Here are some of the top performers from the weekend's games:

Sean McGonagil and Nick Kladis - Illinois Kings 17u
The backcourt duo (along with Nick Valla), helped pave the way to take home the championship for the Kings being name Co-MVP's. McGonagil scored 12 points in the final while Kaldis had 11 (three 3's) and a tournament saving 3 in the semi's to send their matchup with the Warriors into OT. (Below: Sean McGonagil dribbling up the floor)

Darrell Combs - Illinois Warriors 15u
Combs is a name you'll be hearing a lot of we're sure in the next few years. The long athletic swingman can do everything well on the offense end and active enough on defense to cause problems for his opponents on both ends. His game-high 14 points (four 3's) helped his team to the championship of the 15u Gold bracket as well as taking home the MVP.

Kashaune McKinney - Illinois Wolverines 17u
McKinney is a natural scorer. When he steps on the court he has the look of a ball player. Although a little undersized to play the '2' at the next level, McKinney showed why size always doesn't matter throughout the weekend. He pretty much single-handily erased a 10 point halftime deficit on Friday against the Illinois Wolves, scoring 20 in the second frame, a majority of which in the opening few minutes of the second stanza. (Below: McKinney defending Wolves' Bobo Drummond)

Luke Labedzki - Illinois Kings 17u
Had the team high in scoring for the 17u champion Kings with 15, but also did a lot of little things throughout the tournament like dive on the floor for loose balls and come up with deflections on defense to help propel his team to the title.

Chasson Randle - Illinois Wolves 16u (played up in 17u)
Randle was one of the many reasons that the young Wolves made a serious run to the title game of the 17u division. The young sophomore scored a game-high 16 points in the championship but also turned in efforts of 17 and 22 points in earlier games at the Chicago Showdown against the older competition. (Below: Randle knocking down a jumper)

Ashanti Smiter - Illinois Heat 16u
The tough point guard for the Heat was solid all weekend controlling the game on both ends of the floor for his team. He garnered MVP honors in the championship scoring 8 points and dishing out 4 assists. But his play throughout the weekend showed that its not about numbers but being a true floor-general.

John Taylor - Playmakers 17u
Perhaps the most intriguing player of the weekend, no one can doubt Taylor's ability to score the basketball (as evidence 16, 16, 21 and 24 points in four games). He does some spectacular things with the ball, as evidence of his 20 point burst in the second half the quarterfinal matchup with the Illinois Warriors. After only scoring 4 in the first half, on more than 10 shots, Taylor kept gunning and almost single handily won the game for the Playmakers. If he can limit the plays he forces too much he can very well be a major Division 1 player.