The Invite: Breakout Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I could have subtitled this the “Rockford Files”. But that would be dating myself a bit. However the most impressive team a the eight team “Invite” was the Rams. Who earned an impressive 68-64 upset victory over Grand Rapids Catholic Central. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several players broke out the Rams as it was consummate team victory. I can't cover them all. However breakout prospects were not limited to that contest. Following are players that made a name for themselves with their play Saturday </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andrew Landis 6-1 2024 Rockford </strong>You were expecting someone else? Landis had hands down the breakout performance of the event. When you drop 32 points against not only one of the better backcourts in the entire state. But also arguably the top defensive backcourt in the state. You have earned that honor. At the half you wondered if this was just a case of a player getting hot from beyond the arc. Had 17 at the break. But kept coming in the second half and showing the other facets of his game. Scoring both in the mid range and with floaters at the basket. Committed to Oakland for baseball. But showed he can play with anyone on the hardwood Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1431590' first='Caden' last='Pokorzynski'] 6-7 2023 Rockford </strong>Pokorzynski is a vastly underrated player statewide. Has legitimate freakish Division 1 measurables. Big hands, a condor like wing span, and the explosion to play well above the rim. That's quite a package. Still appeared to be nursing a shoulder injury slightly. Didn't stop him from using his physical gifts to impact the game against Catholic's smaller frontline. Additionally was still a factor despite dealing with foul trouble throughout the contest. Competitive and plays with a bit of a mean streak. The statistics will never pop off the page in Rockford's egalitarian system. That's not a bad thing. Still finished with 14 points. If you're a college coach looking for a player with elite physical attributes. Who also plays well within a system. That is Pokorzynski's template. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588161' first='Cameron' last='Ryans'] 6-4 2026 Grand Rapids Northview (pictured) </strong>A brief timeline of Ryans early progression in my notes. Caught him this summer in AAU and team camps. Impressive player who just bullied kids in the post. But it's the summer. Will he be able to do it at varsity level? Caught him in fall leagues and the Prep Hoops Freshman Expo doing the same things. Once again— no football players playing and it's just fall. Can he do it when the season starts? In a word— a resounding yes. Against a South Christian frontline a few weeks removed from a gridiron state championship. Asserted his will repeatedly. Establishing deep position near the basket. Did I mention he's just a freshman? When he couldn't establish deep position. Used a good handle to maneuver into scoring positions. Skilled and is only going to get better as he fills out physically. A lot people forget how good of basketball player <strong>Antonio Gates </strong>(San Diego Chargers) was. Ryans reminds me of him NOW. Not down the road. Huge future for this player if he keeps developing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jamison Williams 6-3 2025 Grand Rapids Catholic Central </strong>It's going to be a common refrain all year. Catholic is a very good and will continue to contend for a stare championship. But they have a smallish (I'll use that term) frontline. Coming off a big season as a receiver on the gridiron. Williams will have an opportunity to increase his profile. Seemed to struggle to get acclimated early in the contest as he came off the bench. Was much more comfortable in the second half. Stepped up calmly and hit two big free throws when he was chosen by the opposing coach as a injury replacement. That might not seem like much but it is telling of his mindset. He has the skill set to contribute. Showed off a versatile offensive game with UTS Elite this summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->