Sophomore ID Camp: Quick Hitters Teams 5 and 6

The Prep Hooops Sophomore ID Camp took place this past weekend in Grand Rapids. Following are some brief observations from teams 5 and 6.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team 5 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2630702' first='Lewis' last='Lovejoy'] 5-9 Arts & Technology Academy of Pontiac (pictured) Like they say… I saved the best for… first? No other way to say it. Lovejoy was my top player of the day and it wasn't particularly close. I was impressed with both the production and mindset. He didn't come to accumulate social media highlights. He came to compete and work. Picked up his man full court forcing 10 second violations. This isn't my first Preo Hoop Showcase. I've done a lot over the last half decade. I don't think I've ever seen a 10 second call. Offensively was electric with the ball in his hands. Got to the basket at will. Despite a lack of ideal size was a fearless and efficient finisher at the rim. Has a “ball on string” handle that you are not going to turnover. Made a strong case to be at the top of Michigan's still emerging and ever changing 2028 class.   [player_tooltip player_id='2420889' first='Kardion' last='Colbert'] 5-9 Portage Central This is not an indictment on the staff of camp who put together well run and competitive camp. That being said, having [player_tooltip player_id='2630702' first='Lewis' last='Lovejoy'] and this Kalamazoo area guard on the same team might have been little unfair. I would have like to see these two face off against each other. Colbert did much of what of Lovejoy. Only on a thicker and more developed upper body. Was a better shooter from the perimeter. Excelled in two man situations. Earned major time on a strong Portage Central squad as a freshman. I sa much more impressed with him today than during the regular season. Appeared quicker and more decisive. The developmental curve is pointed way up with this prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id='2899222' first='Skyler' last='Oberlin'] 5-9 Lakewood Lake Odessa With the two guys doing major work at the top of the list. There was wasn't much left for a sub six foot guard to do. That didn't stop Oberlin from putting together a strong day. Picked his spots and was good passer. Particularly in the many transition opportunities generated by his team's aggressive defense. With quick hands and instincts he had a hand (literally) in many of those steals. Had a nice finish in transition off of a difficult catch.   [player_tooltip player_id='2837380' first='Matthew' last=''] Witt 5-10 Rochester Hills Stoney Creek Simillar to Witt, smaller guard who picked his spots well. With the abundance of scorers on his teams. Particularly stood out as a passer. Showed good vision on a backdoor pass that led to a bucket. Good shooter from deep as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2846899' first='Julien' last='Harden'] 6-0 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep Lovejoy wasn't the only “Pontiac” guard who had a big day. Harden did the Lovejoy/Colbert thing. Only he did it on a taller and longer frame. Showed excellent change of direction abilities and tight handle. Next level speed and acceleration already. Despite a slender frame. Showed strength and the ability to finish through contact. Even showed an old school high arching finger roll that was highlight of the day for me. Part of a Fighting Irish program that has put together a strong multi year run, but is now going through some transition. With a Harden in the fold, there is a solid backcourt building block for the new staff.   [player_tooltip player_id='2957126' first='Sam' last='Thelen'] 6-1 Pewamo-Westphalia Another talented yet fundamentally sound player from a rural Lansing area program that continues to pump these types of prospects out. Picked his spots well and was opportunistic on second chance free balls. Competed hard defensively and showed good positioning. The Pirates are going to be strong and deep at the varsity level this year. Curious to see what form is sophomore year of development takes.   [player_tooltip player_id='2959086' first='Kolton' last='Rockwell'] 6-2 Hart A “jacks of all trades ” type of prospect. Like the rest of his team. Picked his spots well with the opportunities provided. Scored in a wide variety of ways. Advanced athletically, but I'm not sure of what his long term position is. Right now it's “basketball player”— and a good one at that. Finished with both hands around the basket. Showed athleticism by getting in transition quickly. That was a must with this team. Well tested as he has ran with a talented 2028 [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] squad in the past year. Multi sport standout who will probably play something at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='2539729' first='Emmit' last='Willhite'] 6-5 Greenville The biggest player in the camp. In terms of girth and frame. Willhite set punishing screens to help his quick guards get loose. Also showed a soft touch around the basket. The foot speed is improving. With his team playing at a frenetic pace. He did not slow them down and more than just kept up. After JV participation and a strong spring with the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] He should be prepared to contribute to what could be Greenville's strongest team in quite some time.   [player_tooltip player_id='2951389' first='Jason' last='Jimenez'] 6-6 Hastings The Yin to Willhite's Yang. Where his teammate provided the beef. The long and lean Jimenez took a different approach to a dominating day down low. Uses his length to be major factor on the boards and defensively. Put together a series of impressive blocked shots throughout the day. Fluid athlete who ran the court well and with purpose. Filled lanes and showed good hands corraling some difficult catches. Is a good finisher already. However should improve in that area as he adds weight to his slender frame. On a team loaded with the best players in the camp. Jimenez might have the most long term upside.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team 6 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2818483' first='Nicholas' last='Lowry'] 5-6 Troy Athens Small but fast suburban Detroit guard. Competed hard defensively. Good ball handler who created space on the perimeter. The Athens program has had success with this prototype of prospect in the past. Interested to see how Lowry develops.   [player_tooltip player_id='2463387' first='Connell' last='Wright'] 5-6 Grand Rapids Northview Small guard with a powerful frame. Used that frame on a exlposive spin move to score at the bucket. Showed ability away from the basket with a smooth and confident three. Plays in an extremely deep and talented Wildcat program.   [player_tooltip player_id='2527220' first='Jayden' last='Fomby'] 5-6 Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse I really liked this diminutive guard with the [program_tooltip program_id='2076061' first='Detroit' last='Bulldogs'] this summer. I think he has some intriguing long term point guard potential. Despite his size, Saturday's performance did nothing to dissuade me from that opinion. The skeleton key is lightning quick acceleration with the ball in his hands. Decisive with the ball. Doesn't waste time dancing with empty calorie dribbles. Everything is towards the basket. Looks to pass off of penetration. Still young but will need to become a better finisher at the rim to take the next step. But there is a lot to work with already.   [player_tooltip player_id='2961136' first='Trevin' last='Russell'] 5-9 Hastings Small but sturdy point guard had a good day in limited time as he left early for a football commitment. Intelligent player who completed hard defensively. Was a clever and crafty finisher at the rim despite not having ideal elevation. Good passer with one particular no look highlight pulled off in transition. There is some excellent young talent in a historically strong Saxon program that has been down for a bit (see above)   [player_tooltip player_id='2847565' first='Fisher' last='Dykstra'] 5-10 Grandville Calvin Christian The Grand Rapids area guard put together a strong and versatile day. Balanced scoring and playmaking opportunities well. Not the quickest guard but kept defenses honest with deep range on the perimeter. Wasn't afraid to go down low despite not having ideal size. Showed a well schooled spin move and fadeaway that looked like it belonged to a post player. His new head coach knows a thing or two about point guard play. Dykstra could blossom in the next two years.   [player_tooltip player_id='2823473' first='Conor' last='Dunlop'] 5-11 Ann Arbor Pioneer Part of a strong Pioneer contingent on the day. Showed a nice hesitation drive and finish in transition to get a bucket. Also showed a nice floater that he was able to get off against bigger defenders. Could form a nice future backcourt with fellow camp participant [player_tooltip player_id='2959557' first='Paris' last='Paige'] at Pioneer in the next few years.   [player_tooltip player_id='2526354' first='Bladen' last='White'] 6-1 Novi Detroit area guard was one of the better shooters in the camp. Showed a smooth and effortless release from the arc. Has the size to get it off easily over most defenders in his age group. Also has a pretty quick release and doesn't need much room to get it off. Displayed enough ball handling ability to run the point as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2539740' first='Jordan' last='Kimble'] 6-0 Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills Backcourt prospect who seemed to do good work down low. Accordingly did not appear to mind contact. Scored a bucket on the offensive glass with a strong finish. The Knights have some good young talent coming up in their program. Particularly in the backcourt. Add Kimble to that list.   [player_tooltip player_id='2845786' first='Jaden' last='Peters'] 6-2 Grayling The only Northern Michigan representative in the field. Peters player well and showed a new element to his game. That element would be a smooth and fundamentally sound outside shot. Appeared to be more of athletic wing in prior viewings. Looked more like a natural two guard on Saturday. Moved off the ball and relocated well to get plenty of open looks. Showed a quick release. Shouid have ample opportunity to put up some numbers this year with the Vikings. As Grayling graduates quite a bit of production from last years squad.

The Prep Hooops Sophomore ID Camp took place this past weekend in Grand Rapids. Following are some brief observations from teams 5 and 6.