MHSAA Quarterfinals: Doubleheader Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While I had a plethora of big game options on Regional Final Thursday. I can't turn down a doubleheader. So it was off to the North for a two hander of Division I and Division II action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following are a six standouts from a deep and talented four team slate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2058663' first='Gavin' last='Grondin'] 6-1 2025 Kingsford (pictured) </strong>A workmanlike performance from an experienced player who had clearly been in this round before. I'll be frank, last time I saw him in this gym. He kind of ran out of gas in a high scoring quarterfinal loss. That wasn't going to happen Thursday night. As he played off the ball much of the night and allowed others players to run the point. Was in constant motion off the ball and ran off of screens well. Caught the ball in the shooting motion. Got out in transition and used his body to get to the foul line. Showed off the bounce by catching and finishing a designed lob. The Lake Superior St commitment was subbed out of the lopsided contest with about six minutes left. Still managed to finish with 23 points. The Lakers are keeping a good one on the Peninsula.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1504837' first='Morgan' last='Sleik'] 6-5 2025 Kingsford </strong>While Grondin controlled the perimeter. Sleik took advantage of a smaller Ludington frontline. Controlled the paint on both ends of the court. The Carroll (WI) commit caught lobs and showed a soft touch around the basket. Sleik's physical transformation over the last four years has been impressive. Has a thick, wide, but very athletic frame. Shows above average mobility and lateral quickness. While also playing easily above the rim. Knows and plays his role well. Isn't going venture out on the perimeter much. That's not a bad thing. Finished with 17 points, and like Grondin was subbed out very early in the contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1439355' first='Donovan' last='Hamlin'] 6-5 2025 Flint Carman Ainsworth </strong>I've been watching “Hawk” a long time. Used to run with the since departed <strong>Chris McLavish Jr</strong> (Georgia) on the CMB Running Rebels. I'm not entirely sure of the nickname's origin. However I would bet it comes from Hamlin's impressive wingspan. Has enabled him to be a major weapon on the defensive end his entire career. Played a major role in holding Marquette's star post [player_tooltip player_id='2471674' first='Jacob' last='MacPhee'] (Michigan Tech) scoreless in the first half. However as a senior, the offensive game had come along nicely. Will probably never be true wing, but has the handle to hold his own out on the perimeter. Was able to initiate offense out of the high post as a passer. On the block the athleticism and lane agility is elite. Just explodes to the rim. Had a momentum shifting powerful flush in the second half. Also had one in the previous round against Rockford. Finished with 15 points in the victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2053470' first='Deuce' last='Weston'] 5-10 2025 Flint Carman Ainsworth </strong>I shouldn't need to give my bona fides. You can just scan the archives. I see a LOT of players throughout the course of the year. Weston is the clearly fastest player with ball in his hands I have seen this year. Had a stop and go snake dribble in the first half that had the gym buzzing. Still not sure how this particular jump cut got him from the top key to the basket in what seemed like one dribble. Surprising that he covered so much ground because he is not very big. While jet quick, played under control and largely limited turnovers. Also shot the ball well from beyond the arc. Finished with 13 points in the victory but also added plenty of winning intangibles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2610333' first='Kendreyas' last='White']</strong> <strong>6-6 Flint Carman Ainsworth </strong>White got off to red hot start on the night. Foul trouble short circuited the promising start. Before the whistles, used his size to attack the basket as a plus sized wing. Has the size and ability to rise over most defenders at the high school. Showed the rise with a powerful transition dunk in the first half. Perhaps a little off the radar to some Michigan high school basketball fans. However a known commodity out of state as he has played on the national EYBL circuit with Indy Heat. If the Cavs can make the Breslin Center that status could change quickly. Only a junior, he has the potential to finish up near the top of the 2026 class. Scored 12 first half point but was held scoreless in the second half. Establishing offensive consistency will be the next step in his development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2262437' first='Jaxon' last='Jurmu'] 6-0 2025 Marquette </strong>As mentioned above, Marquette's post attack got off to a slow start. Jurmu's steady lead guard hand helped keep the Sentinel's in it to make a furious run at the end. Attacked the basket against Carman Ainsworth powerful front line. Getting them into foul trouble in the process (see above) Didn't over penetrate and kept the Cavs size off balance with a clever and crafty floater. Dealt with extreme speed of the Cavs backcourt well (see above)Not surprising as he consistently tested out as one of the better athletes during the elite camp season. Capped an outstanding career with 13 points in the loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->