Rumble in the Rapids: New Name Sunday

<p>The Prep Hoops Circuit made its first and only scheduled stop in Michigan this past weekend. While not the biggest field in terms of quantity of teams. The quality of talent was at a high level. Following are some of the new names that stood out to me during Sunday action. I ue the term “new” to describe a player I have yet to write about. <br /> <br /> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="1225050" first="Lebron" last="Bennie-Powell"] 6-2 2023 Lakota East (OH) (pictured) </b>It’s a new name. But it’s a name you don’t forget. I first caught him last summer playing with Midwest Basketball Club. Teammate [player_tooltip player_id="1225049" first="Julian" last="Mitchell"] has earned most of the press with R4L Elite so far this spring on the Prep Hoops Circuit. But Bennie-Powell stole the show in Sunday action. The powerfully built lead guard notched 24 points in his teams opening victory over B3 Athletics. Kept up the strong play in a loss against a Wisconsin Crusaders squad that is arguably one of the better teams on the entire Prep Hoops Circuit. Highly competitive player who was not going to back down from that or any opponent for that matter. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/26BF3995-32DF-499E-8D37-D9C63E8CC3F9-crop-3226x2118-1653286023.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1462917" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/26BF3995-32DF-499E-8D37-D9C63E8CC3F9-crop-3226x2118-1653286023-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="922595" first="Romel" last="Hightower"] 6-5 2023 Toledo Scott (OH) </b>CCB was a little short handed and got off to a bit of a rough start on Saturday. Going 0-2 on the day. However bounced back in a big way on Sunday to earn two gritty victories. They were led by this lanky combo forward. Used his length to be an effective scorer around the basket. But also athletic enough to get out in transition and make plays well above the rim. Finished the weekend off with 28 points in a nip and tuck contest with B3 Athletics </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/6EE9E7C5-EEBA-4C6B-9401-868043CCD9D8-crop-3226x2118-1653286138.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1462919" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/6EE9E7C5-EEBA-4C6B-9401-868043CCD9D8-crop-3226x2118-1653286138-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p> <p><b>Kelvin Amoako 6-11 2023 Plymouth (MI) </b>I don’t feel like I’m revealing a state secret here. AAU rowers can “sometimes” be a bit misleading on sizes. If you look Amoako up online you will see a similar wide variance. While I did not bring my tape measure with me on Sunday. I feel safe in saying this young man is a legitimate 6-11. Not a finished product but flashed a wide assortment of developing skills that make an intriguing long term prospect. Seems coordinated and runs the court very well for his size. Is a good finisher around the rim and dunks with authority. Has broad shoulders and long arms to go with his very tall frame. </p> <p><b>Evan Haverkamp 6-7 2024 McBain (MI) </b>Amoako wasn’t the only Michigan post turning head on Sunday. Haverkamp played up an age group with REAL 2023. Acquitted himself quite well and did not appear overmatched one bit. Played well in two man opportunities with REAL standout [player_tooltip player_id="1300902" first="Christian" last="Zielinski"]. Rolled hard to the basket and showed good hands on a few difficult catches. Also showed a soft touch around the basket. As far as the other end. If you know anything about McBain basketball. You simply won’t play if don’t defend or rebound. So a college coach shouldn’t have to worry about that. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/6C82F789-FB33-45BE-95DE-0E369C9C4EC4.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1462920" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/6C82F789-FB33-45BE-95DE-0E369C9C4EC4-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1401933" first="Damien" last="Keys"] 6-3 2024 Warren Central (IN) </b>While teammate [player_tooltip player_id="1277566" first="Nick" last="Glover"] was doing work down low for an INB Platinum squad that went undefeated on the weekend (his due is coming shortly) Keys was able to use his size and length to be factor out on the perimeter. Was able to stay in front of smaller guards like West Michigan Lakers 2025 play-up <b>[player_tooltip player_id="1440209" first="Sean" last="Sullivan"]. </b>Rose to the moment late defensively in the clutch victory. Only scored 8 points but made a lot of intangible plays that will not show up in a score book. Bouncy athlete who makes plays easily above the rim. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>