Huffman Elite Camp: 2024 Standouts

In its third year the Huffman Elite Camp put together a talented and deep field. It was slightly bereft of the top level Northern Michigan talent. However as you will see below. Some players from the Tri-cities area came up and filled that void. It also allowed for a new perhaps more unheralded group from Northern Michigan to show they can play with anyone.   I don't normally like to break up a camp into two groups. However when one player's performance rises above the rest. It deserves special mention.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Best </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1112377' first='Tyler' last='Ode'] 6-5 Saginaw Heritage Less than 72 hours removed from playing in the prestigious Peach Jam. I wondered what I would see from this prospect. I can sum it up in one word— elite. Elite performance, elite effort, and elite skills. It would have been easy for player with Division I commitment already in the bag to just go through the motions. Might have been the hardest worker in the camp. No sense of entitlement or detachment. Recently the scouting community seems to want redefine or relabel positions. I will take my stab at it. Ode is the definition of a “power wing”. I don't mean just a big wing. He drives to basket with a strength and ferocity you don't see from many players— anywhere. Is simply a country strong hoss who punished defenders who tried to body him up. However he also possesses a smooth and refined perimeter game. An elite athlete who plays above the rim with ease. Almost put one down on camp counselor and former Michigan St forward Kenny Goins Simply not many holes in his game. The Toledo commit will be one of the top players in the state and a contender for Mr Basketball.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Rest </h2>   Now I don't mean that to be disparaging in any way. These players are just not on Ode's level. That being said. I think they are all good players who could find a spot at the next level in the right situation.   [player_tooltip player_id='1587840' first='Jonathan' last='Ingalls'] 5-11 St Ignace This Upper Peninsula point guard has long been a favorite of mine. A three time participant in this particular camp. Very comfortable with the drills and it showed. Was able to take just about anybody off the dribble. Is a creative finisher at the basket. Has long arms that help him play larger than his listed height. Excellent elevation on a well schooled jump shot. I really feel this is player that is being slept on a little in regards to his recruitment. With St Ignace sliding down to Division IV. Will be one of the top players in the division statewide. There is usually a home somewhere at the next level for the top player in a division. I will be curious to see where he ends up.   [player_tooltip player_id='2348893' first='Lincoln' last='Hicks'] 6-0 Manton (pictured) This guard does not play a lot of grassroots basketball. Consequently a camp like this is important for this underrated prospect. Looked comfortable playing in his own gym. As he did at the Cadillac team camp a few weekends ago. He continues to make athletic plays that you don't see often from the point guard position. Especially in Northern Michigan. Flew in for a huge one handed put back off a tip. Doesn't quite play above the rim— but pretty close. Has excellent speed and attacks the basket without fear. A three year starter. Could be lining up for a big senior year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1300938' first='Shane' last='Izzard'] 5-11 Petoskey Saw this point guard play for [program_tooltip program_id='2077029' first='Parallel' last='45'] a few times this spring. That squad goes about three deep at the one spot. Making opportunities to stand out somewhat limited. Tuesday was the best I had seen him play. A consummate floor general type of game. Petoskey plays a disciplined system. You can tell he has been well schooled. Is consistently looking to make the right pass and read. In this setting he was able to show a pure and fundamentally sound outside shot. Petoskey has relied a lot on its posts in the past few years. Izzard could have a big senior season. As the Northmen will be smaller and more perimeter oriented.   [player_tooltip player_id='2080541' first='Clay' last='Shoup'] 6-1 Mason County Eastern Another multi time camp participant. Like Izzard, this was the best I have seen Shoup perform. The consistent outside shot is what stood out on Tuesday. Has a confident and smooth release with little wasted motion. Stuck a game winner during scrimmages. Is a good athlete with good size for the backcourt position. Already a 1,000 point career scorer. Shoup could become the all time leading scorer at his school. Is also a high academic prospect. If he continues his improvement into his senior year. He could slide onto to some small college recruiting boards.

In its third year the Huffman Elite Camp put together a talented and deep field. It was slightly bereft of the top level Northern Michigan talent. However as you will see below. Some players from the Tri-cities area came up and filled that void. It also allowed for a new perhaps more unheralded group from Northern Michigan to show they can play with anyone.