Final Fall Ball Observations
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The end of October marks the conclusions fall leagues all across the state. Along with a litany exposure showcases put on by various organizations. November brings the start of practices for the scholastic season. Halloween marks a good time to…
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Continue ReadingThe end of October marks the conclusions fall leagues all across the state. Along with a litany exposure showcases put on by various organizations. November brings the start of practices for the scholastic season. Halloween marks a good time to check in on some players making noise during this portion of the calendar.
Following are observations from the gyms that I was in through September and October
Durral Brooks Durral Brooks 6'2" | PG Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2024 State MI and Catholic Central are gearing up for a “return to form” season
No other way to say it. When you go to two straight state championship games. Going out in the first game of the state tournament— no matter who you lose to. Is a bit of a letdown. Brooks, the Michigan commit appears ready to rectify that is his senior campaign.
In two viewings at the Grand Rapids Storm Fall league Brooks displayed his usual defensive aggression. With his elite lateral quickness and wingspan he simply engulfs ball handlers. At times in Fall League contests he was a one man press. He appeared to simply decide the ball was not going to cross the timeline. The outside shot was falling at a higher clip in Fall League play. If that happens consistently the rest of the region (or state for that matter) could be in trouble.
Brooks is always going to do his thing. He is just a special prospect. Catholic was small along the frontline last season. That should not be a problem this season. 2025 prospects Isaiah Hamlet Isaiah Hamlet 6'8" | PF Homeschool | 2025 State MI (6-7) and Jack Bowen Jack Bowen 6'6" | PF Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2025 State MI (6-6) should be ready to contribute and provide more help down low. Both played well in the Storm Fall League and the Bank Hoops All State Camp. Catholic should also have some help from their football program after their standard deep playoff run.
Brayden Szamrej Brayden Szamrej 6'2" | PG Hudsonville | 2024 State MI and Mason Parker Mason Parker PG Troy | 2025 State MI can play with anyone in the state
While Brooks and his teammates are a bit of a known quantity. Szamrej (pictured above) has been flying a little under the radar in the last few years. After earning multiple offers to play at the next level that should end in his senior season. An old school pass first point guard. He is arguably one of the better live ball passers in the state. Excels in pick and roll situations with next level court vision. Most players that fit this profile are usually small. Szamrej is a legitimate 6-2 with a sturdy athletic build. This height allows him to easily see over most defenders. When the outside shot is falling there is not much defenders can do. Recently committed to Division II Tiffin University (OH).
Parker is the east side version of Szamrej. The Troy guard has a similar skill set but is a grade younger. The lefty is crafty ball handler who sees the court well. Has a quick release and does not need much room to get his shot off. Despite not having overwhelming size is creative finisher at the rim. Has the versatility to play both on and off the ball. Comes off screens well and catches the ball in the shooting motion. Should form a nice duo for the the Colts with 2024 prospect Chase Kuiper.
Byron Center looks poised for a breakout season
Way back in the pre pandemic era. You could not go to tournament or showcase without running into a player or players from the thumb area district of Croswell Lexington. All that hard work paid off as Pioneers eventually put together a handful of deep March runs. In the last few years that school has been replaced by Byron Center.
The Bulldogs have yet to see the fruits of their labor in overwhelming regular season success. After winning the championship in the deep Storm Fall league that could be changing. Byron Center is led by 6-9 standout 2025 prospect Camden Karel Camden Karel 6'9" | PF Byron Center | 2025 State #219 Nation MI . Karel is rapidly improving and attracting Division 1 interest after a good summer with Michigan Unified on the Adidas circuit. He is skilled, mobile, and has a soft touch around the basket.
The Bulldogs talent stretches far beyond Karel. Jayden Brock Jayden Brock 6'5" | SF Byron Center | 2024 State MI is a 2024 prospect who might be the best run and jump athlete in the state. Has a condor like wingspan and huge hands as well. The 6-5 athlete’s perimeter game continues to come along. The fact that Ben Heagle Ben Heagle 6'6" | SF Byron Center | 2024 State MI might be the third best athlete in the Bulldog front court is saying something. The 6-6 2024 prospect is an above the rim athlete with a thick frame. He would be the best athlete on the vast majority of teams. Beyond the front court depth Keane Hinkle Keane Hinkle 5'10" | PG Byron Center | 2025 State MI (Jr), Isaac Lee Isaac Lee 6'1" | PG Byron Center | 2025 State MI (Jr), and Cassius Bont Cassius Bont 6'2" | PG Byron Center | 2026 State MI (2026) continue to show improvement in the backcourt.
James Martin James Martin 6'3" | SF Muskegon | 2026 State MI and Braylon Frantz Braylon Frantz 6'1" | PG St. Clair | 2026 State MI belong near the top of the 2026 class
Don’t get me wrong. The players at the top of the 2026 class have more than earned that placement. However for different reasons these two players might not readily get mentioned as much as others.
Frantz flies a little under the radar simply because the St Clair area isn’t known for producing high level Division I talent (Travis Conlan is my age) Frantz has proven himself already in grassroots basketball playing with a talented REACH squad all over the Midwest. The term power forward gets tossed around a lot. You don’t often hear of the power guard. That is Frantz in a nutshell. Jumps off of two feet and easily finishes well above the rim at 6-1. Has strong frame that absorbs contact on penetration. Has tight handle and quick first step. Difficult to stay in front of.
Playing for one of the more high profile programs in the state. Martin might be considered under the radar for a different reason. Had to bide his time a bit as a freshman behind the Big Reds GLIAC bound backcourt last season. After a huge summer a with his play at the Grand Rapids Storm Fall League— Martin’s time is now.
With the normal options on the gridiron. The 6-3 Martin ran the point out of necessity. Showed confidence and improved ball handling in that role. Is an elite athlete who finished above the rim with power. Highly competitive player who gets after it defensively as well. Has already earned a Division I offer from Eastern Michigan. There should be many more to come in his career.