The Showcase Preview: Top Matchups

<p>The premier multi-team event, "The Showcase" is taking place this Saturday at Cornerstone University. The event features 12 teams, seven of which are currently ranked in the Top 10 of the latest AP ranking in Division 1 and 2. The amount of talent at The Showcase is unrivaled, as <a href="https://twitter.com/tatebaker_1/status/1489311580651237377">over 20 athletes will be taking the court with a college offer or commitment under their belts</a>. To help navigate the action this Saturday, I put together a breakdown of the top matchups to watch. The players listed in each game below might not be guarding each other for the entirety of their game, but expect each matchup to take center stage in a pivotal point of each game.</p> <h5>1:45 PM: Union vs AP #1 (D2) Williamston</h5> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863935" first="Max" last="Burton"], 6’10 F, Williamston 2022"</strong><br /> The Western Michigan commit is the best shooting big on this list and can do so off the bounce and in spot-up situations. Max has a clean and consistent shooting form and doesn’t have a problem getting his shot off due to his size and length. Max has a solid post-up package due to his quick feet, good footwork, and ability to finish with both hands near the basket. Defensively, Max erases a lot of shots with his length and does a job coming over from the weak side to take away high percentage shots. Williamston is one of the most talented teams in the state this season and should be a true contender for the Division 2 state championship thanks to athletes such as Max.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863933" first="Genesis" last="Kemp"], 6’7 F, Grand Rapids Union 2022"</strong><br /> [player_tooltip player_id="863933" first="Genesis" last="Kemp"] is back in Grand Rapids after spending last season with the now-defunct Ypsilanti Prep Academy. The 6’7 wing has been a huge boost for a Grand Rapids Union team that is starting to put the pieces together. In a win over Wyoming last week, Genesis put up 21 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks. Genesis’s raw athleticism is highly coveted at the next level and is one of his main attributes that pops in-game. Given his raw tools and athleticism, I’d expect Genesis with being tasked with guarding [player_tooltip player_id="863935" first="Max" last="Burton"] in man-to-man defensive sets</p> <h5>3:30 PM: GR Christian vs AP #2 (D1) Orchard Lake St. Mary’s</h5> <p><strong>Jaylan Ouwinga, 6’8 F, GR Christian 2024”</strong><br /> Jaylan has emerged as one of the top forwards in the 2024 class in the state this season. He has a solid inside-out game in which he can get a bucket in the post and knock down jumpers from the mid-range extended. He’s shown flashes of being able to put the ball on the deck and getting past his man with his dribble-drive. At 6’8, his length and athleticism cause matchup problems for just about every team he’s faced this season.</p> <p><strong>Trey McKenney, 6’4 F, OLSM 2025”</strong><br /> Trey is the premier freshman in the state, contributing to one of the top overall rosters in the state. At first glance, he could pass for a freshman in college given his physically gifted stature. He uses his size well, out-muscling defenders for high-percentage looks. Trey has a smooth-looking jumper and can hit consistently from the perimeter. His athleticism is what separates him from other players his size as he’s able to blow by bigger defenders that matchup with him.</p> <h5>7:00 PM: AP #4 (D1) Northview vs AP #7 (D1) Brother Rice</h5> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787685" first="Kyler" last="Vanderjagt"], 6’4 SF, Northview 2022”</strong><br /> As a junior, Kyler averaged 23 points, 7 rebounds, and four assists per game. Kyler’s combination of physical tools, athleticism, and in-game IQ is a large part of what made him a priority for several Division 1 college programs. In my opinion, Kyler’s in-game demeanor, and his ability to never get too high or too low during the flow of the game is what makes him one of the top prospects in the state’s 2022 class. He recently put up 31 points in just over three-quarters of play, further showing he’s a threat to go off on any given night.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="985661" first="Curtis" last="Williams"], 6’5 G, Brother Rice 2023”</strong><br /> Curtis is one of the premier shot-makers the state has to offer. He’s deadly in pull-up situations and doesn’t need much space to get his shot off due to his size and quick release. Curtis is also highly efficient in transition and can get downhill in a hurry off a turnover. Defensively, Curtis uses his length well to be disruptive in passing lanes and to contest shots. His total package has made Curtis one of the more polished prospects in the 2023 class and a big reason why he’s already received several high-major division one offers.</p> <h5>8:45 AP#3 (D1) Muskegon vs AP #4 (D2) Ferndale</h5> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863920" first="Jason" last="Drake"], 6’2 G, Ferndale 2022”</strong><br /> Jason has one of the most diverse offensive games as anyone on this list. He’s a guy that can stroke it from three, finish through contact in the paint, and knockdown pull-up shots in the midrange. His crafty ability to finish unorthodox shots is a trait you don’t often see as polished as his at this level. Jason has a deadly step-back jumper that he hits with consistency and a hesitation move that he uses to freeze, split, and penetrate past on-ball defenders. Jason is a proven gamer who shines on the biggest stage, which was made evident in his 27-point showing in the Division 2 State Finals a season ago.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="987274" first="Jordan" last="Briggs"], 6’0 G, Muskegon 2023”</strong><br /> Jordan has certified himself as one of the premier lead guards in the 2023 class and has Muskegon off to a perfect 10-0 start heading into The Showcase. In the Big Red’s biggest game of the season up to this point, [player_tooltip player_id="987274" first="Jordan" last="Briggs"] scored 14 as Muskegon routed Benton Harbor 84-58. Jordan’s presence on the floor is calm, cool, and collected, and is a big reason why Muskegon has yet to be tested this season. Jordan is the type of guard that can get you 20 points, but also score 10 and have just as big of an impact due to the way he carries himself.<br /> <br /> </p>