Cornerstone Holiday: Final Night Standouts

Jonathon Gilbert January 2, 2022 @ 10:18 PM

The Cornerstone Holiday Tournament is always a highlight of the holiday hoops schedule. It delivered one it’s most ambitious and comprehensive slates this year. I was able to catch the last night of action. Here are five players that stood out. Brayden Szamrej 5-11 2024 Hudsonville I watched a LOT of games over the holidays. This was easily the breakout performer in my notebook. Did it all at the point guard position for the Eagles. Doesn’t pass the initial eye test. But when the ball tips Szamrej shows that he can play with anyone. Not a blur but enough quickness for a 2024 prospect. Has a devastating hesitation move off the dribble that keeps defenders off balance. Also was able to pass off the dribble deftly. Whipped the ball all over the court with simply the flick of the wrist. This is aided by advanced court vision. Appeared to be a good shooter with deep range. I’m still trying to figure out how he found one shooter on a kick out in the second half. Increasing athleticism and the corresponding ability to score at the rim are the next steps in his development. But there is a lot to work with already. Aden Zank 6-5 2022 Hudsonville Tall and lanky scoring wing earned a spot on the all tournament team. Good ball handler for his size which allowed him to get to his spots in the mid range easily. This area of the court is where he did most his damage. Appeared to be right handed. But I was impressed with his ability to drive to the left. Has good size and athleticism. Used it to rise above opponents near the basket. Also showed a nice spin move that he was able to use as a counter. Competed hard and wanted the ball at the end of a tight contest. Had a game high 18 points in a win against a good Schoolcraft squad (see below) Tuesday night. Big week could portend a productive senior season. [player_tooltip player_id="1211148" first="Jacob" last="Bonnett"] 6-0 2022 Forest Hills Central Joining Zank on the all tournament team was this spark plug of a point guard. Bonnett had an an excellent two nights at Cornerstone and earned the MVP of the entire bracket. Coming off a 17 point night on Tuesday. Followed it up with 22 points. Everyone of them counted in the back and forth contest with Hudsonville. The game high point total was even more impressive considering how much he played. Bonnett is a very aggressive player. He dealt with foul trouble all night and missed big chunks of the contest. Appeared to have a bit of a clutch gene. Seemed like all of his baskets were timely. Began the game with a big tip in. Started off the the second half with two threes. Then hit another at the buzzer of the third quarter. When it was needed late took the task of guarding Hudsonville point guard Brayden Szamrej. More than earned the MVP award. Not very big but appears to have a fair amount of explosive power in his legs. No surprise that he is coming off big season on the gridiron as well. Having a big start to his senior year. Could be an under the radar find for a small college coach. Shane Rykse 6-0 2024 Schoolcraft (pictured at top of article) If you have been reading my notes in the last six months. You know I am very high on this young shooter. Did nothing Thursday night to quell that enthusiasm. The touch from three was there as usual. I have yet to not see it. He’s just that consistent as a shooter. But showed some other aspects to his game. Ran a fair amount of effective point for the Eagles in their dominating win over Pewamo-Westphalia. He’s not the quickest player or the flashiest ball handler. However with how he shoots it. It’s ample enough to keep defenses honest. When you can’t give a guy an inch it’s doesn’t take much to get around them. Not just a marksman from deep. Showed off a few nice mid range floaters when defenses closed hard on him. Might need to speed up his release a bit. But he is still a young player and has a bright future. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Tyler-Degroote.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1255250" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Tyler-Degroote-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="863986" first="Tyler" last="DeGroote"] 6-7 2022 Schoolcraft While Rykse was doing his work out on the perimeter. DeGroote was holding it down in the post. An old school post all the way. But he has good ball skills and can get hot from beyond the arc. I saw it in person this summer with his Tipping Point AAU squad. But in the regular season his place is down on the block. Is big and strong but very mobile. Also athletic enough to make plays above the rim. Had three no doubt about it dunks. DeGroote and Ty Rykse (6-7) give the Eagles an imposing frontline that would be difficult to defend at any level. Let alone the Division 3 level in which they play.