Saturday I made the 2 ½ hour trip down to Normal West. I got a chance to get a look at some dwnstate teams and players that I wouldn't get to see up in the Chicago area.
Here's a recap of the 2nd annual Midwest Crossroads Shootout:
Normal 61 Yorkville Christian 42: Ironmen Size Too Much for Young Mustangs
The Mustangs led by four at halftime, but junior Braylon Roman (10 points, MVP) got the second half kicked off for the Ironmen with back-to-back threes, and it was all Ironmen from there. 6-9 junior Jaheem Webber had 17 points and 5 rebounds, and sophomore Kobe Walker had 16 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Mustangs senior guard D.J. Douglas had 24 points (20 in the first half) and 8 rebounds.
Moline 81 Bloomington 53: Brock Harding and Owen Freeman Continue to Shine; Maroons Rout Purple Raiders
This one wasn't close. Senior Iowa commits Brock Harding and 6-10 Owen Freeman put on a clinic. Harding won MVP scoring 16 points and had 6 assists. Freeman had 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks. The more I see these two, the more I like them. 6-5 Sophomore Treyvon Taylor added 11 points and 5 rebounds for the Maroons. John Shuey led the Purple Raiders with 27 points, and 6-5 junior wing Niko Newsome had 21 points and 6 rebounds.
Metamora 68 Peoria Notre Dame 45: Kizer and Mason Each put up 20 as Redbirds Pull Away in the Second Half
This was an interesting matchup; an experienced state title contender in Metamora against a young Peoria Notre Dame. It was close for a while, but the Redbirds outscored the Irish 45-27 in the second half. 6-6 senior South Alabama commit Ethan Kizer and junior Tyler Mason each had 20 points with Kizer shooting 4/9 from three. Senior Drew Tucker had 10 points and was 8/8 at the free throw line. 6-9 juniors Cooper Koch and Eoin Dillon had 15 points and 10 points respectively for the Irish.
Sacred Heart-Griffin 60 Normal West 42: Defending 3A Champs Take Care of Business over the Host Wildcats
The Wildcats kept it close for a while, but the Cyclones eventually pulled away in the second half. MVP senior Quincy commit Jake Hamilton got things started for the Cyclones scoring 9 of his 18 points in the first quarter. Hamilton would also add 6 boards. 6-5 senior Zack Hawkinson dominated on the glass with 15 points and 13 boards, and KeShon Singleton added 11 points. Kylen Smith led the Wildcats with 19 points.
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