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I had the chance to briefly check out one of the top Christmas tournaments in Illinois at Centralia High School.  There has been a lot of talk about one combo guard transfer from Puerto Rico to Alton High School and I had to check him out
 

Ruben Cotto SG Alton (IL) Class of 2008

This transfer has caused quite a stir in the Midwest, putting up some sick scoring numbers.  He is a big time power guard that is a very nice scorer with a thick body.  That thick body helps him get on the interior and also get to the line. While at the line he converted at a nice rate, showing a nice fluid shooting stroke and a flick of the risk at the end.   Cotto also finished well through contact.  His perimeter shot was not 100% on today, but he has ability to be deadly from behind the arc.  He handled the ball well.  The senior keeps it low to the ground in tight one on one play.  Defensively he got in several passing lanes to get some steals and transition points.  Most of the game he played within himself, but a few times he forced some things when they had a fairly large lead and did not need to.  Obviously the biggest concern from Cotto's game is his size, but he overcomes it at the high school level.  With his ability to get to the interior he might be able to overcome it on the college level.  Cotto finished the game with 30 points.  He is a legit D1 talent.  The only question is now, will high majors come calling?
 

James Kinney SG Champaign Centennial (IL) Class of 2009

Kinney is a wiry perimeter player that shoots it as a lefty.  Offensively Kinney showed a nice mid-range game with a quick release.  He did not hit very well from 3 point range in this game.  On defense Kinney used his length to get in some passing lanes.  If he can improve his strength and shooting from the perimeter he could get looks from some bigger schools next year.  Kinney finished with 12 points.
 

Kenny Leverette SG O'Fallon (IL) Class 2008

This is from seeing Kenny play just the first half of O'Fallon's game vs Mt. Vernon.  Leverette had somewhat of a shot put stroke.  At 6-2 he has good strength.  That strength helped him get to the basket.  The thing that stood out to me what his hops.  He skied above several defenders to get rebounds.  The guard rebounded at a good rate for his position in the time I saw him.  Also had a decent passing feel.  Defensively he got in passing lanes by being aggressive and got  a couple of nice steals.  I think he will be a nice defender at the next level.