Two Gyms, a Snowy Saturday, and some New Names

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past Saturday I decided to brave the arctic conditions and hit two different showcases in West Michigan. I was fortunate to catch a handful of new names and underclassmen who stood out in the midst of the expected stars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following are a batch of five players listed in the chronological order that I saw then this past Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2454031' first='Zameir' last='Clayton'] 6-2 2028 Benton Harbor (pictured) </strong>I couldn't help but think of conversation from this summer while watching this prospect play for the first time on Saturday. In talking to a prominent Southwest Michigan coach about the still emerging 2028 class. He mentioned Benton Harbor has guard who can play with anyone. In this business you hear things like this a lot. Especially with young players and when people are repping players from their own region. Well you sir are— correct. I was very impressed with both the composure and overall skillset of this rangy guard. Moved gracefully around the court and got into the shooting motion easily. Especially in the mid range which is unusual for a player this young. Wasn't just interested in jacking up 30 footers and attacking the rim. Is an advanced ball handler for his size already. Back to that original conversation from the summer. I was expecting a small “waterbug” guard from the coaches description. No height shenanigans here. Clayton is easily well over 6 feet and talented. If this prospect can get to the 6-4 or range. We could looking at the next one up from this hoops factory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140507' first='Kesean' last='Hobbs']</strong> <strong>6-4 2027 Benton Harbor </strong>While Clayton waits to get into the next height range. Hobbs, a more established prospect for Benton Harbor is already there. Used his imposing height and wingspan to cause major problems at the top of a press against Vicksburg. Turned defense into offense quickly off of his many deflections and steals. With his physical profile is as explosive at the rim as would you would expect. However he is also a confident outside shooter with a smooth and effortless release. Like Clayton, doesn't fall in love with three and is good in the mid range as well. Benton Harbor is the type of program that doesn't rebuild, it just reloads. They have two excellent underclassmen in Clayton and Hobbs to do it once again. Hobbs finished with 23 points in the dominant victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cody Osbun 6-2 2027 Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian </strong>Six state championship banners don't hang by accident. Osbun fits the prototype of the type of player that this program has been producing since the mid 90's. Fundamentally sound player who seemed to step up offensively as Lenawee Christian keyed in on star point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2423654' first='Keaton' last='Blanker'] in the first half. Good shooter who was patient and utilized a pump fake as Lenawee closed out hard from their 2-3 zone look. Finished with 13 points in the victory and should be next up for a program that is going to face a lot change in the next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eli Sturgess 5-11 2027 Flint Powers Catholic </strong>Sturgess picked his spots well and got off to a good start for Powers. With [player_tooltip player_id='2058638' first='Javontae' last='Ross'] back from injury he wasn't as much as factor Saturday as I saw in an opening showcase in Saginaw. Sound ball handler who plays within himself and the system. Like seemingly everyone in the Charger attack— he is a good shooter from beyond the arc. Not very tall but has a strong frame. There is a lot of senior offensive firepower in the Powers program. Should form a nice backcourt next year with [player_tooltip player_id='2217992' first='Andrew' last='Caldwell']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2758267' first='Dominic' last='Wing'] 6-5 2028 Cadillac </strong>This emerging wing jumped onto radars with a big summer during the team camp season. The start of this season was curtailed by a football ball injury. Understandably he still appears to be getting comfortable and trying to find a role on a good senior laden Cadillac squad. His role became pretty defined early for him at Cornerstone University. As four Cadillac starters were saddled two first half fouls apiece. Wing stepped up offensively and played a role in Cadillac coming back tie the game late. The long lefty had a nice euro finish thar started to swing momentum. Good ball handler for his size and can get to spots easily on the perimeter. Already has the size and release point to easily shoot over most defenders. Will need to add strength become more assertive offensively to take the next step developmentally. However there is plenty of time for this prospect with an extremely high upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->