Rumble in the Rapids: UP North Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Circuit kicked off the spring AAU season with its only scheduled stop in Michigan. The Rumble in the Rapids featured a small but talented field in Grand Rapids. Despite the Western Michigan locale. A surprising contingent of players from Northern Michigan players stood out. Following are five from that group. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1811797' first='Evan' last='Haverkamp'] 6-7 2024 McBain </strong>I won't use too much space here. I would encourage you to click the orange hyperlink on this players name to see further coverage from other scouts. Was arguably one of the more impressive players of the weekend. Regardless of region. Has a physically imposing frame that allows him to control the glass. Competed hard on both ends and enjoys contact. As someone who has watched this player grow from his freshman year until the present. I can assure you the development arrow is still pointing upward. Has taken a pretty big leap forward in just the past year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819161' first='Ben' last='Rodenbaugh'] 6-4 2025 McBain </strong>Haverkamp's regular season teammate got off to quick start on Saturday. Along with REAL teammate <strong>Easton</strong> <strong>Day</strong> was headed towards placement on the all tournament team. However I don't believe he played on Sunday. His Saturday action was impressive enough. Played point guard in the regular season out of necessity. While that gives you an idea of his versatile skill set— he is not a point guard. Was able to slide into more of scoring forward role on Saturday. Got off to a slow start against an Ohio based Grassroots Elite club that featured a large frontline. Adjusted in the second half and scored 10 points to help his team secure the victory. Scored at the rim with creative finishes around bigger defenders. Is a next level athlete with a lot of upside. The key will refining and stretching out his offensive game to become a true wing. If you haven't connected the dots from the first two entries. McBain is going to be one the better teams in Northern Michigan next year regardless of division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tristan Demlow 6-0 2025 Grayling </strong>First time catching this point guard in extensive action. I came away impressed. Coming in I was aware that he averaged over five assists a game. Did it as sophomore playing in a tough league. Only took a few possessions to see why. Really passes the ball with precision and purpose. Rare to see in a prospect of any age. Makes him a true pass first point guard prospect. Has good size for the position all ready. Has stocky but athletic frame. Plays in a good high school program that has a recent track record of sending players to the small college level. Could follow the same path if he adds more scoring ability to his arsenal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588193' first='Ethan' last='Rademacher'] 5-11 2026 Traverse City Central (pictured) </strong>Along with his entire Midwest Stampede team. Got off to slow start on Saturday. However really improved as weekend continued. Scored 14 points in a bounce back victory against an All In Sports team that was loaded with small quick guards. Used his size to shield off defenders and get into scoring positions. Good shooter from all over the court. Particularly in the mid range during the Saturday victory. Doesn't pass the initial eye test athletically. However is improving rapidly and appears to be putting in the work. Comes from a basketball coaching family. Plays like a someone who grew up around the game. Part of a good underclassmen group with the Trojans that will try and fit in around [player_tooltip player_id='1111925' first='Anthony' last='Ribel'] in the coming year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1864825' first='Peyton' last='Viehman'] 6-5 2026 Glen Lake </strong>For six solid years. The Lakers have put together big and versatile front lines. Thanks mainly to the GLIAC combo of the brothers Hazelton. As [player_tooltip player_id='985668' first='Luke' last='Hazelton'] (Michigan Tech) graduates. It doesn't look like that train in ending anytime soon at Glen Lake. At this point in his development Viehman might be closer to Reece (Ferris St). Let's be clear. Nowhere near that skill level yet. However has a versatile offensive game that he can take out to the perimeter. Fiery player whose edge got the best of him at one point. Nothing wrong with that at this age. Won't be rebuilding the frontline alone. The Lakers feature another 2026 in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2270808' first='Jacob' last='Plamondon']</strong> with long term post potential. His presence might allow Viehman to develop more out on the wing. Has a bright future and looks he has the ability to play wherever his team needs him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->