Four Matchups to watch at The Invite

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grand Rapids Storm organization has long been the leader in providing high quality grassroots events in Michigan. They now will try their hand in the regular season. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Behind director Jason Martin the four game invite will feature some innovative features (for Michigan at least) to provide a unique experience. From a 35 second shot clock to designated and hopefully spirited student sections. It should be an outstanding event. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team matchups are very good. But the stars don't necessarily align in terms of individual matchups. Meaning the big time college recruits won't be guarding each other often. Nevertheless I'll look at the matchups that will decide each of the four contests. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 1- Grandville vs Grandville Calvin Christian </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The battle of Ivanrest Avenue and Rivertown Parkway will be decided at the rim. That is good news for Grandville as they feature one of the best rim protectors in the state in 2024 6-8 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1356986' first='Cameron' last='Regnerus'] (pictured at top) The Squires will try and counter with a balanced attack. Leading this charge will will 6-5 2024 slasher [player_tooltip player_id='1356975' first='Matt' last='Elderkin']. Regnerus has the troika that you need for rim protection. Extreme length and lateral quickness. Along with intelligence and just a plain nose for the ball. So it not going to be an easy task for Elderkin. But he has the bounce and athleticism to do it. Showed that off in the fall with an excellent season as a receiver. The gridiron sensibilities of fighting for position and high pointing a ball are going to be necessary against a defender like Regnerus. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 2- Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills vs Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These early season matchups are going to show us a lot. Could introduce some new names and maybe a few surprises. But I feel pretty safe with this assumption. Kenowa's [player_tooltip player_id='1213127' first='Javion' last='Otten'] will be the best leaper in the field (Northview's [player_tooltip player_id='987644' first='Tyran' last='Thomas'] might disagree) No other way to say it. The 6-4 Grand Valley St signee can simply go and get it. Don't go and get popcorn between these games. Warmups should be a show. More than just a dunker. Skilled and plays well within an offense. Slowing him down will a daunting task. As difficult as that might be. The Rangers are designed it do it. Last year I saw them employ a strength in numbers defense to slow down Otten's AAU backcourt teammate. A similarly athletic guard in [player_tooltip player_id='985667' first='Wyatt' last='Nausadis'] (Traverse City St Francis) I would expect a similar defensive look. I'm going to guess to two headed monster of 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1223504' first='Jonas' last='Vanderwoude'] and 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1352906' first='Levi' last='McKenzie'] will draw the shorts straws. Vanderwoude has the size and intangibles to force Otten into some difficult situations. But if it turns into a battle of athleticism. McKenzie is the one Ranger who can get up with anyone. He doesn't have the requisite size to guard the three spot. But that doesn't mean he isn't going to try. Is very competitive and won't back down from the challenge. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 3- Grand Rapids Northview vs Grand Rapids South Christian </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1301238,"width":212,"height":318,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/100-Carson-Vis.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/100-Carson-Vis-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1301238" width="212" height="318"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northview's [player_tooltip player_id='1111924' first='EJ' last='Ryans'] is a matchup nightmare. So much length and skill from the point guard position. Just as adept in setting up teammates as he is in getting his own shot. Will be doing more of the latter as the Wildcats have graduated some firepower. So how do you slow him down? You need an elite athlete with length. Who is not going to be intimidated by anyone. Oh I don't know maybe a highly competitive athlete coming off a football state championship. Who has maybe also played up two age groups on a national shoe circuit…. In case you haven't figured it out yet. I have just given you the resume of the Sailors 2025 star [player_tooltip player_id='1300920' first='Carson' last='Vis'] (pictured above) Vis is not a point guard and is probably not in Ryans neighborhood as a prospect yet— yet being the operative word. But he can go a long way towards joining that conversation on Saturday. I would remiss if I didn't mention the Sailors 2024 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1223499' first='Jake' last='Vermaas']. If he is fully recovered from a broken collarbone. He will most likely go at Ryans the most often. Should be a fun one. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 4- Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs Rockford </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1061845,"width":273,"height":273,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/55_Charlie-DeutschPrepHoops-2.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/55_Charlie-DeutschPrepHoops-2-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1061845" width="273" height="273"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1362987,"width":269,"height":244,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/AE68108D-3BDF-451C-99A8-36F2129CA963.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/AE68108D-3BDF-451C-99A8-36F2129CA963.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1362987" width="269" height="244"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The closing game of the event is an interesting one. Two teams with contrasting styles and lineup make ups. Rockford is balanced, deep and has good size. While Catholic is deep. The rotation is top heavy with elite national recruits and not much size. I doubt these guys will matchup much. But I'm going to go with [player_tooltip player_id='1112374' first='Durral' last='Brooks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='986581' first='Charlie' last='Deutsch']. At the high school level they are both essentially positionless basketball players. For Catholic can Brooks play in the post? If your nickname from middle school is Phat Phat. I would say the answer is yes. Also has the mindset of a player who is going to do whatever it takes for his team to win a game. But Rockford has the size to make him work for it down there. Deutsch showed this summer that he play with just about anyone. Did it at a wide variety of college elite camps. Just doesn't have the physical profile that coaches like. Can shoot it from anywhere. Has also improved him frame and athleticism in the past two years significantly. The stats will never jump off the page due to Rockford's balanced attack. But the Rams have scheduled very aggressively this season. The opportunity for “wow” games that could open the eyes of some of the many college coaches he saw this summer definitely exist. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->