Five Questions Heading into the RedHawk Showcase
In its sixth year the Red Hawk Showcase has evolved into premier late season showcase in Michigan. Surveying the loaded field five key questions emerge. Can the host school maintain its momentum in the own event? Grand Rapids Union currently…
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Continue ReadingIn its sixth year the Red Hawk Showcase has evolved into premier late season showcase in Michigan. Surveying the loaded field five key questions emerge.
Can the host school maintain its momentum in the own event?
Grand Rapids Union currently sits at 9-1, one of the best records they have had coming into the event. They have an excellent neutral court victory over a highly ranked Division 3 squad Hanover Horton. Their only defeat cane to Muskegon (more on them later). Led by senior standout Jeremiah Pittman the Red Hawks did not schedule a cup cake for their own event. They take on a classic ignore the record team in Flint Carman Ainsworth. CA has played a gauntlet of a schedule and is led by junior standout Jayden Nunn. The Pittman/Nunn perimeter matchup should be key in deciding the game. As a program the Cavs will be looking for a little redemption as they had a very poor showing in the Red Hawk Showcase two years ago. They looked lifeless against eventual Class A finalist Holland West Ottawa.
The battle for the top spot in the 2021 class? We know that basketball is the consummate team game, but it’s hard to resist such a compelling 1-on-1 matchup. Undefeated Grand Rapids Christian led by Kobe Bufkin taking on Farmington and Jaden Akins should be a treat. The two top ranked national players in the state for the junior class. Bufkin sits at #92 while Akins is #118 according to 247 sports. If one of them goes off on Saturday, that could a long way towards establishing prospect supremacy in the 2021 class. Wait a second Pierre Brooks is buzzing in, he might have something to say about this conversation.
Can Max Perez open eyes statewide and leave college coaches kicking themselves? We saw it this summer as Max Perez put a six person Grand Rapids Storm squad on his back at the Brawl for the Ball. Can he do it again this Saturday? Don’t get me wrong Hudsonville is the furthest thing from a one man show as their undefeated record shows. However Orchard Lake St Mary’s will easily be their most formidable opponent thus far. That is why Perez will be so important in this contest. The strength of St Mary’s lies in their deep and skilled backcourt. They were my top backcourt in the state in my preseason preview (see below) and they have delivered in a big way against a murderers row schedule. While Justin DeGraaf could be in line for a big game in the post for Hudsonville, I think the story of the game will how Perez (Indiana Tech) fares against the many weapons St Mary’s throws at him.
To read more about St Mary’s backcourt click here https://prephoops.com/2019/11/michigan-peview-top-5-backcourts/
The 5th game will be thick with subplots, but it’s Muskegon versus Saginaw— enough said Two historic programs facing off. I could stop there but this matchup will feature two of the top backcouts in the state. I ranked them the #3 and #4 backcourts (see link above) in the preseason and they have done nothing to dissuade that ranking. Muskegon has more of traditional thunder and lightning duo while Saginaw features two lead guards. For the Big Reds Vern Nash (Saginaw Valley St) provides the quickness while Jarvis Walker (Purdue Fort Wayne) brings the physicality. Saginaw has tough as nails Freddie McIntosh (Saginaw Valley St) and Sir’Real Smith. If you follow the parentheses, you read that correctly. The two point guards in this matchup are headed to the same school. This should be a fun one.
Can Emoni Bates and Carlos Johnson repeat their heavyweight battle in this years Main Event? If you were there last year you know. Abosolutely electric atmosphere, followed by a scintillating game. It was the best matchup I saw last season. What can these programs do for an encore? I honestly don’t know if last year can be topped. But I do know this, my pick for Mr. Basketball will be taking on the best overall prospect in the nation. That doesn’t happen everyday. Not much more that needs to be said.
And don’t forget Detroit Cass Tech versus East Kentwood is going to be a pretty good one as well.