Saturday Scrimmages Part 1: Northview Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last Saturday of November is more commonly thought of as the end of the MHSAA high school football season. But it also has served as the de facto start of the basketball season as well. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Former Grand Rapids Union head Brandoen Guyton coach has traditionally hosted a huge mega scrimmage. It has continued to grow in size and scope and has now moved to the MSA facilities. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But before that commenced. The developing power that is the Grand Rapids Northview program hosted a highly competitive four team scrimmage featuring Hudsonville, crosstown rival Unity Christian, Zeeland East, and the host school. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I haven't spent all day in a gym since the summer. So I guess I channeled my inner Ernie Banks and said “let's play two” (look it up kids) Following are some standouts from morning at Northview broken down by class </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Class of 2023 </span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1212752' first='Terrell' last='Jefferson'] 6-0 Grand Rapids Northview </strong>The recent transfer from Middleville-TK appeared very comfortable with his new teammates and system. Is a mature and composed backcourt scorer. Had numerous strong drives and finishes. But also had a good counter with a top notch floater that avoided offensive fouls. Could really thrive at Northview as he will not have primary playmaking responsibilities. Excelled in that role with B3 Athletics. Should play somewhere next year. His senior year will be key in determining the level. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>** Correction: [player_tooltip player_id='1212752' first='Terrell' last='Jefferson'] committed to Aquinas before publication of this piece**</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Class of 2024 </span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1111924' first='EJ' last='Ryans'] 6-4 Grand Rapids Northview </strong>The player with the biggest reputation in the gym backed up those accolades, A very good Hudsonville backcourt (see below) gave the host squad a big challenge in the final game. What makes Ryans special is his size for the point guard position. Usually that size is used to see over the top defenses and distribute. On Saturday that size was used to score and simply overpower a smaller Hudsonville backcourt. I believe the race for the top spot in the class is still pretty wide open. If Ryans continues to be more assertive offensively in terms of scoring. He could snag that top spot. The physical skills are just that tantalizing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359511' first='Brayden' last='Szamrej'] 6-1 Hudsonville </strong>(<strong>pictured) </strong>I really strive to be an unbiased and accurate as scout. If you have been following my reports. You know I have seen this young man play a LOT. So I have held off on being too effusive as I do not want to be a prisoner of the moment. But Saturday was the tipping point for me. I am ready to pull the trigger— this is the most underrated player in the state. He can play with anyone. For a half got the upper hand on Northview and Ryans. Also played outstanding against the other three squads. Really has everything you want in a point guard. Good size allows him finish strong at the rim. Does this creatively with both hands. Penetration aided by a tight handle that also allows him to get his spots easily on the perimeter. Once there is an excellent outside shooter. Was raining threes on Saturday. But his “carry” skill. Meaning the skill that will carry him to the next level is elite court vision. Is a wizard in pick and roll situations. Passes with speed and accuracy off the dribble with one hand. The class of 2024 is so DEEP in talent on the west side. But this young man belongs in the conversation with that group. Took his shot with [player_tooltip player_id='1111924' first='EJ' last='Ryans'] this past Saturday. He will have a chance to matchup with the top player in Northern Michigan this upcoming Saturday in Traverse City against [player_tooltip player_id='985667' first='Wyatt' last='Nausadis']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1402856' first='TJ' last='Fisher'] 6-3 Hudsonville Unity Christian </strong>Szamrej's cross town rival is anther west side prospect that might be getting a little lost in the 2024 shuffle. The Crusaders are never going to be a program that prominently features one specific prospect. But their egalitarian system is going to be fundamentally sound and win a lot of games. Fisher also has the athleticism and bounce to stand out in this system. Showed this off with the West Michigan Lakers on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Had a nice perimeter floater in the “Salad Bowl” contest to start the day. Got into the lane at will against a good Hudsonville backcourt. More of a scoring guard at this point. But I think he is capable of playing the point long term. A lot of untapped upside in this prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1223517' first='Layne' last='Risdon'] 6-9 Zeeland East </strong>Biggest player in the camp by a pretty good margin. At times seemed to struggle with the speed around him. Especially against Northview. But that is to be expected. They have college level quickness. But when he gets it on the block it's a bucket. Especially against smaller competition. Played much better in the second contest of the day against Hudsonville. Has a soft touch not just around the basket. But also from all over the court with a high release point. Can stretch it out to three with ease. Never going to blow you away with athleticism. But he is not a statue. Good lateral quickness and length make him a plus defender. Like Fisher had a good summer with the West Michigan Lakers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Class of 2025 </span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1453409' first='BJ' last='Walker'] 6-2 Zeeland East </strong>The Chix are going through a bit of a rebuild. Along with Risdon this versatile player will be key in this process. Can play positions 1-4 at high school level already as sophomore. Has a sturdy frame that allows him to play with strength and finish through contact. Highly competitive and assertive. I saw him make a lot of clutch plays this summer. So he is not going to be intimidated. Like Fisher and Risdon ran with the West Michigan Lakers this summer. So you know he is well tested and well coached. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1373853' first='Jake' last='Chapman'] 6-6 Hudsonville Unity Christian </strong>It was good to see Chapman in action. Really liked him as a rising freshman for a very good Grand Rapids Storm UA Futures last summer. Haven't seen much of him since. Played JV for the deep Crusaders program. Also appears to have turned his focus slightly to football. Looked like he was still playing off some of the gridiron rust. But the intriguing frame was still present. Long and lanky— but still strong. Has good mobility and hands. If he becomes tight end or a post. Definitely has a future at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Class of 2026 </span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588161' first='Cameron' last='Ryans'] 6-4 Grand Rapids Northview </strong>EJ's “little” brother is staking an early claim to the top spot in class of 2026. The little is in parentheses because there is nothing little about his game. Not a point guard. Will probably grow into a imposing <strong>Kelvin</strong> <strong>Torbert</strong> (Michigan St) type power wing. Just a scrimmage. Nevertheless it is impressive to watch a player with no varsity experience decide to simply physically take over a game. The overall skill level will improve. But has so much already that you simply can't coach. Competitive with a bit of a nasty streak already (in a good way) Huge long term potential for this forward if he continues to develop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jovaan Daniels 5-5 Hudsonville </strong>The [player_tooltip player_id='1437545' first='Chris' last='McLavish Jr'] (Flint Carman-Ainsworth) of the upcoming season. A pint sized point guard with a big middle school reputation who is just going to get buckets. Has the appropriate level of fearlessness that he needs to play at the varsity level with his size. There are shots the have high arcs—— and then there are Daniels' shots. I need to shave by the time they fall through the net. But once again it's what's needed to get buckets. He will be doubted but he will find a way to get the job done. In a good developmental environment as well. Will be tutored by head coach and former Hope legend <strong>Eric Elliot.</strong> Also won't be saddled with playmaking responsibilities due to presence of Szamrej. Will get plenty of open looks and he knows what to do with those. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->