is an upside play checking in at #14 overall and the top small forward available. He has length and athleticism which allow him to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Good three point shooter that once he speeds up his release should be a plus shooter at the next level. Ola Ajiboye (Evanston) This power forward transferred over from Von Steuben to Evanston for his senior campaign. Excellent shot blocker, rim runner, and has a quickly emerging offensive game. Would have been the difference maker for Evanston. KJ Debrick (Springfield Lanphier) The five man from central Illinois is the #25 overall senior in the class. Wide bodied post that anchors down low and has touch around the hoop. Excellent area rebounder that snatches them with his strong hands.   Jacob [player_tooltip player_id="123574" first="Khaniah" last="Gardner"], 6'2” Forward, Chicago Simeon A second Team All-State member last season, Gardner is one of the most dominant Post Players in the class. She is strong and physical on the low block and makes a big impact on both ends. Khaniah is a high-level defender and rebounder and uses her length and toughness to score in the lane. [player_tooltip player_id="198908" first="E'Laiyah" last="Heard"], 6'2” Forward, Thornton Heard is a strong and athletic Post Player who knows how to gain position on defenders in the lane and finish at the rim through contact. She is a rebound machine on both ends of the court and uses her length on defense to cause problems for opposing post players. [player_tooltip player_id="123570" first="Lauren" last="Hall"], 5'10” Guard, Fenwick Hall is a lengthy and athletic Shooting Guard who gives maximum effort every time she steps on the court. She handles the ball with confidence and can score with ease at all levels. Lauren uses her long arms and athleticism to rebound and score in the lane, as well as defend multiple positions effectively. [player_tooltip player_id="123576" first="Jennifer" last="Heinberg"], 5'7” Guard, Marengo Heinberg is a natural scorer from all levels, possessing a consistently good-looking jump shot from deep and the mid-range. She can play on or off-the-ball with her ability to handle the ball and attack the lane from the wing. Jennifer pushes the ball well in transition and uses good court vision to find her teammates for easy looks at the hoop. [player_tooltip player_id="123416" first="Kate" last="Palmer"], 5'9” Guard, Geneva Palmer is a well-rounded Point Guard who does a great job of running the offense. She is a skilled ball-handler with a solid jump shot and can score at all levels. Kate is a terrific on-court leader and sets the tone for her team with her hard play on both ends of the floor.   What would have been your preseason top 5 teams in state if there was a season? Scott Simeon The Wolverines are listed on both the girls and boys side as preseason top 5 teams. The boy's team has a pair of legit nationally ranked high-major wings in Ahamad Bynum (DePaul commit) and Isaiah Barnes (Michigan commit). In the backcourt those two combine with dynamite smaller guards Jalen Griffith and Avyion Morris to provide so much offensive fire power. Top 10 2022 Jaylen Drane brings athleticism and playmaking. Up front the Wolverines would have boasted Phillip Holmes, Dylan Ingram, and Lance Rodgers which are the classic Simeon big men that are slept on, but get the job done. Whitney Young Whitney Young lost a lot from last season, but would have returned a pair of the top uncommitted seniors in the state in point guard Jaehshon Thomas and Grant Newell. Thomas and Newell have each shown this fall and early winter their games are trending in the right direction. The headliner here is incoming transfer and top 2022 AJ Casey. Mobile four that does it all on the floor! In contention for the best prospect regardless of class in Illinois on the boys side. Sophomore Dalen Davis is among the best floor generals in the 2022 class. Five juniors are ready to make an impact after not getting much varsity tick last year in Xavier Amos, Jordan Streeter, Matt Sommerville, Marcus Overstreet, and Kanye Smith. Niles Notre Dame When you boast three of the top nine prospects in the senior class that is a team to be reckon with. The Dons have Harvard commit Louis Lesmond, Southern Illinois bound Troy D'Amico, along with the best point guard in the state Anthony Sayles. This group really meshed well last year and was primed for a dominant season. Standout 2023 point guard Sonny Williams was primed to be the breakout player. Evanston The Wildkits have been one of the most consistent programs over the last five years. If last season wouldn't have been called off they could have easily made it downstate again. Although they lost star Jaylin Gibson to transfer we would still put this veteran group against anyone. Blake Peters (Princeton signee) is the leader. Best shooter in recent memory and has made so many strides in his all-around game. Isaiah Holden, Daeshawn Hemphill, and Elijah Bull are experienced guards that will all play at the college level. The x-factor was to be big man Ola Ajiboye who would have changed everything inside. Hillcrest/Mundelein These two tie for the fifth spot as I couldn't leave either out. Hillcrest has a trio of highly ranked wings in Jakobi Heady, Julius Rollins (Kent St commit), and Hamahrie Bowers that have emerged over the last 18 months. Combine that with rock solid guard play and an emerging 2022 star in Kamryn Thomas. They would have been a problem! Mundelein had its best team in a long time this year. A pair of Missouri Valley commits in Conor Enright (Drake commit) and Scottie Ebube (Southern Illinois commit) lead the way as one of the best inside/outside duos in the state. Trey Baker brings leadership and shot making on the perimeter. They also have an up and coming big man in Chris Martin out of the 2023 class.   Jacob Chicago Simeon The 2019-2020 3A State Champions return two of their top three players in Aneesah Morrow (#2 in PGH IL Class of 2021, DePaul Commit) and the previously mentioned Gardner. Morrow is an elite player at every aspect of the game and is only getting better. These two are tough to match up with and provide great production in the lane at both ends of the floor. Kenwood Kenwood returns nearly all of its production from a year ago, including a handful of D1 recruits. Brianna McDaniel (#1 in PGH IL Class of 2022) and Whitney Dunn (#11 in PGH IL Class of 2022) are as talented of a backcourt as you will find in the State. Transfer SF Ayanna Jackson (#11 in PGH IL Class of 2023) adds high level depth to an already impressive roster. Hersey Returning its Top 3 players from last year, Hersey is bound for another successful season. Point Guard Mary Kate Fahey (#35 in PGH IL Class of 2021, NYU Commit) scores the ball at all levels and has one of the best assists to turnover ratios in the area. SF Mary McGrath (#46 in PGH IL Class of 2021) provides versatility in the lane and on the perimeter and Sophomore Standout Guard Katy Eidle (#3 in PGH IL Class of 2023) looks to build on a tremendous start to her high school career. Homewood Flossmoor Homewood Flossmoor loses a couple of key players to graduation but returns 6'1” Guard/Forward Grace Hall (#4 in PGH IL Class of 2021, LSU Commit) who was out much of last season due to injury. High-level Sophomore Alyssa Latham (#7 in PGH IL Class of 2023) continues to be a force in the lane and provides a great inside presence and compliment to Hall's all-around game. Marist Marist loses one of its starting Point Guards from last season but returns another in speedy Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="158265" first="Kira" last="Chivers"] (#48 in PGH IL Class of 2022) and star Shooting Guard Sydney Affolter (#3 in PGH IL Class of 2021, Iowa Commit). Affolter is a 1st Team All-Stater and is coming off an impressive summer on the AAU Circuit, where she showed that she is only getting better. Add in a solid group of underclassmen and Marist will be a tough team to beat this season.