Storm Classic: Friday Night Lights

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first big grassroots event of the spring in the state of commenced last night in Grand Rapids. The Storm Classic produced it usual deep and talented field in the four game opening night session. Following were the standouts that caught my eye. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1978099' first='Colin' last='Rice'] 6-7 2026 Waukee Northwest (IA) (pictured) </strong>I generally try and stick to my home state. Especially when an event is in said state. All that considered, I can't ignore this product of the Hawkeye state. Best performance and possibly overall prospect I saw on the night. How good was it? I was next to a Division II coach. He began furiously taking notes as Rice began to shine. After about five minutes he put his pen down. Declaring “this is a waste of time, he's not making it to my level.” Athletic with a vey long frame. He did most his work beginning in the post. Often then luring a defender out to the perimeter where he would take him off the dribble. Had a soft touch around the basket with a variety of release points and creative finishes. Ran the court fluidly and with purpose. Handled the ball and with confidence for such a tall player. Really not many visible weaknesses in his game. Excited to catch him later in the weekend to see if he can keep this pace up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1438849' first='Jah' last='Hatchett'] 5-10 2025 East Kentwood (MI) </strong>Hatchett started out with bang Friday night and did not let up in the contest with Indy Heat Red. Began with a steal and easy dunk you don't see often from a 5-10 player. Used his speed and aggressiveness to cover so much ground on the court. Placed near contest pressure on the rim with his penetration ability. Showed improved playmaking as he was able to find open teammates and get them into scoring situations. Aggressive and menacing on defense. Appears to be gearing up for a huge senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437571' first='Jalen' last='Kampen'] 6-4 2025 Parchment (MI) </strong>Countering his former grassroots teammate Hatchett was this Kalamazoo area guard. Kampen started the game extremely hot from beyond the arc. Has the size to shoot over most point guards at 6-4. Also has a corresponding smooth and efficient release. Doesn't need much room to get it off. This size was used capably on his on penetration as well. Played with balance and mostly off of two feet. Wasn't going if get knocked off his spot on drives Aldo player at his own pace and wasn't going to get sped up. Scoring appears to come easily. However the playmaking ability at 6-4 are what could make him an intriguing next level prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1626883' first='Tristan' last='Comer'] 6-7 2026 Freeland (MI) </strong>Playing in only his second tournament with the host squad. Comer looked beyond comfortable already. The physical profile has always been extremely advanced and eye opening. I was impressed with the oversell skill set in his game. Operated like a seasoned veteran out of the high post. Showing good patience and court vision in finding open teammates. The physical skills are still impressive though. Took a steal and went coast-to-coast for an emphatic dunk. Also stepped in the clutch. Moved his feet on defense well away from the basket as a Swish 16U was attempting to run out the clock late. Forcing a critical late turnover. After playing with out of stare teams that past two spring/summers. His already lofty reputation should rise as he enters his junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2058632' first='Joey' last='Angok'] 6-9 2025 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern (MI) </strong>A tantalizing physical prospect appears to be putting together as he enters his senior season. Showed the ability to play out the perimeter with a nice step back jumper. However that skill has always been teased out. More importantly appeared to have added bulk to his very skinny frame. Especially in the upper body. Used it to effectively draw fouls on his drives. The next step is showing the strength to finish through contact. He is getting close. Finished with 13 points in his team's opening victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1587845' first='Keane' last='Hinkle'] 5-10 2025 Byron Center (MI) </strong>If you go back to an outstanding February and March run. Hinkle is one of the hottest prospects in the region. He kept that up in a major way Friday night. While Angok was manning the post for the [program_tooltip program_id='2077033' first='West' last='Michigan Lakers']. Hinkle was capably running the point and hitting from deep. Is left handed but capable of driving both directions. Not afraid to go hard to the basket despite not being the biggest prospect. Absorbs and finishes through contact. Has a tight and improving handle that allows him to get to his spots on the perimeter. Finished a with an eye opening 21 points in his teams opening victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->