LSSU Laker Elite Camp Studs

Run-and-gun basketball was what filled the gym at Lake Superior State University early this week. After a long weekend of team camp at LSSU, we saw many of the best players in the state stick around the Norris Center for an extra two days to attend LSSU's Elite Camp. Many sweat-soaked shirts, as the LSSU coaches and players put these boys to the test. Endurance was one of the main teaching points, as well as hustle and transition basketball—all of which any fan of the game should appreciate. I was able to visit with some of them, and even highlight a few again from Northern Michigan.    What can we say about this young man that hasn't already been said? Well, we can reiterate how well he plays for his size. What I mean by that, is he is a big who can very much play like a guard. In one play he may bring the ball up the floor and hit a deep three and the next play, he'll attack the basket and dunk. When this division 1-3 UP player of the year (2 years running) transitions to the next level, this type of guard play will be a big advantage for him.     [player_tooltip player_id='2471674' first='Jacob' last='MacPhee'] was a force in the paint on day 1 of camp. He has a nice power dribble/drop step combination that led to many great opportunities from the low post. He is forcefully able to clean up on second-chance opportunities, too. During the 5 x 5 sessions, he was on a team with a quick guard, he picked up on this and did a great job sealing the post. With continued performances like he had on Monday, Jacob will continue to show up on next-level radars. I would easily put him as one of the top PF/C in the entire Upper Peninsula.     [player_tooltip player_id='2058663' first='Gavin' last='Grondin'] is very comfortable in the Coop (Bud Cooper Gym-LSSU home court) and should soon look great in Laker Blue and Gold. This young man is extremely quick, with a lightning-fast release, and shoots the ball very well. He had an excellent few days getting to the hoop and scoring. He is quick on defense and sheds a screen about the best among his peers. His Kingsford Flivvers team should make a deep tournament run next spring and we look forward to covering that. 2024/2025 UP Mr. Basketball will likely be a close race between him and Kangas.      As much as I would love to have only "Yoopers" on my scouting report, I could not refute the outstanding performance of this young man over the past two days. Jake is an absolute machine when it comes to playing around the rim. Transition basketball is one of the strongest parts of his game, and he does this very well. He scored multiple buckets against players much larger than him, as he is able to separate and create space.     We must dish up another evaluation of [player_tooltip player_id='2112170' first='Braeden' last='Flynn'] after he had an excellent two-day performance at the Elite Camp. I mentioned him in my last article after the team camp, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well he performed against some much better competition. He is in excellent physical condition and after a full four days of run-and-gun play, he was still giving 110% all the way into the final hour of camp. Braeden and teammate [player_tooltip player_id='2218043' first='Rider' last='Bartel'] should help carry the Harbor Springs Rams team through District 67, and likely farther into a division 3 postseason run.

Run-and-gun basketball was what filled the gym at Lake Superior State University early this week. After a long weekend of team camp at LSSU, we saw many of the best players in the state stick around the Norris Center for an extra two days to attend LSSU's Elite Camp. Many sweat-soaked shirts, as the LSSU coaches and players put these boys to the test. Endurance was one of the main teaching points, as well as hustle and transition basketball—all of which any fan of the game should appreciate. I was able to visit with some of them, and even highlight a few again from Northern Michigan.