Boys Basketball: David Douglas Jr., Yorkville Christian put on shooting show in blowout of St. Patrick at Ridgewood Shootout

NORRIDGE – David Douglas Jr. welcomed every open look on Sunday, Dec. 5.

And he had plenty of them.

The Yorkville Christian junior guard had a breakout game on a big stage against St. Patrick in the fourth and final game of the Hoops Classic Shootout held at Ridgewood High School.

Douglas, a first-year varsity starter for the Mustangs, is quickly adapting to playing a key role on a Yorkville Christian team that returned four of five starters.

Douglas poured in 23 points in a 76-57 rout over the Shamrocks in Norridge.

Playing three games in three days, the Mustangs showed little effects from tired legs besides a five-minute lull in the third quarter. The Mustangs knocked down 16 3-pointers, led by Duke recruit Jaden Schutt’s 23 points and K.J. Vasser scoring 19.

“It’s nice because we get a break after three tough games, two in Indiana and this one in Illinois,” Douglas said. “We only lost one, so it’s nice to end the weekend on a win.”

Douglas said he was happy to showcase his game for the large crowd. He’s yet to receive a college offer, but he drilled two 3s in a 44-second span to pad the lead to 54-35 in the third.

“My teammates found me when I was open, and I was able to knock down my shots,” Douglas said. “It means a lot to have a big game and show what I can do this year after not playing last year. It’s nice to get out on the court. It feels really good to contribute. My coaches and teammates have supported me.”

Douglas said he’s benefited from playing with Schutt, a elite scorer and deadly outside shooter. Douglas joked that he’s beaten Schutt “a couple times” in shooting contests.

“Many people are scouting Jaden since he’s a Duke recruit and a great player, so when he gets double-teamed, he swings it to me, and I’m knocking down 3s,” he said.

Schutt failed to score his first points until a coast-to-coast layup at the 3:10 mark of the first quarter. He electrified the crowd with a stunning three-plus minute show, adding a trio of 3-pointers, an assist for a 3-pointer to Douglas and capping the run with another assist to Vasser for a 3 to push the lead to 30-9.

“[David] is a really talented player and really spaces out the floor and takes the pressure off of me,” Schutt said. “I expect a lot of attention to come toward him. We’ve had a lot of traveling lately. We’ve had a lot of fun with it. We have a lot of challenges ahead, so we need everybody to step up.”

Yorkville Christian coach Aaron Sovern said Douglas is becoming a vital player for his team. The Mustangs led, 42-13, early in the second quarter thanks to Douglas’ hot shooting.

“David is a knockdown shooter for sure and getting stronger with the ball and with the speed of the game,” Sovern said. “He’s making good decisions and got really good vision. He was on today. We needed that.”

Scott Burgess, the senior scouting director for Prep Hoops Illinois, said Douglass and Vasser should gain more interest from colleges after a busy weekend.

“David had a very good summer,” Burgess said. “I thought he really improved where his game was going. He’s continued to step it up, just a long and lanky kid who can shoot the basketball. He’s working his way into potential Division II offers in the spring. Being able to play in these big events helps guys like David and K.J. They’ve both really boosted their stock, both in the state but also with college coaches seeing them play.”