The Last Dance: Mitten and Hoosier Standouts

With a surprising dearth of teams from each of tradition rich basketball states at The Last Dance Event outside of Chicago. I've decided to combine the standouts from these neighboring states into one column.   While it's not as extreme of experiment as combing players from Michigan and Ohio. We'll see if this group of prospects can coexist with each other.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Michigan </h2>   Mariano Manciel 6-4 2026 Wasatch Academy (UT)/Sterling Heights Stevenson (MI) Manciel began last season in Michigan. Transferred mid season to an Utah prep school that competes in the prestigious on Nike EYBL Scholastic league. Was playing with a Mac Irvin Fire EYBL squad that was playing up an age group this weekend. Really showed how versatile he can be as a prospect. Manciel made plays all weekend both at the rim and from perimeter. This iteration of the Fire squad did not feature a lot of size. Manciel used his length to collect a handful of blocks at the rim. Also used his length out on the perimeter to get into passing lanes and get steals. Turned defense into offense quickly in transition. Bouncy prospect who finishes easily above the rim. A little under radar in the midst of the school switches. Hopefully he can settle in at Wasatch and start to garner some of the attention his game warrants.   [player_tooltip player_id='2058636' first='Easton' last='Day'] 6-2 2025 Mount Pleasant One of the more consistent performers on the Prep Hoops Circuit the last two seasons. Day capped off his run on the circuit in style this weekend. Bookended his tournament with two outstanding scoring performances. Opened up play with a 25 point outing to defeat a team from Iowa. Scored at all three levels. While also showing point guard skills to pass his teammates open. But saved his best for last. With his team down a man (see below) Kicked the scoring into high gear to defeat an impressive team from Southeastern Missouri that was undefeated up until that point. Didn't wait for the game to come to him and was aggressive offensively as I have seen him. Once again scoring from all three levels. I have always been impressed with how he gets his points. The ball doesn't stick in his hands. If is shot isn't there, finds open teammates and stays in motion off the ball. Had a real nice one handed fling on the money to a teammate on a backdoor cut. Wrapped up the weekend the with 28 points. I might be a tad biased as a Michigan scout. But it was one of the better performances I saw all weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='2432812' first='Nick' last='Dise'] 6-0 2025 Mount Pleasant Sunday was a “Newton's Law” type of day for [program_tooltip program_id='2429901' first='REAL' last='Basketball']. Coming off a close Saturday loss that went late into the evening. Their opener was interrupted mid game by a fire alarm issue that caused the entire gym to be evacuated. Then after filing back into the gym, quickly lost one of the better players to injury. As he split his slip and bled all over the court requiring off site stitches— NOTE: I'm not making any of this up. Needless to say, the Mid Michigan squad needed someone to step up and give them a boost. Into that gap stepped Day's regular season running mate. Dise guarded Minnesota Heat's top player effectively and was a factor defensively. Isn't very big with a slender frame. Making his defensive contributions all the more impressive. Also hit a few threes in the contest. Is in constant motion off the ball and seems to have a knack for getting open.   [player_tooltip player_id='1588188' first='Brady' last='Blasko'] 6-2 2026 Berrien Springs Tucked away in the far Southwest corner of state and playing with an out of state AAU squad. Blasko is flying a little under the radar as he becomes an upperclassman. Not a flashy guard, but has a smooth and composed offensive skill set that is effective. The lefty is patient and doesn't force things offensively. However when he decides to go, is very assertive. Gets good elevation on his shot. When combined with the left handed release, it is tough to block. Is a solid ball handler who played the point at times for [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game']. Good athlete who gets off your ground quickly. Probably doesn't play above the rim at this point. But could get there. Should form a nice backcourt for the Shamrocks along with senior jumping jack [player_tooltip player_id='1437542' first='JJ' last='Frakes'].   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Indiana </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2391219' first='Paul' last='Gilvydis'] 6-5 2025 Andrean (pictured) Versatile Northern Indiana prospect turned in one the better performances I saw on the weekend during a close Saturday victory against Racine Truth out of Wisconsin. Essentially served as a point forward for [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game']. Initiating offense out of the high post. After catching in the high post faced up and surveyed the court with next level court vision. Had a sturdy and stocky build with quick burst athleticism that he uses to get shots off at the rim. Also uses his broad shoulders to create space and make unique finishing angles. Was also a major factor on the boards. Despite not necessarily looking for his own offense. Put up some eye opening numbers in the game against with Racine Truth. Finished with 22 points and 17 rebounds in the tight contest.   [player_tooltip player_id='2405821' first='Anthony' last='Murphy'] 6-3 2025 Michigan City While Gilvydis was owing the high post and the block for [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game']. Murphy was making plays from the wing. Really came alive in the second half during the clutch of a very close game. A slashing prospect who used a nice handle to get to the basket. Bouncy prospect who easily rose over defenders. Consequently did most his damage near the rim and off of penetration. Finished with near double double of 11 points and 8 rebounds. Dealt with foul trouble for much of the game, or he might have put up more numbers. Impressive physical prospect who could be a late bloomer if he continues to improve.

With a surprising dearth of teams from each of tradition rich basketball states at The Last Dance Event outside of Chicago. I've decided to combine the standouts from these neighboring states into one column.