Rumble in the Rapids: Northern Michigan Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In my Saturday notebook column, I teased the notion that there were a lot of Northern Michigan players in action this past weekend. Unfortunately as a resident of the region, that has become increasingly rare over the years. Facing what looked like a possible down year in the region. I was pleasantly surprised to see a healthy dose of players participating this weekend in Grand Rapids. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2437038' first='Ian' last='Roberts'] 6-4 2027 Beaverton (pictured) </strong>Is Beaverton really in Northern Michigan? For the sake of this column, I'm going to say yes. Simply put, the performance demands placement somewhere. Had a an excellent weekend for [program_tooltip program_id='2429901' first='REAL' last='Basketball'] Select. Used a versatile all court game to lead his team to an undefeated record on the weekend. While he showed the ability to play the point and initiate offense. The secret sauce was a pure outside shot. Has a smooth and effortless release. With his size gets its off with ease and with very little wasted motion. More than just a spot up shooter. Good shooter off movement as well. Put up 16 points in a Saturday afternoon victory over a [program_tooltip program_id='2077033' first='West' last='Michigan Lakers'] squad. Was big in the clutch against a good HB Elite squad (see below) However might have saved the best for last. An absolute onslaught from beyond the arc in a win over Highland Premier. Flying under the radar a bit as a three sport athlete. However showed this week that he might have a future on the hardwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2276657' first='Clayton' last='Heuker'] 6-5 2027 McBain </strong>Heuker flashed an inside out game skill set for the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] all weekend. Didn't back down from the challenge of Michigan's EYBL team in a close loss. His frame has changed a bit in the last year. Has a wider lower base. This allows him to play with even more strength on the block— not that he really needed any more in that area. Maintains the ball handling to attack from the perimeter. If he gets a step has the ability to find the next gear and explode to the basket. If he can't find that gear. Also can create space with his broad shoulders and well schooled footwork. Continues to show the game that has him trending towards being the top prospect in Northern Michigan the next two years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taj Williams 6-0 2027 Ludington </strong>Heuker's teammate on the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] Williams' tournament picked up momentum as the weekend continued. Especially after the Storm lost one of their top players to injury. The explosive lefty is bigger and stronger than last year. That is to be expected. What he has added is diversity to his penetration game. Is able to counter by going to the right more often. Also seems to have added gear of explosion. Is a tenacious defender who doesn't back down from anyone. In terms of defensive fundamentals. You won't have to worry to much about that coming from the storied and well coached Oriole program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chaos Davis 5-11 2027 Manistee </strong>About ten miles up the coast from Williams is his polar opposite as a prospect. Where the Ludington guard is fast and explosive. Davis is a strong and stout power guard. Appropriately plays off of feet. Is a good dump off and kick out passer. Don't undersell his speed however. Gets to his spots easily on penetration. As with most young smaller guards. The next step is becoming a better finisher at the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben Stanek 6-3 2027 Boyne City </strong>It's rare that I find a player from this region that I am not familiar with. I must have a blind spot up around the Boyne Mountain ski resort. I'm not sure how I missed the multi talented forward. I know how I missed him early in this tournament. He did not play on Saturday. Showed up on Sunday and changed the complexion of his HB Elite team. Got off the red hot start against a good [program_tooltip program_id='2429901' first='REAL' last='Basketball'] Select club that went undefeated on the weekend. Scored in a wide variety of ways. Not sure what his true position is. I'm going to just to go with basketball player right now. Put up 19 points in the aforementioned close loss. Wrapped it up with another strong game in another close loss to the [program_tooltip program_id='2075648' first='Michigan' last='Goonies']. Is now firmly on my radar in Michigan's 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2471128' first='Jacob' last='Pahl'] 5-11 2028 Gladwin </strong>If Beaverton is in Northern Michigan, I'll throw Gladwin in there as well. Part of the reason the [program_tooltip program_id='2429901' first='REAL' last='Basketball'] Select program had an undefeated weekend. Was the table setting done by their point guard. Pahl played an efficient pass first floor game all weekend. Accordingly plays with his his head up. Has a tight handle and is hard to turnover. Showed all this while playing up a grade level as well. The Flying G's should have a nice backcourt next year with 2026 prospects <strong>Brody</strong> and <strong>Ben Verellen </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->