MBA Fall League Standout Players
It’s now late October and the eminent high school season is starting to feel even more real! In preparation for this winter, several Grand Rapids-area high school teams have been participating in fall competition. One such medium for this competition was the Michigan Basketball Academy fall league hosted by MSA Woodland. Now that the league’s five weeks are over, I want to take a look at the top four teams and the members of their rosters that impressed most and should remain on our radar as we approach December!
MBA Fall League Participating Teams:
Caledonia | Coopersville | East Grand Rapids | East Kentwood | Forest Hills Eastern | Grand Rapids Catholic Central (Blue and White) | Grandville | Potters House | Wayland
Top Four Teams
Grand Rapids Catholic Central (Blue) 10-0
Wayland 7-3
Potter’s House 7-3
Forest Hills Eastern 7-3
Standout Players
Marcus Bingham – 6’10 – Grand Rapids Catholic Central (Blue) – Class of 2018
Bingham is a monster among men in this league. Standing at 6’10 is itself enough to separate him from the crowd. However, he adds to his height the ability to shoot from both the midrange and the three. With his length, dunks and blocks are to be expected, and they come easily and in droves for him. Beyond just the use of his length, he has shown himself to just be a good defender in general. He should be a huge force for the Cougars this year on both ends of the court and hopefully also for MSU where he is committed to play next year.
Jacob Polakovich – 6’8 – Grand Rapids Catholic Central (Blue) – Class of 2018
Also impressive on sight as well as in action is Bingham’s teammate Jacob Polakovich. The 6’8 senior is more of an inside player than Bingham and has the size, strength, and footwork to get the looks he wants in the post. However, he also has the ability to take and make shots from the midrange and three-point-land which serves to make him versatile and dangerous. He currently holds offers from multiple D2 schools as well as preferred walk-on status from U of M and Central Michigan. He will definitely be another leading force for CC.
Benjamin Clark – 6’2 – Potters House – Class of 2019
Clark offers a complete package as a point guard. He has an outside shot that must be respected as well as great speed and athleticism, shifty handles, and a good ability to finish creatively at the rim. He tends to play as a pass first floor general but is also able to pull up unexpectedly from NBA range and to drive and attack in the lane. Finally, Clark brings an energy and a passion for the game that is difficult to find a match for. He will definitely be a major asset for his Pumas this winter and should be on the radar of some NAIAs.
Carter Nyp – 6’9 – Wayland – Class of 2018
Currently holding some D3 and NAIA offers, Nyp has already gained some collegiate attention. The past few years he has been more of a role player for Wayland as last year’s team featured quite a bit of senior talent. However, this year will be his to break out as he takes on the senior leadership role. He is not a point guard, but he shows an ability to bring the ball up comfortably if he is without pressure. He also tends to stay out on the wing and has the ability to hit some nice outside shots. Though he will likely be the Wildcats’ go-to this season, he is a willing passer and is able to find his teammates in positions to score.
Solomon White – 6’1 – Forest Hills Eastern – Class of 2021
(photo from ny2lasports.com)
Freshman point guard for the Hawks, White is definitely someone to keep an eye on! He likes to attack the basket on the break and in the half-court. Charging downhill, he either finishes or gets fouled nearly every time, and, when he is on the line, he shows decent consistency getting the free points. He also has a decent outside shot and an even better midrange pull-up. I’m very interested in keeping tabs on him going into this year and the future!
Austin Braun – 5’11 – Grand Rapids Catholic Central (Blue) – Class of 2019
Another impressive player for GRCC, Braun serves as the team’s ball distributor. Though, with the teammates he has, he could just have the simple job of getting the ball to where it needs to go, Braun can do much more than crossing half-court and giving up the ball. He has good passing skills, a good outside shot, and the speed one wants to see from a point guard. He is able to get done what needs to be done in both a half-court set and on the break, making him a pivotal figure for the Cougars. He currently has one NAIA offer and, I think, has the potential for more interest.
Joshua Cassell – 5’10 – Potters House – Class of 2018
A major key for the Pumas can be found in SG Josh Cassell. Cassell is a hard worker and shows decent speed and athleticism. His biggest strength, though, is definitely his shooting, and he made himself a leader for Potters House last year with this skill. Though he is not the ball handler or distributor that Clark is, he must be respected around the arc because a few good passes from his teammates could have him hitting back to back threes on you in a hurry. He also has a nice pull-up jumper and, though he is able to finish inside, often prefers it over a layup. As far as I saw this worked because it was very consistent.
Taylor Mitchell – 6’3 – Forest Hills Eastern – Class of 2019
Mitchell first stood out to me when I saw him hit two back-to-back threes from deep. After watching him, he continued to show a decent outside shot and also displayed some of his athleticism and use of his height as he finished inside and contested on defense. He will definitely be valuable on the wing for FHE.
Darrell Belcher – 6’2 – Grand Rapids Catholic Central – Class of 2019
Belcher makes for an imposing figure and is another contributor for a deep Catholic Central squad. The SG is not super tall, but he is very strong and very athletic. He has a good shot from both the three and midrange, but he impresses most when he gets himself in the air for the occasional powerful dunk or insanely bouncy layup. He’s just one of many weapons that the Cougars will be able to throw at opponents this season and, like the others, is one that must be taken seriously.