Showcase Scrimmage: AM Standouts

<p>The stars came out for the The Showcase Grand Rapids’ Preseason Scrimmage. While there was more star power in the afternoon contests. There was also an excellent amount of talent in the morning games. Following are five that stood out. <br /> <br /> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="1077676" first="Simon" last="Neuhaus"] 6-5 2023 East Grand Rapids </b>This versatile forward did not have his perimeter shot falling during the morning contests. However this provided a opportunity for Neuhaus to show how he can impact a game without scoring. Excellent ball handler for his size. So good that he ran the point when fellow 2023 standout <b>[player_tooltip player_id="1076034" first="Drew" last="Caswell"] </b>went to the bench. Uses advanced footwork and a strong lower body to create space in the post. Plays unselfishly and found open teammates when double teamed. Highly competitive player who has notched plenty of big game experience with the Grand Rapids Storm the past two summers. With Neuhaus and Caswell the future is bright for the Pioneer program. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/152-Haidyn-Garrison.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301282" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/152-Haidyn-Garrison-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1300878" first="Haidyn" last="Garrison"] 6-8 2022 Richland Gull Lake </b>I have been high on this post’s game since catching him this summer with the MBA NY2LA squad. Huge but very athletic frame is what always initially stands out. However the rest of his game is rapidly catching up. The passing is what jumped off the court on Wednesday. Whipped the ball with accuracy and velocity all morning. Did from it from both the block and high post areas. Showed his athletic explosion by making plays out in transition. Also had a big block and stuck open jumpers. Simply put had an excellent all around day. I think he has the potential to be a difference maker at the small college level. Judging by the attendance of coaches under the baseline. I am not alone in that assessment. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1211147" first="Brayden" last="Wilkerson"] 6-2 2022 Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian </b>Wilkerson first caught my eye this summer at the Ferris St Elite  Camp. Also played well with the West Michigan Lakers. Continued that momentum on Wednesday. Not the tallest two guard prospect but makes up for it with length and quick release from the perimeter. Good penetrator who used a tight handle to create some impressive drives to the basket. The finishes were not necessarily there. Increased strength should help improvement in this area. Will form a nice duo for the Mustangs with 2023 swingman <b>Bryce Bird. <br /> </b></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/BB082DF5-0E12-4736-9A73-BC919BD107D7.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1313460" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/BB082DF5-0E12-4736-9A73-BC919BD107D7-220x300.jpeg" alt="" width="220" height="300" /></a></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="986248" first="D’Angelo" last="Fitzpatrick"] 6-5 2023 Haslett </b>The Vikings did not have the best day and really showed their youth on Wednesday. However Fitzpatrick showed his improving wing attack. What first catches your eye are the physical attributes. A tall, long, and legitimate 6-5 swingman. Uses this length to be an effective slasher. Is predominately left handed but can also go to right as well. Uses powerful spin move as a counter if defenders try to lean too hard to a side. Active on the glass with a quick second jump. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1112317" first="Elyjah" last="Hendricks"] 6-2 2024 Grand Ledge (pictured at top of article) </b>Fitzpatrick wasn’t the only Lansing area player doing work on Wednesday. Hendricks played very well for the Comets. Seems like a lifetime ago when I watched a small middle school guard lead his squad to undefeated weekend against a deep field at a tournament in Fort Wayne. Two years has passed and I would no longer call Hendricks small. A physically imposing lead guard who drives to the basket with purpose and power. Able to score but has a nice post duo to throw it down to in 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1068135" first="Nick" last="Ellis"] and 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="986889" first="Teddy" last="Williams"]. Hendricks and the Grand Ledge program should make some noise in Mid Michigan in the next few years. </p>