Rumble in Rapids- 2022 All Tournament Team
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As with any listing or ranking there comes trepidation. So here is my annual disclaimer. I only write about what I see with my own two eyes. You might not see me much at a tournament because I’m constantly moving…
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Continue ReadingAs with any listing or ranking there comes trepidation. So here is my annual disclaimer. I only write about what I see with my own two eyes. You might not see me much at a tournament because I’m constantly moving trying to see as many players as I can. That being said I can’t see them all. So if you are angered or wondering about an omission chances are I just didn’t see it.
Without further ado the 2022 All Tournament 1st and 2nd teams for the class of 2022. Note: There will some overlap from the Saturday Superlative column. Hence the shorter capsules
First Team
PG- Ashton Atwater Ashton Atwater 6'0" | CG Otsego | 2022 State MI 6-0 Otsego I’ve already bestowed best ball handler of the tournament on this young man. But he is also the consummate point guard. Always plays with his head up. His first, second, and third options are to find open teammates. Sturdy frame will make an intriguing prospect for the next level. Led his MBA NY2LA squad to a 4-0 record on the weekend.
SG- Derrick Voltz Derrick Voltz 6'4" | CG Carrollton | 2022 State MI 6-2 Carrollton (pictured at top of article) After losing two players to injury this young man had to be a little more selfish this weekend. That’s not a bad thing as Voltz played for a deep Carrollton squad and is comfortable as a distributor. The end result were performances of 28 and 36 points respectively. An elite athlete who is making some serious noise in the spring Track and Field season. College coaches will want to get this young man on their radar
SF- Ramere Draper Ramere Draper 6'4" | CG Wyoming | 2022 State MI 6-4 Wyoming A composed under control three level scorer. Saturday was Draper’s big day as he dropped 28 points against Athlete Headquarters and competed hard against an undefeated MBA NY2LA squad. Will need to add weight to his frame but this is a player who can really put it in the bucket.
PF- Gerald Crawford III Gerald Crawford III 6'6" | PF Kalamazoo Central | 2021 State MI 6-5 2021 Kalamazoo Central Wide framed prospect was completely dominant on the boards in a Saturday victory over Next Generation (IL). Despite frame very mobile and has a soft touch around the basket. An old school power forward who seemingly knows who he is. Sets good picks and doesn’t venture out to the perimeter often. *note- at the time of publication I had this player incorrectly identified, Crawford is a 2021 prospect but will maintain his placement on this team
C- Jalen Overway Jalen Overway 6'8" | PF Holland Christian | 2022 State MI 6-9 Holland Christian A true mountain of a young man. Might have been the biggest prospect of the weekend. However showed a new level of burst and agility that I had not seen previously. Soft touch for a player his size. Has been coached well and knows how to play the game. Unstoppable when he gets deep position. I think he is lined up for a huge grassroots season.
Second Team
PG- Luke Davis Luke Davis 6'1" | PG Pennfield | 2022 State MI 6-1 Battle Creek Pennfield Flashy point guard who led his United Pursuit squad to a 4-0 record on the weekend. Winning seems to be his thing now as he just finished leading Pennfield to a Division 2 State Final appearance. Very quick but plays with composure. Found Ian Weller Ian Weller 6'6" | PF Jackson Northwest | 2022 State MI (see below) for some easy looks underneath the basket. Also found regular season teammate Aiden Burns Aiden Burns 6'0" | SG Pennfield | 2022 State MI often beyond the arc. Davis and Burns (who I dubbed the best shooter of the tourney) should form a dynamic backcourt for Pennfield once again next season.
SG- Michael Morris Michael Morris 6'4" | SG West Catholic | 2022 State MI 6-4 Grand Rapids West Catholic Morris’ squad West Side had a rough Saturday with two lopsided losses, but bounced back in a big way on Sunday. How does 37 points and a victory sound? Morris is a smooth and efficient scorer who does it both inside and out. Has a quick and easy release from beyond the arc. If you run him off the line he is a good enough ball handler to get rim quickly. Not a prospect who is going wow you with athleticism, but makes up for that with composure. Never seems to be in hurry but is able to get to where he wants to go on the court. Part of a solid 2022 group that trying to make West Catholic more than a football school. They just might pull it off.
SF- Grant Pikkaart Grant Pikkaart 6'6" | SF Portage Central | 2022 State MI 6-6 Portage Central The recipient of a lot of the Ashton Atwater Ashton Atwater 6'0" | CG Otsego | 2022 State MI assists. Pikkaart was another key component of the undefeated MBA NY2LA squad. Long and extremely lanky this young man is the definition of a slasher. Runs the court like a deer and has the athleticism to finish at and above the rim. Wasn’t just feasting off the all the Atwater assists as he is very capable of creating his own shot. Highly competitive and uses his length to be a menacing defender. Stepped up to the challenge of guarding Ramere Draper Ramere Draper 6'4" | CG Wyoming | 2022 State MI and that was quite a back and forth battle
PF- Tymais Williams 6-7 Macomb Dakota After getting off to slow start the Michigan Goonies finished 2-2 on the weekend. This young forward was a big reason why. Despite a slender build has a prototypical four man build with broad shoulders and long arms. Moves very well and knows what to do when he gets the ball in his hands. Quickness off the ground and laterally makes him a very good defender. Finished strong with 16 points over K3 Elite (IL) on Sunday. Dakota has lost two really good guards in the last few years in Ryan Rollins Ryan Rollins 6'1" | PG Macom Dakota | 2020 State #290 Nation MI (Toledo) and Joshua Hines Joshua Hines 6'2" | PG Macomb Dakota | 2021 State MI . Perhaps Williams will make his team more post focused in the upcoming season.
C- Ian Weller Ian Weller 6'6" | PF Jackson Northwest | 2022 State MI 6-7 Jackson Northwest I first saw this young man last year with the Michigan Lightning. Teamed with Carson Cooper Carson Cooper 6'10" | PF IMG | 2022 State FL . Next to Cooper he looked like he was a long ways away. A year later Cooper is playing with Emoni Bates and Weller appears to improved dramatically. Not a beanpole. Sturdy with a solid frame. Mobile and runs the court well. While he benefitted from a lot of good looks from Luke Davis, he showed rapidly improving ball skills. Especially in the high post. Also played well in pick and roll situations as he cut hard to the basket. While I wouldn’t say he has a soft touch he did knock down a few from mid range on the weekend. I did not see that capability last year with the Lightning. Put it all together and you have a rapidly improving young big man.