Proviso West notebook: New Trier big man one to watch

HILLSIDE – New Trier sophomore big man Ciaran Brayboy might be new to the recruiting scene but there’s a good chance you’ll hear his name a lot in the next two years. The lanky but strong 6-foot-9 post player has only been playing organized basketball for two years. However, it’s easy to see the high major potential in his physicality, athleticism and frame.

At the Proviso West Holiday Tournament, Brayboy was tested against the likes of Whitney Young, Bogan and Downers Grove North. He didn’t put up big numbers, but that’s often the case with post players on high school teams. Illinois and Wisconsin were both on hand watching the emerging big man in his game against Whitney Young. Brayboy had 6 points and 7 rebounds in that contest, which was only a 6-point margin at halftime but ended in a 70-43 Young victory.

Brayboy, who plays with the Mac Irvin Fire, has already been to the Illini campus and his mother graduated from Illinois. Brayboy is not afraid to be physical under the basket and he has nice bounce off the floor. He is most definitely a prospect to track moving forward.

As Morgan Park made its run for a second straight Proviso West tournament title, junior star Ayo Dosunmu garnered all the headlines – and for good reason. But the Mustangs are more than a one-man gang. Junior guard Lamond Johnson is a major cog in Morgan Park’s success. The 6-foot-1 Johnson frustrated talented offensive players from Hillcrest and Uplift, helping lead Morgan Park to the championship game against Whitney Young.

But he suffered an ankle injury against Uplift, forcing him to sit out the title game against Young, which the Dolphins won. That is probably not a coincidence.

“He’s the best defender in the state,” Mustangs coach Nick Irvin said after the Hillcrest game. “That’s my pit bull. I told him, you have to stay with Marcus (Garrett, Hillcrest’s star guard). Marcus is tough. You have to match his intensity.”

Johnson limited Garrett to 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting and six turnovers. Johnson finished with 14 points on just eight shots and two steals

In the semifinals against Morgan Park, Uplift’s 6-foot-5 junior forward Toraze Dobbs brought the crowd to its feet more than once with his impressive game. Dobbs scored 23 points, including five 3-pointers and grabbed 15 rebounds as Uplift nearly knocked off Morgan Park. The Mustangs held a huge size advantage in this game, resulting in a gaudy 53-25 rebounding advantage. But Dobbs’ clutch shooting and 15 boards nearly led his team to victory.

Coach Tyrone Slaughter’s Whitney Young team doesn’t have the star power of years past when it boasted players like Jahlil Okafor and Paul White. But the Dolphins still have plenty of talent and upset Morgan Park 80-71 to win the prestigious event.

Senior wing Lucas Williamson was named tournament MVP after scoring 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting and nine rebounds. The 6-4 Williamson has scholarship offers from Northern Illinois, Toledo, Bowling Green, UIC and others. Dolphins junior point guard Xavier Castaneda also had an excellent tournament, going for 15 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds in the title game. Castaneda, a 6-1 floor leader, is an intriguing prospect if he can stay healthy, which has been his biggest problem.

For many decades, the Proviso West Holiday Tournament has hosted some of the state’s best basketball talent. With that come college coaches on the recruiting trail taking a look at the next crop of talent. At this year’s event, there were assistants from Illinois (Paris Parham), Kansas (Jerrance Howard), Wisconsin (Howard Moore), Northwestern (Pat Baldwin) and Northern Illinois head coach Mark Montgomery among others.