Brawl for the Ball: 2025 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Brawl for the Ball produced its usual star studded field this past weekend in Grand Rapids. It brought out a who's who of college coaches due to falling within the live period. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unfortunately I was only able to attend one day this year. Consequently this list is not meant to be comprehensive. Following are five standout performances from Saturday action from the 2025 class</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437579' first='Macari' last='Moore'] 6-3 Ann Arbor Huron </strong>Concluding an absolute banner of a grassroots campaign. Came into the tournament with one of the bigger and well earned reputations. More than lived up to it. However got off to a bit of a slow start on Saturday. Turned it on in big way in the second half of an opening victory. Didn't mess around at all in a dominant victory over [program_tooltip program_id='2076445' first='The' last='Process'] in the evening session. I was impressed with Moore's versatility. I don't think he will be a point guard long term. However did a good job of initiating offense. Handled ball well and was a good passer. Really showed an extra gear in driving to the basket and in the open court. Has a sturdy but explosive frame that is only going to improve as he grows. Flashed the next level athleticism to finish easily above the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437577' first='Mason' last='Parker'] 6-0 Troy </strong>If I was giving an award for best half of basketball. It would easily go to Parker's second half of Saturday's opener. Understandable that he might have taken a bit to get warmed up. As he ran with [program_tooltip program_id='2075648' first='Michigan' last='Goonies'] to start the grassroots campaign. With that squad did most of his damage by playing on the ball. With DTO Elite was able to move to the two and focus simply on scoring. Was in constant motion off the ball. Came alive in the second half of his teams dramatic victory over the host squad. Quick release allows him to get his shot off at will despite not being the biggest prospect. Wasn't just a case of player getting hot in catch and shoot actions. Also creates space with tight and creative ball handling ability. I had him for 24 points in the victory. Felt like— and very easily could have been more. Is setting himself up for a big junior season with this AAU campaign. Should form a nice duo for the Colts with 6-5 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1387044' first='Chase' last='Kuiper']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437546' first='Darryl' last='Thompkins'] 5-9 East Kentwood (pictured) </strong>One of the main characters in a subplot within the aforementioned DTO victory over the host Storm. Two regular season teammates squared off as opposing point guards in an absolute duel. Third time I have seen Thompkins turn in an electric performance in this gym. Twice with DTO. Once with BNB way back in April. Let's get the obvious out of the way. He is not very big— but that is about all you can knock him for. Highly competitive with excellent court sense. Uses his size to his advantage by playing with a low center of gravity. Defenders simply have a hard time getting low enough to stay in front of him. Also has a lightning quick first step. Drives to the basket without fear. Appears to be a decent finisher. Especially considering his size. I had him for 15 points in the victory. However also produced plenty of intangible plays that are not going to show up in a box score. One half of what could be the top backcourt on the state's west side….</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1438849' first='Jah' last='Hatchett'] 5-11 East Kentwood </strong>Speaking of that dynamic Falcon backcourt. Here is the other bigger half. Hatchett did everything he could to keep his Storm squad in it. Like Thompkins is an absolutely fearless and fierce competitor. Seeks out contact on drives and often finishes through it. Is simply a jet with the ball in his hands. Also has the ability to change directions on a dime. Crafty in two-man and pick and roll situations. Despite his speed. Is patient enough to let a play develop. Earned an offer from Ferris St after a masterpiece of a performance in the spring. Could be in line for a big junior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1372969' first='Lincoln' last='Lockhart'] 5-11 Traverse City West </strong>Returning to our first entry. Part of [player_tooltip player_id='1437579' first='Macari' last='Moore']'s slow start was due to the outstanding play of this Northern Michigan guard. Doesn't have the elite athleticism that allows him to compete with EYBL squad on paper. However did it for much of the contest with patience, intelligence, and guile. Played with his head up and used a probing dribble to find seams in the defense. Good look ahead passer who managed to get his [program_tooltip program_id='2077033' first='West' last='Michigan Lakers'] squad out in transition against a very athletic opponent. Set up post [player_tooltip player_id='1463233' first='Ben' last='Heagle'] with some easy looks at the rim. Is a good shooter. However if he could develop a “no doubt about it” perimeter attack. It could take his game to the next level. That and a little more bulk on his slender frame. Just about everything things else is already there for a player who still has plenty of time to develop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->