Michigan State Tournament: Sunday Championship Stars

As the only bracketed event of the Prep Hoops circuit in Michigan. The Michigan State Tournament provided Sunday games with heightened stakes. This pressure allowed a group of players to standout and rise to the occasion. Following are five thar caught my eye.   [player_tooltip player_id='3658684' first='George' last='Rauschenberg'] 6-1 Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (pictured) I'll tell on myself here. I take pride (perhaps too much) in seeing a lot of basketball in the state of Michigan. It's rare that something comes completely out of nowhere to surprise me. Usually I've seen or heard something going into an event. Kenowa Hills was really good and still I had nothing on this player coming in. Performances like this are why I enjoy covering grassroots basketball. Simply put this was the best individual performer on the weekend in a deep and talented field loaded with college players. I barely posted about him as my fat fingers and AAU addled brain struggled with the length of the name Rauschenberg. So I'll make up for it now…   Premier ran outstanding sets that got this player plenty of open looks. Was in constant motion off the ball and came off of screens well. Has obviously been well coached in this area. Got into the shooting motion quickly off the catch. Had deep range that extended well beyond the three point line. Much more than just a shooter. Was able to create his own offense when sets broke down. A tight handle and above average athleticism helped. Fierce competitor who ran a little hot at times. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Seemed to play better as the stakes got higher throughout the weekend. Scored 26 points in the championship.   [player_tooltip player_id='2423678' first='Josiah' last='Norman'] 6-7 Zeeland East While Rauschenberg was providing the perimeter fireworks. Norman was the old school big man holding down the paint. Established deep post position and showed a soft touch around the basket. Created space with broad shoulder and a wide lower base. Set good screens on Premier's aforementioned half court sets. Plays for a high school program with a storied recent history of producing next level big men. Not sure if Norman can reach those lofty heights. However, showed a lot of potential this weekend. A big senior season could lead to spot at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140520' first='Marrion' last='May'] 6-1 Lansing Everett Playing with a new squad. May seemed to be feeling his way a bit in the early contests. By championship Sunday, his talent rose to the top and he took over the reins. So much upside here. Is a true point guard with excellent positional size. Is not a "small" 6-1 and plays bigger than that. Good live dribble passer who excels in pick and roll situations. Devastating acceleration on penetration and gets to the cup quickly. Uses a snake dribble like a crafty veteran to get defenders on his hip. Big hands who moved defenders by palming the basketball with one hand. You rarely see that with posts at the high school level. A unique prospect thar I have been high on for a long time.   [player_tooltip player_id='2687840' first='Carter' last='Canfield'] 5-11 Bloomfield Hills My dad joke of the week was coining this player "Clutch" Canfield. Seemed like every time I turned around this weekend Canfield was hitting a game winning or buzzer beating shot. That's not hyperbole. Did it in less dramatic fashion with a free throw on Sunday. Got to the line by creating contact and taking advantage of overactive defense. Nothing too flashy but very fundamentally sound. Coaches son but more importantly plays like it. After playing up age group with Moneyball East last year. I though he was in line for big junior year. Injurues slowed that momentum. If he can stay healthy could have a big senior year.   [player_tooltip player_id='2139970' first='Dean' last='Lewis'] 6-5 Walled Lake Western It seemed like every other writer in the Prep Hoops Network got to highlight this wing during the spring. On Sunday in the last event of the spring, I get my shot. Lewis was electric in dropping 30 points to help Legacy defeat Lakeside Basketball Academy. Has seemingly improved an aspect of his game and grown a little more physically every year. Is a super lanky 6-5 wing who can initiate offense as a point guard in a pinch. The length allows him to play at closer to 6-7. Plays easily above the rim on both ends of the court. Shows a wiry strength you would not expect. Despite that, needs to add some bulk to complete the package. The development curve is pointed way up with this prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id='2414391' first='Aiden' last='Lomasney'] 6-2 Lapeer (Homeschool) Last year the previously mentioned Moneyball East won the 17U championship with a frontline made up of homeschool prospects. While that was a pleasant surprise. I knew what to expect with Lomasney after catching him previously at prior tournaments. He brought the shooting and uncanny shot creation to lead LOUD Academy to a 3-2 weekend. Put up 12 on just three pointers to the eventual champions West Michigan Premier in the semifinals on Sunday morning. Was outstanding all weekend and averaged over 20 points. One of the Moneyball East's previously mentioned posts parleyed their grassroots run into a spot with NAIA Spring Arbor. A big senior season could put Lomansey on some coache's radars as well.

As the only bracketed event of the Prep Hoops circuit in Michigan. The Michigan State Tournament provided Sunday games with heightened stakes. This pressure allowed a group of players to standout and rise to the occasion. Following are five thar caught my eye.