Brawl for the Ball: 2024 Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Brawl for the Ball produced its usual star studded field this past weekend in Grand Rapids. It brought out a who's who of college coaches due to falling within the live period. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unfortunately I was only able to attend one day this year. Consequently this list is not meant to be comprehensive. Following are five standout performances from Saturday action from the 2024 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1140326' first='Keshawn' last='Fisher'] 6-6 River Rogue </strong>I'll call myself out a little on this one. No matter hard one works. Every scout will have a bit of a blind spot. It seems like through either regular season showcases or AAU tournaments. I would always just miss catching Fisher. That did not happen on Saturday. I caught plenty of this versatile wing's game. Now I see why he has established such a solid reputation. Simply put there are is not much weakness in his perimeter arsenal. Shoots and handles the ball as well for a guard. When you add the fact that he is 6-6 lengthy guard. That adds to the package. Uses this size to easily see and shoot over most perimeter defenders. However the passing was the icing on the cake. Despite the scoring prowess. He seemed to be a pass first wing. Was consistently looking to make right pass and correct read. Had a few no looks and touch passes that were highlight reel next level passes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1434240' first='Mohammad' last='Habhab']</strong> <strong>6-9 Dearborn Fordson </strong>Fresh off of earning his first division 1 offer. Habhad showed why he has earned that lofty status. As skilled of a package as you will see in a 6-9 prospect. In this scouts humble opinion. The only thing holding him back is exposure and elite athleticism. However don't misconstrue that statement. He's a good athlete and not just a statue in the post. Has excellent lane agility. Quickly getting from one block to the other. Showed a sudden quick twitch spin move down in the baseline in the Saturday opener that I did not expect. Has above average ball skills. Complemented his rebounding ability with a handful of pinpoint long outlet passes. Handled the ball like a guard in the open court. Earned the aforementioned Division 1 offer from Central Michigan. That staff was two deep watching him on Saturday. If he doesn't take that offer. I wouldn't be surprised if he earned a few more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1356986' first='Cameron' last='Regnerus'] 6-8 Grandville (pictured) </strong>The Grand Valley commit continued to show the long term post potential that could make him a big time Division II steal. Is so good around the basket on both ends of floor. Despite a slender frame. Is really good at establishing deep post position. Once he catches it there. Quick elevation makes him a powerful and often empathetic finisher. As exciting as those highlights are. I'm more partial to the defensive upside. As he has stepped up in competition this grassroots season. The elite shot blocking skill set remains. Has the full package defensively. The length and lateral quickness to keep players in front. Has good timing and an uncanny knack to play with verticality. Really establishes a “no fly zone” at the high school level. I will be curious to see how that skill translates to the GLIAC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112304' first='Karter' last='Richards'] 6-2 Grosse Pointe South </strong>With the absence of [player_tooltip player_id='1111936' first='Joey' last='Cabana']. Richards stepped into more of playmaking role for a DTO Elite squad that eventually won the Platinum Championship on Sunday. Pause the playmaking thought for a moment. Has always been a good shooter. Plays well and has a lot of experience playing off the ball. Played with Mercer bound lead guard <strong>Anthony Benard </strong>the past few years. A coach's kid who moves with purpose in half court sets. Comes off of screens properly and catches the ball in the shooting position. Tops it off with a trigger quick release featuring little wasted motion. Has had a late grow spurt that will allow him to play both backcourt spots. Back to the playmaking skill set. Richards set up teammates well while also penetrating to the basket to create offense. Good live ball passer off the dribble. As mentioned should be the primary ball handler this year at South. Is a good athlete who even had a dunk in transition. Could be gearing up for a break out senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112301' first='Terrance' last='Davis'] 6-6 Muskegon </strong>AAU games can lend themselves to wild swings in momentum and comebacks. The REACH squad composed of Muskegon players and Ferndale post grads pulled off a big one against the [program_tooltip program_id='2077033' first='West' last='Michigan Lakers'] on Saturday. Usually these are keyed by dynamic guard play and transition opportunities. Rarely do they come from an old school post prospect. Davis pulled that off. Just kept coming on the block. Established deep position with his thick and broad frame. The yin to this yang was the soft touch that he showed around the basket. Runs the court very well for his size and has the athleticism to finish easily above the rim. Well coached player who has won a lot of games at a high profile program. I was impressed with his half court execution. As one of the key late buckets was a set play where he scored off a down screen. Has a Division II offer from Lake Superior St. Easy to see why with his Saturday performance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->