Ranked Against Ranked In The Semis

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's some real star power alive in the semifinals of the state playoffs. This makes for some interesting matchups of ranked prospects when their teams tip off on March 23rd and 24th. Let's look at a few of these intriguing ranked player vs. ranked player matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's start off in Division 1 with Grand Blanc facing Detroit Cass Tech. How about 2 of the best players in the state and elite point guards meeting up? [player_tooltip player_id='1437537' first='Darius' last='Acuff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='985658' first='RJ' last='Taylor'] is one for the ages. Both are elite talents easily in the top 10 in their class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["985658"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"I don't know that I've seen a lead guard with a higher basketball IQ. He just feels the game so naturally. Taylor can score and create looks at any time. That being said, he's at his best when his teammates are flowing with him and he can attack with the pass as well as his scoring. If you're a talented wing, there's not a better point guard to play with.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1437537"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Acuff is a big time talent. He combines explosion and positional power so well. Acuff can spark his team at any time and put them on a run. The best thing is, these sparks aren't always on the offensive end. Acuff is an elite defender that will get chest to chest and absolutely shut his man down.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641afd0057fdb"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who would like to see some rising star athletes playing their best basketball at the right time? Look no further than the Division 2 matchup between Grand Rapids South Christian and Summit Academy. DeHaan looks ready to take his game to a new level in the absence of [player_tooltip player_id='1300920' first='Carson' last='Vis']. Meanwhile [player_tooltip player_id='1386628' first='Dominic' last='Krzesowiak']. DeHaan is pretty underrated while Krzesowiak seems to be rising up the list in his class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1431579"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"DeHaan is a terrific all around athlete, even earning all-state recognition on the gridiron. Well he brings the same leadership and toughness we saw on the football field to the basketball court. DeHaan is an outstanding leader and a very capable scorer. He's a ranked prospect that will play a key role in this game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1386628"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Krzesowiak has had some really solid games lately and could be a nice matchup with DeHaan. If he can get on the glass in this game, it will be huge. Krzesowiak is a solid rebounder off the perimeter and can limit opponents possessions. He's an efficient scorer with a high basketball IQ.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641afd00580b8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We could have an instant classic in the Division 3 semifinals where Flint Beecher squares off against Ecorse. [player_tooltip player_id='1277369' first='Malik' last='Olafioye'] has been a long time top ranked player in the 2023 class. [player_tooltip player_id='987622' first='Robert' last='Lee'] is also a top 25 ranked prospect in the senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["985659"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We could talk about Olafioye's skill set all day long. He has an explosive first step, he's masterful with the ball and he can finish with force and flare. Yeah, there's all of that. But this is the playoffs, so there's something else that makes him elite this time of year. Dude's a winner. Olafioye has helped turn this Ecorse program into a powerhouse.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["987622"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Being the leader and the go-to guy for a renowned program like Flint Beecher is no easy task. [player_tooltip player_id='987622' first='Robert' last='Lee'] has taken the opportunity and run with it. He's shown that he can score at all 3 levels and is comfortable with the ball in his hands in crunch time. Lee is bouncy under the rim and his ability to grab boards will be very important in this matchup.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641afd0058183"} /-->