Grit Region Finals: Saturday Superlatives Michigan and Ohio

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second day of the Grit Region Finals continued on the far North Side of Chicago Saturday. States throughout the upper Midwest were represented with high level play. Let's group the Hatfields and McCoys together. The states from down south or up north depending on your perspective.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following are the top superlatives skill sets from the great states of Michigan and Ohio. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Ball Handler</strong>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2816089' first='Yomar' last='Castellano']</strong> <strong>5-6 2027 Fairport Harbor (OH) (pictured at top) </strong>Could go a bunch of different directions with the diminutive point guard. Shooter, creator, scorer etc. His play was simply that good. I'm going to go with ball handler for this simple reason. All of those previously mentioned skills feed off his advanced ball handling. He couldn't do those things without his tight handle. With his height, he keeps the ball extremely close to the ground. Making him very hard to turnover. Wasn't a flashy “empty calorie” ball handler. Was always moving downhill and attacking the basket. Created space on the perimeter that allowed him to get his shot off at will. Finished off the day with clutch play in a thrilling double overtime victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Perimeter Potential: [player_tooltip player_id='2139970' first='Dean' last='Lewis'] 6-5 2027 Walled Lake Western (MI) </strong>Lewis has long showed perimeter potential as a staple of elite camps and grassroots basketball. However he has mostly done it as a lanky 6-1 or 6-2 prospect. Now approaching upperclassmen status, those measurements no longer apply. Lewis has shot up to a legitimate 6-5 while maintaining his perimeter skill set. Very long strider who covers a lot ground with bounding steps. Accordingly has a series of “euro steps” that are difficult to stop near the basket. Is a good ball handler and rebounder. Aided by what appear to be a set of mitt like hands. The suburban Detroit forward still has things to improve on. Mainly the outside shot and overall strength. However he is developing at a rapid pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Post Potential: Jadyn Brown 6-8 2027 West Bloomfield (MI) </strong>A lot of projection needed here. As Brown wasn't as productive as Lewis. However the physical upside was impossible to miss. Has a strong and athletic 6-8 frame. Isn't rail thin and won't get pushed around on the block. Has long arms and broad shoulders. Is also mobile and light on his feet. Bigs always develop slower than perimeter prospects. If the overall skill level catches up the physical gifts. This could be a late blooming prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Shooter: [player_tooltip player_id='2832403' first='Sam' last='Gundrum'] 5-6 2028 Andrerson (OH) </strong>Another weekend, and another outstanding shooting performance for the Ohio guard. After lighting up the Havoc in the Heartland a few weekends ago. Gundrum was lights out in a Saturday victory against Michigan's [program_tooltip program_id='2440586' first='B3' last='Athletics']. You simply can't leave him open. Crafty with a quick release. Doesn't need much room to get his shot off. As a 2028 prospect, he has plenty of time to grow. As he does, he will not need to worry about shooting. One of the best marksmen I have seen in the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oren Spikes 6-6 2027 Cleveland VASJ (OH) </strong>Spikes was huge in the clutch for Grassroots Elite in their Double OT victory to close out Saturday night action. Calmly stuck a mid range jumper to tie the game late in regulation. Then nearly had the play of the tournament to win it. Stole the ball at the mid court, and launched a long three at the buzzer that just fell out. Kept up the strong play throughout both extra periods. Was able to score both at the rim and out on the perimeter. Hung in the air to avoid contact on an acrobatic finish at the rim. Was truly a complete performance. Finishing with 23 points in the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->