Freshman Showcase Quick Hitters Teams 7 and 8

The Prep Hooops Freshman Showcase took place this past weekend in Grand Rapids. Following are some brief observations from teams 7 and 8.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team 7 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2958387' first='Daneko' last='Erskine Jr.'] 5-3 Battle Creek Pennfield One of the smallest players in the camp. But didn't play like it. A pit bull on the defensive end with speed to burn. Part of a strong contingent of players from the Cereal City area (see below)   [player_tooltip player_id='2872569' first='Ryder' last='Girven'] 5-6 Brethren Hailing from most likely the smallest school district represented in the field. Girven showed that he can play with anyone. Is quite small and will have to grow physically. However he is an excellent ball handler and good shooter from deep. These skills should keep defenses honest while he waits for the size to come.   [player_tooltip player_id='2890992' first='Elijah' last='Haynes'] 5-8 West Bloomfield Quick Motor City area guard from a program that has been pumping out guards of late. Was a good shooter from beyond the arc. Not very big but created space with step back that was hard to guard.   Demoni Spraggins 6-0 Battle Creek Central Guard with a lengthy and bouncy frame. I thought this helped him play closer to 6-2 or 6-3 rather than his listed height. Showed enough ball handling to play the point. Mostly used it to penetrate on Saturday. Showed the ability to drive both ways and finish with either hand at the rim.   [player_tooltip player_id='2873742' first='Nathan' last='Wells'] 6-1 Boyne City First time seeing this versatile Northern Michigan prospect. Showed the frame and game to play multiple positions. Fluid athlete who ran the court well. Also was a good ball handler for his size. Part of Rambler program that could be a factor on Division III, after being competitive for quite some time in Division II.   [player_tooltip player_id='2955392' first='Collin' last='Cady'] 6-2 New Boston Huron Really liked this player. Positional versatility is the key here. Showed the ability to play all over the court already. Had excellent footwork on the perimeter. Evidenced by a reverse pivot away from the basket to create an open shot. The shot was smooth with a quick release and very little wasted motion. One of the top performers on the day from what I viewed.   [player_tooltip player_id='2956689' first='Antonio' last='Jones II'] 5-9 Battle Creek Central The last of many Battle Creek area players that I was assigned to cover. I was very impressed. Was a right handed player, but really excelled in going to his left. Kept defenders off balance with a pure perimeter shot. Was able to hit from unique and difficult angles. Including a fall away jumper that you don't often see from a 5-9 guard. Plenty of speed on a stocky frame as well. After Saturday's action there is something special cooking down in Battle Creek.   [player_tooltip player_id='2802595' first='Mikey' last='Bauman'] 6-2 Traverse City St Francis Bauman showed a mature and advanced backcourt skillset. Including a Nowitzki-esque fadeaway down the baseline early in the scrimmages. The perimeter skills are compelling for a prospect with his size. He has some major height in his bloodlines (6-9, 6-10) Plenty of size to be a big guard already. If he were grow even more, this could be a special prospect.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team 8 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2714892' first='Nick' last='Ritter'] 5-7 Muskegon Mona Shores Quick but small Lakeshore guard who shot the ball well. Didn't over penetrate and was a good kick out passer. Played with the Muskegon Heat in grassroots and with emerging regular season program at Shores. Showed a lot of potential on Saturday.   [player_tooltip player_id='2548636' first='Jakais' last='Crawford'] 5-10 Wyoming Kelloggsville (pictured) At a big camp, I usually like to do a “new name” column for unknown players. Doesn't really work for a freshman showcase, as almost all players are new names. That being said, this was the revelation of the camp for me. I had never heard of Crawford. He was perhaps the best guard in the field. Seemingly has next level speed already. Moved at a different pace than his opponents and was major factor on the defensive end. The speed was aided by active hands and good instincts. Got into passing lanes often and converted turnovers into transition opportunities quickly.   [player_tooltip player_id='2951352' first='Graham' last='Black'] 5-11 Hudsonville Unity Christian The Crusaders program just continues to produce talent. Black fits the recent prototype from the highly successful program. Is a composed creator who plays with his head up. Got to his spots easily and already has the size the shoot over most defenders. Plays straight up, so he seems taller than his listed height. More than just a point guard. Was a confident and fundamentally sound shooter as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2957220' first='Max' last='Westerdale'] 6-1 Grosse Ile Another Westerdale from the Downriver region. At this point of his development, Max appears to be more of a scorer than his older sibling Luke (Wayne St) Possesses a strong athletic frame that he knows how to use. Particularly seen on drives. Drives that were aided by his ball handling ability and an aggressive mindset.   Brexon Carroll 5-7 Jackson Lumen Christi Carroll was one the prospects in the camp who clearly looked like a freshman. No shame in that. Made up for a small frame with a solid point guard skillset and fearless approach. Wasn't afraid to mix it up with bigger opponents. Is is an excellent developmental program with the Titans that has had success with smaller guards in the past.   Miles Burgin 5-11 Grand Rapids Catholic Central Does one play make a day? In Burgin's case it might. Had the gym buzzing after throwing down a huge two handed dunk in transition. It was emphatic and he did not need much room for lift off. This was an impressive display of athleticism from a sub 6-foot guard prospect. More than just an athlete though. Good ball handler who shows the ability to play both backcourt positions already. Had a devastating stop and go drive in transition and big time euro step move. Plays for an extremely deep and talented program. Interested to see what is role is during the upcoming year.   [player_tooltip player_id='2958587' first='Maverick' last='Flagg'] 6-2 Ann Arbor Huron After graduating a lot of production in the last 2-3 years. The talent spigot is still running for the River Rats. Flagg is physically advanced prospect who shedded defenders on penetration. Has thick upper body with broad shoulders that knows how to use. Good ball handler for his size and was much more than just a bully ball prospect. I was also impressed with his toughness. As much of his production took place after he appeared to sustain an injury.   Mbeny Makaug 6-3 East Kentwood In a camp with a dearth of traditional big men. Makaug was able to put together a strong day on the block. Did it with a simple old school and fundamentally sound drop step. Showed a soft touch around the basket. Also showed a nice mid range jumper. Isn't as explosive vertically as you might expect with his last name (older brother is a major high flyer) However he is still quite young and has plenty of time to develop. I'm guessing on the high school as his older brother plays with the Falcons.

The Prep Hooops Freshman Showcase took place this past weekend in Grand Rapids. Following are some brief observations from teams 7 and 8.