Grit Region Finals: Mitten Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grit Region Finals commenced on the far North Shore of Chicago this past weekend. After giving you an all tournament team that spanned the states from Wisconsin to Ohio. I'm going to wrap up coverage by returning to familiar ground. Following are six standouts from the great state of Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2139970' first='Dean' last='Lewis'] 6-5 2027 Walled Lake Western (pictured) </strong>I don't normally double up on mentions from a weekend. But Lewis forced my hand with his assertive and strong play. Led his Legacy squad all the way to the Silver championship late on Sunday. A growth spurt and an increase in strength has allowed Lewis to take the next step as a prospect. Got to the basket at will with long bounding strides. While also showing the strength and ability to finish through contact. Not a point guard long term. However showed the ability to initiate offense with improved ball handling and the height to see over most defenders. Stuffed the stat to the tune of 25 points, seven rebounds, and three assist averages on the weekend. After a rebuilding year. Western has two solid 2027 prospects to build with. As 6-1 [player_tooltip player_id='2416320' first='Jackson' last='Kazmierski'] stood out this weekend as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2824461' first='Berkley' last='Drummond'] 6-1 2027 Jackson </strong>One of the highlights of the weekend was the “gutty”run to the semifinals by [program_tooltip program_id='2539820' first='The' last='Academy']. Gutty as the Ann Arbor/Jacson area squad only featured five players. Usually when you see that it means one player just goes off. Usually a big man or a ball dominant point guard. [program_tooltip program_id='2539820' first='The' last='Academy'] didn't really have either of these. Just five seemingly positionless dudes straight balling out. Drummond was the closest thing to a point guard. However more of a lead guard as he did plenty of scoring as well. Good all around floor game and did a little bit of everything. Solid ball handler who got to his spots easily. Couldn't sag off him as he was a good shooter. Like the rest of his team, a fierce a high level competitor who didn't back down from anyone. Didn't play much when I saw him in the regular season with a young guard laden Jackson team. With a new coach and system I think that will change as he becomes an upperclassman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2373459' first='Aidan' last='Jackson'] 5-10 2027 Wyoming Godwin Heights </strong>Jackson was one the first Michigan players I caught on the weekend. As he put up 15 points for [program_tooltip program_id='2440586' first='B3' last='Athletics'] in their opening win early Saturday morning. He kept up the strong play up through Sunday. Played well in his team's closing Sunday loss. He wanted the ball in hands in the clutch and did not shy away from the moment. Good ball handler and shooter. Didn't force things and played well within the offense. Important as he is playing for what will now be his regular season coach with a late coaching change at Godwin. After a long run of success in the early aughts. There is some talent returning in Godwin. Interesting to see if a player like Jackson can help lead a resurgence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2491667' first='Mason' last='Hitchcock'] 6-4 2027 Bloomfield Hills </strong>Bouncy and athletic forward had a nice weekend for Oakland County Rise Elite. I was able to catch him closely in loss to a team from Iowa on Sunday. Had a team high 11 points in that contest. Plays above the rim and had a nice dunk in traffic. Expanding his game and finding a positional home will the next step in his development. Along with club teammate [player_tooltip player_id='2846989' first='Brennan' last='Bies'] (6-3) should form a nice 2027 core for a rebuilding Bloomfield Hills squad. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2687840' first='Carter' last='Canfield'] has also had a nice spring as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2525441' first='Brady' last='Bishop'] 6-4 2028 Dexter </strong>All the way back to <strong>Evan Haroldson</strong>, I have liked players from the Dreadnaughts program for a while (great mascot by the way) The Ypsilanti area program has another good one coming up with Bishop. A multi sport standout already Bishop appears to have the potential to be just about anything. If he continues to grow vertically, could be a versatile post prospect. The skill set is already there. If he is done or has limited growth left, he could still be a rangy wing. Does so much already at a young age. Also has lanky frame that helps him play taller than his listed height. Played an age group with a talented Legscy squad that had a successful weekend (see above) Certainly a prospect to monitor in Michigan's still developing 2028 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2850784' first='Lucas' last='Warczinsky']</strong> <strong>5-9 2029 Vestaburg </strong>In the waning moments of Sunday action. Before braving Chicago Memorial Day traffic (a blast) I decided to stick around and catch a Michigan Ignition squad. A group of 2029 players that spent the weekend playing up age group. Despite the snarl of traffic awaiting me, I was glad I did. Only a 2029, so still has a lot of physical development left. Accordingly doesn't pass the initial eye test. Once the ball tips you realize the middle schooler knows how to play. I was impressed with the outside shot. Not much of a wind up. Gets it quickly and with very little wasted motion. Doesn't need much room. Good ball handler who wasn't afraid to drive into the trees. Older brother <strong>Brehm</strong> (2027) played well with a strong Legacy squad on the weekend as well. Vestaburg is very small mid Michigan school. As these two develop, the Wolverines could be a Division IV program to monitor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->