Top Performers: Illinois Boys Week 1 Standouts

By Kaleb Carter

We’ll be highlighting individual performances from around the state that stood out. We’ve been mostly doing it in girls basketball so far, but wanted to get some boys players recognized. It could be a state record, an amazing highlight or anything in between. We’ll be focusing on individual game performances. This will hopefully help us recognize more players and spend less time searching for statistics. 

Stats are critical to highlight these players and teams. Get in touch to submit player at any point during the 2022-2023 season. You can submit stats to our Twitter, @ILL_HS_Hoops and @ill_hoop_scores. You can reach the writer on Twitter, @Kaleb_M_Carter. Site editor and publisher Jakub Rudnik is on Twitter at @jakubrudnik. 

Editor’s note: Not every submission is included in the top performers. Choices made at our discretion. Games eligible to be considered for top performers were played Nov. 21-27.

Tyler Franklin, Cobden, Sr.

Scored a school-record 57 points as the Appleknockers defeated Gallatia

Danny Stephens, Southeastern (Piasa), Sr.

 

 

Put up 52 points in a win over West Central to help his team win the Beardstown tourney.

Xavier Sulaiman, Oak Lawn, Sr. 

 

The rising guard/wing scored 33 with 3 assists vs. Mt. Carmel in the championship game of the Spartan-Ram tourney and won MVP hours. 

 

Cris Farrell, Lisle, Sr. 

 

21 points, 20 rebounds in a Lisle win vs. Evergreen Park.

Al Brooks, Hansberry College Prep, Jr.

 

In a game of what must have been a neckbreaking, quick pace, we’re told Brooks had 44 points, 30 rebounds and 9 blocks. His brother Ikee added 23 points, 14 rebounds in the game, an 89-75 win over Richards. 

 

Turns out, the pace of play in Hansberry games is in fact, quite fast.

Dominic Jankowski, Grayslake North, Sr. 

 

Totaled a school-record 46 points as GN defeated Streamwood 87-58.

 

Brady Clark, Kewanee, Jr. 

 

30 points, 5 rebounds as the Boilermakers defeated Geneseo.

 

Jonathan Ireland, Danville, Sr. 

 

Scored 30 points and hit 4 three-pointers in a loss to Mahomet-Seymour.

 

Cameron Atkinson, Rock Island, Sr. 

 

Was named MVP of the Rock Island Turkey Tournament Classic following a 33-point performance He hit 5 three-pointers in the first half. 

 

Kelton McEwen, Bartlett, Jr. 

 

37 points, 5 assists and 4 steals as the Hawks defeated Wheaton Academy. 

 

James Stevenson Jr., Momence, Sr.

 

Scored 32, pulled down 7 rebounds and dished out 6 assists in a 60-47 victory against Ridgeview in the Rt 17 Classic Championship Game. 

 

Cordy “CJ” Johnson, Michelle Clark, Sr.

 

Contributed 30 points, 5 steals 4 assists as Clark beat Jefferson 72-50. 

 

Rokas Castillo, Lemont, Sr.

 

The senior guard posted 32 points and earned MVP honors at the WJOL tourney. 

 

Je’Shawn Stevenson, Lindblom, Jr. 

 

Was MVP at Stagg’s tourney had 32 points 12-of 12 free throws, 5 rebounds, 3 steals in a 64-62 win over Nazareth. 

 

Ross Robertson, South Beloit, So. 

 

The big sophomore had 29 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocks in a 73-39 victory over Aquin.

 

Isaac Hosman, Massac County, Jr. 

 

Boasted a line 27 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds

 

Nolan Sexton, Evergreen Park, Jr. 

 

Tallied 31 points in the Mustangs’ win over West Chicago. 

 

Walter Hill Jr., Rockford Lutheran, Sr. 

 

Registered 34 points as Rockford Lutheran defeated St.Charles North 92-76.

 

John Kurysz, Kennedy, Sr.

 

30 points, 14 rebounds as he led his team to a 72-67 victory over Sandburg. 

 

Jaheim Savage, Phillips, Sr. 

 

Savage totaled 31 points as the Wildcats downed East Peoria 81-68.

 

Asa Thomas, Lake Forest, Sr. 

 

Dropped 32 points with 5 three-pointers and had 8 rebounds in a 62-38 Scouts victory over Bulls Prep.

 

Brock Harding, Moline, Sr. 

 

The Iowa commit scored 34 in a 90-80 loss to Wisconsin Lutheran. 

 

Gianni Cobb, Perspectives Leadership, Jr. 

 

29 points, 6 steals, 3 rebounds, 2 assists in a win over Andrew. 

 

Roderick Gatewood, Meridian, Sr.

 

Scored 32 in a Meridian 71-57 victory over Elverado.

 

Masin Presser, Pope County

 

Scored 38 of his team’s 75 in a win over Joppa. 

 

Davee Flowers, Niles West, Jr. 

 

33 points in a Wolves victory against Payton College Prep.

 

Cole Certa, Bloomington Central Catholic, Jr. 

 

In a 70-66 victory over Bloomington, Certa dropped 38 points.

 

Micah Meiss, El Paso-Gridley, So.

 

Had 29 points, 10 boards as his squad defeated Olympia. 

 

Ty’Zae Rowland, Grayville, Jr. 

 

37 points in a 71-62 victory over Edwards County.

 

Nate Turley, Greenview, Jr. 

 

Posted 32 points on 12-of-16 shooting, added 12 rebounds and 6 steals in a win over Lowpoint-Washburn. 

 

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