Gotta Get It Classic: New Names

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a good run in the Flint area. The Gotta Get It Classic moved to a new location on the west side of the state at East Kentwood high school. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The star studded six game produced plenty of high level play from some of the top players in the state. However some new names also emerged. Through either age or just being stuck in some deep depth charts. These players haven't received as much print thus far in their career. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1111918' first='Daniel' last='Smythe'] 6-3 2024 Orchard Lake St Mary's (pictured) </strong>Despite the column title. Not a new name. However due to other big names on the Eaglets roster. Might be a little under the radar for some. Simply put— is a sensational outside shooter. Everything about his approach is textbook. Smooth release with little wind up. Catches with balanced shoulders almost always squared to the basket. At 6-3 has enough size to shoot over most defenders at the high school level. Was playing with a wrap on his shooting hand. I'm convinced you could put an oven mitt on that hand and he will still stroke it. Statewide there are some serious shooters in the 2024 class. This sniper belongs near the top. Finished with a game high 18 points. This will be his last appearance in a “new names” list from me. He is a known commodity now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='986895' first='Ryan' last='Frohock'] 6-4 2023 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice </strong>Smythe wasn't the only Catholic League sniper doing work on Saturday. Brother Rice was down four rotation pieces Saturday. Including 2024 standout [player_tooltip player_id='1300935' first='Warren' last='Marshall IV']. Frohock stepped into Marshall's spot at the three. Speaking of the three. That is where he did his damage. Went 2 for 5 from beyond the arc to finish with six points. That doesn't jump off the page. However those two threes played a role in keeping Kalamazoo Central from devoting all of their defensive attention to Rice's big three. Has good size to be a versatile defender. You know he has been tested well in practice that past few years defending his teammates. Could possibly find a spot at a small college. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1440211' first='David' last='Williams'] 6-0 2025 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice </strong>As previously stated. Brother Rice came into the contest slightly shorthanded. This provided an opportunity for a player who I have yet to see play with the Warriors. This sophomore came off the bench and made an immediate impact. Was a strong driver and a willing crisp passer. Competed hard defensively and earned impact minutes in both halves. Brother Rice is going to look a lot different next year due to graduation. However there is plenty of help on the way. Williams made a strong case to be a part of that group with his play on Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1439043' first='Griffin' last='Baker'] 6-2 2025 Hudsonville </strong>The Eagles produced a solid and sound Team victory against a good Flint Carman Ainsworth squad. Their standout 2024 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1359511' first='Brayden' last='Szamrej'] struggled with foul trouble. That provided an opportunity for this sophomore. Got hot in the second half from beyond the arc. Hit four timely threes. More than just a shooter though. Used sturdy frame to compete hard on both ends of the court. Finished with 12 points and earned game MVP honors. There is a lot of young talent in the Hudsonville program. Baker and <strong>Joe</strong> <strong>Miller</strong> lead the 2025 group. While there is also plenty of talent in both the 2024 and 2026 classes as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Malachi Hooser II 5-10 2024 Grand Rapids Christian </strong>This hard nosed point guard's contributions are not necessarily going to show up in the stat sheet. Provided excellent defense all day against Warren De La Salle's talented and deep backcourt (see below) While the Pilots put up some big numbers. Hooser was there in fourth and keyed Christian's come from behind victory. [player_tooltip player_id='1587825' first='Donovan' last='Thames'] is the unquestionable floor general for the Eagles— and deservedly so. However Hooser has shown plenty of point guard ability the past two summers with MBA. Should be able to slide nicely into Thames' role next year. Recruitment could accordingly take off as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437578' first='Armoni' last='Portis'] 6-2 2025 Warren De La Salle </strong>Came alive for the Pilots in the second half. Showed explosive leaping ability. Made him a presence on the offensive glass despite being a guard. Showed the strength to finish through contact. Jumped a passing lane and went coast-to-coast for a needed late lay up. Also showed a nice touch from beyond the arc. Hit a big three to start the fourth quarter. Finished with 11 points in somewhat limited time. That should change next year for the sophomore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaiah Theodile 6-6 2026 Kalamazoo Central </strong>While I definitely saw the potential two weekends ago in a showcase in Muskegon. This freshman's game didn't necessarily pop in matchup against Detroit King. Perhaps that was due to King's beefy frontline. Changed in a big way against Brother Rice. Was active on the block and both glasses. Uses his long and lanky frame to be factor defensively. Notched a block against [player_tooltip player_id='985661' first='Curtis' last='Williams']. A feat not many players his age can claim. Showed a soft left handed touch around the basket. Got off the floor quickly and has plenty of length already. Huge upside for this prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1433257' first='Quadir' last='Hatchett'] 5-11 2023 Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills </strong>Dynamic point guard kicked things off with a bang in the opener. The Wyoming transfer appears to be settling in quite nicely at Ottawa Hills. Defensively was part of a dogged Tiger press that stymied Saginaw Arthur Hill all game. Offensively was an efficient scorer who stuffed the stat sheet beyond just buckets. Finished with 27 points to go along with four assists and four rebounds. I've seen him play quite a bit over the past few years with B3 Athletics. This was easily the best I have seen him play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->