Gotta Get It: Evening Standouts

In its third year the Gotta Get It Hoops Classic at East Kentwood High School presented its usual ambitious six game slate. As the sun went down the stars came out in a big way in the evening slate. Following are six standouts from three high profile contests.   [player_tooltip player_id='1440211' first='David' last='Williams'] 6-1 2025 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice I was impressed with Williams' defense just a few weeks ago in a victory against an excellent backcourt in Warren Lincoln (see below) He did it once again in an emphatic victory over an equally talented squad in the undefeated Muskegon Big Reds. Not flashiest prospect, but fits the mold of the old school tough nails Detroit point guards I grew up watching. Doesn't dribble the basketball— pounds it as if the court did something bad to him. Plays with an aggressive four quarter intensity thar sets the tone for his team and is tough to match, Began Saturday hot with 11 first half points and a basket at the halftime buzzer. Didn't let up in the second half as Brother Rice began to pull away. A physically imposing guard with a thick upper body. Williams ferociously attacked the basket and finished through contact. He continued a break out senior campaign and finished with 15 points in the victory.   [player_tooltip player_id='1805260' first='James' last='Martin'] 6-3 2026 Muskegon Simply put Muskegon did not have a great day on Saturday. Sometimes that happens with an aggressive tight schedule and Saturday Showcases. Martin played hard all game. Showing why he has earned division 1 offers and interest and belongs near the top of Michigan's 2026 class. Still has a pretty slender frame. However he played with a wiry strength and took on a lot of contact from a physical Brother Rice defense. The quick and sudden elevation is the carry skill for Martin. Showed it off in small bursts on Saturday. Balancing the aerial assault with perimeter attack in the next step in his development. He is getting there and showed that at times. Finished with a hard earned 24 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='1437541' first='Markus' last='Blackwell'] 6-2 2025 Warren Lincoln When I saw Blackwell over Christmas. He was playing a lot of point guard out of injury necessity for the Abe's. He was doing an admirable job, however it is not his natural position. With Lincoln's point guard back on Saturday night. The Eastern Illinois commit was able to slide off the ball and move into his scoring role— and score his did. I was impressed with the diverse way he did it. Was just as good from beyond the arc and he was on penetration. Northview had him scouted pretty well and had the perimeter length to bother him. Leading to a slow start. Consequently he used the outside shot to loosen up the defense. After hitting a three, he began to utilize a stop and go hesitation game that got him to the rim at will. Drove from both the right and left sides. Did it in the half court and in transition. It was complete offensive performance. He wanted the ball in his hands in the clutch. While he is not a natural point guard, has the ball handling ability to possibly move in that direction at the next level. Loaded with intangibles and has the banners to prove it. Didn't get the win on Saturday. However finished with 29 points and continues to show expansion and development in his game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1300933' first='Brady' last='Swartz'] 6-5 2025 Grand Rapids Northview (pictured) Fresh off a 50 piece against Wyoming. Swartz continued an outstanding senior campaign on Saturday night. For most of the contest, Swartz didn't show anything new to his game. Continued to get his spots easily in the mid range. Has the athleticism and size to rise easily over anyone at the high school level. This came with an upperclassmen growth spurt in the last two years. The shot has always been pure and present in his game. In the last two years has started to attack the basket play above the rim with increased athleticism and aggression. However in winning time showed a clutch gene that was impressive. It began with defensive intensity that had not seen before. Guarded hard and ran Lincoln's plethora of three point options off the three point line. Didn't just stop stop there though. Kept working after the guards attacked and protected the rim like a post presence. Was seemingly everywhere defensively. The icing on the cake was probably the highlight of the event. With Northview nursing a narrow late lead in a shot clock event. Warren Lincoln sunk into a zone. Northview began to appear to milk the clock with passive passing at the top of key. You expected a long three near the end of the shot clock. In past years you might have gotten this from Swartz. He had a different idea on Saturday. Swartz exploded on the back side of the zone for explosive dunk off a lob that essentially sealed the game and had the gym buzzing. The Western Michigan commit finished with 20 points as Northview earned a signature victory against a defending state champion.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140508' first='Kingston' last='Thomas'] 6-4 2027 East Lansing On a loaded and upperclassmen laden roster. I thought Thomas was the most mature and composed playmaker for Trojans on Saturday night. Didn't force things and played within the system. More than once turned down an open three and used a pump fake to calmly move into the mid range. His shot is automatic from that range. It's pretty good from beyond the arc as well as he finished with the threes in the contest. The mid range exploits are something you would expect from a veteran player. Not a player just beginning his second semester of varsity action. However it wasn't just an “old school” fundamental display. Showed off the next level athleticism with huge dunk off a lob in the first half. It is this mixture intangibles and highlight reel plays that puts this prospect near the top of his class. However he still a sophomore. Had a late foul and turnover that were key in keeping the door open for a furious St Mary's rally. That being said, the developmental curve is still pointed way up for this prospect. Finished with a team high 16 points in the victory.   [player_tooltip player_id='1437987' first='Isaiah' last='Hines'] 5-11 2025 Orchard Lake St Mary's With a giant [player_tooltip player_id='1437536' first='Trey' last='McKenney'] hole on Saturday night. St Mary's needed someone to step up. Hines, one of the smallest players in a game full of big bodies took on the challenge. Began the game hot and never really let up. Living up to his nickname used his next level speed to “zip” around the court and find seams on penetration. Took it to new gear in the in the fourth quarter. Keying a huge and almost successful comeback. Played a role in finding shooter Luke Crighton for four three pointers off the bench. It was much more than just ball distribution though. As Hines put up eight fourth quarter points as well, along two big threes of his own. Height is only question for him moving forward. Has proven himself against some of the best competition in the nation for two years now. Rose up to the challenge again Saturday. Finishing with a game high 18 points.

In its third year the Gotta Get It Hoops Classic at East Kentwood High School presented its usual ambitious six game slate. As the sun went down the stars came out in a big way in the evening slate. Following are six standouts from three high profile contests.