The Invite: Top Ten from Games 1&2

In its third iteration The Invite presented by the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] hosted its usual ambitious West Michigan centric four game slate. Replete with next level players, highlight plays, and late game drama. Following are ten standouts from the first two games of the day.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Haven vs Grand Rapids Christian </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2610329' first='Kaden' last='Strong'] 6-1 2025 Grand Haven There is a signed scholarship football player in Grand Haven's backcourt. If that was all you knew, you would assume it was this player and not starting point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1439045' first='Will' last='Korenstra'] Strong belied his thick frame all day on his way to a huge shooting game. Is much quicker and light on his feet then you would expect ar first glance. Used his broad shoulders and intelligence to get to line often. Where he was automatic. Especially late as the Eagles were fouling to extend the game. The Grace Christian commit finished with an event high 25 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='1935093' first='Will' last='Plummer'] 6-1 2026 Grand Haven Has a well earned reputation as a shooter. However with his teammate going off Saturday (see above) Plummer showed off the other aspects of his game. Particularly his improved defense. Slowed and bothered Christian's two headed point guard attack all afternoon. Handled the ball well and showed more than enough ability as a table setting point guard as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2951435' first='Harper' last='Huntington'] 6-1 2027 Grand Haven The sweet shooting lefty provided an excellent punch off the bench for the Buccaneers. Plays like an upperclassman. The ball does not stick in his hands long and was in constant motion offensively. Caught the ball in the shooting motion and got if off quickly. Has a nice frame and does not look like a sophomore. At his height I will be watching to see how much playmaking he develops in the next few years. With or without it, this prospect has a high ceiling going forward.   [player_tooltip player_id='2217997' first='Carl' last='Thompson'] 6-3 2026 Grand Rapids Christian I'm not going to sugarcoat it— the Eagles did not have a great day on Saturday. Foul trouble, missed shots, and general malaise hindered them all game. Let's be clear, much of that had to do with how well Grand Haven played. Let's further be clear, I still expect Christian to be in the Division II state championship conversation. However Thompson had to carry a pretty heavy load on Saturday. Did it fairly well after a slow start. Has such a varied scoring skill set. Can score at all three levels and seemingly does it effortlessly. With him team struggling and the game getting away late, he pretty much took over. Snaking to the basket often and forcing the issue offensively. However the nature of the game did show something he could improve on. With the margin and tempo of the game expanding. The Eagles could have used a break and some easy baskets. Thompson is very good at avoiding contact. I would have liked to see him take some contact and get the foul line. Perhaps even gotten a few and 1 opportunities. This is mildly nitpicking and Thompson has a very bright future. Used a fourth quarter surge to finish with 21 points in the loss.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hudsonville Unity Christian vs Grand Rapids Catholic Central </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2387214' first='Brogan' last='Sherd'] 6-0 2026 Hudsonville Unity Christian (pictured) A big time clutch performance for this bouncy lead guard prospect. However it didn't start out that way. Was held scoreless in the first half. That doesn't mean he played bad though. Used his quickness and athleticism to largely shut down the Catholic backcourt and keep them out of paint. In the second half the offense opened up in a major way. Seemed to come alive as the stakes got higher. Wanted the ball late. Took the final shot of regulation (it was blocked) Essentially had the dagger layup in the waning moments of the extra period. Finished with 15 points to help the Crusaders stay undefeated.   [player_tooltip player_id='2442648' first='Jack' last='Kamminga'] 6-3 2026 Hudsonville Unity Christian The best I have seen this versatile wing play. In AAU basketball within his own age group, I had pegged him as more of a 3/4 forward prospect. Playing “up” on Saturday, displayed more guard skills than I thought he had. Really picked up the slack offensively in the first half for a starting backcourt that went virtually scoreless (see above) Putting up nine first half points. Cooled off in the second half. Only hitting one bucket— but what a bucket it was. A clutch three to give his squad a momentary late lead with less than a minute left in regulation. Finished with 12 points in dramatic overtime victory. Unity's second in 24 hours. Kamminga was the breakout performer of the event for this scout.   [player_tooltip player_id='1373853' first='Jake' last='Chapman'] 6-7 2025 Hudsonville Unity Christian It was outstanding just to see Chapman out on the court in this years event. Last year he was in street clothes after a scary cardiac incident during the football season. That being said, this is much more than just a “participation” write up. Chapman used his size and eye opening wingspan to own the paint against a Catholic squad with a strong frontline. Essentially made it a “no fly” zone. Especially in the first half. Walled up well in the second half and bothered shots as Catholic began to penetrate with more frequency. Moved his feet well and bothered Catholic guards in high hedges in the two man game. Offensively continued to show a soft touch around the basket. Finished 8 points and plenty of impactful non scoring plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='1806399' first='Zay' last='Larthridge'] 6-4 2026 Grand Rapids Catholic Central Lathridge came out quite aggressive at the start of the contest. The outside shot is pure, fundamentally sound and consistent. You can seemingly always count on it. His trigger quick release and size allow to get it off fairly easily. Did show an expansion to his game by going down into the post on a few instances. Got low and fought hard for position while showing a quick and efficient efficient turn around. Finished with 17 points in the overtime loss.   [player_tooltip player_id='2360472' first='Jordan' last='McCoy'] 6-1 2026 Grand Rapids Catholic Central Like his point guard counterpart Sherd, got off to a bit of a slow start. However he appeared to figure out how Unity was hedging out and guarding on pick and rolls. Once he did, he used his next level speed to turn the corner get to the basket often. Plays the point maturely and initiated offense efficiently. To be honest, could have been a little more selfish in looking for his own shot. Despite the speed isn't a small roadrunner type prospect. Has good vertical size and a frame that can absorb contact on drives. I had him finishing in double figures with 10 after going scoreless in the first half.   [player_tooltip player_id='2539728' first='Emani' last='Hinkle'] 6-2 2028 Grand Rapids Catholic Central I'll end with an eye toward the future. Hinkle didn't provide a lot that will show up in a scorebook. However he competed hard off the bench and was clearly not intimidated by the big stage. Evidenced by calming putting in the short shot that put the game into overtime. Has an advanced physical frame. Not entirely sure what his long term position will be at this point. However the physical upside is readily apparent. A lot change in the Cougar program both on the bench and on the court. Hinkle has chance to keep Catholic near their standard of excellence if he can keep expanding his game.

In its third iteration The Invite presented by the Grand Rapids Storm hosted its usual ambitious West Michigan centric four game slate. Replete with next level players, highlight plays, and late game drama. Following are ten standouts from the first two games of the day.