I stayed after a workout to check out Glenbard North and St. Viator in the Greater Purpose fall league. Glenbard North ended up pulling away, but here are some standouts from both teams.

Glenbard North

Jalen Crues (6’6 SF/PF, 2024)

Big, powerful, and athletic at 6-foot-6, Crues looks like a player capable of matching up physically with college players right now. As soon as he checked in, he got to the rim for a dunk and was all over the glass highpointing rebounds. He had another transition dunk later in the game, leaving a big footprint on the game. Crues even added a three from the wing, which will be a cherry on top for GBN this year.

JJ Hernandez (6’6 SF, 2024)

Hernandez impressed on both ends with a number of powerful dunks and ample tips and deflections. Staying in attack mode from the start, he penetrated inside and scored on spin moves and inverted post ups. Hernandez remains one of the more versatile wing defenders with the wingspan of a big and the agility of a perimeter player. He’s going to be one of the area’s best players this season.

Josh Abushanab (6’5 SF, 2026)

In the open floor, Abushanab continued to make the right decisions. He made accurate passes with a full head of steam and weaved inside with aggression before rising up to the rim for finishes. Abushanab showed a bit of feel on his pull-up jumper as well. Only a sophomore, he’s got a chance to be really good.

St. Viator

Joey Hernandez (5’10 PG, 2025)

A tremendous defender and high-energy PG, Hernandez battled through a couple eye pokes to try to will his team back in the game. He took a charge and was the first one to the help side to slow down penetration. Even when guarding bigger players, Hernandez managed to hold his own. On the offensive side, he knocked down a three and put it on the ground with a purpose to get paint touches. He’s entering his third varsity season at Viator where he should be the head of the snake defensively.

Josiah Calvin (5’10 PG/SG, 2025)

Calvin may have been the most skilled player in the game with how well he handles the ball and scores off the dribble. The 5-foot-10 guard had multiple quick takes to the rim where he converted tough layups with both hands. He also showed well applying pressure on the defensive end in space to frustrate opposing ball-handlers. Calvin should be bring nice scoring punch back at Viator.

Mitch Humphrey (6’6 SG/SF, 2024)

Colby College’s newest commit is among the best spot-up shooters in the state. He buried threes on kick outs, pick-and-pop actions, and off the dribble. Standing at 6-foot-6 and growing, Humphrey defended the bigs on the other end like he will have to do during the season. He used his length to his advantage to affect shots. But his value as an outside shooter could really open things up for all of the attacking guards on the team. Expect him to have one of the higher three-point totals in the area.