BCAM: Day 2 Notebook
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Sunday at the BCAM Reaching Higher event was another day highlighted by big time competition from virtually every top team in the state. Following are set of observations from Day 2 action. Pewamo Westphalia might have the rare double for…
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Continue ReadingSunday at the BCAM Reaching Higher event was another day highlighted by big time competition from virtually every top team in the state. Following are set of observations from Day 2 action.
Pewamo Westphalia might have the rare double for a rural district
With the rare exceptions, the top of Division III basketball in the Mitten has been dominated by small schools from urban areas. From the gold standard of Flint Beecher, to Detroit Edison and Detroit Consortium. It goes without saying that those schools have often featured the best singular individual talent and deepest rosters.
If Pewamo-Westphalia continues to build upon what I saw this weekend. The rural district outside of Lansing might be able claim both distinctions. As far as singular talent. I feel pretty safe in calling
Grady Eklund
Grady
Eklund
6'3" | PG
Pewamo-Westphalia | 2026
State
MI
one the top overall players in Division III. Coming off an excellent spring with the
Grand Rapids Storm
Eklund continues to expand his versatile backcourt game. Adding the athletic ability to finish easily above the rim. At 6-3 with good length. The junior has ability to blow by and stay in front of anyone on both ends of the court. Showed it in a back and forth duel with Detroit Country Day’s
Christian Cast
Christian
Cast
6'1" | CG
Country Day | 2027
State
MI
Arguably the top player in the entire state in the 2027 class. If not this year, Eklund is strongly trending towards being the top overall player in the division next season.
Now about the other part. Does Pewamo have the deepest roster in the division? Going into the weekend. I would have said no. The deep units at Riverview Gabriel Richard and Jackson Lumen Christi have pretty strong cases. However I was impressed with the depth the Pirates displayed all weekend. They have size in 6-5 junior old school center Trent Piggot. He won’t blow you away on the perimeter. But at the Division III level he can do some damage on the block with his physicality and wide frame. You can’t have a good team from this part of the state without a “Thelen” on it. I liked the steady game of senior guard Reece Thelen. A no frills player who should be able to take some of the ball handling responsibilities from Eklund at times. There appears to be a solid 8-10 man rotation here.
Detroit Douglass might be back in Division IV
Sticking with smaller division theme thus far. Detroit Douglass was the only Division IV team at the loaded event. They have been somewhat quiet as a program after a 2021 state championship. That might change in the upcoming year. The Hurricane’s ran out extremely young but talented unit that had an up and down weekend.
No delicate way to say it. They looked outmatched against an experienced Oxford team on Saturday. It would have been easy for such a young team to let it set the tone for weekend. I went to a Sunday game to primarily scout their opponent. Douglass bounced back in a big way against Flint New Standard.
Led by sophomore guards Jacodi Nathan and De’Anthony Murphy. Douglass has two guards who can get to the basket. They are not very big (maybe 5-9 ish) but are excellent ball handlers who do not appear scared down among the trees. They also size in junior Dontay Burkes. After a three year hiatus and a lot change within the division. Could it be Hurricane season at the Breslin Center in March again?
Something “old” and something “new” at Northview
The “old” portion of the heading above was a welcomed sight to see. After being out an extended period of time due to injury. This was my first chance to see
Brady Swartz
Brady
Swartz
6'7" | SG
Grand Rapids Northview | 2025
State
MI
in a while. He looked like he hasn’t missed a beat. Long an advanced perimeter scorer. Swartz was living above the rim in big time matchup with Ann Arbor Huron. With a handful dunks and explosive drives to the basket. If that physicality is now a regular part of his game. The senior is rounding out to be a legitimate three level scorer.
Speaking of physicality. You never have to worry about that from the Wildcats junior star
Cameron Ryans
Cameron
Ryans
6'4" | SG
Northview | 2026
State
MI
The “new” part is a thinner frame and perhaps a corresponding new position. Having to play the post out of necessity for most of his career thus far. Ryans looked like a legitimate two guard this weekend. Showing improved ball handling and playmaking ability. The punishing drives and strength are still there. However he looks to be developing some counter movement moves and a mid range game as well. That being said, Northview did not show a lot of size. His ability on the block will probably still be a feature of his game next year.
Byron Center might be this year’s Zeeland West
Last year a senior laden Zeeland West team broke through the West Michigan March hegemony held by likes of Muskegon and Northview etc. After patient building and growth. Byron Center appeared this weekend to be poised to make a similar leap.
The Bulldogs have long had next level size on the frontline. That will not change as 6-9 senior center
Camden Karel
Camden
Karel
6'9" | PF
Byron Center | 2025
State
#219
Nation
MI
will return for his final campaign. He is skilled and has the touch from the perimeter to be the rare stretch five at the high school level. Picked up an offer from the new staff at UD-Mercy over the weekend. He should be joined on the frontline by 6-5 East Kentwood transfer
Jaden Bowman
Jaden
Bowman
6'5" | SF
East Kentwood | 2025
State
MI
Having this type of athleticism and length at the four spot is a luxury most teams do not have.
They have plenty of backcourt firepower as well. With senior
Keane Hinkle
Keane
Hinkle
5'10" | PG
Byron Center | 2025
State
MI
and junior
Cassius Bont
Cassius
Bont
6'2" | PG
Byron Center | 2026
State
MI
(pictured) They are both good point guards who operate on opposite ends of the spectrum. Hinkle is a small but crafty lefty who plays bigger than his frame. While Bont is physically imposing guard who can score and does not mind contact. The x-factor for BC wasn’t playing on Sunday. He was down the hallway getting offered by Grand Valley’s football team.
Isaac Lee
Isaac
Lee
6'1" | PG
Byron Center | 2025
State
MI
could provide the scoring pop that pushes this team over the top. Despite its rural locale. Cadillac is a big team that tested Muskegon last year in the tournament. Byron Center overwhelmed Cadillac on Sunday. It was impressive performance that gives you a glimpse of the Bulldog’s ceiling.