This was a game for the basketball lovers that featured it all between Grant and Barrington at the Hinkle Holiday Tournament. Comebacks, overtime, and plenty of talent. Barrington got off to a very fast start behind the duo of Oliver Gray and Jackson Roberts to hold a double digit lead for the majority of the first half. Grant would not go away and was contributions from all over with five players in double figures scoring to get the game into overtime. In the extra time, Barrington was just too much to get the 82-79 win.

Oliver Gray – 2026 – SG – Barrington

Gray showed why he is one of the top available seniors in Illinois as he led all with 27 points and his team to the win. He showcased why he is one of the top shooters in the area with three first half threes including one from a few steps beyond the line but also scored it extremely well going to the basket. He moves extremely well without the ball and was quickly getting into his shot coming off screens. Whether on drives or cuts he was very effective getting all the way to the basket and finishing with his 6’6” size plus length. He also has a solid build to use his physicality to get all the way to the basket. There are so many translatable tools to like from his game and why he has multiple division one offers.

Jackson Roberts – 2027 – PG – Barrington

Roberts was a key piece of this Barrington victory as not only did he score 24 points but also distributed it out effectively. He scored it extremely well attacking the basket all game. He moves well with the ball slicing his way through the defense and showed good touch finishing all around the paint efficiently. Much more than a scorer, he also distributed it well both in transition and in the half court with pinpoint passes and quick decision making seeing the floor. He also plays tough in the paint battling for rebounds and a few inside baskets.

Charles Schlicht – 2027 – SG – Grant

When it was needed most, Schlicht came alive down the stretch of the fourth quarter to get this game into overtime. In the fourth quarter alone, he scored 12 points. This included a much needed three in the final minute of the game in the comeback to cut it down to 2. The junior is an exceptionally skilled scorer who not only shoots it well from the outside but also moves well with the ball getting all the way to rim and finished in traffic. He also made his impact in a variety of ways with some good passes and versatile defensive play plus some hard fought rebounds. He is one of the more under the radar skilled guards in Illinois’ 2027 class who college coaches should know.

Evan Shechtman – 2026 – SG – Barrington

Schechtman was crucial with his outside shooting in the win for Barrington. Right from the start of the game he caught fire from the outside hitting three first quarter threes and finished the game going 4-4 from the outside. He also made some clutch plays down the stretch of regulation with a trio of assists and a pair of free throws.

Dammarion Smith – 2026 – PG – Grant

Smith got off to a quick start making a ton of plays and continued that throughout the game. He excelled on the attack to finish the game with 17 points. He plays with some quickness and good change of direction ability to often get deep into the defense maneuvering around defenders and finished effectively in traffic. All games defenders struggled staying in front of him. He is also an energetic guard that added in a pair of put back baskets in the final minutes.

Jayden Smith – 2026 – F – Grant

Smith used his aggressiveness, length, and size to be a force down in the paint and finish with a double-double. This was especially the case on the offensive side where he could not be kept of the glass. He has a quick second jump and with his length was just grabbing any offensive rebound near him and converting them into several put back baskets for himself.

DJ Stitts – 2027 – SG – Grant

After scoring just three points in the first half, Stitts came alive in the second half while scoring 15 points. He scored it efficiently and got it done in numerous ways. Whether it was hitting a pair of threes, and an one drive in the final second of overtime, or a driving floater, Stitts can score the ball. Stitts also made his impact doing a bit of everything as a strong guard being a tough on ball defender, rebounding, and energy plays.