Rumble in the Rapids: Jennings’ Fab Five

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are 5 players I enjoyed watching this weekend at PH's Rumble in the Rapids. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140480"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680e98587c24c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wade was one of the more high-profile 2027 prospects that played this weekend in GR. Luckily, I got to see his one game against [program_tooltip program_id='2077030' first='The' last='Family'], and he more than held his own. It seemed as though anytime his team needed a basket, he created a good opportunity for himself or a teammate. Despite playing in the most-watched game on Saturday morning, Wade played at his own pace, and had control over his team. I was most impressed with his on-court leadership. Every timeout or dead ball, Carter was pulling his teammates into a huddle, very Tim Duncan-esque. A true coach on-the-floor with skill, a dangerous, rare combination.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2539747"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680e98587c2e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I had not seen Farmer play since the Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase back in August. I distinctly remember his willingness to move the basketball on offense to pair with a solid jumper. This weekend, I got to see a different side of his game. On Saturday, he put on an impressive inside-the-arc performance. There was a few minute stretch where he had numerous in-traffic rebounds and completed multiple contact finishes at the rim.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2218021"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680e98587c351"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've now seen Jake play on two separate occasions over the past few months, in the regional semifinal against Flint C-A and this weekend in Grand Rapids. He has a couple skills I don't see much of. First, is his effectiveness after he grabs a rebound. He's so good at getting a board and efficiently throwing a quality outlet pass to start the break. However, he doesn't need to always give it up. I didn't see a player all weekend that had the ability to grab a contested rebound, then confidently take 2-3 dribbles to escape pressure, before passing it up the floor. Bascom is also a highly skilled passer for his size. He makes difficult passes like the shovel or the 1-arm cross-court look easy. The unique combination of size, strength, and intangibles that Jake possesses makes him an intriguing prospect to watch this spring &amp; summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2427556"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680e98587c3bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even on a team full of big guards and forwards, 5'9 [player_tooltip player_id='2427556' first='Nylen' last='Goins'] is a big time player. Already a 1k point scorer at Niles Brandywine, Goins can fill it up behind the arc and did so this weekend. He is much more than a shooter, however. In an extremely physical, even for AAU standards, basketball game, Nylen took care of the ball and was able to consistently make the right pass. And I will always respect players like Goins, who run across the floor to pick up teammates who are on the deck.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Taj Williams","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ludington","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680e98587c4aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing against a loaded 16u Family squad clearly intimidated and impacted some players this weekend, not Taj Williams. He handled ball-pressure well and was unafraid to attack the basket, drawing multiple and-1s to keep his team within striking distance. Williams also did not back down on defense, competing and making hustle plays all over the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From earlier this spring: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/04/jennings-storm-classic-notes/">https://prephoops.com/2025/04/jennings-storm-classic-notes/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->