Rumble in the Rapids: Saturday Superlatives

The Prep Hoops Circuit kicked off another year in Grand Rapids. Among a small but deep field there was a lot of individual talent. Following are a breakdown of skill set superlatives from Saturday's action.   Best Player: [player_tooltip player_id='1356977' first='Montrel' last='Oliver Jr.'] 6-4 2024 Muskegon (pictured) One week exactly after playing for a state championship. Oliver was ready to get back after it on Saturday in Grand Rapids. Showed off his above the rim athleticism all morning. Frankly I lost count of how many dunks he had. Beyond the highlights. The leaping was efficient and operational. Meaning he has a quick second jump that makes him a presence defensively and on the glass. I was impressed with how he fought back from a slow start in his teams second contest. Hit shots from the mid range and beyond the arc. Had a three at the buzzer to tie it that just fell off. Finished with 18 points while showing a pretty complete offensive arsenal. After beginning his career at Grand Rapids Union. Should step into a bigger role with the Big Reds in his senior campaign.   Best Shooter: [player_tooltip player_id='1437577' first='Mason' last='Parker'] 6-0 2025 Troy Honestly could have placed him in a few categories. Ball handler, leader, and even passer. However I'm going to focus in on the deep shooting. Playing up a division he controlled everything in both of the Michigan Goonies decisive 20 point victories. Has five threes in one game. Has a trigger quick left handed release. Combined with the handle this allows him to get his shot off with ease. Has a slender build and doesn't “look” overly athletic. Don't let that fool you. Can make plays above the rim. As previously stated. Is a lefty but is very good at using his off hand. You tell he grew up around the game. Older brother recently transferred to Rochester (NAIA) after playing division 1 at Oakland. Mason has an equally bright future.   Best Post Prosoect: Lorenzo Staley 6-7 2025 Glenville (OH) Notice I used the word “prospect” in the descriptor. This player still appears to be developing. However he passes the eye test in a major way. Has a ton of length and uses it well. Doesn't play timid at all. Appears to like contact and seek it out. Plays hard and with aggression. These are things you don't often say about prospects that fit this age and physical profile. Had a powerful two handed dunk in his squads opening victory. Also notched a few impressive blocks. The offensive game appears to have a little growth left. Showed ball handling when needed. Will need increase overall ball skills and add weight to take the next step. But there is a lot to work with already.   Best Rebounder: [player_tooltip player_id='1811797' first='Evan' last='Haverkamp'] 6-7 2024 McBain Little geography lesson before we get started. Haverkamp is from the tiny Northern Michigan hamlet of McBain. In this community the citizens do three things. Farm, go to church, and rebound. Playing for a hall of fame head coach. You are not going to play if you don't defend or rebound. Doesn't matter how big you are. Fortunately Haverkamp does both of these things well and has plenty of size. You don't have to just trust me. In his teams second game. The opposing coach called two timeouts to implore his team to rebound. Simply put he owned the glass. Is an “aggressive” rebounder. Doesn't wait for ball to come him. Goes hard after it with two hands. Has a thick frame with big broad shoulders. Should be one of the top players in Northern Michigan next year.   Best Scorer: Ari Jones 6-1 2025 Villa Angela-St Joseph Staley's teammate on a solid Cleveland based Grassroots Elite squad. Really appeared to have a nose for the basket. Scored 15 points in his teams opening victory. Did it in a wide variety of ways. Has a unique release from deep. The mechanics were repeatable and it fell. Was also fearless going to the basket. Accordingly also showed a knack for getting to the free throw line. Not as many points in the second game. But continued to show the ability to get good looks.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/F39938F1-7118-49AE-8980-8F481F684E96-crop-3226x2118-1680406389.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/F39938F1-7118-49AE-8980-8F481F684E96-crop-3226x2118-1680406389.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1886232" /></a></figure>   Best All Around Game: Easton Day 6-1 2025 Mount Pleasant Really enjoyed this young man's game. Struggled with where to put him. Controls the game but is not a traditional point guard. Scores well, but at 6-1 I wouldn't call him a traditional two guard. I going to call him a basketball player and put him in the all around category. Scored 22 points in the opener. Was in more of a distribution mode in the second contest. Still finished with 9. The all around ability should not be surprising. Played up on varsity with a Mount Pleasant team that is always well coached. Could be the next top player from this developmentally rich program.   Best Ball Handler: [player_tooltip player_id='1437546' first='Darryl' last='Thompkins'] 5-9 2025 East Kentwood Came into the event with a pretty healthy statewide reputation. More than lived up to it. Simply moved around the court at a different pace and speed than his opponents. Did it all with his “ball on a string” ball handling ability. Does this with his head up and excels at finding open teammates. However can score when needed. Finished with 15 points in the second contest. Will form one of the better backcourts in the region if not the state next year with fellow 2025 standout [player_tooltip player_id='1438849' first='Jah' last='Hatchett']

The Prep Hoops Circuit kicked off another year in Grand Rapids. Among a small but deep field there was a lot of individual talent. Following are a breakdown of skill set superlatives from Saturday's action.