Rumble in the Rapids: Saturday Superlatives
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The Prep Hoops Circuit made its first and only scheduled stop in Michigan. While not the biggest field in terms of quantity of teams. The quality of talent was at a high level. Following are some of the performers that…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops Circuit made its first and only scheduled stop in Michigan. While not the biggest field in terms of quantity of teams. The quality of talent was at a high level. Following are some of the performers that stood out to me broken up by skill sets. Due to the high level play. I even threw in a honorable mention where appropriate.
Best Player- Levi Birkholz Levi Birkholz 5'2" | SG Lakeside Luthersn | 2023 State #290 Nation WI 6-3 Lakeside Lutheran (WI) (pictured) Full transparency here. This is a bit of a cumulative award. Birkholz deserves special mention for how consistent he has been on the Prep Hoops Circuit all spring. He continued that level of play on Saturday. Began the day with a dominant performance in a victory over Toledo based CCB. Only finished with 12 points but controlled the contest with his ball handling and distribution. Excellent athlete who flashed the ability to finish easily above the rim. The elevation is also featured on a text book jump shot. Ball handling allows him to shift easily between both backcourt positions. Not many weaknesses in his game. Could be a little bigger. But once again has more than enough athleticism to make up for that. Whatever college is fortunate to enough to get him is going to be getting a good one.
Honorable Mention- Hutch Ward Hutch Ward 6'8" | PF Kalamazoo Central | 2023 State MI 6-8 2023 Kalamazoo Central (MI) One of the breakout performers on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Looked comfortable playing in a tournament close to home. The offense is almost always present. But showed off his defense with big time backboard pinning block in transition. Will be taking on Birkholz in one of the matchups of the circuit at 8 AM Sunday morning. Can continue his recruiting ascent with good game in that contest.
Best Matchup: Amari Allen Amari Allen 6'2" | PG Hamtramck | 2023 State MI 6-3 2023 Hamtramck (MI) (pictured) vs Julian Mitchell Julian Mitchell 6'5" | SF Lakota East | 2023 State OH 6-5 2023 Lakota East (OH) This was a big time Buckeye/Wolverine matchup that was exciting to watch. It was also a matchup of contrasting styles. Allen is a stocky powerful scoring guard. Mitchell is long and lanky wing. Allen uses his broad shoulders and advanced body control to both shed defenders and evade contact in penetration. Uses the dribble so well to get to his spots. Makes you wonder if he could possibly slide to the 1 spot at the next level. Had the court humming a bit on a few of his more flashy drives. One particular hesitation stop and go simply was not fair to the defender. Not an above the rim player. But hangs in the air nicely so he is a threat at the rim. Mitchell’s strength is his ability to easily get shots when he wants them. Has the size and elevation to shoot over smaller defenders. Has a nice perimeter shot as well so defenders have to stay up on him. Will need to add more strength. But that’s what college weight rooms are for. Allen scored 14 points and earned the victory. While Mitchell finished with 13.
Best Scorer- Derrick King Jr 2024 Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (MI) I saw something I did not think was possible on Saturday. Unite Persuit’s dead eye shooter Shane Rykse Shane Rykse 6'0" | CG Schoolcraft | 2024 State MI was a little off. Fortunately his backcourt partner picked up the slack. King finished with 17 points in a opening victory. But really came alive with 21 points in a loss to a good CTM squad. I’m listing him as a scorer because he accumulated these points in such a wide variety of ways. Did it from beyond the arc. But was also good at driving to the basket and pulling up in the mid range. Has good body control and found seems that did not seem to be there on some of his drives. Coaches son who has grown up around the game. It shows in quick decision making and general court awareness.
Honorable Mention- Jasmin Suvalija 6-1 2023 Fishers (IN) Nothing flashy. But simply a well schooled three level scorer for INB Platinum. Showed off all three levels in three consecutive possessions against a good Wisconsin Crusaders Elite squad. Catches the ball in the triple threat. Nearly every drive begins with a ball fake as well. Intricacies you don’t see as much anymore. Plays for a deep and talented regular season program In Indiana. So the counting statistics might never be there. But has the potential to be a good small college basketball player.
Best Shooter- Sam Bishop Sam Bishop 6'2" | SG Westfield | 2023 State IN 6-1 2023 Westfield (IN) There is getting hot from deep. Then there is simply getting unconscious. That is the best description for the run Bishop got on against the Macomb County Cougars. Bishop began the game by drilling seven— that’s not a typo— seven threes to start the game. Adjusted well and moved to the mid range when he was ran off the line. Was able to draw contact and get to the line. The Grand Park Premier standout finished with an eye opening 30 points.
Honorable Mention- Chris McLavish Jr Chris McLavish Jr 5'8" | PG Kell | 2025 State GA 5-8 2025 Flint Carman Ainsworth (MI) If you are from Michigan you should know the scouting report by now. Not very big but can seriously shoot the basketball. Creative at getting it off to make up for his lack of size. Has the corresponding high arc and it lands very softly. Led CMB Running Rebels to 2-0 record against stiff competition.
Best in Transition: Ayden Carter Ayden Carter 6'4" | SG Fremont Ross | 2023 State OH 6-4 2023 Fremont Ross (OH) Can’t overthink this one. While there were plenty of high flying finishers in the field. I’m pretty sure only one finished a game with five emphatic flushes. Carter was simply electric for Hopson Elite in their victory over Chicago area God’s Gift 2023. All he needed was a step in transition to show his explosion to the rim. More than just a leaper. Has a well rounded perimeter attack as well. Finished with 24 points in the nip and tuck contest. Beyond the dunks. Just a dominant all around offensive performance.
Honorable Mention- Braylon Isom Braylon Isom 6'1" | SG Saginaw Heritage | 2024 State MI 6-4 2024 Saginaw Heritage (MI) The opposite of Carter. Not a wiry slashing transition threat. A bull of athlete who you do not want to give a head of steam. Powerful two footed leaper with a quick second jump as well. Had a imposing finish off a lob for DV45.