Cadillac Summer Shootout: Matchups to Watch

Northern Michigan is not an area replete with team camps all over the place in June. However a few schools have used their more “touristy” locales over the years to attract some pretty good competition.   One of them is the Cadillac Vikings. Their annual summer shootout commences this weekend Tuesday through Thursday. Following are some matchups to watch from the deep, talented, and largely local field.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Day 1: [player_tooltip player_id='2300933' first='Eli' last='Smith'] vs Blake LaFlaive </h2>   At 6 PM on the opening day an intriguing matchup should unfold on multiple fronts. For starters, due to enrollment differences. These are two talented teams who would almost never face off in the regular season. Additionally Pine River is a strong team coming off a district title while breaking in a new head coach.   However I will go with HB Elite backcourt reunion battle as the most interesting aspect of the matchup. [player_tooltip player_id='2300933' first='Eli' last='Smith'] (Pine River) and Blake LaFaive (TC West) have spent April and May complementing each other in the backcourt during a successful grassroots run. I'm sure the dogged competitors have gone at each other in practice as well.   Now they get to do it with a scoreboard and a modicum of stakes. They are similar players with similar frames. Smith is a little more of a natural point guard. He has vastly improved his athletic explosiveness and strength in attacking the basket. Could be one of the more underrated players in the region.   With Lincoln Lockhart in tow last year. LaFaive is a bit more comfortable playing off the ball. I will be curious to see how his playmaking develops in the coming year with the Titans. Like Smith the explosiveness to the rim has improved this spring.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Day 2: [player_tooltip player_id='2276657' first='Clayton' last='Heuker'] vs [player_tooltip player_id='2140498' first='Gibson' last='Rondy']</h2>   The finale of Day 2 will matchup two contenders for possible deep runs in Division III. While McBain is the perennial and traditional power. The Yellow Jackets are a program on the rise. They gave McBain a run in last year's event.   While the two best players in the contest won't match up positionally. The play of two of the top 2027's in their respective regions will probably decide the contest. Heuker could the top player in Northern Michigan— period. Regardless of class. The powerfully built forward is coming off a nice spring on a national shoe circuit with the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm']. The Ramblers will always have size and depth. However depending on how some players develop. Heuker could shoulder a pretty heavy load this due to graduation. He has the physicality and skillset to do it.   I was very impressed with Rondy (pictured) at last year's event. This isn't a small finesse guard. Stands about 6-2 with broad shoulders that also help in the gridiron. Doesn't mind contact. Gets into the lane and plays with power off of two feet. Keeps defenders from sagging with a smooth and effortless release from beyond the arc. Good handler who plays the point when needed.   This should be a nice way to wrap up Day 2 of the event.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Day 3: [player_tooltip player_id='2270808' first='Jacob' last='Plamondon'] vs [player_tooltip player_id='2477378' first='Carter' last='Grubb'] </h2>   While a high profile junior matchup wraps up Day 2. The organizers saved the best for last. Like literally the last. At 7 PM on the Day 3 all the courts will be done and one game will left. Pitting the two top big men in the region.   The fact they feature contrasting styles and hail from neighboring school district that do not play each other, adds a little bit to the matchup. Plamondon (Glen Lake) is an old school post who might be one of the strongest players in the state. He belies that strength with a soft touch around the basket. He has had a busy and productive spring playing with an Indiana team on the Under Armour circuit.   Grubb (TC West) will try and counter Plamondon with overall quickness. If this spring showed Plamondon can bang with anyone. Grubb has showed that he can run and jump with anyone. If you just narrow it down to his position. There might not be a post prospect who gets off the ground quicker. The overall skillset has really taken off in the past year for a player who didn't get extended varsity minutes until his junior yesr.   With Heuker(see above) Grubb, and Plamondon. You might have the top three players in the region in action. For someone who constructs an annual Northern Michigan Fab 40 for this publication. I will closely be watching these matchups.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id='2758267' first='Domenic' last='Wing'] vs [player_tooltip player_id='2873740' first='Hudson' last='Worm'] </h2>   I left this out from the top three as I am not certain these two will matchup. As the host squad, Cadillac is fielding multiple teams. On the opening day at 3 PM, Cadillac Blue takes on Frankfort. If Cadillac Blue contains Wing, then this will be a matchup of the future of Northern Michigan basketball.   As a 2028 prospect Wing is more of a known commodity. After leading the Vikings to a Division I district title. His profile will probably rise after joining a national AAU team for July. At about 6-7, the long lefty has guard skills and vast potential.   From one of the smallest public schools in the field. Worm is a bit of an unknown, but could be the top 2029 in the region. A do-it-all type of a prospect already. The 6-1 positionless players should be the focal point of a rebuilding Panther program.   If this stars align (literally) this could be an intriguing and foretelling matchup early in Day 1 action.

Northern Michigan is not an area replete with team camps all over the place in June. However a few schools have used their more “touristy” locales over the years to attract some pretty good competition.