Semi Final Statement Games

Yes the semifinals did technically return last year. But not in the form school high basketball fans in the state are accustomed to. Thursday saw the return of the three day, one site, 16 team festival that I grew up attending. The big stage that the Breslin Center weekend provides is the easiest way to make a statewide statement. Plenty of players (and to be frank— an entire region) seized this opportunity on Thursday. Following are five that that stood out to me. [player_tooltip player_id="863922" first="Brady" last="Titus"] 5-9 2022 Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian Titus returned to his second “home”. In quotes as he was appearing in the third semifinal of his four year career. And let’s be honest. I think it would easily have been 4-for-4 minus his pandemic shortened sophomore year. Was ready to go from the jump. Simply controlled the entire game and did it all for the Defenders. Scored 16 points in the first half and set the tone in the easy Tri-Unity victory. Wasn’t doing it against an overmatched opponent. Genesee Christian was fresh off a victory over perennial state champion Southfield Christian. In that contest the Soldiers were led by 2023 sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id="1170692" first="Trenton" last="Boike"] who had 42 points. While Titus did not guard Boike. He pushed the ball relentlessly and put the tempo in overdrive. This kept Boike and company from getting comfortable. Titus has his work cut out for him against a huge Ewen-Trout Creek squad on Saturday. A state championship would be a fitting end to one of the more accomplished careers in recent MHSAA history. A truly special player and Indiana Tech is getting a big time steal. Brady Schultz 6-6 2022 Menominee Speaking of “Brady’s” that made a statement. Schultz let people know there is still some ball being played in the UP post-Foster Wonders. While it’s debatable who best overall player on the court was against Ecorse. It’s pretty safe to say Schultz was the best overall athlete. The lengthy and extremely mobile wing had his way offensively all game. Finished with a game (and day) high of 26 points. While that was impressive in its own right. It was the way he did it that opened my eyes. Effortless and efficient with little wasted motion. Did it in the face of heavy Ecorse pressure all day. The length was readily apparent on the defensive end. Not only finished with an eye opening six blocks. But also moved his feet well and showed good instincts. Defensively reminds me a lot of fellow Northerners [player_tooltip player_id="983502" first="Peyton" last="LaCombe"] (Michigan Tech) and [player_tooltip player_id="1068145" first="Cole" last="Jenema"]. Put an exclamation point on the day with an emphatic two handed flush. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/2E4E5503-2DE7-4AFE-8290-A0F3A089E6AB-rotated.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1255696" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/2E4E5503-2DE7-4AFE-8290-A0F3A089E6AB-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> Shane Ryske 6-3 2024 Schoolcraft If you have been reading my work in the last few years. You know how I feel about this young man’s game. To say he is an extremely good shooter would literally be an understatement. If there is a better shooter in the state I have yet to see him. Flint Beecher had Schoolcraft scouted well. As they put lightning quick senior standout [player_tooltip player_id="863936" first="Carmelo" last="Harris"] on Ryske. This did not allow much room for him to get his shot off. But that is what makes Ryske development curve so intriguing. Now standing a legit 6-3. Ryske doesn’t need much space to get it up. He is also patient and got his shots within the flow of the offense. Finished with a game high 21 points and four threes in the Eagles dominating win. The future is extremely bright for this sophomore shooting star. [player_tooltip player_id="864008" first="Jaden" last="Borseth"] 6-4 2022 Ewen-Trout Creek The rare 2,000 point career scorer. Borseth has been playing varsity for ETC since his eight grade year. He is also the reining Copper Mountain conference player of the year. Borseth was a physical force all game against the smaller but much quicker Lake Leelanau St Mary frontline. Cleverly used his size advantage to create mismatches. Despite his size essentially ran the point for the Panthers. You could tell he has experience as quarterback. Albeit with the cooperative 8 man program in Ontonagon. Really stepped up in crunch time as St Mary’s furious comeback came up just short. Finished with a well rounded line of 18 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Whether his future is on the gridiron or the hardwood. Borseth is a next level athlete. It will be interesting to see where he ends up. But I have to think there is a place for a player with this level of production and athletic upside. Eric Abramson 6-5 2022 Ewen-Trout Creek While Borseth might have the bigger statewide reputation. His running mate was just as lethal on Thursday. While Borseth is a compact and powerful athlete. Abramson is closer to fellow UP player Brady Schultz in terms of length and agility. Was especially lethal on baseline drives as St Mary’s tried to keep the Panthers length from the center of the court. Rose up quickly and had a soft touch in the mid range. Got to his spots easily and is an excellent ball handler for size. While it was definitely a group effort. His length bothered St Mary’s all night. Simply put there were no easy shots against this unit. Finished with 15 points and five rebounds. His versatility on both ends of the court will be huge in Saturday’s final against Tri-Unity Christian.