Event Preview: Hudsonville Showcase
This weekend there will be two high level showcases in West Michigan. The emerging Hudsonville basketball program will show off its pristine new fieldhouse with an ambitious and competitive four game slate.
The new facility west of Grand Rapids is as nicer than most small college facilities. The Eagles staff has put together an impressive schedule to match the surroundings. The field has an (almost) West versus Best type format. Below is an overview of the contests and the key matchups that will decide them. Full schedule with start times listed below
Game #1- A Young big Guard faceoff
A rematch from the headlining game of the Carmody Classic hosted by Grand Blanc last season. These two programs are both in an ever so slight rebuild mode after sending multiple players to the next level in the last few years. The Bulldogs might have a slight edge on paper due the presence of sophomore point guard Carter Wade.
Wade is not only one of the top point guards in West Michigan. Depending on his development as an upperclassman, he could be in the conversation at the top statewide. Doesn’t fit the typical mold of an elite point guard prospect. Isn’t a small speed merchant type. Already standing north of six feet with a powerfully built frame. He won’t need to get much bigger. The key will developing the speed and explosion to stay in front of other point guards defensively.
He won’t have to worry about that on Saturday. While the Bobcats have plenty of quickness in their deep backcourt rotation. I believe second year Grand Blanc head coach Doreace Marin will try to counter Wade with a similar prospect in 6-0 junior Caseton Sendry. I was impressed with Sendry at a showcase at Saginaw Valley St two weekends ago. His defensive intensity and aggression were key to to helping Grand Blanc knock off Division III state championship contender Riverview Gabriel Richard. Richard featured an excellent senior backcourt with players who are going to play at the next level. Sendry had the speed and strength to bother them in their high pick and roll attack. The opener will turn on whether Sendry and company can do the same thing to Wade.
Other Key Matchup: Senior Wings Donnie Huddleston (Grand Blanc) and Colin Heyboer (Grandville)
Game #2- A Young Big Man Faceoff
Ferndale is off to a surprising winless start. However don’t let the record fool you as they are extremely young and have faced an absolute gauntlet of a schedule. They also feature arguably the top player in Michigan’s 2027 class in Eden Vinyard. The size is readily apparent and catches your eye quickly. Has an athletic and sturdy 6-7 frame that gives him outstanding size on the block. I have been surprised with how quickly his perimeter game has advanced. Starting to handle the ball like a point guard and initiate offense after a grassroots campaign with The Family on the prestigious EYBL circuit.
The Comets from Grand Ledge will counter with a shoe circuit caliber player of their own. Junior Braden James is a similar prospect to Vinyard. However developmentally they are prospects moving in opposite directions. That’s sounds bad on its surface. However it’s meant as compliment. Where Vinyard is a post transitioning his game out to the wing. James has long showed advanced ball skills for a player of his size. With the shooting and ball handling ability of a wing. Now as an upperclassman and standing 6-8. He appears to be more comfortable banging down on the block. Showed it with the Grand Rapids Storm this summer and during Fall League play. He is off to a quick start in the regular season as well. Ferndale’s large frontline will present an opportunity to keep this momentum going in the right direction.
Other Key Matchup: The two guards Toriano Adams (Ferndale) and Northwood commitment Carson Daly (Grand Ledge)
Game #3- A “Guardapolooza”
I tried to stick to player-on-player matchups. However the mold falls apart a bit with the third contest. Simply put, just too many backcourt options to narrow it down to just a few. For West Bloomfield, when you can lose a high profile transfer— and still have one of the best backcourts in the state. You have some serious firepower.
Junior Curtis Britton IV is one the better shooters you will see. If he can get hot from beyond the arc, the rest of the court opens up for the Lakers. However Britton isn’t the only long range marksmen you need or worry about. Fellow junior Terrence Lowe is quite the shooter as well. The duo plays together nicely due to their extensive AAU runs with the Michigan Playmakers. Physicality and senior leadership comes in the form of Corey Pittman. The youth movement is led by sophomore Prince Ravanna Miles El. Be advised, I’m well aware I’m probably leaving someone out. This is a DEEP backcourt.
While the Big Reds might not have the same quantity of backdoor depth as their opponent (not sure I’ve ever typed that sentence) They certainly make up for it in quality. East Kentwood transfer Darryl Thompkins Jr makes his return to an OK-Red gymnasium. The 5-9 senior gives Muskegon on dynamic point guard and floor general. Junior James Martin has the highest ceiling of any prospect in this game— literally. As the 6-3 wing is one the more explosive leapers in the entire state. Ferris St commitment Keashaun Johnson easily has the most size of any guard in this contest.
Other Key Matchup: The Bigs 6-8 Brendin Jones (West Bloomfield) and 6-7 Ferris St commitment Elija Langston (Muskegon)
Game #4- Point Guards on the Rise
The headlining contest will feature two of the more underrated junior point guards in the state. Asher Suardini leads a balanced rotation and is coming off a strong grassroots campaign with REACH. The 5-11 prospect looks more comfortable in his second year in head coach Tory Jackson’s system (a pretty good point guard to learn from) He is off to a blistering hot start this year and the Shamrock’s are 4-0 against a difficult schedule.
The host squad will counter with Jovaan Daniels. The 5-10 Daniels has played mainly off the ball in his two years on varsity behind Brayden Szamrej (Northwood) He has also been slowed by injuries early in his career. Now healthy and in his natural position, he is beginning to fulfill his potential. Has everything you want in a point guard except top level size. Advanced ball handling and court vision, quickness, and a pure outside shot. This should be a competitive matchup to end the day.
Other Key Matchup: Do-it-All-Seniors Devin Lee (Detroit CC) and Joey Miller (Hudsonville)
Extra Credit Key Matchup: Rising sophomore wings Wycell Davis (Detroit CC) and Alex Armstrong (Hudsonville)
