Under the Storm Radar: Players to Watch this Weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Storm classic, one of the longest running and premier grassroots events commences this weekend in various locations across the metropolitan Grand Rapids area. While there will be a bevy of established stars and names. Following is a six pack of players who might be flying a bit under the radar heading into the weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2027 </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2437038' first='Ian' last='Roberts'] 6-4 Beaverton </strong>The hamlets of Freeland and Beaverton are separated by about 30 miles. I only bring that up to say that last year's top shooter ([player_tooltip player_id='1806407' first='Wilson' last='Huckeby']) came from the Mid-Michigan region. With the development of Roberts, the state's top shooter could hail from this region once again. Roberts might be a better vertical athlete than the Saginaw Valley St bound wing. Roberts has good size as well that allows him to get his shot off easily. Is also explosive at the rim and a good ball handler. Will be playing with [program_tooltip program_id='2429901' first='REAL' last='Basketball'] this weekend. After a big junior campaign, interested to see his development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2139970' first='Dean' last='Lewis'] 6-5 Walled Lake Western</strong> (pictured) Speaking of development, I did not initially recognize Lewis in his runs with Legacy on the Prep Hoops Circuit last year. From a slender 6-2 guard to a long and lanky 6-5 wing. He showed a lot of improvement during his prior grassroots campaign. I will be intrigued to see if that development in continuing. He was still quite skinny when I saw him last. However, he played with a strength that belied his frame. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2028 </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2871194' first='Roman' last='DeRose'] 6-5 Leslie </strong>AAU heights can always be tricky. I have no reason to believe that Derose's team is sending out false information. That being said I have seen this prospect listed at 6-5 recently. If that is true that could bode well for this small school prospect. I caught him in the fall at an open run, where he showed a legitimate backcourt skillset. After a big sophomore campaign, DeRose could be looking to take the next step. Has good ball handling ability and shows toughness in drives to the basket. Even at 6-3 had no problem getting his shot off over most opponents. Playing with the School Days Foundation, I will be looking at his size and the steps he has taken as he becomes an upperclassman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2029 </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2844038' first='Jace' last='Opoku'] 6-1 Rockford</strong> Calling a freshman who just won a state championship "under the radar" is a little off the mark. However, the West Michigan guard will be an intriguing watch this weekend. He will be playing up an age group and filling some big shoes that he knows well. The host squads 2028 unit has been one of Michigan's best for a few years running. However they have lost their point guard to a fairly serious and lengthy injury. Opoku is going step into that and play up an age group in the process. Familiarity should not be a problem. The spot was previously manned by his regular season teammate. How adapts to playing up age group will be intriguing. Michigan 2029 class appears to be special one. Opoku could cement his place near the top with a big performance this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2548636' first='Jakais' last='Crawford'] 6-0 Wyoming Kellogsville </strong>Was impressed with this player at Prep Hoops freshman Showcase in the Fall. I did not catch Kelloggsville during the regular season. Nor did I catch his Swish grassroots squad last year. I will be interested in Crawford's physical development. Last year, he showed all you would want to see from a lead guard prospect. With both playmaking and scoring instincts. He was just slender and looked every bit of a freshman. Now running with Highland Premier. I think he will move into more of traditional point guard role. How adapts to this and frame development will be what I am looking at this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2030 </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2844069' first='Jackson' last='Huffman'] 6-6 Hillsdale Academy </strong>It is not often that an 8th grader earns first team all-state honors. Frankly I can't remember the last time. Huffman pulled it of this year in Division IV. Can he keep the early momentum going this weekend in Grand Rapids. The quick is answer is yes, as I believe he played well last weekend in winning a middle school event with M2 Meats. This weekend he will playing up an age division with the same squad. Skilled with a projectable frame, Huffman has a ton of upside. Comes from a basketball with deep, and I mean deep Mitten basketball roots (like Magic Johnson deep roots) Huffman could establish himself near the top of Michigan's nascent 2030 class with a big performance this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->