MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

This season’s slate of Michigan boys high school basketball showcases are starting to be announced and confirmed, with several enticing matchups already on the calendar.

The Carmody Classic, which will again be hosted by Grand Blanc on January 6, features five games.

The first game will be Grand Blanc’s girls team taking on Goodrich. It’s nice to see a high-profile girls matchup at a showcase, but for the sake of this preview we’ll focus on the four boys matchups.

Here’s a game-by-game breakdown of the four boys 2024 Carmody Classic games:

Flint Hamady vs. Saginaw Heritage – Two Division 1 college recruits will face off in this highly-anticipated matchup. Jakobie Boose (6-2) will lead Hamady after receiving a scholarship offer from Detroit Mercy. Boose is extremely athletic and has improved as a shooter in recent seasons. Heritage is loaded with talent, led by Toledo commit Tyler Ode (6-5). Ode is a dangerous shooter who can also create his own shot. Heritage will also get contributions from football star Braylon Isom (6-3) and a tough frontcourt duo of Tamarrion Kindle (6-7) and Noah Arnold (6-8).

Flint Carman-Ainsworth vs. Detroit Renaissance – Easily the best undersized guard matchup the state has to offer with Phoenix star Lance Stone (5-7) facing off against Ainsworth lead guard Chris McLavish (5-8). Stone recently took a recruiting visit to Michigan State, while McLavish is one of the most explosive shooters in the state. Renaissance also features nationally-ranked guard Jordan Sigmon (6-1), who could be this year’s Darius Acuff. McLavish will receive help from fellow juniors Deuce Weston (5-9) and Donovan Hamlin (6-4).

Davison vs. Detroit Catholic Central – Davison might still be a year from truly competing for a state title, but the Cardinals feature one of the most entertaining and explosive lineups in the state. Point guard Greg Lawson (6-2) is a nationally-ranked recruit with numerous D1 offers. Hamady transfers Warren Cain (6-5) and Amari Yunn’ Blythe (6-3) have D1-D2 college upside and athleticism, which should help Davison make the next leap. Davison sophomore Jackson Bowden (6-4) is another to watch. Detroit CC enters the season with new head coach Tory Jackson, who led Grand Blanc to a state semifinal appearance last year. The Shamrocks will be led by senior backcourt duo T.J. Nadeau (6-5) and Uchenna Amene (6-2).

Grand Blanc vs. Grandville – The home team faces off against one of the most underrated west-side teams in the state. Grandville, led by Grand Valley State commit Cameron Regnerus (6-8), features one of the tallest starting lineups in the state. The Bulldogs will also lean on sweet-shooting junior Colin Heyboer (6-5) and post presence Corbin Heckman (6-4). Grandville also has height on its bench with Landon Terry (6-7). If the Bulldogs can get solid guard play, they could be a sleeper come tournament time. Grand Blanc has reached the Breslin Center three straight years, but that nucleus has graduated. Grand Blanc still has tons of talent and upside, led by senior stretch-4 Bryce O’Mara (6-7) and silky-smooth junior Donnie Huddleston (6-2). Grand Blanc will introduce a host of intriguing young talent as it hopes to continue its program’s rise.