The IBS News Feed...
THE IBS NEWS FEED...
December 23, 2011:
IBS EVENTS:
Got the IBS JUNIOR HIGH SHOOTOUT coming up at Springfield (IL) Little Flower...
IBS will be developing a 17/U AAU program beginning this spring...
HIGH SCHOOL:
A 6’8” Lisle (IL) Benet Academy soph, SEAN O’MARA, is showing that he is one of the top prospects in the Chicago area for underclassmen. He came to the IBS SEPTEMBER SHOWCASE as a frosh and I was very impressed with his game. He has a nice shooting touch and footwork along with good size…
Went over to the Illinois College Shootout recently, an annual trip. Special thanks to Shootout director, TODD SWEATMAN for his hospitality. Got a chance to see one of the state's top small school prospects in SCOTTIE THOELE, who netted 25 points in a win for Franklin (IL)...
ERIC LEONARD of Niantic (IL) Sangamon Valley continues to play well as he has all 4 years of high school. He is putting up over 25 ppg…
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL:
JUSTICE COLLINS is seeing her stock increase as the season continues. Have been getting some calls from some major programs on her. The standout junior at Springfield (IL) Southeast had 24 points in the IBS GIRLS PREP CLASSIC in front of some quality college programs. She is averaging about 23 ppg. She likely will play for the Southwestern Illinois Jets AAU program again this spring and summer…
JASMIN ROSS of Springfield (IL) Lanphier is average a conference best 8.7 rpg. She was one of the standouts in IBS SKILLS SESSIONS this summer. She has a strong work ethic and continues to get better…
Niles West (IL) senior, JEWEL LOYD, a Notre Dame recruit, netted 50 points in a recent win. She connected on 10 threes. It is the best individual performance in the state so far this season…
Finally, Alton (IL) has snapped their 39-game losing streak. Good luck to them on getting some more wins this season and in the future…
WOMENS JUCO:
Good luck to DAKOTA FLESNER of Kishwaukee C.C. on a strong recovery from a torn ACL she suffered in her first game at the college level. When back, she will help the solid JUCO and has a bright athletic future. She stood out in the IBS Showcases she attended in high school…
Kishwaukee is a national caliber program with a committed staff that wants and gets the best out of their athletes…
Checked out Illinois Central C.C. recently. Coach STEVE GARBER always has a strong, disciplined program and this season is no different. Always nice to visit the home of the national tourney. Assistant Coach, GREG MARTIN, showed me what's new at the CougarPlex, one of the top NJCAA facilities...
Impressed with the play of Lincoln Land C.C. PG JOSIE BOEHM. A former IBS All Star, I watched her recently and can see she continues to get smarter and better in all aspects of the game. She has great vision, shooting ability any has a strong frame...
COLLEGE:
Had a good visit to Bradley recently and got a tour of their nice facility from assistant coach, MICHAEL BROOKS. The facility should help their recruiting. That night they got a win over Iowa with KELSEY BUDD scoring 31 points...
December 14, 2011:
MEET MORGAN SEBERGER:
A 5’10” soph from Geneva (IL), MORGAN SEBERGER is the latest of the SEBERGER sisters to stand out at the high school level in Illinois. She had 11 points and 5 boards in the IBS GIRLS PREP CLASSIC on Saturday in a win and continues to show why she is one of the top underclass prospects in the state.
Her sisters stood out before her and have since moved on. ALISON went on to Illinois State after a solid career at Lombard (IL) Montini. SARAH went on to Truman State after an alike successful high school run. Both SARAH and ALISON were IBS All Staters.
Father, former Western Michigan forward MIKE SEBERGER, has several reasons to be proud of his girls. He has prepared them for success and also is doing the same for several others in the Chicago area as part of his Illinois Lady Lightning program. You are sure to hear more from MORGAN as her career rapidly progresses…
HIGH SCHOOL:
The 6’8” ANDREW MCAULIFFE of Northbrook (IL) Glenbrook North is out with a knee injury…
A 6’5” 2013 PG from Jacksonville (IL), JOSH PEAK, is sidelined with a back injury. He may have a fracture…
Jacksonville will now rely on their other talents, which include an improved BRENDAN BARLOW…
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL:
Pana (IL) and Quincy (IL) Notre Dame seem to be 2 of the top small school programs in the state. Notre Dame is capable of beating 4A programs and Pana has a solid nucleus of talent as well...
PRO:
Spoke to the gentleman heading up the Springfield (IL) Shock, a new semi-professional team recently. He said things are a go for this spring. Should be interesting…
December 13, 2011:
IBS EVENTS:
We had 6 great games on Saturday in the 5th Annual IBS GIRLS PREP CLASSIC held at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois.
Prior to the high schools, we had 2 6th grade games, which was a good way to start off the day. In the first game, Springfield (IL) Little Flower, coached by JUAN HUERTA, got a 20-point win over Chatham Pride-Red AAU. The program continues to get better and have been attending IBS SKILLS SESSIONS weekly.
In the second game, Chatham Pride-White AAU got a win over Riverton (IL). The Pride are coached by DAVID BRAY, whose wife, ANGELA BRAY is one of the top players in Toledo history.
Game 5 proved to be the most exciting. Geneva (IL) went down to the wire last year with ASHLEY SANTOS hitting a shot late that was ruled a 2 instead of a 3 and gave them a loss to Springfield (IL). Before the game this Saturday, I told her that her game winning shot would be for the win this time. And, I was right...
Millikin showed up 2 hours prior to the event tipoff. Love that staff and look forward to the next IBS event there…
Illinois State Assistant Coach SHEILA ROUX has been to the Classic every year and its always nice to see her and have her support. She is a great recruiter and coach…
Special Thanks to Lincoln Land Athletic Director RON RIGGLE and Head Coach GARY ALBERT for allowing us to have the event there all 5 years and for their hospitality. It has been a perfect setting and relationship…
Next up in IBS Events is the IBS JUNIOR HIGH SHOOTOUT on January 21, 2012 at Springfield (IL) Little Flower...
HIGH SCHOOL:
Van Nuys (CA) Grant is 2-0. GOR PLAVCHYAN, a 6’7” senior, had 24 points and 17 boards in their last win…
MICHAEL BERG had 39 points, 19 rebounds and 4 blocks in his last game, a win. It is one of the top performances so far in Illinois this season. He has had a good offseason under his belt after gaining some valuable experience playing with the Peoria Irish AAU program…
Calera (AL) is 8-1 and in their last win, DEONDRE HAYS netted 30 points…
COLLEGE:
Greenville scored 95 points in their last game…
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL:
Pana (IL) is one of the top small school programs in the state. Led in part by CHARLEY LETT, a talented junior guard who netted 28 points recently. Her older sister, OLIVIA LETT, is one of the top prospects to come out of the school. OLIVIA netted a career best 30 points for Illinois Wesleyan recently. Their younger sister, SIDNEY LETT, looks to be the next talent to come up through the Pana program. On Monday, she hit a 3 to send the Pana game into overtime, which they eventually won…
TORI MORGAN had 13 points and 14 boards in her last game for Northridge (AL)…
The 6’2” EMMONIE HENDERSON of Edwardsville (IL) could be a contributor at a college program now. The junior is a strong athlete with a good game. She was named MVP of the recent Salem (IL) Tournament and is averaging over 19 ppg. She led her team to 31 wins last season…
WOMENS JUCO:
CASSIE and ALEX DUMOULIN are leading Elgin C.C. In a recent win, CASSIE had 16 points and 10 boards while ALEX had 14 points and 7 boards. CASSIE is the soph team captain that averaged over 22 ppg last season and was a 3rd Team NJCAA All American. She was Conference Player of the Year and All Region last season...
The Illinois Central C.C. Holiday Tournament is December 28-30, 2011. There are some new programs in this year including North Iowa Area C.C., Kishwaukee C.C., South Suburban C.C. and Jefferson J.C. Out are Kankakee J.C. and Kirkwood J.C. Those two and Illinois Central have had some battles as 3 of the top JUCOs in the country…
WOMENS COLLEGE:
MEGAN MERKLEIN had 27 points and 10 boards in her most recent game at Elmhurst…
BRITTNEY BURGESS has played well since transferring back home to Jacksonville, Illinois. The hometown product had 16 points for Illinois College in her last game. A transfer from Parkland J.C., she has some valuable national level experience. Add in McKendree transfer TIFFANY KING and Illinois College will be a very intriguing program in 2012-13…
An Illinois College frosh, MORGAN BRINKER is a solid defender…
Illinois State’s MARLEY HALL now has 3 career double-doubles…
November 29, 2011:
HIGH SCHOOL:
PAUL WHITE, a Chicago Whitney Young forward, is one of the top 2014s in the country. He has been gearing up for his 2011-12 season, which begins December 3 in Tampa, Florida. His last college visit was to Wisconsin in September then he spent the month of October with USA Basketball. PAUL scored his first points of his career at the IBS-Presented 1450 Shootout last season...
Don’t see too many stopping #1 nationally ranked Chicago Simeon this season. They would challenge some college programs…
Be on the lookout for Chicago Simeon frosh DJ WILLIAMS…
Recently checked out Chatham (IL) Glenwood soph PEYTON ALLEN. He’s going to have a solid year and he is surrounded by talent too, including a more bulky 6’5” TYLER THURSTON, 6’5” CRAIG FUCHS, 6’5” DANIEL HELM and shooter T.J. GATES. I’m looking for JAMES STONIKAS to come on mid season…
Former Cairo (IL) Head Coach RICH MCBRIDE, told me this week that he now is an assistant coach at Greenup County (KY). The former Illinois guard is assisting JIM YOUNGMAN...
Checked out JOSH PEAK again at Jacksonville (IL). He put on a free throw clinic, getting to the line and hitting 18 of his 21 free throw attempts. Finished with 30 points. Had 35 the game prior. He stood out in the IBS FALL LEAGUE and IBS SEPTEMBER SHOWCASE. He is a 6’5” PG…
Always nice to stop in the Jacksonville (IL) Bowl. Got a chance to play in the Bowl in high school for a game and it has some history. From what I remember, Jacksonville legend, ANDY KAUFMANN (PEAKs uncle), had a huge game against former NBA forward LAPHONSO ELLIS years ago in which I hear both either scored or approached 50 points…
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL:
Like Chicago Simeon on the boys side, Bolingbrook (IL) is going to be hard to contain this season. They have 6 or 7 NCAA-DI recruits and maybe more…
KIM WILSON, a 5’10” senior at Chatham (IL) Glenwood may have boosted her stock on Saturday, when she poured in a game high 31 points to go along with a game high 7 boards in a win over IL4A O’Fallon...
Waverly (IL) went 4-0 and won their own tourney recently. ALI LOOS is their leader and an uncommitted senior PG with a lot of talent...
Pana (IL) is 5-0 behind the play of CHARLEY LETT. She was named tourney MVP in the Pana (IL) Tournament recently. Like her older sister, OLIVIA LETT, she is a player. OLIVIA is one of the top small school prospects to play in Illinois and went on to Southern Illinois. She is now a senior at Illinois Wesleyan and was always great to have her in our showcases as she brought a lot of college coaches to come see her. She now has been a great asset to our showcases serving on the staff…
COLLEGE:
JASON BARIBEAU has Blackburn back on track in his first season as head coach…
Went over to MacMurray recently to visit Coach TODD CREAL and see their new court. Looks great. Should boost their recruiting. That and how Coach CREAL always schedules trips to face NCAA-DI opponents. Coming up the program heads to Louisiana to face Tulane…
WOMENS COLLEGE:
Made a trip to see Southern Illinois-Edwardsville recently as they moved to 3-0 defeating previously unbeaten Illinois-Chicago. Had a nice chat with Southern Illinois-Edwardsville staff and the assistants at Illinois-Chicago as well…
MICHAELA HERROD had a career best 25 points in the win over Illinois-Chicago...
JASMINE BAILEY of Illinois-Chicago now has over 1,000 career points and was named Conference Player of the Week. She had 25 points and 12 boards in the loss on Sunday and has scored over 20 ppg all season early...
Soph EMILY KOBEL of Illinois-Chicago had a good day with 11 points and her outside shot looked good...
Augustana is 4-0...
November 1, 2011:
HIGH SCHOOL:
Checked out LARRY AUSTIN, JR. on Thursday in an open gym. He’s improving even more. Memphis and Bradley were there to see him. Bradley has already offered him and now so has Memphis. Memphis assistant coach, JACK MURPHY, took a good look at LARRY in the workout and about an hour after it, head coach JOSH PASTNER called to deliver the offer…
CHARLES HARRIS of Lake Forest (IL) Academy is headed to Western Michigan. Would like to get the Academy back in our Shootout…
DARIUS PAUL out of Gurnee (IL) Warren is headed to Western Michigan…
BRICE JOHNSON has committed to North Carolina…
MIKE RIGONI is the new head coach at Raymond (IL) Lincolnwood. He previously has coached at Jacksonville (IL) Routt Catholic then at Carlinville (IL). MIKE has also served in the past as assistant coach at MacMurray…
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL:
The 6’2” CAITLIN GARRANT has committed to Illinois-Chicago…
Had my final workout with the Springfield (IL) Lanphier girls program on Thursday evening. They finished it on a good note and the card was very nice gesture. Looking forward to following them this season…
JUCO:
Watched the Morton C.C. and Kennedy King C.C. scrimmage on Saturday night. Actually wound up being the score and timekeeper. I was impressed with the play of 6’3” frosh guard DEMARIUS MILLER, who looks like he can take over a game. Also liked the size on the Russian, PHIL BEHLINSKI...
KYLE FRANCIS, a 6’9”, 220 lbs. forward out of Lon Morris J.C., has committed to Central Michigan...
As expected, Southern Idaho C.C. will begin the season #1 in NJCAA-DI…
COLLEGE:
Seems to be a lot of shuffling going on in the conferences. A lot of potential moves and considerations of jumping to other conferences…
ANTHONY THOMPSON, a 5th year senior at Bradley, has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules…
North Carolina is preseason #1 in NCAA-DI…
WOMENS JUCO:
Kishwaukee C.C. soph, DEVIN MACK, has committed to Memphis. She will sign on November 9, 2011...
WOMENS PRO:
The WNBA Draft Lottery is set for November 10, 2011…
October 19, 2011:
PROSPECT WATCH:
A 5’10” 2013 PG from Pleasant Plains (IL), MICHAEL CAMERON, is a standout that has well above-average ball handling ability and court vision. He is the son of one of the top Illinois high school coaches, CLIFF CAMERON, and has been around basketball his entire life; which is evident. In his career, he has collected numerous IBS honors, including IBS Junior High All Star, IBS Honorable Mention All State, All IBS September Showcase (top 5 of 80) and All IBS Fall League. The knock on him will be his size and that he plays Illinois 2A. However, when coaches see him play in person, they quickly realize he is a player and can contribute at the collegiate levels as a true PG…
HIGH SCHOOL:
Be on the lookout for GABE OWENS, a 6’5” Woodlawn (IL) PG...
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL:
The 6’ TIANNA BROWN out of Lombard (IL) Montini has committed to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. JASON NICHOLS keeps pumping out the NCAA-DI prospects at the Catholic school in the Chicago area and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon…
JUCO:
The 2nd Annual IBS JUCO JAMBOREE took place on Saturday at Lincoln J.C. in Lincoln, Illinois with 12 quality JUCOs performing all day and night. Lake Land C.C. had some impressive size with their shortest player being 6’. They go big and deep if need be.
Lincoln J.C. showed their restocked roster that again looks good. Potential three-peat in 2011-12?
In NJCAA-DI, I would say that Southern Idaho C.C. has a good chance of getting back to the title game. They have a good group of returnees and have also reloaded in preparation for the 2011-12 grind…
Going to try to get up to Chicago this weekend and see some JUCO talent...
COLLEGE:
NCAA programs have officially started their first month of practice…
Kentucky will be wearing the LEBRON 9s this season…
PRO:
DAMIAN LEWIS, a former Aurora guard, told IBS on Wednesday that he is seeking professional options. He played most recently on a tour with the Harlem Globetrotters. LEWIS got in an IBS SKILLS SESSION on Wednesday as well…
PROSPECT WATCH:
The 6’2” DWIGHT BOLDEN, a 2013 from Springfield (IL) Southeast, is a long and athletic prospect that should see big gains in 2011-12. A solid student-athlete, DWIGHT is committed to academics and athletics and works equally hard at each. He has improved his ball handling and shooting and had a good summer, playing in events with the Illinois Blugolds and Illinois Blue Demons in club events.
He helped lead his Blugolds team to an undefeated finish in the IBS FALL HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE, alongside fellow Southeast Spartan, HERMAN SENOR, II, and is now playing well in the Peoria (IL) Irish Fall League. DWIGHT, HERMAN and guard TIVES GARNDER are expected to be a trio of leaders for the program this season and should give head coach LAWRENCE THOMAS another strong season…
IBS EVENTS:
The 2nd Annual IBS-LINCOLN JUCO JAMBOREE is set for today at Lincoln J.C. in Lincoln, Illinois; home of the back-to-back NJCAA-DII National Champs. Will be good to be back at Lincoln after three successful events we have had their that have included the IBS JUCO SHOWCASE in which prospects from throughout the country attended.
Last year in the Jamboree, it was Carbondale (IL) Brehm Prep Academy, who came in and stole the show. They brought just 6 guys and cleaned up all day. Unfortunately, the Brehm program has disassembled in 2011-12. We will not have any prep schools in the Jamboree this season.
Participating in the Jamboree this Saturday will be Black Hawk East C.C., Carl Sandburg C.C., Joliet J.C., Kankakee J.C., Kishwaukee C.C., Lake Land C.C., Lewis and Clark C.C., Lincoln J.C., Lincoln Land C.C., Parkland J.C., Robert Morris-Springfield, Sauk Valley C.C., and Southeastern Iowa C.C…
Previews for the IBS GIRLS PREP CLASSIC and IBS-presented 1450 SHOOTOUT are coming soon. The nightcap which features Springfield (IL) vs. St. Louis (MO) Incarnate Word Academy, should be a big one…
Proud of the Springfield (IL) Lanphier girls who have worked hard in IBS SKILLS SESSIONS the last month and more. Seeing a lot of positives…
HIGH SCHOOL:
Illinois State just got a commitment recently from North Chicago (IL) product AARON SIMPSON. He is a 6’1” 2012 who should fit in nicely with the Redbirds.
KENDRICK NUNN, a standout at Chicago Simeon, has decommitted from Texas A&M. He should receive the same and bigger options. Simeon is loaded for 2011-12 and their open gyms have seen a who’s who in the coaching game stop in. The program will be one of the nation’s best again this season.
TONY HICKS, a standout at Chicago St. Rita, has committed to Pennsylvania....
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL:
Got a chance to stop in to watch a Lombard (IL) Montini open gym recently. It’s a frequent stop for college coaches throughout the country to make as well. When I was there, Seton Hall, Loyola-Chicago and Missouri also stopped in. Was nice to chat with Missouri assistant WILLIE COX. He plans to attend the IBS GIRLS PREP CLASSIC in December and its always been great to have that program in attendance.
Most of the focus at Montini is on DIAMOND THOMPSON, a 6’4” 2013. She continues to fill out. Seton Hall, DePaul and Louisville are her recent offers. Montini also has a bevy of young talent as well that has head coach JASON NICHOLS plenty of reason to be excited about this season and the next few. As long as he is there and they keep their strong winning tradition, top prospects will continue to navigate towards the Lombard school.
Will be nice to have Montini back in the IBS GIRLS PREP CLASSIC in 2012-13…
WOMENS JUCO:
LYNDAH JOEANNA BONTIFF, a 6’5” ALL IBS CARIBBEAN TEAM member, is now in the States and at Odessa J.C. She was noticed by IBS at the Caribbean Summer Showcase. I’m looking forward to getting back to the Caribbean for an IBS SHOWCASE next spring…
COLLEGE:
Former Illinois forward MIKE TISDALE’s back injury has precluded him from playing professionally in Germany this season. Former teammates, DEMETRI MCCAMEY (Turkey) and MIKE DAVIS (Ukraine), however, are firmly set with pro contracts this season. Turkey has been a good stop for former Big Ten Conference standouts…
PRO:
TIM SACK, former longtime assistant at Illinois Central C.C., told me recently he left the position to become the Director of Operations for a new semipro team in Bloomington, Illinois. So far, everything looks legit. They have signed on to play their games at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum downtown and have former Indiana standout A.J. GUYTON on board to coach. I am supportive of what TIM and Co. are attempting and hope it goes well. When the right people are involved in semi pro, it can work. If not, different story…
WOMENS PRO:
Was nice to see former Southern Illinois PG, CHRISTINE PRESSWOOD, getting work in recently. She has rehabbed from an ankle injury and is now back in training awaiting her next professional opportunity. She has most recently played in Switzerland. A WNBA tryout is a possibility. PRESSWOOD had a strong finish to her career at Southern Illinois, averaging close to 16 ppg before exiting for a pro career…
Former Northern Illinois PG, MARKE FREEMAN, is enjoying her first true professional season in Poland. She handed out 7 assists in her last outing and is looking forward to her next outing on Saturday against the challenging Gorzow. Was a great pleasure to have her at IBS SKILLS SESSIONS over the summer. Her speech to the girls the night before she boarded her flight for Poland was probably the best impromptu speech I’ve ever heard. She is a perfect role model and deserves everything she has earned and worked for…