Storm Classic: Saturday Superlatives 2024 Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saturday at the Storm Classic was a loaded and action packed day. How to clean out the notebook after such a busy day? Let's go with a breakdown of superlative skill sets from the games I was able to catch. It is by no means meant to be comprehensive. I couldn't possibly catch everything. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following are the performances that caught my eye from the class 2024 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Most Explosive: [player_tooltip player_id='1356985' first='Jakobie' last='Boose'] 6-2 Flint Hamady </strong>Boose is known for his abilty to play well above the rim. Got off to a bit of slow start in that regard on Saturday. However like a shooter who just needs to see the ball go through the basket. Once he got that first dunk. The aerial assault commenced in a big way. A dunk off a lob, a huge rejection above the square. Displayed power by backing down a defender “Barkley” style. Then finishing it with a powerful fadeaway. A powerful fadeaway seems like a paradoxical move. But he pulled it off nicely. Even showed his passing ability by throwing a half court lob on the money to a teammate to end the game. A truly electric athlete with a perimeter skill set to complete the package. Coming off a quarterfinal appearance in the regular season. Could really see his stock take off with a big grassroots campaign. Judging by Saturday's play. Is off to a good start. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Most Versatile: [player_tooltip player_id='1223514' first='Quron' last='Williams'] 6-5 Detroit Edison </strong>Playing for a deep and talented DTO squad. Williams just simply made plays. These type of plays might not show up in a score book. But the bevy of blocks and deflections were impactful. Long and versatile athlete who has nice ball handling ability for his size. I don't recall Williams in the regular season with Edison. With [player_tooltip player_id='986241' first='Bryce' last='Eaton'] moving onto Central Michigan. There is an opening in the Pioneer backcourt. At 6-5 has the ability to be a big guard and form an intriguing and tall duo with 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1437543' first='Jace' last='Petree'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Most Clutch: [player_tooltip player_id='1112371' first='Jaxon' last='Childers'] 6-3 Benzie Central </strong>After two campaigns running with UTS Elite. Still seemed to be adjusting to his new squad with Parallel 45. No adjustment is generally needed during winning time. You just need to get a bucket. With his squad off to a winless start on the weekend. Childers did just that. Came alive when his team needed it most. Facing a Saturday night second half deficit. Childers went on 6-0 personal run to get the game close and into overtime. Then in the extra period won it on a powerful drive to the basket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Shooter: [player_tooltip player_id='1434096' first='Luke' last='Riebel'] 6-0 West Michigan Aviation Academy </strong>Led his West Michigan Lakers squad to a perfect record up until Saturday night. Did it by playing a steady all around lead guard game. However it was his deep shooting ability that really stood out. Not very big but has a trigger quick release. Allows him to get his shot off without needing much room. Went 5-for-7 in an afternoon victory. I'd like to see those two misses. Watching live it felt like he never missed. Good ball handler and passer as well. Could be setting himself up for a big grassroots campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Passer: [player_tooltip player_id='1359511' first='Brayden' last='Szamrej'] 6-2 Hudsonville (pictured) </strong>If you have been reading my reports in the past year. You know I am high on this point guards game. Now running with the Grand Rapids Storm's national squad. Szamrej has not missed a beat. One of the better passers you will see anywhere (along with DV45/Chelsea forward [player_tooltip player_id='1223485' first='Jake' last='Stephens']) Has excellent court vision and the ability pass off the dribble. Has built up a lot of muscle memory with teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1356986' first='Cameron' last='Regnerus'] in the past few years. I expected to see their impressive two man game. However also showed plenty of chemistry with new teammates. Particularly the Zeeland West duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1434238' first='Myles' last='Steffen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1223501' first='Lukas' last='Bakker']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Rebounder: [player_tooltip player_id='1811797' first='Evan' last='Haverkamp'] 6-7 McBain </strong>Two weekends ago Haverkamp dominated in these same gymnasiums at The Rumble in the Rapids. This past weekend he wasn't quite as proficient offensively. He was still very productive. Just had to work a little harder for it against a bigger field (both in size and number of teams) However one area in which there was no change. Was his rebounding ability. Size travels and Haverkamp was still one bigger and stronger players in the field. Powerful frame allows him to bang against anyone. Showed that on Saturday against a very good DV45 squad that also had plenty of height in the front court. Heading towards being the top big man prospect in Northern Michigan by a pretty wide margin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->