Alive on the Lakeshore in Fort Wayne

The Lakeshore region has been an underrated area for talent in West Michigan. Everyone knows about the recent history of Muskegon (Deshawn Thrower, Deyonta Davis) As this list shows some programs with some excellent history themselves are experiencing a recent resurgence. If you know anything about the Lakeshore, you know you can always expect a lot of height. With the exception on one player on this list that remains true. [player_tooltip player_id="814609" first="Kendall" last="Smith"] 6-6 2021 Muskegon Reeths-Puffer I’m not doing a typical “eye opener” list for the Fort Wayne events. But if I was, in all regions and all grade levels this young man would probably be at the top. Ran with an excellent and deep West Michigan Lakers team. Played well off of known recruit Zeeland East big man [player_tooltip player_id="927600" first="Nathan" last="Claerbaut"]. Held his own against a stacked Indy Heat squad featuring multiple Big 10 commits. Physically the size is legit. Has a well put together frame with broad shoulders. Drove hard to hole and finished through contact by jumping off two feet. With his size and elevation has the potential to be a three level scorer. Physical enough for the post with the athleticism and skill to elevate and score away from the basket. Also helps that he is in a good situation at Reeths-Puffer. The Rockets feature a steady floor general in [player_tooltip player_id="814593" first="Kaleb" last="Mitchelson"] who played with the Storm-Wood team this weekend. I was also pleasantly surprised in my first viewing of 6-6 2022 forward Logan Brooks who ran with MBA National 16U in Fort Wayne as well. [player_tooltip player_id="863944" first="Owen" last="Varnado"] 6-6 2022 Muskegon West Michigan Christian Speaking of that MBA National squad. This athletic forward was one of the standouts for this group on the weekend. Like Smith tall but not skinny. Well put together sturdy frame. Appeared to be most comfortable in the post where he has the athleticism to overpower opponents. Once in position I was impressed with how quickly he was able to get off his feet. In person I did not see much out on the perimeter. That doesn’t mean it’s not there. As a 2022 there is plenty of time to expand that aspect. What I did see is what you can’t coach. How about snagging a rebound turning and going length of the court through the teeth of defense for a powerful two handed slam. This next level ability should make him a matchup nightmare at the Class C level. Will be the focal point for the Warriors as travel and regular season teammate [player_tooltip player_id="787682" first="Kellen" last="Mitchell"] is transferring to a prep school in California. [player_tooltip player_id="811125" first="Michael" last="Reed"] 6-8 2021 Muskegon Far from a finished product and I would like his game a lot more if he was 2022. That being said there is lot to work with here. Excellent size, will not need to add weight to his well developed frame. Also has long arms and broad shoulders. Tops it off with excellent mobility. Will need to improve his defensive instincts. That should come this year with increased reps on one of the top programs in the state. He did not play in the Big Red contests I attended this past year. The future looks bright for Muskegon as travel teammate [player_tooltip player_id="814693" first="Freddy" last="Hull"] and 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="987274" first="Jordan" last="Briggs"] had an excellent weekend. Briggs played with UTS 15U team. As an added bonus Hull and Reed got there work in together on the Storm-Wood unit. However you look at it, Reed is going to have a good point guard giving him those all important post entry passes. Jalen Owerway 6-9 2022 Holland Christian A lot like Reed but one grade lower. Plenty of size. Simply put this young man is a load. Despite frame, is light on his feet and possesses a soft touch around the basket. Had an excellent weekend in the Brawl for Ball playing with MBA Lakeshore. When you post a 27 point 20 rebound game as Overway did Saturday morning, you’re doing something right. If you remember the late great Jason Bauer (Grand Valley) that should give you an idea of the combination of the size and skill we’re dealing with here. I have to think new Maroon head coach Brad Jansen’s eyes should get pretty big when sees this building block he will get to work with for the next two years. Might have the most upside of any player on this list due to age and size. Bashir Neely 6-2 2022 Grand Haven The player feeding Overway for a lot of those post scores was this young explosive point guard. The improvement in his game from when I first saw him at the Lake Michigan cup in November was striking. Some players have a manic almost violent speed. Neely has big time speed but appears to effortlessly glide around the court. Will be well schooled by head coach Greg Immink (Hope) who was standout floor general in both high school and college. Also helps to have a good young Buccaneer nucleus around him. [player_tooltip player_id="863999" first="Nic" last="Stump"] stood out with MBA Lakeshore’s other 16U squad. While 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1006801" first="Harrison" last="Sorrelle"] played well with the Storm’s top 15U group. Continued development of a steady perimeter shot should make Neely one of the top point guards on the west side in the next few years.