“The Invite” 1st Team All Performance
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The Invite in Grand Rapids was loaded with teams and possible college athletes. Calvin University’s Van Noord Arena is one of the top Small College arenas in the country, which means the lights are bright on this stage. As the…
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Continue ReadingThe Invite in Grand Rapids was loaded with teams and possible college athletes. Calvin University’s Van Noord Arena is one of the top Small College arenas in the country, which means the lights are bright on this stage. As the players stepped onto the court, you get a sense of being on the big stage and sometimes the big stage isn’t for everyone, special players know the moment and more importantly know how to perform in those moments. 4 games throughout the day between Grand Rapids heavy weights means there will be great talent on display for the fans to know and see. Some common names and some new names made themselves known for the year to come! Here is the 1st Team All Invite Teams from the weekend at The Invite hosted by Calvin University.
1st Team
Andrew Landis Rockford (6’0 Jr. Oakland Baseball Commit): The D1 baseball Oakland commit showed why he was more than a baseball player Saturday night. A player that stole the bright lights from his fellow high school teammates and competition. Andrew lived for the moment and wanted the lights on him no matter what. The guard showed that he is an efficient shooter that has to be accounted for on this Rams team. He just didn’t show his range but his IQ as he made the right cuts and took players off the dribble. His 32 point performance showed his maturity as he didn’t force any shot (except the contested end of shot clock 3 pointer from 23ft) as he stayed in system no matter what happened. Something else that I loved about his game was that he wasn’t afraid to let anyone know what was going on, wearing his emotion and passion his sleeve all game. If he can continue to be a threat, this Rockford team is deeper and a bigger threat. He was the performance of the day with his 32 points with 6 pointers made.
EJ Ryan Northview (6’4 Jr.): The junior guard knew his spots and got to them knowing he was going to knock down the shot. EJ got to the 15ft range with a variety of moves rising over defenders knocking down shot after shot. All game vs a high powered balanced South Christian team, EJ showed his poise and calmness throughout the night. One possession as the shot clock was ticking down, EJ knew the spot he wanted to, took his defender off the dribble, spun and raised over defenders helping, fading away and hitting the shot. One of the top players at getting to the rim and finishing through/around contact makes him a difficult guard for teams ahead. Ended the day with 15 points which led all scorers.
Javion Otten Javion Otten 6'4" | SG Kenowa Hills | 2023 State MI Kenowa Hills (6’4 Sr. GVSU Commit): The GVSU commit used his size and quickness to get to his spots all day. Knocking down the midrange jump shot with confidence. He didn’t settle all day as he took advantage at hand as he got to the rim and finished through players. He ended the day with 24 points. Some of his points were shots that he needed to hit for his team to come back or to extend their lead. This guard will be the primary focus on Kenowa Hills squad and has the skill to be in every game and be a true threat to a team’s run at the Breslin Center. Javion won’t be just a good high school recruit but will be an absolute steal for the Lakers of Grand Valley in the coming years!
Cameron Regnerus Cameron Regnerus 6'7" | PF Grandville | 2024 State MI Grandville (6’7 Jr.): The big man showed off his strengths throughout the game vs Calvin Christian, early and often, even as the double and sometimes triple teams were coming. He played with a lot of patience and a sense of calmness to make the right play. He either split the double teams, made quick moves to avoid the double teams or surveyed the court over the double teams while making a good pass to his teammates on the other side of the court. When you get buried by him in the paint, he is close to unstoppable when he finishes going either way. He can go at it on both sides being a rim protector for the Grandville defense as he blocked shots into the 2nd row of the student section. He will be a threat all year for his teams and could average a solid double double all while not being selfish finding open teammates. Still has room to improve his strength and muscle but that comes with age. He could be a great steal in the GLIAC and more teams need to jump on the Grandville big. Cam had 18 of his teams 25 in the first half and ended the day wit 27 points.
Durral ‘Phat Phat’ Brooks GR Cathic Central (6’2 Jr.): The highly recruited guard, with Michigan State in the building Saturday night, kept his team in the game. The CC guard showed why, even if he was off, he is a highly ranked player. Phat when he got down hill and saw attacking defenders somehow split and found his way through the lane for a lay up. His ability to make that play is very impressive at such a young age. Saturday night wasn’t his night as he saw defender after defender coming and attacking. He showed off a little range getting to his pull up 15ft shot, and once that becomes second nature he will be very difficult to guard. Sometimes shots aren’t controlled completely if they go in and out, but his defense is still high caliber. His length, strength, and his IQ he is an elite defender which college coaches love to see in a high school recruit. Be ready for a big year from Phat as he makes his way down the lane. He tallied up 25 points in the efforts vs Rockford.
Carson DeHaan Carson DeHaan 6'3" | SG Calvin Christian | 2023 State MI Calvin Christian (6’4 Sr.): DeHaan showed flashes that he can be a 3 tier scorer for the Squires. The wing player had to play center vs 6’7 big from Grandville but didn’t back down one play all game for his team. The toughness and willingness to do anything to help his team win was on display all day. As he was giving all his energy on the defensive side, he didn’t show much lag on the offensive side, knocking down big shots making the comeback in the second half. When he doesn’t dance with the ball and makes his moves simple and clean, he can beat a lot of defenders off the dribble and get to his spots at the rim or for a midrange pull up. You have to stay active on him when he catches on the wing as he can be a catch and shoot player. He will be one of the main focuses on this Calvin Christian team as a leader and scorer. As he continues to develop, he has a good chance to make a NAIA or D3 team very happy with getting him. He showed he has the heart of a winner and the skill to be a scorer/defender at 6’4. He led his team with 16 points with a few of them being big shots down the stretch.