Louis O’Neal Classic: “AM”Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The staff at Saginaw Valley St put together another outstanding six game slate to open the 2024-2025 basketball season. One could read the “AM”in the title as the morning games. However I'm going use it to identify the three headling games and as another tip of the cap the tournament organizers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These were the three games that came after Michigan beat the school to the South. I take my job seriously, so I didn't much of the hardwood. But it was nice to watch the monumental upset on a big screen in the concourse during halftime and on breaks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So without any further ado here are five standouts from the games that came After Michigan (AM) pulled the upset. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1806407' first='Wilson' last='Huckeby'] 6-3 2026 Freeland (pictured) </strong>Simply put— no other place to start. Put together an electric performance to help Freeland achieve a big victory over Warren De La Salle. Got off to a slow start against a defense that was clearly keyed into stopping him. Also appeared to be nursing an injury on his shooting hand. As it was wrapped and he appeared to be favoring it. That didn't last long. Has earned a rep as a big time shooter. However it was much more than just bombs away from beyond the arc. Moved well off the ball and attacked the rim while he waited for the outside shot to warm up. With a sturdy and athletic frame has no problem getting to the basket and absorbing contact along the way. Got to the line often where he was nearly automatic. Once the outside shot came, there wasn't much defenders could do. Comes off of screens fundamentally sound and seemingly always catches the ball in the shooting motion. Finished with an impressive event high 28 point outing. Looks to be locked and loaded for what could be a huge junior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1626883' first='Tristan' last='Comer'] 6-7 2026 Freeland </strong>To the victors go the spoils. As the Eagles get two players on this list. Comer's contributions don't necessarily show up in a stat sheet. On the “outskirts” of Saginaw, Comer turned in a Draymond-esque performance. Meaning solid defense, a plethora of punishing picks, and intelligent passing. Protected the rim and walled up fundamentally sound against the Pilots cadre of rim attacking guards (see below) Picked up a foul in the waning moments of the contest. Notable as this was his first foul of the entire game. This speaks to his defensive intelligence. Plenty of Huckeby's open looks came off his wide bodied picks or anticipatory passes out of the high post. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437578' first='Armoni' last='Portis'] 6-1 2025 Warren De La Salle </strong>Portis had a breakout performance in last year's event as [player_tooltip player_id='1437544' first='Phoenix' last='Glassnor'] was out with an injury. This year with Glassnor at full strength, Portis continued his strong play. Has good size for a point guard and got wherever he wanted with his advanced ball handling skillset. Balanced scoring and playmaking well. Showed a next level reverse pivot fade away for two early in the game. Used his body well to get to the line often. The Central St (OH) commit finished the close loss with 20 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266476' first='Luke' last='Westerdale'] 6-1 2025 Riverview Gabriel Richard </strong>With some of his teammates 24 hours removed from a state championship football game. Westerdale shouldered a pretty heavy load on Saturday. Further complicating the task was the foul trouble that plagued Saginaw Valletta St commit [player_tooltip player_id='1438270' first='Charles' last='Kage'] throughout the contest. Operated well in pick and roll and two man situations. Frequently launching high arching three after getting a step. When the defense adjusted drove decisively to the basket. Also played strong defense. Ending the first quarter with a steal and a quick two. One the top Division III players in the state, notched his thousandth career point in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112203' first='Jaylin' last='Cooper'] 6-5 2026 Saginaw Heritage </strong>The breakout performer of the event for me. I wondered how Heritage would look after graduating two four year players who are playing at the next level. Cooper looked more than capable of picking up load for the Hawks. Started off the game hot from perimeter. When the shot cooled began attacking the rim with his next level above the rim athleticism. Started the game with crippling hesitation stop and go in transition. Also showed a mature step back and finished with both hands around the basket. Despite the overwhelming athleticism played with composure in transition. Didn't try to force things and got to the line often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2218048' first='Trenton' last='Lagarde'] 6-1 2025 Rochester Adams </strong>Both Lagarde and his team got off to a slow start on Saturday. As a seasoned veteran, provided intangibles to keep his team in it while he waited for his offense to catch up. Got an easy two off a backdoor cut to get his offense going. With the game seemingly out of reach got hot from beyond the arc. Hitting two deep three to set up a short handed Adams squad with a chance at the buzzer. Got the final look as well where it fell just short. Finished with 17 points in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->