KAZOO — As the sun shone outside, a Storm swept through the gym at K-College this weekend, as the Grand Rapids Storm claimed victory in all three age groups at the Damon L. White Memorial Basketball Tournament.

The 17-under final featured the Storm against the West Michigan Lakers, who, despite their reliance on players from Holland Christian, warmed my heart with their gutty West-side play. The Lakers hung tight and kept the game close against an extremely talented Storm squad until late in the first half when 5’10” Brandon Ball (Grand Rapids Union) scored on two quick steals and a three-pointer to put his team up by six. The Storm never looked back and cruised to a 65-51 victory.

All-Tournament Team:

• Mike Bramos 6'3” East Side Renegades (Grosse Pointe North)

A sophomore playing up, Mike sure didn't look it out there. Legitimately tall, plus broad shouldered and strong. Can shoot all the way out, and has all kinds of finishing skills when he drives the baseline. Watch this one...

• Markus Burton 5'7” South Bend Soldiers (South Bend Riley)

Ok, this isn't "Indiana Preps.com," but we'll make Markus an honorary Michigander for the weekend. Reminiscent of former Romulus point guard Deon Solomon, only way smaller and waaaaaaay better, this broad shouldered kid puts the whirling in whirling dervish. He's so quick to stop and turn, then do whatever; shoot the three (seven or eight in one game, can't remember), blow by his man, behind the back or behind the head passes in the lane, stop and pop, on the run. Apparantly, he's one of the top three guards in Indiana. No surprise here.

• Shawn Earl 5'10” Camp Darryl (Three Rivers)

Runs the show, as he did for a Three Rivers team that won the Wolverine Conference last season. Another very fast point who has good vision and can shoot as well. The Camp Darryl team wasn't the same without Earl on the floor. Nice kid, too.

• Brent Heemskerk 6'8” Storm (Grand Rapids Christian)

In truth, I picked Brent for the all tourney team because there was only one trophy; I would have liked to divide it up amongst all four, or five really, of the Storm's big men; they all played extremely well. Heemskerk just seems to be on the cusp of something. Like Steve says in the last issue of The Bank, there's no reason this kid shouldn't be dominating with the skill set he's got. Size, strength and a shot out past the three point line — nice places to start, eh?

•Marcus Lancaster 5'10” Lakers (Wyoming Lee)

Another quick point guard (a trend obviously), this time one who loves to push the ball up court and score on the break. Could find the open man inside, and occasionally hit from deep. He scored a lot on the run and finished well when he got beneath the hoop.

•Tyler Wolfe 6'2” Storm (Cedar Springs)

All I saw this kid do was shoot the lights out. He won games almost single-handedly, on three or four in a row three point binges that brought his team back or put them out of reach in front. Not just a one trick pony either, as I saw him get dirty after rebounds and such. Legitimate size, too. Dunno if Wolfe can get his own shot, but what he's got going on will last him a good while.

Other 17s of Note:

• Brandon Ball 5'10” Storm (Grand Rapids Union): Super-quick hands; can score.

• Matt Deemer 6'8” Camp Darryl (Centreville): Tall and some skill; very slender. His older brother plays in the CBA, for the Gary Steelheads.

• Chris Denherder 6'5” Lakers (Zeeland): A hoss with surprising hands.

• Nick Freer 6'5” Storm (Lakeshore Stevensville): "Get up Nick!" Silly, silly dunker.

• Tony Gugino 6'8” Lakers (Holland Christian): Too skinny, but more athletic than you'd think.

• Leonard Houston 6'3” Storm (West Ottawa): Aggressive athlete and scorer.

• LJ Kilgore 6'2” Storm (Grand Rapids Creston): Smooth operator; looks natural.

• Todd Koetsier 6'3” Storm (Calvin Christian): Another Storm hardworking big man.

• Drew Kragt 6'5” Camp Darryl (Schoolcraft): Skinny, but can finish around the hoop.

• DJ Mocini 5'10” Storm (Saugatuck): A solid all around point.

• Tyler Rader 6'4” Lakers (Forest Hills Northern): A scorer, from three on in.

• John Tiemeyer 6'10” Storm (Grand Haven): Likes to dunk despite his slight frame ... cool.

• Marcus Vanderheide 6'6” Storm (Calvin Christian): Legit big athlete who can shoot.

The champs faced their closest test in the 16-and-under division, when Camp Darryl's Jon Yeazel missed two free throws that would have allowed his team to tie and/or win the game with three seconds left. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise brilliant tournament run by Yeazel, and the Storm won, 54-51.

All-Tournament Team:

• Cameron Bradfield 6'5” Storm (Grand Rapids Creston)

This is a big, strong kid whose game reminds me in many ways of Ije Nwankwo. Sadly, the part where Ije seemed to get down and not put forth an effort that, combined with his body and skills, would allow true dominance, is included in those many ways. But wow, is he strong and agile; a physical specimen.

• Andrew Holms 6'3” Storm (Portage Northern)

A fine combination of size and strength with grit, leadership and a shot. He boards hard and cleans up with the dirty work. Can find his own way inside and drain it from outside. But the heart is where its at; somehow he just seems like a winner.

• Mark Larson 6'7” Camp Darryl (Mattawan)

What's up with Mattawan and the big kids? Larson may not move gracefully, but he sure is efficient around the basket doing what you want a big man to do; rebounding, blocking shots, and putting it in the hole on the offensive end. And he's a freshman?!? More will be said as the years pass...

• Ryan Simonson 6'2” Camp Darryl (Kellogsville)

A straight up scorer. Simonson shoots an awkward looking three-pointer that goes in a lot (kept his team in the championship game), and can take it at the rack or stop and pop as well. Fearless, and a solid defender.

• Lee Slenk 6'7” Lakers (Holland Christian)

Large as well as tall, Slenk has a surprising touch all the way out to the top of the key, though he didn't finish as well inside as one might like. Lee played up with the 17s too, and didn't look out of place.

•Jon Yeazel 6'2” Camp Darryl (Middleville)

Impressive tournament for Yeazel; he didn't score less than 23 points in a game until the championship. He can shoot from well beyond the three point line, but excells when taking the ball to the hole, where he can finish in a myriad of ways. Just super smooth around the basket, and strong fundamentally, like all of Camp Darryl's players.

Other 16s of Note:

• Wilbur Ampey 6'7” Camp Darryl (Mattawan): Another freshman big man from Mattawan; strong and raw.

• David Cultra 5'10” Camp Darryl (Mattawan): Quick point guard with leadership.

• Ronald Hardy 6'1” Storm (Ottawa Hills): Long and athletic; played great D on Yeazel.

• Jakari Johnson 6'2” Storm (Ottawa Hills): Slender, but the skills are there; can shoot.

• Arien McDaniel 5'10” Lakers (Muskegon Heights): A point with real quickness; raw.

• Corey Mirto 6'3” Lakers (Saugatuck): Strong freshman who can shoot and bang.

• Robert Ortiz 5'10” Lakers (Fennville): Can get into the lane and score or dish.

•Andrew Schrotenboer 5'10” Lakers (Holland): Good shooter who can drive.

In the 15-under championship game, the Storm faced the Michigan Edge, a team populated by Grand Rapids area kids who play a very entertaining up-and-down style, and are obviously coached with a team-first attitude.

The Edge led the game into the second half, but just couldn't keep up with the more talented Storm, and eventually lost, 63-49.

All-Tournament Team:

• Teddy Albert 6'1” Edge (Belding)

Albert was the biggest kid on the similarly sized Edge team, and played like it. Tough rebounder with some strong finishing skills, especially on the break. Played great defense.

• Josh Beeke 6'1” Michigan Rising Stars (Gull Lake)

Good size and skill for a point guard at his age. Can even score a little. Made his team go.

• Sai-Quan Griffith 5'10” Storm (East Kentwood)

Quick, slender guard has nice vision. He moves well with the ball in his hands, very smooth for a kid young.

• Bryan Horn 5'11” Camp Darryl (Lansing Waverly)

He led his team in scoring in almost every game and is in the seventh grade. Yes, seventh grade. Eyes on the future.....

• Spencer Olson 5'10” Storm (Grand Rapids Northview)

I have no idea where Northview is, even though we swam them almost every year ... somewhere north of GR, I'd imagine (Good guess-Ed.). Anyway, they ought to have a team in a couple of years. Olson can shoot great, kid is a straight-up scorer. Plays hard as well.

• Blane Sluiter 5'11” Edge (Byron Center)

Didn't score that much, but played with heart and determination. A great rebounder and hustle player, he seemed to exemplify the Edge's team-first attitude.

Other 15s of Note:

• Derek Brooks 6'0” Storm (Grand Rapids Northview): Has a live body that should improve with age.

• Austin Patton 6'3” Stars (Parchment): Strong and can finish with both hands; tempermental.

• Casey Piers 6'5” Storm (Hudsonville): Size, passes well out of the post.

• Sam Pupel 5'10” Edge (Grand Rapids West Catholic): Strong and efficient point guard with goofy hair.

• Alex Ropek 6'1” Storm (Walled Lake Northern): Solid all around player; looks like Kirk Hinrich (Wait, I thought that was Josh Jorkasky’s claim to fame?-Ed.)

• Ryan Shafer 6'0” Edge (Rockford): Good off the dribble and rebounding.

• Austin Weedfall 5'11” Edge (Grand Rapids Northview): Skinny kid with mop-top who straight scores.

In closing, it was definitely a worthwhile weekend of hoops. A special thanks to Darryl Matthews, of Camp Darryl fame, for his hospitality and putting on a good tournament.