Quarterfinal Report: Gaylord Standouts
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Every step of a state tournament run is highly charged. However the quarterfinals in the state of Michigan have a particular kick to them. They are the last round before the Breslin Center. Meaning for most players and teams. These…
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Continue ReadingEvery step of a state tournament run is highly charged. However the quarterfinals in the state of Michigan have a particular kick to them. They are the last round before the Breslin Center. Meaning for most players and teams. These are their last games in a high school gymnasium. I attended a doubleheader at Gaylord High Schoo that featured two high intensity nip and tuck games. Following is a six pack of standouts from that night.
Gavin Grondin Gavin Grondin 6'1" | CG Kingsford | 2025 State MI 6-0 2025 Kingsford (pictured) What a performance for one of the top players in the Upper Peninsula. Came out on fire. However this wasn’t the case of player getting hot from deep. Attacked the basket hard with explosive athleticism. Almost single handily putting most of the Flint Powers squad in extreme foul trouble. Powers through the kitchen sink at him. When they tried to double him on a high hedge. Split it with a creative and decisive dribble. When they went “box-in-one” for a few possessions, found an open teammate. Had it all working in the first half to the tune of 25 points. Cooled a little in the second half. However was still dynamic and did most of his work off the ball. Had a clever backdoor cut to get an easy two late. Finished with an eye opening 39 points. Only a junior. A little under the radar as he plays with a Wisconsin based AAU squad. With a Lake Superior St offer already in tow from this past summer. He could really blow up if he continues to play like he did Tuesday evening.
Javontae Ross Javontae Ross 6'0" | PG Flint Powers | 2025 State MI 5-11 2025 Flint Powers Catholic I’ll say this as delicately as I can. Ross did not have his best night. However what he did show, is why I think his ceiling is so high. Still finished with 22 points and the victory, but it was a little dicey early. Part of the early struggles resulted from foul trouble. Picked up two in quick succession guarding Grondin (see above— no shame there) Appeared to be able to get the rim whenever he wanted. Probably could have been more aggressive though. Once again the foul trouble might have played a role in the hesitancy to penetrate. Really shined late in the contest. After staying at two fouls through the second and third quarters. He was switched back onto Grondin in crunch time. Did a good job of limiting his looks late. It was also telling that Powers basically went into a stall up by only four. That shows you the confidence that a coach has in one of best ball handlers in the entire state. He did not disappoint in this risky strategy paid off. Sealed the game with clutch free throw shooting. I am excited to see the upcoming matchup with Warren Lincoln’s star point guard Moses Blackwell Moses Blackwell 5'8" | PG Warren Lincoln | 2025 State MI
Morgan Sleik Morgan Sleik 6'5" | C Kingsford | 2025 State MI 6-5 2025 Kingsford While Grondin was on fire early for the Flivvers (great mascot) Sleik was huge down low. Like Grondin was the impetus for getting Powers’ entire front court in some semblance of foul trouble. Projectable athlete with a thick but far from heavy frame. Didn’t show much of a game outside of the paint— but didn’t need to. Does have a nice touch from the perimeter. Showed it by being almost perfect from the foul line. It was telling that when Kingsford needed a bucket late. They ran a designed lob that he finished with ease. Showing off his ability to elevate. Has played the last two summer with the Wisconsin Crusaders on the Prep Hoops Circuit. If he can continue to expand his game out to the perimeter this spring and summer. Could become an intriguing small college stretch four prospect. Finished with 19 points against a physical Flint Powers frontline.
Ben Rodenbaugh Ben Rodenbaugh 6'3" | PG McBain | 2025 State MI 6-3 2025 McBain Has always been kind of a player who defies positional labels. Plays the point our necessity at times for the Ramblers. Often cutting into his statistical output. That did not happen Tuesday night. Was aggressive early as the rest of the offense got off to a slow start. Often guarded by Menominee’s smaller guards. He was not afraid to pin them down into the post. Was also explosive and dynamic out in transition. Kept his composure as a ball handler as things got tight late. Finished with 14 points and plenty intangible plays in the clutch victory.
Clayton Heuker Clayton Heuker 6'5" | SF McBain | 2027 State MI 6-4 2027 McBain I am the last person to take a victory lap on a player— but… I was very high on this young prospect. With a hall of fame head coach and a deep rotation. Heuker received little playing time at the start of the year. People were asking me “how good could he be if he doesn’t even play?” I stuck to my guns and said he will be there in “winning time”. Guess who showed up in the clutch Tuesday night? Like Rodenbaugh made some big plays late that don’t necessarily show up in a box score. However also made plenty of plays that DO show up in a box score. Came alive offensively with 9 fourth quarter points to finish with 11. In the nip and tuck contest they were all of the clutch variety. Showed off his next level athleticism with a quick second jump. Making him a presence on the glass all night. Only a freshman, his profile could really expand with this trip to the Breslin Center.
Tanner Theuerkauf 6-2 2026 Menominee With a balanced, deep, and quick attack. Menominee gave McBain everything they could handle. I was impressed by one their youngest contributors. A bouncy prospect whose athleticism helped him play much bigger than his listed height. Attacked McBain huge frontline without fear. Also played well off the ball. “Slipping” screens on consecutive possessions late to get four much needed points late. Basically played the four spot. Is a good enough ball handler to easily slide to the two next year. Finished with 13 points in the loss but has a lot of potential going forward.