Cardinal Classic: Upperclassmen Standouts

The inaugural Cardinal Classic was one part basketball game. One part homecoming. When [player_tooltip player_id="1364826" first="Ty" last="Rodgers"] transferred from the reigning state champion Grand Blanc. Many high school basketball fans in Michigan assumed they had seen the last of the presumptive Mr. Basketball. Well Mr. Rodgers returned to his old neighborhood (kind of) and reminded fans of what they were missing. The four game event also featured a classic overtime win for his old squad versus Ferndale. While the host squad Davison fell to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. Following are five upperclassmen standouts. Including the one who stood head and shoulders above the rest. The Best [player_tooltip player_id="1364826" first="Ty" last="Rodgers"] (pictured at top of article) 6-7 2022 Thornton Started the game with a designed lob that he finished with a powerful flush. Didn’t really let up the rest of the day. Appeared to be bigger in the upper body while obviously not sacrificing any of his explosiveness. Showed off elite athleticism with a huge euro step in transition. Not only cleverly eluded his defender. Went completely from the right side of the rim to the left to draw a foul with one step. The perimeter shot did not appear to be there today. But it is fine mechanically and Rodgers was sporting a pretty good wrap on his left hand. Played unselfishly and has always been a willing passer. Stat line was indicative of Rodgers well rounded game. Finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists. Every year a recruit outside top 50 becomes a one-and done prospect (Blake Wesley, Jeremy Sochan) With his combination of elite athleticism and versatile skill set. The Illinois commit has the upside to be the next player in this mold. The Rest [player_tooltip player_id="1371073" first="Vincent" last="Rainey"] 5-10 2023 Thornton Rodgers wasn’t the only Windy City standout from Saturday. After a slow start Rainey got hot and finished with a game high 22 points. Took advantage of the defensive attention drawn by Rodgers and couldn’t miss from behind the arc. Showed dribble drive ability after the defense adjusted to run him off the line. Showed a nice tear drop floater off those drives. Competed hard on the defensive end. Kept a quick but young Waterford Mott backcourt from settling in and getting comfortable. Should move into more a featured role with next years squad. If he keeps playing like he did on Saturday. Could make a steady climb up recruiting boards. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/R.J.-Taylor.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1177545" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/R.J.-Taylor-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="985658" first="RJ" last="Taylor"] 6-0 2023 Grand Blanc Taylor is the consummate pass first point guard prospect. When I last saw him in a loss to Orchard Lake St Mary’s. I thought he might have played a little too unselfishly. Came out aggressively against a very good Ferndale team. Was particularly hot from deep. But also showed the ability to score near the basket. Well schooled player converted an actual hook shot near the basket. Displayed improving athleticism with a tip in off a quick second jump. A pull up three at the end of the third quarter gave him 20 points through three. Did not score in the fourth. But in winning time came up big in scoring the first four points of overtime. Finished with a game high 24 points allowing the Bobcats to pull off the dramatic overtime victory. [player_tooltip player_id="986250" first="Amonte" last="Allen"] Johnson 6-1 2023 Grand Blanc Unlike his backcourt partner. Allen-Johnson got off to a bit of a slow start. But picked things up in major way in crunch time and the extra period. Fits the definition of a power guard. Able to score in the post against much bigger players due to frame and plain aggressiveness. Has excellent footwork and an assortment of post moves that he utilizes well. Late in the game appeared to be in no man’s land under the basket. But cleverly pulled off a spin move and reverse lay up that had the gym buzzing. As [player_tooltip player_id="985658" first="RJ" last="Taylor"] cooled off and Ferndale appeared to be pulling away in the fourth. Went to the offensive glass to pull the Bobcats back into it. Finished with 19 clutch points. One the breakout performers in the 2023 class. [player_tooltip player_id="1068124" first="Jon" last="Risi"] 6-5 2022 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep Sometimes you can tell in warm ups what a players game is about. It could be the casual ease that a point guard handles the ball. Or it could be a powerful and explosive dunk. It doesn’t take long to realize this wing is a big time scorer. Has a textbook jump shot that he can get off in a hurry. Has excellent elevation and a corresponding high release point. Will shoot it from anywhere. Especially in pull situations out in transition. Hit one from very deep range at the end of third quarter to give the Fighting Irish the lead. Not just a standstill pump. Was in constant motion off the ball. Adjusted well in the fourth and converted in the mid range. Finished with a game high 20 points and helped NDP pull out a tight one against a young but talented Davison squad. College coaches love shooters with length. This player might be flying a little under the radar and could fit that bill at the next level.