Gotta Get It: Upperclassman Standouts

After a one year hiatus the Gotta Get It Hoops Classic returned to Grand Blanc with its usual deep and talented field. After giving you the underclassmen yesterday. The focus shifts to the upperclassmen. Starting with a few quick hitters about some established players that I have covered more recently. Quick Hitters [player_tooltip player_id="863936" first="Carmelo" last="Harris"] 6-0 2022 Flint Beecher I named Harris as one of five to decide the Division 3 in the preseason. So his performance Saturday did not surprise me. Doing it against the defending Division 2 champion with a new coach. That was slightly surprising. Those Division 3 schools hoping for Beecher to take a step back might have to keep waiting. [player_tooltip player_id="987270" first="Kaden" last="Brown"] 5-11 2023 Grand Rapids Catholic Central An electrifying performance against on of the state’s top backcourts. Scored 33 points on the back of nine three pointers. The point guard crop in the 2023 class is so deep. This young man proved once again why belongs in the conversation for the top of that group. [player_tooltip player_id="986247" first="Amari" last="Allen"] 6-3 2023 Hamtramck Speaking of the 2023 point guard class. Allen delivered another strong Saturday showcase performance for the Cosmos. Did a little more as distributor this time around. Not much he can’t do from the point guard position. Robert Davis Jr 6-6 2022 Hamtramck Like teammate Allen. Basically matched his performance from earlier in the season at The Showcase in Grand Rapids. Scored 24 points and continued to look like a tall high level shot maker. Top Performers [player_tooltip player_id="1181896" first="Kareem" last="Rozier"] 5-9 2022 Orchard Lake St Mary’s Not much to write about statistically. But simply makes so many winning basketball plays. While 2025 Trey McKenney was filling things up. Rozier was the guy setting him up for the most part. Consummate floor general who almost always seems to have things under control. St Mary’s controlled most of the game. However when things got a little sideways at the end the ball was in his hands. Converted a big time drive to stem a Grand Blanc run. Then sealed it at the free throw line. Not very big. But if I was picking a team from Saturday’s participants. The Duquesne commit would be my first choice. Amont’e Allen-Johnson 6-1 2023 Grand Blanc While backcourt mate [player_tooltip player_id="985658" first="RJ" last="Taylor"] has received much acclaim (deservedly so) Allen-Johnson’s play on Saturday loudly reminded the state to not to forget about the other Bobcat who been contributing since his freshman year. Doesn’t possess great size but has a very sturdy build for point guard. Definition of a power guard. Able to absorb contact and finish through it on his powerful drives to the basket. Used a clever hesitation dribble to easily get to the basket all night. Once there used creative spin moves to finish with both hands around the basket. With last years title run and his sumner participation with Bates Fundamentals. Has plenty of experience on big stages and plays with no fear. Already holds an offer from Youngstown St. I would expect that list to expand. Finished with 17 points on the night. [player_tooltip player_id="987622" first="Robert" last="Lee"] 6-2 2023 Flint Beecher Harris win the game MVP for Beecher. But if I had a vote I might have went with Lee. Exhibited a simply relentless drive game all night. Strong finishes at the rim despite not being the tallest prospect. Was also completing these drives against a GRCC team that might be the most aggressive perimeter defending team in the state. Finishing really accelerated after Catholic’s lone rim protector went out with an injury. Standout play was an acrobatic catch and finish on a lob. Experienced player has been contributing at Beecher since his freshman year. How his game expands in the next year will determine his college destination. [player_tooltip player_id="987273" first="John" last="Blackwell"] 6-3 2023 Birmingham Brother Rice Like Allen-Johnson Blackwell has a teammate that gets more national attention. But if Blackwell keeps playing he did Saturday he will be joining [player_tooltip player_id="985661" first="Curtis" last="Williams"] as a national recruit. Has excellent size for a point guard already. Started the game on fire. His intensity on both ends of the court really set the tone for the Warriors. Used his size to be a factor on the offensive glass. Seemed to make right pass and not the flashy pass. As Carman Ainsworth mounted a spirited comeback he kept his composure. It was telling that Brother Rice seemingly wanted the ball in his hands late. The intangible nature of his game was underscored by drawing the game clinching charge. Like Catholic League rival Rozier. Just makes so many winning plays. [player_tooltip player_id="863920" first="Jason" last="Drake"] 6-2 2022 Ferndale (pictured at top of article) Drake did not play in the Eagles win in the Motor City Roundball Classic. So I was excited to catch him for the first time this year. He did not disappoint. Came out firing and did not let up in Ferndale’s convincing win over Davison. Showed some flair in the open court. Had a nice behind the back pass then faked the same move into a scoop shot later in the contest. Set the tone defensively with steals on back-to-back possessions against the Cardinals young backcourt. The second lob was finished with a nice lob to [player_tooltip player_id="1212741" first="Christopher" last="Williams"]. An impressive performance in limited time due to the margin of victory.