Rumble in the Rapids: 15 U All Tournament Teams

The Prep Hoops Circuit made its first and only scheduled stop in Michigan. While not the biggest field in terms of quantity of teams. The quality of talent was at a high level. Following are the first and second all tournament teams for the 15 and under age group. First Team [player_tooltip player_id="1437545" first="Chris" last="McLavish Jr"] 5-8 Flint Carman Ainsworth (MI) Coming off a blistering shooting performance last weekend in Indianapolis. Kept it up this weekend in leading CMB Running Rebels to a undefeated record on the weekend. Played well in a victory over a good Wisconsin Crusaders club to open the tournament. This had the potential to be a problematic matchup as their perimeter length (see below) could have exploited McLavish’s lack of size. But McLavish is not just some unconscious gunner. Is clever with the dribble and is in constant motion off the ball. You’re really going to have to work if you want to keep him from shooting, Size alone won’t do it. Went out in a big way on Sunday. Posted 32 points in a decisive victory over Illinois based Mike Glennon Elite. [player_tooltip player_id="1437544" first="Phoenix" last="Glassnor"] 5-10 Warren De La Salle (MI) Beyond the eye opening production. It was the persona that caught my attention this weekend. Glassnor played like a player who already has a state championship up on the wall. Played with confidence and scored at will despite not being the biggest prospect. But if we’re being honest. He played like this long before he had a state championship. This is just who he is. Was in the county of his coming out party at a December showcase in Grand Rapids. Should step into a bigger role with the Pilots in the upcoming season. Like his teammate McLavish. Went out in style on Sunday. Finished the tourney with a 30 point performance. Camden Thompson 6-4 Whitehall (MI) Thompson had himself quite a weekend. Played in a different tournament out of state on Saturday. Then rolled back home to “help” Hardwood Midwest finish 4-0 on the weekend. I put help in quotations because that’s a bit of an understatement. Normally one day of work doesn’t earn you a spot on the all tournament team. But when you drop a 40 spot in 68-65 victory. I’d say an exception can be made. This was a bit of a one off for Thompson. Has been making some serious noise with the Grand Rapids Storm this spring. Is on the roster for next weekends Prep Hoops event in Columbus Ohio. If he makes it down there. You will want to catch one of the better long term prospects in West Michigan. [player_tooltip player_id="1440209" first="Sean" last="Sullivan"] 5-9 Grand Rapids Catholic Central (MI) Played up with the West Michigan Lakers 2024 squad. Pint sized point guard led them within one buzzer beating shot from an undefeated record. Showed a lot leadership on the weekend. Even more striking as he was playing with older players. Wanted the ball in his hands late of the previously mentioned nail biting loss. Scored some clutch baskets and set up a teammate for the final unsuccessful shot. Low center of gravity makes him difficult to turnover. Just not much room to swipe at the ball. The Catholic Central rotation is a tough one to break into. Sullivan might have the ability to do that in the upcoming year. Keegan Vankauwenberg 6-3 Kaukauna (WI) Lanky wing had an excellent weekend for the Wisconsin Crusaders. I have already mentioned that a few prospects saved their best for last. Vankauwenberg came out firing from the jump. Dropped 35 points in a opening close loss to CMB Running Rebels. Including 22 points in the first half. Length also made him a big time factor on the defensive end. I think he has a chance to be a special long term prospect. As he is still growing into his frame. Second Team Morgan Sleik 6-4 Kingsford (MI) Sticking with the Wisconsin Crusaders program for our first entry on the second team. But we’ll sneak just back across the border into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Sleik stepped up in a big way when fellow UP standout [player_tooltip player_id="1441371" first="Oskar" last="Kangas"] went down with an injury. Despite not having ideal vertical size. Used his strength to be quite effective in post. But also showed his athleticism by getting out and making plays in transition. Like Kangas a long term prospect to put on your radar from the UP. Cyrus Mpeda 6-3 Warren Fitzgerald (MI) Physically advanced player had an excellent weekend for Team Fitz. Reminded of what is was like watching a young [player_tooltip player_id="787651" first="JaVaughn" last="Hannah"]. Just overpowers most of his opponents. Played well in a opening loss to a good West Michigan Lakers squad (see below) that featured a big frontline. If Mpeda can expand his game in a similar fashion to Hannah. We could be looking at an emerging Motor City prospect. [player_tooltip player_id="1453409" first="BJ" last="Walker"] 6-2 Zeeland East (MI) Speaking of that tough West Michigan Lakers squad. Walker was one of the main catalyst for their success. Helped them to a perfect 4-0 record on the weekend. Should have a bright future at Zeeland East. Will form a nice Chix (great mascot) duo with 6-9 emerging post [player_tooltip player_id="1223517" first="Layne" last="Risdon"] who played with the Lakers 2024 squad this weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="1372969" first="Lincoln" last="Lockhart"] 5-11 Traverse City West (MI) One more West Michigan Laker. But this is one from the Gold squad. Lockhart is a Northern Michigan guard who has performed well for two straight weekends. Is a true point guard with excellent size already for the position. Easily sees over defenders and is able to get his shot off efficiently. Should be one of the top players in Northern Michigan by the time he is a senior. Zane Stahl 6-5 Spring Lake (MI) Had a a good weekend in the post for the aforementioned undefeated Hardwood Midwest unit. Did most of his damage on the defensive end. Uses length to create multiple turnovers and fast break buckets. Will have a chance to continue this momentum next weekend in Columbus at the Grit Region Memorial Classic.