Run N Slam Championship Notebook: Mitten Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While a Michigan team did not take home a trophy in the top division at the prestigious Run N Slam tournament in Fort Wayne. A handful Michigan players made their presence felt and made sure the “mitten” was heard. Following are the players that stood out on Champions Sunday. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437574' first='Greg' last='Lawson'] 6-3 2025 Davison </strong>With plenty of high division 1 offers early in his career. Lawson has been on the on the radar in Michigan for quite some time. And deservedly so I might add. However Sunday was easily the best I have seen him play. With his Indy Heat squad trailing an upstart Ohio based Gurus of Go squad (winner for best AAU team name) Lawson simply took over the game in the second half. Hit back-to-back threes to provide a huge swing in momentum. However it wasn't just points. Used his length to get into passing lanes and disrupt the opposing offense out on the perimeter. The aforementioned length combine with a tight handle to allow him to easily get to his spots offensively. Once there has quick and easy elevation on a traditional jump shot. Played with strength and explosion. But also under control. Excellent weekend and continues to trend near the top of the 2025 class in Michigan. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437987' first='Isaiah' last='Hines'] 5-9 2025 Orchard Lake St Mary's </strong>I try and steer clear of controversy. That being said. I was just happy to see this young man out on the court this weekend. Went through trying season of stops and starts after getting up in the web that is the MHSAA transfer system. Led Indiana Elite to the Platinum championship. Got his squad into their sets quickly and efficiently. Not a lot of wasted motion and aimless dribbling. Was not afraid to go in among the trees. But did not fall into the trap of over penetration. Showed scoring to ability but appeared to be comfortable in the traditional table setting point guard role. Will need to get bigger. However his brother was a late physical bloomer who ended up a 6-1 guard at Division II Indianapolis. The skill set is already there to follow a similar trajectory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1111918' first='Daniel' last='Smythe'] 6-3 2025 Orchard Lake St Mary's </strong>Hines wasn't the only Eagle making noise in Fort Wayne weekend. I fact he wasn't the only Eagles making noise whose older sibling plays college basketball. Daniel's older brother Will plays at Loyola (IL). Together they form the “shooting Smythes.” Lame play on words aside. They are both serious long range long range marksmen. Smythe got off to a slow stat on Friday in a close loss to Iowa based Martin Brothers. The start slow start extended to his entire Team Rose squad as they went winless in pool play. They also lost their standout point guard <strong>Gianni</strong> <strong>Cobb</strong>. However this freed up an opportunity for Smythe to show off his improved playmaking. Handled the ball efficiently and found open teammates. In Cobb's absence led his team to dominating victory over a Storm National that featured a very good opposing point guard as well. Eventually bounced back to advance to the Bronze championship game on Sunday. The shooting is always going to be there. You don't need to worry about that. Is up to a legitimate 6-3 after being on the small side early in his career. Put it altogether you have a prospect who is ready to possibly break out in his final two seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1587858' first='TJ' last='Nadeau'] 6-5 2024 Detroit Catholic Central </strong>Last season grassroots campaign was Nadieau's coming out party as a legitimate backcourt prospect. This was after playing in the post early in his career. Coming off a big junior season he looks very comfortable and settled as a big two guard prospect. Moved well off the ball all week for a Midwest Basketball unit that was undefeated until falling in the platinum bracket championship. Came off screens well and caught the ball in the shooting position. Showed excellent footwork that allowed him square up quickly from anywhere on the court. Still has enough size to bang down low and was factor on the glass. Will be playing in a new system at Catholic Central with a head coaching change. While Nadeau was draining bombs I was also watching his regular season point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1300936' first='Uchenna' last='Amene'] slice through defenses with DTO Elite on the adjacent court. They will form a dynamic duo for the Shamrocks in the upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1626883' first='Tristan' last='Comer'] 6-7 2026 Freeland </strong>After watching [player_tooltip player_id='1588175' first='Jonathan' last='Sanderson'] on Saturday. I was able to catch another top five prospect in the class of 2026 on Sunday. Comer ran with a dominant Indy Heat squad that won the Platinum Championship. While this was an impressive group. One thing they not have was a lot of size down low. They went up North to get it and Comer has plenty. Was a real deterrent at the rim. Allowing his team to play hyper aggressive in passing lanes. Runs the court very well for his size. Fluid athlete who filled lanes properly. Has good hands that he showed on some difficult catches and gathers. Is going up against top competition on the EYBL circuit this spring/summer. Should pay dividends down the line as he has such a physical advantage on most players he will play in the regular season. Won't have to do it alone at Freeland. Fellow 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1806407' first='Wilson' last='Huckeby'] had an excellent weekend for REACH as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->