Duje Dukan and Ryan Davis - Deerfield Warriors - Highlights and Interview with Daniel Poneman

Can you remember the last time Deerfield had a top 25 ranked basketball team?... I can't either. At a school not known for athletic excellence, Duje Dukan, Ryan Davis, and their fellow seniors have had the season of a lifetime, and in doing so they have changed the culture of their community and inspired young Warriors to believe that they might have a chance to one day do the same. With Dukan (a Wisconsin recruit) and Davis leading the way, Deerfield senior filled squad entered the season optimistic but not over confident; they knew they had a good team, but it's hard to truly believe you're going to accomplish something so truly unprecedented as what they went on to do this season. The season isn't over yet- the state playoffs are just around the corner- but even if the season ended today this season would surely be one that the Deerfield community will be talking about for generations to come. A lot of young men win games, but there aren't many kids who can inspire an entire town to believe... This video features highlights vs GBN and Mundelein, as well as an interview with Dukan and Davis by Daniel Poneman... DPbball.blogspot.com... DanielPoneman@gmail.com

More with Jereme Richmond- #1 Player in Illinois- Highlights From His Senior Night vs Evanston

The north suburban communities of Evanston and Waukegan are similar in many ways, and one of those is that our state's top basketball player, Jereme Richmond, calls both towns home. Jereme has family and friends on the court and in the stands on both sides whenever Waukegan and Evanston match up, which- needless to say- makes the already heated rivalry even more competitive. Jereme's high school career is now coming to an end, and he will soon head off to the University of Illinois, so it was only fitting that his senior night game was to be played against the team he knew oh-so-well. This video features highlights of Jereme's dominant senior night performance against Evanston, as well as a few sound bytes of Jereme talking about why he appreciates his teammates... DPBball.blogspot.com... DanielPoneman@gmail.com...

Jereme Richmond Dunk- Throws Down an Alley-Oop on Evanston From Teammate Quan Conner

McDonald's All-American Jereme Richmond made it to the state finals with Waukegan last year, and at this point in his career it seems his chemistry with his teammates is so good that they always know where he is on the court. Every time I watch Waukegan play he gets at least one dunk, and this video from their recent game against Evanston features a really nice give and go with Jereme and teammate Quan Conner.

Kenny Stevenson (Seton) Highlights and Interview with Daniel Poneman: UIC Recruit

Kenny Stevenson is one of the top guards in Illinois, and won a state championship last year playing for the Seton Sting. Kenny committed before the season to stay in the windy city and play in college for the UIC Flames, and in this video he displays the skills that make him a division one recruit.

Max Biefeldt, Unsigned Junior from Peoria Notre Dame

Max Biefeldt has been one of the breakout Juniors in the state. The 6'8 bruiser has developed the reputation as one of the most consistant big men in his class. He is a product of Peoria Notre Dame and has been popping up on the radar of many DI programs. Check out "The Big Puppy" at work.

Peoria Manual High School Basketball

Since the class change almost three years ago the Peoria Manual Rams has sat atop the class 2A rankings. Currently ranked #2 in 2A the Rams have spent more times in the #1 spot than any other team in their class. Many people know Manual for there state championships and #1 national ranking in the mid-90's but these Rams have decided to write their own story have refer to themselves as "The Redeem Team". I've followed them this season on their route to what could be the second trip to state in the last three years.

Marvin Jordan, Ball State Commit

Marvin Jordan is one of the top point guards in the state. The Ball State Recruit is a senior at Peoria Manual High School and is hoping to close out his senior year with another trip to state. Check him out

Mike Shaw (6'8" PF 2011) Dunks on Simeon, Talks About Living Up to the Hype, and Talks About Visiting Illinois, With Highlights vs. Mt Carmel

Mike Shaw has been considered one of the elite prospects in America since he was a 13 year old playing on the 17u Mac Irvin Fire squad- and his good friend Wayne Blackshear (committed to Louisville) has been with him every step of the way. Now juniors in high school, Mike, a 6'8" power forward, has just led his De La Salle Meteors squad to an undefeated conference season and Chicago Catholic League title, while Wayne just completed an improbable title run of his own, as he led his Morgan Park Mustangs to a Chicago Public League title. In the first interview with Daniel Poneman, Mike talks about working on his game, silencing the critics, living up to the hype with Wayne, and gives shoutouts to his family and teammates. This video also features highlights of Mike throwing down some sweet dunks in a blowout win over highly regarded Simeon...

In the second video, Mike talks about his recent visit to the University of Illinois where he attended their upset win over #5 Michigan State with ESPN College GameDay on site. I caught up with Mike after a recent win against Mt. Carmel, led by Illinois point guard recruit Tracy Abrams. The second video also features an interview in which Mike talks all about the visit and about playing against Tracy, as well as highlights of the game. DPbball.blogspot.com ... For more info DanielPoneman@gmail.com

Courtney Jones (Homewood-Flossmoor) BIG TIME Sleeper- Unsigned Senior Highlights

Courtney Jones isn't a name you hear thrown around in basketball circles as being one of the top scorers in Chicago- and in my opinion, that's a problem. From the start of the season Courtney has been a shining star in the south suburbs, putting up big numbers and leading his talented H-F squad to win after win. A long and versatile wing player, Jones can score from anywhere on the court, and does it in all kinds of ways. He still hasn't found a college that is just the right fit, but whatever college he decides on has definitely landed a steal. Highlights by Dpbball.blogspot.com ... For more info DanielPoneman@gmail.com...

Fabricio de Melo highlights - Syracuse - "The Big, Bad, Brazilian Banger" - McDonalds All-American

Fabricio de Melo (7'0" C) is one of the elite prospects in the nation, and was recently selected to play in the highly prestigious McDonald's All-American game. The Syracuse recruit is one of the most physically dominant prospects around, and has all the physical tools to one day be an NBA all-star. This highlight reel is from the City of Palms holiday tournament in Fort Myers, Florida... DPbball.blogspot.com ... DanielPoneman@gmail.com

Landon Gamble (Lockport) Unsigned Senior Highlights and Interview with Daniel Poneman

Big, long, athletic, smart, skilled, and hard working- Landon Gamble is everything you could want in a high school basketball player. As the only sophomore playing varsity at Lockport in 08, Landon was a key component in leading the Porters to a final four finish in the IHSA state tournament. Now that he is a senior and centerpiece of a very talented cast of players, Landon has overcome all kinds of obstacles to produce a very good senior campaign. Still without a college to play at next year, Landon is sure to be a hot prospect for colleges looking for a late pickup that can provide post scoring, versatility, defense, rebounding, and leadership. This video features highlights from Lockport's two huge upsets over Bollingbrook and Homewood-Flossmoor, as well as an interview with Daniel Poneman... for more info email DanielPoneman@gmail.com

Demonte Hopkins (Lockport) Unsigned Senior Highlights and Interview with Daniel Poneman

Demonte Hopkins plays with a purpose. He has been through all kinds of obstacles throughout his career, but has persevered to become one of the top scorers in the South Suburbs. This video features highlights of Demonte having big time outings in upset wins over highly regarded Bollingbrook and Homewood-Flossmoor squads, as well as an interview with Daniel Poneman....for more info email DanielPoneman@gmail.com

Chris Olivier and Khameron Harper (Seton) unsigned seniors highlights and chat with Dan Poneman

Chris Olivier (6'8" PF/C) and Khameron Harper (6'3" G/F) are two of the elite unsigned seniors in Illinois, and across the midwest. Chris is a highly skilled, big bodied post presence, and Harper is a versatile and powerful high scoring wing. They won a state championship with Seton last year under coach Ken Stevenson, and this year they are looking to repeat.

Marko Petrovic (Findlay Prep) Highlights and Interview with Daniel Poneman- "The Croatian Catapult"

Marko Petrovic (Findlay Prep 2010) has three point shooting in his blood. The 6'3" shooting guard was invited to come to the states from his native Croatia to ball for Findlay Prep (the top high school basketball program in America) because of his transcendent ability to knock down shots from long range. One could've reasonably inferred, however, that he may possess this extraordinary ability without even having watched him take a shot because, well, it was about time someone took over the family business. Marko's uncle- the late Drazen Petrovic- is a member of the basketball hall of fame, the father of Croatian basketball, and the one whom many point to as the individual who paved the way for the current abundance of European stars in the NBA. But don't take my word for it, take it from NBA commissioner David Stern himself: "Drazen Petrovic was an extraordinary young man, and a true pioneer in the global sports of basketball. I know that a lasting part of his athletic legacy will be that he paved the way for other international players to compete successfully in the NBA. His contributions to the sport of basketball were enormous. We are all proud of the fact we knew him." Or from Michael Jordan "It was a thrill to play against Drazen. Every time we competed, he competed with an aggressive attitude. He wasn't nervous; he came at me as hard as I came at him. So, we've had some great battles in the past and unfortunately, they were short battles." Those battles were short because Drazen tragically died in a car accident at just 28 years of age, after only four seasons in the NBA (he was the player of the year in Europe twice before coming the the states), and now Marko has returned to America to finish what uncle Drazen started. After starting the season as a little used reserve for the Pilots- a team that starts two top 20 players in the nation in the backcourt- Marko has become a starter and a key contributor for Coach Peck's squad since top 50 guard Jabari Brown left the school last month. Some of the highlights of his season include a 22 point outing, a game in which he made 6 of the 7 three pointers he took, and a 27 point, 8/11 shooting day against a very good Christian Life (TX) squad. A charismatic and confident young Croatian, Marko shows in this interview why he is the man for the job- why he the kid with the heart and desire to make the name Petrovic relevant in the basketball world once again... For more info email DanielPoneman@gmail.com.

Quinton Chievous (Niles Notre Dame 2011) The ESCC's Super Sleeper- Ready to Awake

I had heard all the rumblings over the past few months about some kid with an NBA dad in the north burbs that had a little bit of game, but I had already seen the kid with my own two eyes- sitting on the bench for the Mac Irvin Fire- so I wasn't ready to buy into the hype just yet. I talked to people in the know, asked their opinion, and it was pretty consistent: the kid has serious game- just go see for yourself. So thats what I did, I went and watched him play a game against Lincoln Park- a tough senior led squad from Chicago's north side, and all I can say is I got my money's worth and then some. Quinton Chievious (6'5" SF) poured in 23 points in the second half and overtime, and scored his points in a variety of ways, often while facing double and triple teams. This kid is not all hype- no way jose- his game is almost as real as his bloodline (his dad Derrick was a star at Missouri and played 5 years in the league), and he is stock will only keep on rising. Watch out for the sleeper in the ESCC, because before long he's going to be dunking on you, just don't say I didn't warn you... For more info email DanielPoneman@gmail.com

2010 Virginia Cavalier Commit Will Regan Highlights vs Jamesville-Dewitt

Will Regan of the Nichols School (Buffalo, New York) is the #16 overall center in the 2010 recruiting class. He has signed on and committed to play in the ACC with Tony Bennett at the University of Virginia. On January 29th, 2010, Regan got the chance to showcase his skills against Jamesville-Dewitt (Syracuse, NY) and the #2 overall recruit in the class of 2012, Dajuan Coleman. Regan showed a solid versatile game, knocking down shots from long distance while also showing some strong post moves. He also controlled the boards finishing with 25 points and 19 rebounds in Nichols 71-66 loss to the #1 ranked class "A" team in New York state. For more information email DanielPoneman@gmail.com.

Fred Heldring (6'10" C New Trier) "Don't Mess With Big Fred" Interview with Daniel Poneman

Fred Heldring (New Trier 2010) is the fuel that fires the Trevian engine. Teammate Alex Rossi may get most of the glamor and headlines, but none of that would be possible without Mr. Heldring pulling down boards, blocking shots, dropping dimes from the post, and setting hard picks for him night in and night out. The skilled big man has a high "basketball I.Q." but his I.Q....I.Q. is probably a good deal higher, as he is a straight A student and will be taking his game to the Patriot League next season where he will play ball for the highly prestigious College of William & Mary. To give you a little perspective on how smart this kid is (he was heavily recruited by Harvard)- the college he will attend is also the alma matter of three US presidents (Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler) as well as US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall; though none of them could ball like big Fred. This past friday (1-29-10) Fred helped lead the Trevians to a big victory over their rival- the Evanston Wildkits; a win that strengthens New Trier's case as one of the elite teams in Illinois and as a legit state title contender. This video features some highlights of the game as well as a post game interview with the big man himself...for more information email DanielPoneman@gmail.com.

Alex Rossi (6'6" SG New Trier) "Everybody Loves Alex" Interview with Dan Poneman

Alex Rossi (6'6 SG - 2010) has been New Trier's golden boy ever since he first laced up his green and blue kicks three years ago as a freshman on the varsity squad. Alex, who is signed to play ball in the Pac 10 for the California Golden Bears, has had quite the illustrious career in his four years as a Trevian and he did nothing but add to his legacy this past friday night as he led his team to a win over arch-rival Evanston- their second win against the Wildkits this season. After the game I got a chance to catch up with Alex and talk about everything from the game (the 10th in his career against E-Town), to the New Trier fans, to who is the better student between him and his fellow division one bound teammate Fred Heldring. This video features that interview, some highlights of the big game, and some more fun clips that help paint a picture of why the name Alex Rossi will be remembered in the hearts of the people who make up the New Trier community long after he leaves Chicago's near north suburbs for the sunny bay of Berkeley, California... For more info email DanielPoneman@gmail.com.

Greg Travis (Curie 2011) Highlights and Interview with Daniel Ponema

Greg Travis has been considered one of the top guards in Illinois for his class since before he even got to high school. At the MLK Classic at Whitney Young he reminded everyone in attendance why, scoring 14 points and holding national top 100 guard Ryan Boatright (who is also Greg's AAU teammate) to only 12 points in a big win for Curie over East Aurora, their sixth win in a row. This video features highlights from that game, and a post game interview with Daniel Poneman.