Guard Noah VanTholen hopes to emerge as a leader this coming season as the only returning starter for the Riverside Brookfield High School boys basketball team. The rising junior had to do so from the end of the bench Saturday.
VanTholen sprained his left ankle driving to the basket for a three-point play during the Bulldogs’ final game at their 23rd annual Summer Shootout Friday through Sunday at the high school.
“Definitely frustrating,” VanTholen said. “I was just starting to get things going, had a pretty big and-one (basket), was pretty hyped and just came down wrong.”
The NCAA live event featured 84 Illinois teams playing two games two days each with more than 200 college coaches. This was the first of two weeks this month in which college coaches can evaluate high-school prospects in person.
“It’s a great opportunity for all of the players who want to play in college with all of the coaches,” said RBHS rising junior guard Anthony Tyler. “You get to see different types of basketball and players who are Division I, II, III, (junior college), just a great experience.”
Although the Bulldogs were 0-4, there was plenty of success in their learning curve and, as always, with the tournament’s operations. RBHS boys coach and Shootout director Mike Reingruber said roughly 100 volunteers contribute annually.
RBHS Philip Hilgenberg evades a Niles North defender in the first half of game action at RBHS on June 13, 2026. (Ian McLeod) 
RBHS Wally Ottenhoff dances around a Niles North Guard at RBHS on June 13, 2026. (Ian McLeod) 
RBHS Anthony Tyler muscles his way past multiple Niles North players on his way to the hoop at RBHS on June 13, 2026. (Ian McLeod) 
RBHS Bradley Kos looks for options under the Niles North basket at RBHS on June 13, 2026. (Ian McLeod) 
RBHS Jaden Wzorek blows past a Niles North Guard at RBHS on June 13, 2026. (Ian McLeod)
“All of the credit goes to everybody helping, all of the volunteers. It’s a group effort and so thankful to everyone that makes this such a special event,” Reingruber said. “The amount of thank-yous I get from people from throughout the state, it’s not possible without all of the people behind the scenes.”
The Bulldogs lost Saturday to Niles North 62-46 and Andrew 68-48 and Friday to Hyde Park 61-49 and West Aurora 65-56 in their opener.
However, this is a young group, with VanTholen, Tyler and rising senior Hunter Twitty as the only returning players with significant varsity experience. Also playing at the Shootout were rising seniors JJ Atkins, Evan Etzy and Philip Hilgenberg and rising juniors Patrick Kalfas-Ryan, Bradley Kos, Jaimie Lopez, Wally Ottenhoff and Jaden Wzorek.
“We only have four returning seniors. We’re really inexperienced,” Tyler said. “Everyone’s figuring out their role still. People are still getting better and better every day. By the time season rolls around, we’ll be a really good team. Everyone really wants to win. That encourages me and I know that encourages everyone else, too.”
VanTholen was injured during the first half against Niles North after being credited for a three-point play that cut the deficit to 27-15. He still had 10 points after scoring 27 points against West Aurora, 24 against Andrew and 20 against Hyde Park.
Tyler and Elzy each had nine points against West Aurora. Wrozek had eight against Niles North.
“I think we have really good pieces. We just need to come together as a group,” VanTholen said. “I did a good job scoring. I think I could have done a little bit better leading us. I don’t think I did a really good job being a true point guard, bringing us together, which is really something I need to work on.”
To increase the learning process, Reingruber said he intentionally scheduled opponents with good size and several varsity returnees.
“I really enjoy playing all of the different styles, contrasting teams,” Reingruber said. “It was good to play against teams that I knew would be good and had seasoned veterans to show us what that next step looks like.”
The Bulldogs continue summer league play twice a week at Downers Grove North. They’ve played at another shootout at Batavia and have others coming at Rich Township and next week at Ridgewood, the other area NCAA live event.
“Every (Shootout) game I saw some flashes, things we need to work on,” Reingruber said. “We’ve had teams that have been 0-4 (at the Shootout) and 4-0 and went on and won 26 games, everything in between. I’m confident we’re going to have a very successful season. I think we have a growing group that’s going to continue to get better.”