Michigan State Tournament: Friday Night Lights

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a new bracketed format for this year. The Prep Hoops Circuit made its only Michigan stop over Memorial Day weekend. Following are five standouts from Friday's opening night action. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2055727' first='Austin' last='Burns'] 6-5 2025 Marshall (pictured) </strong>First time catching this versatile prospect since last summer. Last year had upside that was easy to spot. With a lengthy frame and versatile skill set. If I remember correctly, he was also playing up a grade level with this same Team Truth squad he was playing this weekend. This year he appears to have filled out considerably in the last year. With broad shoulders and a thicker lower body as well. Maintains the versatile skill. Did damage near basket with his length and increased strength. However when the opener with Hardwood Midwest got close at the end. Burns took charge and essentially became the squads point guard. Outside of crunch time. Also showed the ability to initiate offense from different spots on the court. Was an especially good passer out of the high post. If the development I saw Friday night is real. Could be a really underrated prospect as he enters his senior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2443089' first='Brayden' last='Mitchelson'] 6-4 2025 Muskegon Reeths-Puffer </strong>Mitchelson showed similar versatility to his opponent Burns (see above) Made plays at the basket and in the post. Where Burns was lanky and lean. Mitchelson is a stocky and compact athlete. The combination of strength and foot speed allows him to both play and guard multiple positions. Is highly aggressive and competitive. Kept fighting after his Harwood Midwest squad went down big early. Helped then claw all the way back for a thrilling late finish. Did not appears to mind contact and showed the strength to finish through it on more than one occasion. With a new coach and significant graduation losses. There is room for new opportunity at Reeths-Puffer. Mitchelson could be lining up for a big senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2404301' first='Preston' last='Parmentier'] 5-10 2027 Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest </strong>Breakout performer of the night for me. Skilled and highly competitive prospect who did it all from the point guard position. Did while also playing up a grade level with Michigan Flyers. Got wherever he wanted on the perimeter with a mature ball handling skill set. Also operated like a seasoned veteran in pick and roll situations. He is not very big but appeared to adept at creating space with his handle and a full bag of step back combination moves. Has the corresponding high arching shot that his build demands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2270811' first='Dominic' last='Goines'] 6-3 2026 Livonia Franklin </strong>Gets the clutch gene award for the night. Hit a clutch corner three to force overtime. Also was clutch at the line in the trilling comeback victory. Behind just crunch time. Showed a versatile scoring skill set. Very slender frame. However has the size and length to shoot over most defenders at the two spot. Was in constant motion off the ball and appeared to know how to find seams and get open. Had quick release thar he did not need much room to get off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2218016' first='Isaac' last='Chalupa'] 6-5 2026 South Haven </strong>Like the first player who filled out considerably since the last time I saw him. Thick all the way around with broad shoulders and long arms. Chalupa lived on the glass for West Coast 2026. Accordingly elevated quickly and easily to the rim. Showed a soft touch around the basket. With range extending about to the free throw line extended. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->