Rumble in the Rapids- Saturday Superlatives
In this article:
Simply by happening The Rumble in the Rapids has been a huge success. It just feels good to be covering an AAU event in Michigan again. Let’s get to the action on the court. A list of standout individual skills…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingSimply by happening The Rumble in the Rapids has been a huge success. It just feels good to be covering an AAU event in Michigan again.
Let’s get to the action on the court. A list of standout individual skills is always a good place to start. Who knows where we’ll go after that. I got pages of notes.
Best Scorer Ramere Draper Ramere Draper 6'4" | CG Wyoming | 2022 State MI 6-4 2022 Wyoming (pictured at top) A Rip Hamilton type scorer. Nothing flashy but constantly in motion and simply putting the ball in the basket. Gets the top nod because of his size and length. This allows him to be a true three level scorer. Athleticism to blow by defenders and score above the rim. Competitive and does not back down from anyone. Standout game was a 28 point performance in a Saturday win over Athlete Headquarters
Honorable Mention- Ben Canty Ben Canty 6'4" | SF Bloomfield Hills | 2022 State MI 6-5 2022 Bloomfield Hills and Trucel Singleton Trucel Singleton 6'0" | CG Benton Harbor | 2022 State MI 6-0 2022 Benton Harbor
Best Ball Handler
Ashton Atwater
Ashton
Atwater
6'0" | CG
Otsego | 2022
State
MI
6-0 2022 Otsego There is the old sports cliche that things just “sound” different when done by the best of the best. That holds true here. Atwater doesn’t really dribble the ball, he violently pounds it into the court. You can hear him coming. Despite the aggressive nature almost always has it under control. Purposeful as well without a lot of wasted motion. Atwater avoids the “dribbling in place” trap that some ball handlers fall into. Gets to his spots with ease and is a good passer.
Honorable Mention-
Luke Davis
Luke
Davis
6'1" | PG
Pennfield | 2022
State
MI
6-1 2022 Battle Creek Pennfield, Derrell Woods Jr. 6-0 2021 Taylor Trillium, and
Shawn Foreman
Shawn
Foreman
5'11" | PG
Comstock Park | 2023
State
MI
5-11 2023 Comstock Park
Best Shooter Aiden Burns Aiden Burns 6'0" | SG Pennfield | 2022 State MI 6-0 2022 Battle Creek Pennfield Elite shooters usually have a type. Tall, slender, able to extend and shoot over defenders with ease. That is not Burns. Gets his shot off with combination of court awareness and a trigger quick release. Also elevates well and has a consistent release point. Pennfield is coming off a state final appearance in Division 2. With players like Burns and Luke Davis Luke Davis 6'1" | PG Pennfield | 2022 State MI you can see why
Honorable Mention- Brandon Schepel Brandon Schepel 6'0" | PG Grand Rapids Christian | 2022 State MI 6-1 2022 Grand Rapids Christian, Matt Blanton Matt Blanton 6'3" | SG Chelsea | 2023 State MI 6-3 2023 Chelsea, and Trenton Boike Trenton Boike 5'10" | PG Genesee Christian | 2023 State MI 5-9 2023 Genesee Christian
Best Big Jalen Overway Jalen Overway 6'8" | PF Holland Christian | 2022 State MI 6-9 2022 Holland Christian Overway has always been big. But I was struck by his overall improvement athletically. Showed a new level of agility and burst that made him virtually unstoppable when he got deep position. Maintains the soft touch with both hands around the rim. If he can sustain the momentum from this weekend he is going to have a huge spring and summer.
Honorable Mention- Honestly too many to list. Will have to be another column
Best Athlete Derrick Voltz Derrick Voltz 6'4" | CG Carrollton | 2022 State MI 6-3 2022 Carrollton The highest ranked player at the event and showed why. Just moves at a different pace than his opponents. Has an absolutely explosive second gear that he can get to quickly. His E.A.T squad lost two players to injury during the course of the event. This forced him to look for his own shot a little more than usual. The end result was a 36 point performance in a loss against EBA Ice. A special athlete and a special player.
Honorable Mention- Braylon Isom Braylon Isom 6'1" | SG Saginaw Heritage | 2024 State MI 6-3 Saginaw Heritage If you’re from Saginaw you might remember when Steelers great LaMarr Woodley played basketball for Saginaw High. Isom is only a 2024 so let’s not get carried away. But that should give you a visual for this young impressive athlete