Prep Hoops Sophomore ID Camp: West Michigan Wings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Sophomore ID camp was a deep field of 110 participants. Trying to categorize and break down the field can be a challenge. You can't just provide a list of players and say they are... good. With that challenge in mind. As I went through my notes, one position and region stood out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a lot talebted wings from West Michigan. Additinally they had diverse skill sets, sizes, and strenghths. Following are seven that caught my eye.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2442329' first='Ben' last='Varrie'] <strong>6-5 Benton Harbor</strong> (pictured) The west side version of [player_tooltip player_id='3258647' first='Brody' last='Champagne'] as he is a rangy wing with excellent positional size. It would be an understatement to simply say he "looks the part." After the ball tips you though. You quickly realize there is substance to the show. Gets to the basket at will with big bounding steps and a excellent use of a power jump stops. He is aggressive in going to the hole. Plays off of two feet at the rim and is an explosive leaper. Doesn't mind and even seeks out contact on penetration. Left the event with former Benton Harbor great Wilson Chandler. Not sure if he can reach those lofty heights. However, the outline is certainly there for what could be the next great Tiger wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3484636' first='Deshawn' last='Johnson'] <strong>6-4 East Kentwood</strong> I'll be brutally honest with this evaluation to prove a point. I was impressed with Johnson this summer playing with an Ohio EYBL club in Grand Rapids. That being said, he appeared to be playing a lot in the post at the time. He has an advanced athletic frame that allows him to do so. I wondered then If he might just be a "bully ball" big for his age prospect that had tapped out in his development. Three months later, that ranks as one of my worst initial impressions. Beginning in late May at a Prep Hoops event in Detroit with Kentwood Elite. To calumniating this weekend in Grand Rapids. Johnson is close to a fully formed jumbo sized wing. He is good ball handler who isn't going to blow by defender with speed but uses his body to create space. Is not slow though. Especially in terms of straight line speed. Can play the role of a "grab and go" one man fast break. Not necessarily a three point shooter. Has a smooth release from the mid-range in. Good passer as well. One of my top overall players in the camp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2799442' first='Braden' last='Overbeek']<strong> 6-1 Holland West Ottawa</strong> Versatile and skilled Lakeshore wing had a good day. In fact, showed enough ball handling that might not be a wing long term. So why I am listing him here? If you haven't seen the West Ottawa Panthers. They have a plethora of talented upperclassmen point guard options. At least for this year, Overbeek is going to attacking from the wing. Has more than enough skill and athleticism to do so. Eye opening play was late in the camp. While others appeared to be tugging at their shorts. Overbeek corralled a steal and finished it off with easy and emphatic dunk. The 6-1 prospect did not need much of a run way for lift off. Really liked what I saw in brief action. Hoping to catch more in the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2844030' first='Cortae' last='Towns'] <strong>5-10 Hudsonville</strong> Quick riddle... when is a diminutive 5-10 guard considered a wing. Answer... when he shoots the absolute cover off the ball. Towns simply could not miss in the action I caught. Defies physics a bit with how he is able to get it off against bigger players. Stems primarily from a trigger quick release and good footwork that helps him get into his shooting position quickly. Also helps that he stays in constant motion off the ball. Excelled in the 3-on-3 portion of the camp where he had more space to operate. Will obviously need to get bigger to play the wing exclusively. He might not need to though. Is at a strong developmental program for point guards. Could be one of the better shooting point guard prospects by the time he is done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2844017' first='Paxon' last='Grimes']<strong> 6-1 Grand Rapids Northview</strong> Nothing too complex here. A no fills fundamentally sound swing guard who is similar to Overbeek. While skilled enough to play the point. He won't be doing it much at Northview next season. Grimes isn't the biggest prospect from the wing. But doesn't mind contact at all. Got to basket often this past Sunday. Scored at the rim from unique angles against bigger players. Well schooled player who seems to play within the flow of the game. Which unfortunately is not always conducive in these types of camp settings. Played mostly JV ball from what I saw last year in the exceedingly deep Wildcat program. Should form a strong 2029 inside/out duo with fellow camp participant 6-6 [player_tooltip player_id='3678934' first='Melo' last='Garcia'] in the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3550834' first='Carson' last='Gerth'] <strong>6-2 Sparta</strong> Along with Towns, Gerth is the lights out shooter of this grouping. Bigger than Towns, Gerth showed a smooth and seemingly effortless release from beyond the arc. I wouldn't call it a quick release as he needs a bit of a windup. However, his height helped him make up for it and he had no problem getting it off. High release point and is not going to get his shot blocked often. I first caught him this spring/summer with a small and guard oriented [program_tooltip program_id='3509505' first='Dream' last='Loudly'] squad. He was one of the tallest players on that squad and showed the strength to bang down low. Though I didn't see as much of the post play on Sunday. Having that in his back pocket could help him as he ages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3593949' first='Steven' last='Dietz'] <strong>6-1 Newaygo</strong> Didn't catch as much of this player as I wanted. However, I was impressed with his competitiveness and willingness to attack the basket in spurts. Good length that should help him develop on the wing. After watching the morning freshman session. Not sure he will be playing much point in the coming years. Should form a nice future duo with incoming freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2844070' first='Nyzeer' last='Moore'] at Newaygo. Both players really get after it defensively. Dietz showed good lateral quickness that helped him on that end of the court. Offensively the length helped him play bigger than his listed height. Also appeared to be a sudden and explosive leaper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->