Semifinal Report: Division IV Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While it didn't feature the late game buzzer beating fireworks of the Division III slate. The evening Division IV semifinals featured plenty outstanding performances. As you would expect in the smallest classification, particularly in the backcourt. Following are five standouts from the evening session. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1587840' first='Jonathan' last='Ingalls'] 6-0 2024 St Ignace </strong>There is nowhere else to start. One of top players in the Upper Peninsula put on an absolute show early. Scoring 14 first quarter points. He had everything working. Was hitting from deep, scoring on the block, and even threw in a finish off a designed lob for good measure. I've long said he has some of the best footwork you will see on the block— as a point guard. Wasn't just some unconscious pump. Plays with his head up and found plenty of open teammates on kick out passes. Gets wherever he wants with dribble and has advanced court vision. Son of two successful coaches, but more importantly plays like it. Should have a home somewhere at the next level. Finished with semifinal high (at time of press) 31 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2423597' first='Keaton' last='Blanker'] 5-10 2025 Wyoming Tri Unity Christian </strong>With Ingalls' absolutely scorching start. Tri Unity's backcourt needed to step up to lead a big four quarter comeback. Its youngest member Blanker led that charge. Got it started early with a much needed buzzer beating three and the end of the third quarter to make it a four point contest. In the fourth, was part of a group effort to slow down Ingalls. Sealing the game with clutch free throw shooting. Sure seems bigger than his listed height. Evidenced by his final stat line. Finished with a double double. Posting team highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Played 30 of 32 minutes while chasing Ingalls around the perimeter. Has a sturdy frame that allows him to absorb contact on drives. Has smooth and efficient release from the perimeter. Doesn't need much room to get it off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grady Piertt 5-10 2025 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart </strong>Can a small guard make it to the next level on defensive exploits alone? This could be the test case. Easily one of the best on-ball defender I have seen this year. This is a “two week” write up. Last he helped do something I did not think was possible. Shutting down the Yeager twins for Saginaw Nouvel. Performed same trick Thursday night on Inner City's Baptist's top player. You can't really say these players had off shooting nights. They simply could not even get a shot off. Piertt fights over screens with his thick athletic build and uses his lateral quickness to stay in front of his player. Relentless energy and intensity is applied all night. Didn't really have it going offensively on Thursday— but it didn't matter. He had alreadynmade his contribution to winning. If he wants it, I have to think a small college somewhere might want to take a look at this defensive dynamo. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brody Cherry 5-10 2025 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart </strong>Cherry has similar defensive characteristics to his backcourt mate Piertt. With a little more offensive punch though. Not very big but is a bouncy prospect with long arms. Helps him play bigger than his listed height. Rises quickly on traditional and pure jump shot. Is a good live dribble passer. Thin build helps him snake down the sideline get out of difficult situations. Got off to fast start offensively. However cooled when Inner City Baptist went to a zone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588176' first='Carlos' last='Jackson'] 6-3 2026 Allen Park Inner City Baptist (pictured) </strong>While the Chargers other star sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2119776' first='Ethan' last='Esse'] struggled with a dogged Sacred Heart backcourt defense. Jackson kept his squad in it for a while with his work on the block. Is physically advanced for his age and division. Showed a soft touch near the basket. Thick frame helped him battle with the Irish's physical defensive front. Will have to improve his athletic explosiveness to take the next step in his development. However there is a lot to work with already. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->