Cadillac Summer Shootout: Top Ten Upperclassmen

In an earlier column highlighting the top underclassmen performers. I mentioned that unlike previous iterations of the Cadillac Summer Shootout. This year did not feature the depth of top level talent in the upper levels. That does not mean the number was zero. Following are ten performances that caught my eye from Tuesday and Thursday action   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2027 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2276657' first='Clayton' last='Heuker'] 6-5 McBain Coming off a spring of national competition with the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] on the Under Armour circuit. Hueker was psychically dominant in two games on Tuesday. After not starting the game, punished a smaller Ithaca frontline. Because of the physical advantages, didn't really get to see the other aspects of his game at this event. In this way he is similar to one of the top prospects in Northern Michigan last year in Jacob Plamondon (Ferris St) When you get points so easily on the glass and the block. You might not bother with other elements (outside shooting, dribbling) of the game. Really excels in operating out of the high post. Where he can use his size and court vision to survey the look the defense is giving him. Has a strong spin move and drop step that is difficult to stop at the Division III high school. In the pole position to be the top player in Northern Michigan next season.   Pierre Johnson 5-11 Baldwin Playing for one of the smallest schools in the field (both in enrollment and measurables) Johnson was aggressive offensively against a Gladwin squad that featured a good backcourt. Was electric off the bounce and got into lane often. Slithered around defenders and created space with creative use of jumps stops and power dribbles. Was more of a traditional point guard last year as the Panthers had a good senior wing. This year will have to take on more of a scoring role. Looked more than capable of doing this in Cadillac. That being said, this change could go either way. Could put up a big eye-opening senior season, or he could struggle with the increased load. I will put my money on the former as he looked improved this past week.   [player_tooltip player_id='2430755' first='Josh' last='Rodenbaugh'] 6-3 McBain With Heuker's scoring output. Rodenbaugh seems to fly a bit under the radar. Like his older brother Ben (Grand Valley-Track and Field) is an excellent athlete with versatility who has been a multiyear starter at point guard out of necessity. Won't play point if he chooses to pursue basketball at the next level. If he pursues it, the selling point is that this is an above average perimeter shooter with good positional size at the small college level. Is a good athlete who should be able to defend multiple positions. Has been well schooled defensively in McBain's regimented halfcourt system. Has also tested himself regionally as a multi-year contributor with the [program_tooltip program_id='2429901' first='REAL' last='Basketball'] program.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140498' first='Gibson' last='Rondy'] 6-1 Ithaca I only saw Rondy on Tuesday. Played well against the host Vikings. The skeleton key here is a physical and athletic swing guard, who is competitive and just knows how to play. Has the skillset to score from all over the floor. Good enough ball handler and has the leadership ability to play the point when needed. A veteran of the School Days Foundation AAU program. This indicates he knows to play and compete at a high level. Interested to see the shape his senior year and recruitment take.   [player_tooltip player_id='2835843' first='Chaos' last='Davis'] 5-11 Manistee After catching him early last summer with Hardwood Midwest on the Prep Hoops Circuit. I have long been intrigued by Davis's potential. A traditional old school pass first point guard. He is going to put up numbers because his team needs him to. However, watching his natural playmaking in pick and roll situations makes you wonder if he could find a home somewhere at the next level. There is nothing "chaotic" about his game (sorry, couldn't resist) Gets the Mariner's into their offensive sets quickly and efficiently. Is capable of getting hot offensively when he looks for his own shot. This was especially seen in a win over a Traverse City St Francis squad that featured a strong backcourt. Isn't very tall, but I wouldn't call him a small point guard. Has a strong compact frame. Isn't going to get bodied off his spot on penetration.   [player_tooltip player_id='2853242' first='Reef' last='Wichern'] 5-11 Traverse City St Francis I had caught Wichern previously with HB Elite. In all honesty I was not blown away. Nothing negative, but just a solid all-around player. An example of why AAU work and skill development matter. As he approaches his senior year, appears to be stronger and improved offensively. Played at his own pace and a sense of balance. Showed the ability to score in the mid-range. Also looked improved as a ball handler and showed the ability to play the point in a pinch. Could have a breakout senior year for what should be a much improved but still young Glad team.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2028 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2758267' first='Domenic' last='Wing'] 6-7 Cadillac (pictured at top) Not the type of writer that makes grand pronouncements. That being said, I'm not going out on a major limb with the following statement. Wing was the highest upside prospect present this weekend. Just looked to be playing a at different speed and pace than his opponents. I was impressed with the strength and aggressiveness shown in the post. He benefitted from playing there more with a very good but small [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] 16U unit. The outside shot never seemed to come around in the games I watched. In the past that might have stymied him or hurt his confidence. This week he just went work in post or used his speed to beat defenders down the court and score in transition. With the growth shown, he will be one of the top overall players in Northern Michigan in the upcoming season.   [player_tooltip player_id='3641528' first='Alex' last='Mcgowan'] 6-7 Cadillac Like his teammate Wing. This spring's grassroots participation has aided McGowan's development. Struggled at times last year as he made the big jump in physicality from freshmen basketball to the varsity level. There was no whiff of that this past week. Scored often at the rim and was decisive in the post. Is still pretty slender. However outside of just an improved temperament, played with a lower base that allowed him to hold his spot on the low block. Showed good hands and finished with a soft touch around the basket. Still has some development to go. However, it's not as far of distance as it appeared to be at the end of the regular season.   [player_tooltip player_id='2846930' first='Penn' last='Seeley'] 6-1 Alma Compact and powerfully built mid-Michigan guard who was good on Thursday I was impressed with his ability to play both on and off the ball. In line with the strength played off of two feet when he got into the lane. Aggressive driver who absorbs and finishes through contact at the rim. Like the rest of his team was tenacious and hyper intense on the defensive end. Not surprised that he cramped up in his final contest. Went hard on both ends of the court for an extended period of time.   [player_tooltip player_id='2845576' first='Roan' last='Johnston'] 6-6 Reed City Johnston played well in the post for what looks like a much improved Reed City squad. Didn't venture outside of the post much. With his size and touch around the basket. That is not necessarily a bad thing. One of the best leapers in the state. Exploded to the rim for some emphatic finishes. Did it without the need of a gather step or power dribble. As you would expect from the description was a major factor on the glass. Ran the courtly fluidly and filled lanes like a slashing wing. Should form a strong inside out duo with fellow junior Taiven Dermyer in the next two seasons for the Coyotes.

In an earlier column highlighting the top underclassmen performers. I mentioned that unlike previous iterations of the Cadillac Summer Shootout. This year did not feature the depth of top level talent in the upper levels. That does not mean the number was zero. Following are ten performances that caught my eye from Tuesday and Thursday action