Gilbert’s Notebook: Sunday Superlatives
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Not that any one is too concerned about the plight of a regional scout. However cleaning out the notebook from a tournament with as much talent as the Midwest Melee is somewhat arduous tasks. Following are a series of quick…
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Continue ReadingNot that any one is too concerned about the plight of a regional scout. However cleaning out the notebook from a tournament with as much talent as the Midwest Melee is somewhat arduous tasks. Following are a series of quick hitters highlighting the players from the deep field. I have broken them by skill set superlatives
Best Scorer- Craig Hureskin Craig Hureskin 6'1" | SG Ottawa Hills | 2024 State MI 6-1 2024 Grand Rapids Ottawa Hill (MI) (pictured) Let’s get the demerits out the way first. Hureskin is not really a true point. He doesn’t have great size for the two spot. However as long as the purpose of the game is to get that orange round thing into the basket. There is a place for a players with his skill set. Hureskin can really fill it up. Scores at all three levels despite not being an overwhelming athlete. Does it with a mix of creativity and good old fashioned grit. Attacks the basket without fear. Excels as a shooter. Both from beyond the arc and in the mid range. Should form a lethal backcourt duo with Derrick King Jr. Derrick King Jr. 6'0" | PG Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills | 2024 State MI in the upcoming season for the Tigers.
Best Slasher- Matas Gaidukevicius Matas Gaidukevicius 6'5" | SG Lemont | 2025 State IL 6-2 2024 Lemont (IL) I can’t write enough about how impressed I have been with the entire Lituanica Basketball Club on the Prep Hoops Circuit this spring. The play of this bouncy wing has played a large role in their elevation. Skinny but has a very lanky frame. Was in constant motion off the ball. Seemed to have good court awareness and his cuts were done with purpose. I have listed him as slasher because that was where he excelled. Knifed to the basket band used his slender frame to find spaces where there did not appear any. At 6-2 showed his bounce by dunking with ease.
Best Floor General- Shane Rykse Shane Rykse 6'0" | CG Schoolcraft | 2024 State MI 6-3 2024 Schoolcraft (MI) I had to double check what category that I placed this player. Out of sheer muscle memory. I began to write this player as “best shooter.” As I have done that in many prior tournaments. In all honesty though. He didn’t shoot it that well on Sunday. However what he did show in his development as a legitimate point guard. Played well in pick and roll situations. Particularly with Jayden Brock Jayden Brock 6'5" | SF Byron Center | 2024 State MI in the dunker spot. Went to the basket without fear and was good at drawing fouls. Once there is near automatic due to his shooting touch. I have no concerns about his shooting. It will always be a part of his game. As he approaches his senior season. Rykse appears to be a true point guard who just happens to be a lights out shooter.
Best Rim Protection- Thon Bill 6-8 2024 Timothy Christian (IL) Length, length, and even more length. However that much was readily apparent last summer. What is new is an increased level of bulk and toughness. Held up well against a Minnesota based Border Select squad that featured a big and skilled frontline. Has excellent lane agility and his length really amplifies his rim protection. The offensive game is still coming along.
Best Athlete- Jayden Brock Jayden Brock 6'5" | SF Byron Center | 2024 State MI 6-6 2024 Byron Center (MI) In my Saturday column I wrote about the offensive improvements in this player game. However we can’t forget about what has always been present. That would be elite measurables and athleticism. Brock unleashed an arial assault on the rim Sunday afternoon. Easily finished well above the rim. Can use his eye opening wingspan to contort himself into some unusual finishing positions. Due to the physical gifts could develop into a plus defender at the next level.
Best Long Term Potential- Al Brooks Al Brooks 6'6" | SF Hansberry | 2025 State #239 Nation IL 6-6 2025 Hansberry College Prep (IL) Similar to Brock. Brooks’ physical gifts are eye opening and catch your attention almost immediately. Has extreme length but it is combined with quick twitch athleticism. Played up an age level with Chicagoan Grit N Grind. Despite this was often the best athlete on the floor by a pretty healthy margin. Simply appeared to move around the court at a different speed than his opponents. Explodes to the rim. Catches almost everything with long arms. Still needs to iron out some of the finer points of his game. But athletically it is already there.
Long Term Potential Honorable Mention- Izaya Larthridge 6-3 2026 Grand Rapids Catholic Central (MI) The United Persuit 2026 squad steamrolled through their pool at the Midwest Melee. Leading this deep and talented squad was this rising freshmen. Shot it well in the Sunday morning contest that I witnessed. Has plenty of size and athleticism already and still appears to be growing into his body.
Best Rebounder- Camden Thompson Camden Thompson 6'5" | SF Whitehall Vikings | 2025 State MI 6-4 2025 Whitehall (MI) In this era of personalized trainers. A player like Thompson is refreshing. Don’t get me wrong. Thompson has plenty of skill. However the majority of his points come from simply hard work on the boards and the defensive end. In a Rodman type of way simply attacks and engulfs rebounds. Doesn’t wait for the ball to come to him. Accordingly is also very good at rebounding out of his area. Collected steals with activity at the top of half court zone. Led Hardwood Midwest to an undefeated record on the weekend. One of the best in Michigan’s 2025 class.
Breakthrough Performance- Lual Abiel Lual Abiel 5'11" | CG East Kentwood | 2024 State MI 5-11 2024 East Kentwood (MI) I go to a lot of basketball games in Michigan. Additionally I go to a lot East Kentwood games. Full disclosure. I used to work in the district and know people close to the program. All that being said. I have never heard of this player. I’m not sure there is a transfer involved or if he is just buried in the Falcons deep backcourt rotation. But trust me. After what I saw this weekend. This young man can really play. Super lengthy build helps him play larger than his listed height. Has some serious elevation. Wasn’t just dunking. Was putting it on people’s head. Has good change of direction and a tight handle. I am very intrigued to see how this prospect’s senior year plays out
Breakout Performance Honorable Mention- Cinco Gary 6-2 2024 Rockford Guliford (IL) Malachi Johnson Malachi Johnson 6'2" | SG Rockford Guilford | 2024 State IL (Greater Purpose) wasn’t the only Viking guard playing well in Chicago this weekend. Gary had breakout performance against a good Indiana Game Gold squad. Put an eye opening 28 points in the ten point victory. Highlighted by a monster two handed put back finish.