2K Showcase First Weekend: Top Matchups To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Showcase season marches on as the 2K Showcase takes place this Saturday afternoon at Aquinas College. Four Grand Rapids area schools will match up with four Detroit area schools in what should be an action-packed day of hoops featuring a slew of collegiate prospects and talented teams. For each game, I'm highlighting one specific matchup to keep an eye on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>3 PM: Detroit Catholic Central vs Reeths-Puffer</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The day's first matchup features two teams that have had up-and-down seasons while playing in highly competitive leagues. Reeths-Puffer and Detroit Catholic Central have multiple future college basketball players and role players who are more than capable of stepping up in the moment. The best matchup I'm looking forward to is the battle between two forwards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1352908' first='Joey' last='Naasko']</strong> and Reeths-Puffer's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1356946' first='Travis' last='Ambrose']</strong>. Both bigs have started to come into their own as of late and what better way to display growth than against a fellow top-end big at a showcase tournament? I'll be intrigued to see if Ambrose will be guarded by Naasko out on the perimeter and if Naasko can take advantage of the matchup in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>4:45 PM: Detroit King vs Unity Christian</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second game of the day features two teams with state championship pedigree led by two of the state's best coaches. Detroit King comes into the weekend with a deceiving record that's currently under .500, however, keep in mind that King has played a gauntlet of a schedule thus far. The same can be said for Unity who currently sits at 6-5 on the year but comes into Saturday riding a 3-game win streak. I'm most looking forward to the backcourt matchup between King's <strong>Terrence Martin Jr. </strong>and Unity Christian's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1434097' first='Colin' last='Niewenhuis'].</strong> Both guards have gone for 20+ in multiple games this season and should have the chance to put up that type of performance on Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>6:15 PM: Detroit Edison vs South Christian</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game three offers a matchup of highly talented backcourts which should result in a high-scoring affair between Edison and South Christian. The future Central Michigan Chippewa, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='986241' first='Bryce' last='Eaton'], </strong>is one of the state's most talented guards and will get a chance to show that on Saturday when he goes up against the highly talented backcourt of South Christian. The Sailors look like true contenders in Division 2 and a win over a team like Edison would further cement that feeling. [player_tooltip player_id='1223499' first='Jake' last='Vermaas'] is one guy who always ups his game in big-time moments. I have a feeling we will see the best that Jake has to offer when South Christian and Edison meet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>8:00 PM: Grand Blanc vs Rockford</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The finale of the first weekend of games at The Showcase features two of the most storied programs in the state in Rockford and Grand Blanc. Both teams have the talent and depth to make it back to the Breslin this season and both teams have already earned several statement wins to back that sentiment up. The individual matchup I'm most looking forward to in this one is between two skilled forwards in Grand Blanc's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1212739' first='Tae' last='Boyd'] </strong>and Rockford's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='986581' first='Charlie' last='Deutsch']</strong>. Both Boyd and Deutsch are bigger-bodied athletes that have the skillset of a smaller guard, making them matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. Don't be surprised if one of these prospects goes for 25+ and pushes their team to a resume-building win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->