Lake Superior St Elite Camp: Statewide Standouts

Despite its remote location on the Canadian border. The staff at Lake Superior St has built a consistent winner in the GLIAC conference. They have also consistently held one of the better elite camps in the state. Often offering two or three attendees at the camp.   While there is always a strong Northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula contingent. Players from all across the state performed well. Following are five that caught my eye.   [player_tooltip player_id='1111929' first='Christian' last='Dunn'] 6-7 2024 East Lansing Plays for a high profile program at East Lansing. Older brother was also a big time prospect who ended up at Northwood. Consequently Dunn has been on recruiting radars for quite some time. This was easily the best I had seen him play. At times in the past he has appeared stiff and mechanical as an athlete. It is always important to remember that bigs generally develop slower than perimeter players. Was fluid and showed a sudden movement in his bursts all day. Was especially apparent when he rolled hard to the basket. Accordingly played well in two man and pick and roll situations. Has always been strong on the block and continued to show the ability to finish at the rim. Along with the finishing. Showed a soft around the basket. Often with a nice jump hook. Obviously I wasn't the only one who impressed with his play. Earned an offer from the host school. The arrow is pointing up in a big way for this prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id='1300885' first='Bryce' last='O'Mara'] 6-7 2024 Grand Blanc I have to tell on myself a little with this one. I'm not complaining but LSSU is one the camps that does not number their participants (few do) O'Mara bears a striking physical resemblance to fellow camper [player_tooltip player_id='1434093' first='Trenton' last='Taratuta']. Consequently in my notes on much of O'Mara's early standout play. I attributed it to Taratuta. That is actually a good thing. If you saw my earlier report. Taratuta is an explosive 6-4 perimeter prospect. That shows how much O'Mara has expanded his game. No longer just a perimeter stretch four prospect. O'Mara drove to the basket with purpose and strength. Ran the court fluidly and knew where to fill lanes. Has always been an above average shooter for his height. That continued to show on Tuesday. Coming off a good spring with DV45. With a new coach and roster attrition at Grand Blanc. Could be in line for a breakout senior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1434235' first='Zander' last='Woodruff'] 6-2 2024 Lainsburg With Dunn and O'Mara playing well. Need to get one more DV45 player on here. Simply put Woodruff is as natural of scorer as you will see. The only thing really holding him back is a slender frame. The lefty shoots it really well. That being said there are plenty of good shooters. Woodruff sets himself apart by seemingly always catching the ball in the shooting position. Also has a trigger quick release with almost no wasted motion. Despite his frame is not afraid to drive to basket. Took an especially hard fall late in the scrimmages. Showed toughness by brushing that off. I think he plays with more toughness than one would initially think. A small school player with gaudy statistics. Don't let that fool you though. Plays in one of the better small school conference in the state. Type of player that could take off at next level after adding some bulk.   [player_tooltip player_id='1811801' first='Jahion' last='Bond'] 6-2 2024 Fenton Although he had a good spring with the North Oakland Wolpack. This was the first time the Flint area guard really caught my eye. Excelled as a penetrator and finisher. I think he was right handed. Once again I haven't seen him a lot. I only bring that up because he seemed most comfortable driving to the left. Not some type of small “water bug” type. Plays with strength and possesses a muscular frame. Definitely a player I am going to try and catch more of at some point in July.   [player_tooltip player_id='1140325' first='Mason' last='Struck'] 6-6 2024 Cheasing (pictured) Caught Struck in May with Michigan Ballers in Indianapolis. He didn't struggle there at all. However looked stronger and more assertive in this setting. Similar to fellow Tri-City participant Bond. Was a powerful penetrator. Especially when operating out of the high post. Different than Bond though. Has four more inches of height. This allowed him to be a creative finisher once at the basket. With a variety of unique scoop shots to avoid defenders. Along with aforementioned Woodruff. Will be one of the top players in Division III basketball statewide next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1463233' first='Ben' last='Heagle'] 6-6 2024 Byron Center Like a lot of Bryon Center players. Heagle has always been a big time finisher at the rim. Showed the expansion in his game on Tuesday. Has largely been a lob or put back threat in the past. Improved ball handling allowed him to drive the rim himself. Worked hard defensively. His top shelf athleticism allows him to be a deterrent at the rim. Also has long arms and broad shoulders to go along with the bounce. Is coming off a good spring with the West Michigan Lakers. Plays in very deep frontcourt rotation for the Bulldogs. Consequently the counting statistics might not jump off the stat sheet. However a coach who wants to look beyond that could get an under the radar next level athlete.   [player_tooltip player_id='1196267' first='Brandon' last='Summer'] 6-2 2024 Adrian Lenawee Christian Got off to a bit of a slow start. Seemed to really take off when the camp switched to the scrimmage portion. Pushed the pace with his handle and good look ahead passing. Advanced the ball quickly hitting players in stride. Has a stocky but athletic build. Allows him to take guards down into the post. Also gives him the ability to absorb and finish through contact. Will be one of top players in Division IV next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1438244' first='Drew' last='Blanton'] 6-2 2025 Chelsea I can't let the seniors have all the ink. Blanton capped off what has been outstanding spring with a good performance at the Soo. Physically didn't appear to be a year younger than the players he was competing against. Got to his spots easily on the perimeter. If he was cut off has the size to shoot over most defenders. The shooting is always going to be there for this player. The release is well schooled and isn't going to lose his mechanics under pressure. Plays at his own pace and under control. Will be a key part of one of the more dynamic backcourts in the state next year.

Despite its remote location on the Canadian border. The staff at Lake Superior St has built a consistent winner in the GLIAC conference. They have also consistently held one of the better elite camps in the state. Often offering two or three attendees at the camp.