Prep Hoops Freshmen Showcase: Point Guard Parade (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I strongly subscribe to the adage that bigs develop later than guards and wings. Towards that measure, Freshman Showcases and Underclassmen camps tend to skew towards smaller point guards. Despite that being commonplace. I was still struck by the outstanding play of the many ball dominant lead guards on Sunday. It is not a definitive or numbered list, as this was a deep field. This will be the second the sub 5-10 grouping.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3724160' first='Tyvin' last='Kyles'] <strong>5-5 Charlotte</strong> Perhaps one of the younger looking players in the field. That is not a bad thing. After adjusting to the physicality of the camp, the skill level became evident. Was able to get the basket and get his shot off against much bigger players. Did it with sound fundamentals and high arching hard to block shot. Might take a little longer than other players on this list, but I definitely saw potential here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3669326' first='Elijah' last='Dorsey'] <strong>5-8 Grand Rapids South Christian</strong> As a member of a high-profile AAU squad. I had watched Dorsey play before. Consequently, I had idea of what to look for here. If I'm being honest, I have seen Dorsey play better in the past. That doesn't mean he did not play well on Sunday. While he showed plenty of quickness, I wouldn't call that the separating factor in his game. I lean towards the mix of physicality and the intangible "know how" to play winning basketball. I thought he played better in the scrimmages than the 3-on-3 portion of the camp. There he was able to show his decision-making prowess in transition a little more freely. The physicality is evidenced by his broad shoulders and ability to finish through contact at times. This allowed him to play up an age group in spurts with [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] Interested in the role he plays with a South Christian squad that is extremely deep on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3732734' first='Juell' last='Thrash-johnson'] 5-8 Muskegon</strong> Dorsey's grassroots teammate who possesses a similar physical profile. Thrash-Johnson is built like a tank with broad shoulders and wide lower base. The defense appears to be slightly ahead of the offense at this point of his development... and the offense isn't bad at all. He just really gets after it on the defensive end. Hard for smaller guards to get around with previously mentioned bulk. Much more than just bully ball though. Is light on his feet and explosive going to the basket. Comes from a family with deep basketball bloodlines. Hall of Fame head coach Keith Guy has won a lot of games with players fitting this profile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2844062' first='Alijah' last='Sydnor']<strong> 5-8 Muskegon</strong> The last of the three Muskegon area and [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] guard contingent on hand Sunday... but certainly not least. Sydnor might the smallest of the trio. However, he might have the most upside with ball in his hands. Explodes the basket and finishes at the rim without fear despite a slender build. Good ball handler with lead guard potential. However, he was on a scrimmage squad that was loaded with point guards. He seamlessly slid into an off-ball scoring role. That was the role his older brother played at the Division II level (Lewis/Ferris St) That could be his long-term home as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3471607' first='Brayden' last='Garrett'] <strong>5-9 Lansing Sexton</strong> In a previous column I highlighted Newaygo's [player_tooltip player_id='2844070' first='Nyzeer' last='Moore'] as the fastest player in the camp. I can't watch everything, but one player consistently was able to stay in front of him. Garrett was able to do it in the 3-on-3 portion of the camp. This was telling as this portion also provides much more court space to drive with less help defense. Garrett used his footspeed on the offensive end to get the basket often. Sub 5-10 frame but not "small". Looks like a player that will get taller and add weight. Sexton will be a good but rebuilding after graduating a lor of production. We will see if Garrett can carve out a role this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2749837' first='Carter' last='Buchholz'] <strong>5-10 Hudsonville</strong> (pictured) Probably the revelation of the camp for me. As this being a Freshmen Camp, I did not know a lot of the players. That being said, Hudsonville is a big school and I know some people in and around the high profile program. I had never heard a peep about this player. I'll just lead with this, the Eagles are starting to become point guard U. As they have recently produced <strong>Brayden Szamrej</strong> (Northwood) <strong>Jovaan Daniels </strong>(Ferris St ) and current 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2844030' first='Cortae' last='Towns'] in the fold. I see no reason why Buchholz can't follow in the tradition. He was really good all day on Sunday. Got to the basket at will. While not an overly explosive leaper. Showed a real knack for finishing at the rim. The outside shot was pure and smooth. Has a confident handle that makes you feel like he knows what to do with ball in hands. He is not freestyling out there. Drives with a plan and purpose. Usually, it was to score but was a good drop of passer when defenses collapsed. Competed hard and did not back down from anyone. Impressive prospect who put together an impressive day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2812302' first='Jeremiah' last='West'] <strong>5-8 Bark River Harris</strong> Perhaps the player with farthest drive put together a pretty good day. From the deep in heart of the Upper Peninsula. West showed that his game travels well. Isn't a blur with the ball in his hands. But got to his spots often with good pace and change of direction. Was a good shooter especially in the forgotten area of the court known as the mid range. Appeared to be right handed but excelled in driving to the left. Good drop off passer who was creative and not afraid to try some circus passes. Last year at The Expo (juniors, seniors) Dollar Bay's 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2964366' first='Baron' last='Colbert II'] surprised with how well he competed with some of the top players in the state. That culminated with a big junior season that ended in the Breslin Center. Not saying West will follow that same trajectory, but there is certainly some good young talent in the Bark River program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->