Mitten State Mash: 15U Sunday Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sunday saw the final round of games for this year's Mitten State Mash. Two teams finished the weekend with 4-0 records, and we saw a number of notable standout players. Here's a recap of some of the best players on Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3633737,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Caleb Searight","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Avondale","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Jackets Elite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0158b63993d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Filling up the box score on Sunday was a player who could still be playing 14U ball: Jackets Elite PG Caleb Searight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caleb's first game of the day was a marvel. He showcased silky moves to the basket, a soft touch at the rim, and extremely crisp passing skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caleb has a tremendous nose for the ball, following fast breaks and capitalizing with rebounds and putback baskets. And when he has the ball in his hands, he's sublime driving to the hoop. His takes almost always result in a layup, if not an and-1 connection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caleb's ability to draw fouls is second to none. He attracts so much attention from the defense, and I lost count of how many times he went to the free throw line in just one game alone. As he matures in his free throw shooting, he'll be a lethal threat for opponents in high school-as well as the AAU circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His first game of the day resulted in an incredible 32 points against a strong PSA squad. And he followed that with another 15 points in his team's lone loss of the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caleb appears poised to become one of Michigan's most dangerous threats in the class of 2030.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3633404"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3633751,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0158b6399e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Though his team finished the weekend without a win, Elijah was a standout on the roster each time he stepped on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elijah is a very capable 3-point threat, finishing with three made triples on the day-and showing extreme confidence when he pulls the trigger from deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He also makes insane passes all over the floor, and says that he prides himself in finding creative ways to dish the ball to his teammates. Whether scoring or passing, his court-vision is off the charts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a high school freshman, Elijah was on the varsity football team, and that physicality was on display with his defensive disruption; as well as being unaffected by defensive pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2948782"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3633756,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0158b639a68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jordan and his [program_tooltip program_id='3590048' first='Mid' last='[program_tooltip program_id='2077023' first='Michigan' last='Mustangs']'] team finished the weekend with a 3-1 record, and he was instrumental in getting those three hard-fought wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan seems to be a magnet for the ball; always finding himself in on a play-both on offense and defense. Early in the second half of his opening game of Sunday, he beat a triple-team for a rebound, leading to a fast break for his team. And that's where he thrives: he has tremendous footwork in transition, and can beat you with a sick euro-step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan is a great leader for his team-he controls the ball well, and has a great ability to find the open man. He's fearless bringing the ball up the court and owned some of the best footwork I saw all weekend. He scored 13+ points in each of his team's games on Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3633758,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Nick Dahm","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Milford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"InspireU","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0158b639b1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nick is a big man, who as a freshman is already proving he can hang with some of the state's best big men.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nick dropped 10 points in his final game of the weekend, helping his team earn a hard-fought win. And in his first game, only scored 6 points-but his defensive prowess was crucial for his InspireU squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's so tough down low, and is absolutely fearless going up against fellow big men. He's bouncy and gets up for a lot of rebounds and putbacks. Defensively, he's a major paint-disrupter; someone you don't want to see in your way if you have thoughts of driving to the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against Court Vision Elite, Nick was tasked with matching up against [player_tooltip player_id='3601848' first='Juel' last='Turner']-one of the best players in the field. But Nick held his own, holding Juel to only a pair of field goals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nick is still evolving into an offensive force, but his defensive talent and post presence is already something to be admired.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2869342"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3633765,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","fullHeight":true,"anchor":"acf-block-6a0158b639b8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Julian's final game of the weekend might have been his best performance of the Mitten State Mash.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against InspireU, he dropped a magnificent 27 points-with a trio of 3-pointers under his belt. He's so confident with his deep stroke, and shows no hesitation when he gets a good look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Julian showcased some great speed this weekend, with an ability to walk a tightrope on the sideline after a steal, and confidence to capitalize on a layup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Julian prides himself on getting downhill in a hurry, and he hopes he proved this weekend that he's an elite shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3628289"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3633771,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0158b639bfb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zecary is one of the leaders of a Guardians team that went 4-0 this weekend, winning their portion of the field with a perfect record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, he must be an absolute nightmare to face up against. He'll give the offense constant pressure up and down the court, and has a knack for forcing turnovers that lead to quick points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense, Zecary is fearless in the lane-taking strong drives to the rim and has great body control in the face of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zecary had an exceptional final game of the weekend, scoring 19 points. But even when he's not scoring, he prides himself on finding open players and being a strong distributor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->