Team Scrimmage: Chicago Hoops Express

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">This past Monday I was invited out to watch the famed Chicago Hoops Express travel team. This program is home to some of the best talent to come out of Illinois, and this year is no different. The team has talent from top to bottom at all age levels. Below are my thoughts on the top team and a couple players from the second team.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/illinois/">Rankings will updated on June 1st*</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["414748"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":411555,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eu003cemu003eThe strength, the quickness and the motor is very evident when Walker George is on the court. She has the ability to score at multiple levels, and the aggression allows her to get where she needs to go. Athletic, versatile and has the potential to be a game changer in every matchup. Looking forward to watching London more this summer, she will definitely turn some heads.u003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["348936"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":411535,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eu003cemu003eVersatile, multi positional, and as aggressive as they come. The lefty from Montini is coming off a very successful high school season where she secured a couple offers. There was no slacking at the beginning of her travel season either. She can knockdown the long ball, defend 2-5, and has the ability to play as a facilitator as well. A plug and play talent. u003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["335722"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eu003cemu003eI love seeing a player develop over the years, and Tillman has progressed with speed. She has a pure shot, strong footwork on the block her length is hard to deal with, and the motor just does not stop. She can defend AND play multiple positions which is rarity these days. After securing her first offer to Lewis University this past week..it wont surprise me when more of them to start to come through. Talya is no where near her potential.u003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["265973"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eI love players who just play hard every possession, no matter the location. Wether it's AAU, open run or highschool, Miller plays her damn heart out. Elbow to elbow, block to block.. cuts, flares or even rolls.. everything is done with purpose. She has the strength and footwork around the block and rim, the motor to keep up with the flow of the game, and her focus just screams “I'm just doing my job”. A program need.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["523041"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003e*Not Present* u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003eu003cemu003eLeyden wasn't at the scrimmage, however I've watched a decent amount of her games over the last couple of weekends.. and the kid is u003cstrongu003estillu003c/strongu003e legit. She plays on the block in high school, and plays more the wing position for AAU.  The ability to switch your skill set depending on the teams need sounds easy, but to remain impactful when doing it is another. Leyden can score from the arc, the mid and for sure at the rim. So much talent, and an even higher upside. u003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["265999"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eu003cemu003eNot being able to see Stagg a lot this year (no excuse), I realized my views and thoughts on Sanchez were just off. The talent was always present, but watching her more in a different setting has allowed me to really understand her game. She's a combo guard who can score the ball at a high clip, especially due to her length. Outside and inside.. she can put the ball in the basket. She has the ability to be a facilitator and or a defensive stopper due to her frame. Lots of potential for Ameli, and looking forward to watching her more closely as the season goes on. u003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["514034"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_player_featured_image":598270,"_player_evaluations_6_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eu003cemu003eConfident as they come. You just have to watch this kid play the game in person. The entire package is there, even though she's not even scratching her peak. The size doesn't hurt or slow her down because of her relentless mindset. Brooks is special talent.. but it's her ability to stay composed no matter what, that sticks out to me every time I catch a game of hers. High upside. u003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["405510"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_player_featured_image":411487,"_player_evaluations_7_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003e*Not Present* u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003eu003cemu003eThere's high talented players that are “guardable” because they're predictable.. then you have highly skilled players who are headache cause they come at you 100mph every possession.. that's Fahy. The speed, the handle, and the persistent mindset makes her hell to deal with on the offensive end. On the opposite end, it's the same aggression and motor. Coaches, watch her play. u003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["500949"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_player_featured_image":616884,"_player_evaluations_8_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eu003cemu003eMB! Her style is simple but so effective. She's a trustworthy guard who doesn't play out of her lane, she takes smart shots, and makes the smart decisions. She's just as effective off the ball as she is with it. Defensively.. Wilson is an irritant. She's willing to play man, she knows her position in a zone.. and communicates consistently. Coming off a state title, where she was one of the main contributors, the confidence still seems to be there. Strong upside.u003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644b03854b74a"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"center","id":645397,"width":969,"height":726,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","className":"is-style-default"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized is-style-default"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/04/image.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-645397" width="969" height="726" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514880"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eu003cemu003eYou can just tell Triplett is going to be a talented player by the way she moves throughout the court. You can chalk up some of the mistakes to the youth, but the skill is very evident. She can shoot, she can attack, and she has the athleticism to play a fast paced game. As time goes on, Im excited to see everything start to click for Makayla. The talent runs in her blood.u003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Samaiyya Williams","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Hyde Park","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"Chicago Hoops Express","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022text-align: centeru0022u003eu003cemu003eWilliams stays ready. She doesn't care who the opponent is because her confidence takes her skillset to a different mode. She is just as aggressive on the offensive side as she is on the defensive side of the ball and it's contagious. She can fill a box a score cause she seems willing to do what ever is necessary for the W, and the energy is top notch. Strong potential.u003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644b2b237ec39"} /-->