PH Freshman Showcase: Team 6 Quick Hitters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following are some brief observations from Team #6 at the Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase held this past Sunday.&nbsp;<br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2407785' first='Ja'kari' last='Lovelady'] 5-7 East Kentwood</strong> By accident caught this player a few years ago. It was in this very same gym when he was playing up as a rising grade schooler. Since then, I have always had this memorable name in the back of mind. My how time flies. Lovelady looked advanced physically since that day and ready for high school basketball. I was impressed with how hard he competed on the defensive end. Showing quick hands and nice anticipation in passing lanes on multiple steals. Used an effective hesitation dribble to get to the basket on more than one instance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tate VanDaele 5-7 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern </strong>Not very big but showed a knack for getting the ball off against taller players. Part of that knack came from nice ball handling ability. If he can add size as he ages. The start of a lead guard skill set is there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2527220' first='Jayden' last='Fomby'] 5-6 L'anse Creuse </strong>Like the player directly above him on this list. Not very big, but an effective ball handler and penetrator. Drew defenses on drives and delivered a series of clever dump off passes for scores. Including a nice no look pass. Also seemed to absorb contact well despite not having the biggest frame. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2413924' first='Parker' last='Breithaupt'] 5-8 Buckley </strong>Pint sized playmaker coming off big spring/summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2077029' first='Parallel' last='45']. Often playing up an age level. While he isn't very tall, has a thicker frame than many of the sub 5-10 playmakers who populated the camp. Showed more shooting ability than I have seen in previous settings. Including a smooth release on a corner three. Should have ample opportunity at a strong small program that could use some additional point guard punch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2398224' first='Jeremiah' last='Tucker'] 6-2 Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian Academy </strong>Plays at a very small parochial school from a remote area of Northern Michigan (up near the Mackinac Bridge) Consequently due to the small enrollment he, has something on his resume virtually no one else in the camp has— varsity playing experience. It shows in how he competes. Especially on the defensive end. In one game banged hard down low against one of the biggest players in the camp. Showed a quick second jump and the ability to finish with his left.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2539732' first='Hudson' last='Mclean']&nbsp;6-3 Traverse City Central (pictured) </strong>From two of the smallest schools in Northern Michigan (if not the state) To one of the biggest. I intentionally do not spend much time in middle school gyms. That being said, as a resident of the region. I have been hearing about this young man for a while. This spring and summer he has more than lived up to that reputation. Has excellent size already. However has the type of versatile skillset that could go “either way”. What I mean by that, is if he is done growing (which I doubt) he could be a “jumbo sized” wing. If he adds more vertical size he could develop into an intriguing stretch four type prospect. Interested to see how much varsity time he earns this year with a new coach and system at Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->