Havoc in the Heartland: Friday Night Lights

Jonathon Gilbert May 14, 2022 @ 12:21 AM

With only two gyms running on the opening night of the Havoc in the Heartland event. Plenty of impressive performances could still be found. Consider it the calm before the storm. As things will fire up in full force on Saturday. Following is a six pick of standout performers spanning all three age groups from Friday night action. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="868229" first="Myles" last="J. Colvin"] 6-5 Heritage Christian (IN) (pictured) To the best of my knowledge there was only one Big 10 commitment playing on Friday night. And you did not need a program to identify him. He was the guy assaulting the rim with multiple powerful highlight reel dunks. I first caught Colvin last year at this same event. The skill level was evident then. But the physical growth in one year is striking. And I’m not talking about height. A physically overpowering driver. Simply sheds defenders when he drives. Not all power though. The skilled and mature pull up game is still there. Finished with 28 points. Purdue is getting a good one. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Matthew-Moore-1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1430309" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Matthew-Moore-1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1215285" first="Matthew" last="Moore"] 6-9 Hillcrest (IL) The highlights belonged to INB (see above) But Chicago Lockdown walked away with the victory. One of the main reasons for that won’t necessarily show up in the box score. You’re not going to stop Colvin around the rim. Top 100 national recruits have a way of doing that. But just about everything else at the cup was bottled up by Moore. Super long and bouncy. Accordingly a good shot blocker. An intimidating presence despite having a very slender frame. Runs the court very well has good defensive instincts. Offensively I have not seen much. Kind herky-jerky and mechanical in the post. But has the potential and physical capability to develop on that end. [player_tooltip player_id="986247" first="Amari" last="Allen"] 6-4 Hamtramck (MI) Thd Michigan high school basketball version of Desmond Bane. Now don’t get me wrong I’m not pegging Allen for the NBA. But that’s best comp I can think of. A total bull of a wing in regards to his physical profile. Combined with a knock down outside shot. Also an explosive vertical athlete who makes plays easily around the rim. Unselfish player who also shows the ability to handle the point. Hamtramck was one of the more efficient offensive squads I saw last year. But they lose quite a bit. Allen could step into a more prominent scoring role in his senior season. If that happens you could be looking at a D2 and possibly even a Division 1 player. 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1275802" first="Reis" last="Butcher"] 6-4 Brebeuf (IN) I was pleasantly surprised with this player from INB’s 2024 squad. Kicked off the second half with a steal and am emphatic dunk against REACH Legends (MI). I assumed from that point that I would be watching an explosive athlete on the wing. Not so. He was definitely explosive. But Butcher primarily played the point and played it well. Used his size to see over defenders and find open teammates. Also showed a nice touch on an explosive step back three. Finished with 24 points. This product of Allen Henderson high could shoot up recruiting boards in the next two years. 2025 [player_tooltip player_id="1428862" first="TJ" last="Davidson"] 6-1 Noblesville (IN) Helped D1 Indiana pull out a dramatic come from behind overtime victory over CMB Running Rebels (MI). Set the tone on the defensive end. Played smothering defense on CMB standout [player_tooltip player_id="1437545" first="Chris" last="McLavish Jr"]. Was able to do this due to length that he already possesses at the point guard position. But saved the best for last. With his team trailing by three. Corralled a steal from a teammate. Drove hard to the basket. Hung in the air to get the basket then the foul. Then calmly hit the equalizing free throw to send the game to the extra period. Continued the dogged defense in the extra period to seal the victory. [player_tooltip player_id="1439356" first="Brent" last="Wofford"] III 5-9 Mount Morris (MI) With Davidson playing almost total denial defense on McLavish. Wofford stepped into the void in a major way for CMB Running Rebels. A fearless penetrator who was able to score at the rim despite not being the biggest prospect. A strong left handed driver. However he did not slow done at all when D1 Indiana began to overplay him to that side. He either just went to the right or simply found an extra gear and went to left anyway. Was not afraid of the moment in crunch time. Didn’t get the win but definitely earned a spot on my long term radar in Michigan.