IPS Border Battle Report

The Inside Prep Sports Border Battle was one of the premier events held in the Midwest this year. With elite travel teams coming from all around the Midwest, and some from as far as Georgia, this was a very nice tourney. It was well run and everything was started on time. Below is a recap for the website, while our subscribers will get a more detailed recap.

Congrats to the Champions:

17u Gold-Stark County Runner Up-CBIZ
17u Silver-Pittsburgh Storm Runner Up-MI Mavericks

16u Gold-Friends 4 Life Runner Up-Common Bond Barnes
16u Silver- Team Legion Runner Up-Detroit Magic

15u Gold-All Ohio Red Runner Up-Team Pride
15u Silver-Team Toledo Runner Up-Shining Stars

14u Champion-Pittsburgh Storm Runner Up-Team Toledo

BOTB's Fab Five Players (All Ages, excluding Michigan Talent)

Anton Grady, 6'7 Wing, Central Catholic (OH), 2011, Friends 4 Life- Long and extremely athletic wing. Although he had 20 on the Michigan Mustangs in a playoff game, his entire impact on the game was enormous. His dunks were simply game changing, he dunked on people numerous times. He looked comfortable coming off screens and shooting 3's, and he even hit some which is a good thing. Didn't see him handle it that much, but could see him being a full-time wing. Long arms and athleticism as well as his great timing, also makes him a very good shot-blocker. Out of the 2011 prospects in Ohio, probably on 6'11 Zack Price from Lakewood St. Ed's and Chane Behanan the 6'7 beast from Cincinnati Aiken should be ranked higher. He's a legit high major.

Dai-Jon Parker, 6'4 CG, Milton (GA), 2011, Georgia Netburners- Not playing with his usual squad, the Southern Kings, Parker fit in well with the Netburners. I can see why colleges are flocking to this young guard. End to end, he is the quickest and fastest I've seen all spring, combine that with his height and build, he has insane potential. He had a dunk against Team Pride 16's in pool play that may have been the best I've seen all spring as well. He's a very good passer, especially off the bounce, and that is a very good quality to have for his game since he virtually gets in the lane at will. Nice jumpshot, very smooth. Top 25 prospect nationally, easily.

Kenny Kaminski, 6'6 Wing, Medina (OH), 2012, Team Pride-Fundamentally and as far as footwork, jab-steps, fade-aways, making tough shots, etc. These eyes have never seen as high school freshman do the things he does. Bad games for him=20 points and 10 boards. His step back three is flat out money, and the way he can get the ball at his size, at his age at the top of the key, size up the defender, jab step; and score with a defender in his face all the while shooting a deep 3 is amazing. He's also dangerous down low. With more development and when he gains strength and handles it better, we are talking about a potential McDonald's All American.

Elijah Macon, 6'8 PF, Marion Franklin (OH), 2012 All Ohio Red 15s- People have him rated the #1 2012 prospect in Ohio right now, and while I don't know if he's better than Kaminski you can see why people have him rated so high. At 6'8 he's very athletic, runs the floor like a gazelle, and can really face you up and hit a mid-range jumper. His mid-range game may be his biggest strength. Long arms affects a lot of things down low at the 15U level, but he also gives alot of effort down low to get rebounds, box outs, etc. Ohio State has offered and I agree that offering him is a good move, need to get in early with this kid, he's a future star.

Dylan Kaufman, 6'4 2G, Hiland (OH), 2012, CBIZ- Another one of the top 2012 kids in Ohio right now. He can flat out stroke the deep ball, but he's not one-dimensional. Akron has already offered and he is making their staff look pretty smart. He has a very good sense of when to use pump-fakes, jab steps, step-throughs, etc and because of that he usually gets open looks during games, and when he's open you can pretty much count it. To reach full potential, tightening up his handle should be a priority.


BOTB Fab-Five Players (All Ages, Michigan)

Patrick Lucas-Perry, 5'9 PG, Flint Powers, 2011, Team Legion 16u- Is he a better scorer or distributor? That's a good thing to ponder, because while he gets his 30 points some games, he also gets his 10 assists in the same games. He's improved so much over the past year, it's crazy to think how much more he could improve. He can finish, he is the best mid range jump shooter in Michigan, and he's a leader. He's won the championship in every tourney he played in year besides King James, and don't forget he got the most important one the state championship with Flint Powers.

Tommie McCune, 6'8 F, Saginaw High, 2011, Team Pride- He is continuing to improve every game. He's still a little inconsistent right now, but he's getting there. He hit 30 in one pool play game, and he can easily get 20 at the 17u level, if he works from inside-out, not vice versa. He could be a full time wing, but he must handle it better. Personal trainer is really helping his speed, agility, strength, and quickness, and his athleticism is clearly there, he will dunk on you in a second. Played exclusively 17u this weekend, although 16u is where he'll most likely play in July. Good shot blocker, but must improve defensively off the ball. His total package, skill level for his size, athleticism, and potential, makes him the #1 player in Michigan's 2011 class.

Matt Costello, 6'8 PF, Bay City Western, 2012, Team Pride-If everyone had his enthusiasm for the game of basketball, it would be a much better game. He is one of those rare bigs who at a young age is actually good and produces. He is very long, and he can run the floor very well. His mid-range jumper is legit, and he also has that jump hook that hits almost every time he shoots it. Has to get stronger to reach his full potential, but if he ever gets strength, and more athletic, he will be a scary player. His parents are huge, so getting 6'10 is also a very reasonable assumption. He will destroy the Saginaw Valley conference in time.

Shaquille Smith, 5'9 G, Flint Northern, 2011, Team Pride-He's the man for Pride's 16u group. Although he's not quite a PG yet, he has the strength, and blinding speed, quickness, and ballhandling where you can just throw him in the fire an he'll succeed. I will bet the house, that other than guards like Maurice Jones and Patrick Lucas-Perry, no one can stay in front of him. And although the elite guards in Michigan can all score, I don't know if anyone can get buckets like Shaq. He's under the radar, but trust me he's an elite guard in Michigan. Once he improves his jump shot, and understands how to play a little more and hones his PG skills, he may have high major potential, mid major potential at the worst.

LaDonte Henton, 6'4 F, Lansing Eastern, 2011, Michigan Mustangs- Although I don't know what position he truly is, and if he will ever get that high major offer, I know that he produces right now. He had close to 40 on Friends 4 Life in the semis, and while it was clear Anton Grady is a better prospect/player, "Buckets" had better numbers. He is a really good rebounder, and he scores the majority of his points off of put backs. He must improve his ball handling to play at the D1 level on the wing, because if a D1 player pressures him he'll turn it over. Right now he's still a PF, but a move to the wing is looking like it may happen for him.