The Showcase: Underclassmen Standouts
In it’s first year the The Showcase at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids provided a deep and talented five game slate. Interestingly enough some of the youngest players stood out. Especially in the later contests with players from the stacked…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIn it’s first year the The Showcase at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids provided a deep and talented five game slate. Interestingly enough some of the youngest players stood out. Especially in the later contests with players from the stacked Detroit Catholic League. Following are five that caught my attention.
Chas Lewless Chas Lewless 6'3" | PG Detroit King | 2024 KS 6-1 2024 Detroit Catholic Central One of the highest ranked players in the 2024 class. Lewless was as advertised. A legitimate point guard game on a imposing and and athletic frame. Blew by defenders on the perimeter. Once at the rim was able to hang in the air for some creative finishes. I wouldn’t call him a speed merchant at this point of his development. But there is plenty of power and bounce in his legs. Showed this power with a devastating and unguardable step back early in the contest. Excellent elevation makes his shot even harder to guard. Plays hard and with his head up. Doesn’t seem to show any of the entitlement that highly touted young players sometimes have.
TJ Nadeau TJ Nadeau 6'5" | SF Detroit Catholic Central | 2024 State MI 6-5 2024 Detroit Catholic Central (pictured at top of article) While Lewless lived up to his billing. It was his teammate who took home the hardware on the night. Used relentless and powerful drives to accumulate a game high 22 points. When I listed the Shamrocks as the state’s top frontcourt. I mistakenly included him in that group. Nadeau has expanded his game and is a wing all the way. Showed off three point range all night. Pulled up smoothly in both the half court and in transition. I was particularly impressed with the transition pulls as they showed a lot of confidence. About those drives. Used his strength and thick frame to seemingly shed defenders on his way to the basket. However once there was agile enough to avoid contact. Had an impressive euro step finish that showed off this increased athleticism. Lewless and Nadeau could be the future of the Catholic League.
Phoenix Glassnor 5-11 2025 Warren De La Salle The Crusaders have an extremely DEEP backcourt. Simply playing with this bunch as a freshman should tell you enough about this young man’s skills. When you go out and score 22 points in leading your team to a tough victory. You are really going to open some eyes statewide. Perhaps the most impressive part of Glassnor’s night was he accomplished it in about three quarters. Came off the bench shooting and didn’t let up. Confidently sunk multiple threes against an aggressive West Ottawa zone. When the defense adjusted to run him off the line. Glassnor drove to the basket with poise. Finished with authority despite his size. Defensively cleverly stepped into passing lanes to accumulate more than one steal. An excellent all around night for a player and program with a bright future.
Cameron Hutson 6-5 2025 East Lansing Type of player and frame who just screams potential from the second he checks into the game. Lanky and fluid with an advanced level of coordination. Excelled on the defensive end and out in transition. Had more than one block and a few deflections as well. The offense will need to catch up. But that is more statement about how the good the defense is at this point. Offensively knows what do when the ball is in his hands. Has a smooth and easy release from the perimeter. Hit a three early in the Trojans nail biting win over Kalamazoo Central. Came off the bench. However It was telling that experienced coach Ray Mitchell had Hutson in at winning time. Son of former Michigan St standout Andre Hutson.
Chris McLavish 5-10 2025 Flint Carman Ainsworth Speaking of second generation players. McLavish came off the bench and quickly hit a three. Providing a jolt to what had been up to that point a stagnant Cavs attack. Also brought a heavy dose of defensive intensity. The shot stopped falling but the defense never let up. The shot has an unorthodox and low release point. But there is plenty time to iron that out if he needs to. On the other end was going up against one the top backcourts in the state in Benton Harbor. Played a role in holding two thirds of that unit to somewhat off nights. I can’t stress enough the defensive effort McLavish put out. Played extremely hard and showed no sign of being intimidated. Not very big but quick. Father (same name) was Kelvin Torbert’s running mate at Flint Northwestern before moving on to South Alabama.