#GottaGetIt Key Players – Part 2
The #GottaGetIt Hoop Classic is a highly anticipated event every season. This year was no different as top notch teams and talent squared off in Grand Blanc. We looked at some of the players that impressed me in 2 games…
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Continue ReadingThe #GottaGetIt Hoop Classic is a highly anticipated event every season. This year was no different as top notch teams and talent squared off in Grand Blanc. We looked at some of the players that impressed me in 2 games from the event: Hamtramck vs. Saginaw and Davison vs. Ferndale.
We’ll now look at some impressive players from 2 more games at the #GottaGetIt Hoop Classic: Flint Carman-Ainsworth vs. Brother Rice and Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Flint Beecher.
Flint Carman-Ainsworth vs. Brother Rice
Brother Rice came away with a hard fought 63-56 victory against Carman-Ainsworth. The game featured momentum swings and battles between highly regarded national prospects and breakout players.
THE PLAYERS
Elijah Hennings (2023, F, Flint Carman-Ainsworth)
Hennings caught my eye early in the game and continued to be a difference maker throughout. He had an immediate impact on defense, creating a turnover on a trap in the corner and hustling back on D and blocking a transition layup opportunity. Hennings had a laster like trajectory on his jumper that he hit from both mid range and from behind the arc.
Chris McLavish (2025, PG, Flint Carman-Ainsworth)
McLavish made himself known at the GottaGetIt Hoop Classic. It seemed like he scored in every conceivable fashion. From long range triples to acrobatic finishes at the rim. McLavish has a lot of shimmy and shake in his game when the ball is in his hands. He’s a smaller prospect, but height hasn’t held back guys like Wendell Green Jr. McLavish finished with a game high 29 points.
John Blackwell John Blackwell 6'3" | CG Brother Rice | 2023 State #185 Nation MI (2023, PG, Brother Rice)
Blackwell has the look and feel of a high major point guard. Yeah, he can play off the ball as well, but his size and strength at the lead guard spot is such a tough matchup, especially in high school. Blackwell had 9 points and 8 assists in the game. He looked much improved as a passer, putting some really nice touch on the ball when it was needed.
Curtis Williams Curtis Williams 6'5" | SF Brother Rice | 2023 State #93 Nation MI (2023, SF, Brother Rice)
Williams looks like he has college ready strength at the wing. He finished the game with a team high 21 points and added 5 rebounds. His jumper looked smooth and he was able to create space with both his strength and his athleticism. I really liked that they turned to Williams as their defensive stopper when McLavish was going off. To me, that said a lot about this young man.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Flint Beecher
Beecher won the game by a final score of 75-69. This was a highly entertaining back and forth game that featured plenty of big plays and momentum swings.
Durral Brooks Durral Brooks 6'2" | PG Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2024 State MI (2024, PG, Grand Rapids Catholic Central)
Brooks gave us a lot of glimpses as to why he’s a highly regarded 2024 prospect. He did an excellent job of getting in the lane off the dribble, drawing defenders, and dishing to open teammates and shooters. Brooks has one of the top all around mid range games in the state. He did a nice job picking and choosing high percentage scoring opportunities.
Kaden Brown Kaden Brown 5'10" | PG Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2023 State MI (2023, CG, Grand Rapids Catholic Central)
Brown was lights out as a shooter, finishing with an eyepopping 33 points in the game. He simply caught fire and was a threat to bury a jumper from anywhere on the floor. It wasn’t just his shooting that was so great, but it was the fact that he did it in big moments in the game. Brown looked like a confident big shot taker and big shot maker.
Carmelo Harris Carmelo Harris 6'0" | CG Flint Beecher | 2022 State MI (2022, PG, Flint Beecher)
Harris was excellent as a primary ball handler and the player that most often initiated the offense. He saw the floor well and was able to hit cutters with accurate feeds. Harris showed that he has 3 point range on his jumper. After he passed the ball, he moved with a purpose and was rewarded multiple times, including when he was hit with a pass for a catch and shoot 3.
Robert Lee Robert Lee 6'2" | SG Flint Beecher | 2023 State MI (2023, SG, Flint Beecher)
Lee made a huge impact in Beecher’s victory. He seemed to have a nose for the ball and always be around the rim making plays. He scored in transition and was a solid finisher at the rim. I was impressed with his combination of athletic finishes and power moves through contact. Lee even showed the ability to feed the post with the pass.