Grit Region Finals: A Michigan Made Saturday Notebook

<p>This is my fifth summer covering events on the Prep Hoops Circuit. I greatly enjoy covering a wide variety stares from the Midwest region.</p>   <p>However as Scott Van Pelt like to say “everyone is from somewhere.” I'll just say it, maybe because I can be harsh critic. It seems that Michigan teams have often come up short in the events I have covered. That was not the case on Saturday at the Grit Region Finals. Three Michigan teams had excellent Saturdays. Following are some notes from their performances.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2429901' first='REAL' last='Basketball'] has a REAL good day </h2>   <p>[program_tooltip program_id='2429901' first='REAL' last='Basketball'] is an up and coming program from Mid Michigan largely populated by players from rural areas. Both of their 17U squads have showed that they can play with anyone this weekend. The REAL-Wells squad pulled out two nip-and-tuck victories over a team from Evansville (Pocket City) and a team from Buffalo ([program_tooltip program_id='2077011' first='Corey' last='Graham Elite'])</p>   <p>Mount Pleasant guard [player_tooltip player_id='2058636' first='Easton' last='Day'] led then in scoring in both contests. That is not entirely unexpected. What was surprising was that he did despite not having his usual touch from beyond the arc. Day found other ways to affect the game while he waited for the shot to start falling. Particularly pin point live dribble passing.</p>   <p>The recipient of many of those passes was rising Northern Michigan forward [player_tooltip player_id='1819161' first='Ben' last='Rodenbaugh'] (pictured) From a very rural area. Rodenbaugh is showing this spring and summer that his athleticism travels well. Defensively really came alive late against [program_tooltip program_id='2077011' first='Corey' last='Graham Elite']. Shutting down their best wing. One of the chief catalyst in REAL's come from behind victory. Sometimes stats only tell part of the story defensively. Not the case here. As Rodenbaugh finished with 6 blocks. Offensively attacks the basket and elevates easily over defenders. Rodenbaugh had 16 points in each victory Saturday. While Day had 21 and 19 points respectively.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2077028' first='North' last='Oakland Wolfpack'] hits a dominating triple </h2>   <p>Hailing from the Northern suburbs of Detroit. The North Oakland Wolpack was dominant in going 3-0 on the day, They were led largely by the backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1439365' first='Jake' last='Champagne'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1438245' first='John' last='Kaul'] You could classify them as a “twin” backcourt. As their games and frames are very similar.</p>   <p>Oxford product Champagne is physical guard with a thick upper body. He seeks out and absorbs contact on drives. Jumps off of two feet and plays with an excellent sense of balance and pace. Isn't going to blow you away with one particular skill but does everything well and is fundamentally sound.</p>   <p>Out of tradition rich Clarkston. Kaul has the fundamentals you expect from a player hailing from that program. However he also has a some wiggle and bounce you would not expect at first glance. Nearly pulled off an impressive two handed flush early in their second game of the day. Champagne and Kaul have the ability to play both backcourt spots. Making them particularly difficult to defend as a duo.</p>   <p>In the Wolfpack's third contest. The backcourt got off to slow start. The front court of [player_tooltip player_id='2218054' first='Zackary' last='Price-Parks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2467562' first='Gavin' last='Ort'] stepped into that momentary void. Price-Parks is a slashing 6-5 wing who brought a defensive intensity his team needed. The Lake Orion product used his lengthy frame to finish easily above the rim. At 6-4 Ort took on the task of guarding at decent 6-8 center and essentially shut him down. Ort is also a threat on the perimeter with his length, bounce, and a nice outside shot. This combination could make the Waterford Mott player a unique small college prospect.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">BNB has a serious backcourt </h2>   <p>Here is my “off my lawn” over 40 rant for the summer. Let's get it out of the way early. The traditional “set ‘em up” point guard feels like an endangered species. That is what made [player_tooltip player_id='1437546' first='Darryl' last='Thompkins'] performance so refreshing on Saturday. </p>   <p>I don't think the East Kentwood point guard even scored in double figures in a victory over fellow Michigan squad MAD Athletics. But what he did do was control the tempo and tenor of the game. The East Kentwood guard used his elite handle to get wherever he wanted on the perimeter. Played with his head up and was the rare pass first point guard. He was excellent live dribble passer with both hands. With corresponding next level court vision. Not very big but plays with a low center gravity and isn't going to get pushed around. </p>   <p>To get a lot of assists. You have to have to someone who can make shots. On Saturday that person with Wyoming [player_tooltip player_id='2262438' first='Jack' last='Hogan'] Hogan was automatic from beyond the arc. Gets his feet set quickly and has unusual but effective release. He was also a factor defensively and out on break. Had five threes in the victory over MAD Athletics. </p>

This is my fifth summer covering events on the Prep Hoops Circuit. I greatly enjoy covering a wide variety stares from the Midwest region.