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Cerroblanco is the definition of a pure shooter. She finishes at the top of her release and has a nice lift on her shot. At SimpsonElite Runs Cerroblanco had defenders closing out high because of her range and she drove right around them for easy points. Cerroblanco footwork is something special, to see her footwork on drift/lift passes was refreshing to see fundamentals in a high school setting. With her mechanics, she has a strong feel for the game, the way she was shot ready coming off screens and reading the screens was amazing to see. I would love to see her put the ball on the deck more, I think she will have more scoring opportunities for her or her teammates with this small change.

Kania is a tweener, he's somewhat of a forward but has a guard skill set. The 6-foot-3 guard is very crafty with moves and the ability to shoot off the dribble makes him lethal seeing as though smaller guards will be on him. Really solid dribbling the basketball and playmaking for him and others. He has a great feel for moving without the ball, whether its filling the lane, drifting, filling up or cutting, Kania is not a guy you can turn your back on. He shoots the ball extremely well from anywhere on the floor, Kania is also an efficient shooter and only looks for the best shot available. He's very active on the defensive end, defensive leader as you will, talking, being a menace on ball defender and having active hands in the passing lanes, disrupting the offensive flow.

The crafty point guard showed his ability to fit into tight spaces when creating and getting through screens and his ability to make plays for him and others is what keeps him on the floor. The 5-foot-8 point guard is a defender you do not want checking you. Ellis gets all up in your jersey, he's a pest on that side of the ball, guarding you the full length of the floor and he's a really good off ball defender. Ellis has instincts like no other, he's fast, quick, and can get to loose balls with a blink of an eye. Ellis does a really good job creating space, driving gaps and getting two feet in the paint to shoot or do a little runner over the defender.

The 5'9 class of 2023 combo guard was a stud and standout at SimpsonElite Runs. Highlight after highlight the kid was just a flat out star. Gonzales handles pressure really well, make tough shots, and he finishes really well at the rim with such little size. Gonzalez is a prime time scorer, with his euro steps to the basket or his hefty hesitation dribble to freeze the defense for an easy score. Gonzalez showed that he can compete with the top kids in the state of IL but unfortunately he did it in a losing effort which he couldn't win MVP. I expect Gonzalez to keep his momentum going into his high school season and having a breakout year to attract college interest. Kasani Gonzalez will be playing fall ball with AAU club Limitless and playing for his highschool team Buffalo Grove Bison. Be on the look out for the shifty guard, the kid has game.

The 6'7 Glenbrook South standout will have a break out season this upcoming winter, I'm sure of it. I wouldn't be shocked that his stock moves up in the rankings mid season. For a big guy he has great size, great hands, he's mobile on the perimeter, and he can knock down consistent shots from deep. Taylor has a great feel for the game with reading defensive schemes, knowing when to slip, pop, or roll. I was very impressed with his decision making ability. With his size, he handles the ball really well and his passing ability is very underrated. Taylor has made a huge impression on the SimpsonElite staff with his showing in just two open runs. Coach Ford had this to say about Taylor, "I think he has a well rounded game. Very versatile honestly think he can guard 2-5 position as well. Maybe work on his shot a little more but for the most part, the kid got it!" Taylor can easily lead the state in rebounds, blocks and points, he's that good but is that what Titans need from the 6'7 junior. I have a prediction of Taylor averaging 14pts, 3ast, 7rbs 1blk per game with a solid .500 wining percentage for the team. I look forward to seeing Taylors improvements and leap in his Junior season.

The combo guard Phelps is something special to watch. Phelps has a nice feel for the game, can handle the ball under pressure, makes the right reads, and is probably one of the best junior shooters in the state of Illinois. Phelps finished with 20 points in SimpsonElite Runs with pouring in four 3 pointers. The lefty has a quick first step that with a split second she will be at the rim finishing through defenders. She plays well off the bounce, can shoot it going either way and finish with either hand. I was very impressed at SimpsonElite Runs at how an efficient shooter she is, shot after shot, she couldn't miss. Her playmaking ability makes it hard for defenders to guard her because of how unselfish she is. Don't sleep on her at the defensive end, with her long arms, she was able to get deflections and tips to rattle the defenders. You can find Phelps playing AAU ball with Mac Irvin Fire 17U.

The small guard does a great job controlling the pace of the game on both ends of the floor. the 5'0 guard is great at keeping the ball in front of her, she has active hands that disrupts the offense and she is not afraid to guard you full court and get in your jersey. Her play making skills is what separates her from her peers. Numerous of times at SimpsonElite Runs with her shifty crossover, she was able to drive pass defenders whenever she felt like it and once the next line of defense helped, she'd give a shovel pass to the open man, and she was unstoppable. Presley is known for her driving ability, passing ability, and being able to finish through contact with either hand. I believe she has a nice jump shot, I would like to see her look more for her jump shot more because that will open the lane for more creativity. You can find Presley playing AAU ball with Mac Irvin Fire.

Lopez is a underrated guard at North Chicago High School that came to SimpsonElite Runs to prove that she can hold her own with really good players and that's exactly what she did. The senior guard is known for her handles, court vision, and shot making ability. What I saw at SimpsonElite Runs was a point guard that saw three plays ahead of everybody else. Using ball fakes to get defenders off their square to make the right pass to an open teammate is how solid Lopez is. Lopez is a guard that coaches would love to have on their roster because she will execute exactly what you need down the stretch. Finding players that you can trust on the floor is hard and Lopez identify's with that. Lopez has a stellar off the bounce pull up jump shot that keeps the defense honest when guarding up close.

On a Sunday where everybody is getting prepared for school or work on Monday, SimpsonElite Runs was in the gym at waukegan dog pound making history with the first ever GIRLS RUNS! It was an amazing turn out not knowing what to expect from the young ladies, but they did not disappoint! They had high energy and was up for the challenges/drills the coaches put them through! Through all of the greatness that happened in the gym there were a few standouts that led the way. Mariah Phelps, Kyla Jordyn, Ka'Shaya Love, and Trinity Hoover. When it was all said and done there was only one MVP left standing and it was Kyla Jordyn with pouring in 28pts 5ast and 4rbs

The 6-foot-6 Junior is a skilled wing/forward that can pretty much do it all on the basketball floor. He can pass, create off the bounce, defend any position and his IQ is pretty high. McElroy is a competitor like no other. In the agility drills, his work ethic could not be matched as he competed from start to end. McElroy has a nice touch around the rim, he can finish with either hand, and through defenders. He's very athletic with guard like skills, his dribbling ability doesn't "WOW" you but when giving an opportunity, he can take you off the bounce to a one dribble pull up or down the lane for a slam. His shooting ability doesn't go unnoticed, McElroy is a three level scorer and at an efficient clip. McElroy showcased that he can get others involved and impact the game in other ways then just scoring. What makes him so special is his ability to guard the point guard and the center position. He's quick and long enough to stay in front of guards and make it difficult for them to make plays and he's strong enough to take the pounding in the post with bigs.

The class of 2025 6'2 guard Young-Delk is a traditional 3-D wing. Young-Delk was apart of that freshman group that was brought up to varsity at Zion Benton high school mid season. Young-Delk is a high energy guy and he was dominating the freshman level, his ability to get up into the defender jersey and take away their space is a skill. The kid is tenacious on the defensive end and he isn't afraid to let you know that he just took the ball from you. Playing alongside Amare Simpson will take pressure off of Young-Delk to strive in other things on the floor. With his ability to knock down open shots and lock up the best player on the other end, Im expecting Zion Benton to have a better season than last year and build something special with this incoming group. Is Young-Delk ready for that challenge? We will see. You can find Jayden Young-Delk playing summer ball with Kessel Heat 15U team.

The small tough nose point guard is going to be something to reckon with in years to come. The lefty will be making an impact on the defensive end and once she polish up her ball handling, the sky is the limit for her game. She showed flashes of what her future can look like by beating defenders off the bounce and getting in the lane to make good and quick decisions. She is capable of knocking down the outside jump shot but prefers to do her damage in the mid range area, lost art. She is tenacious on the defensive end guarding the full length of the floor, making it hard for defenders to breath. Herrera made. few plays on the ball and deflections while playing the passing lanes. Herrera understands her role and she thrives in it.