Brandon Winchester-Jones is one of four local players who will take part in Reaching Higher in July. (Leader photo/File)

Four area basketball players will take part in this year’s Reaching Higher Showcase sponsored by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan and the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

This year’s events will be held at Milford High School. The boys camp will be July 15 and girls camp will be July 23.

Dowagiac junior Brandon Winchester and Edwardsburg junior Dante Razzano will take part in Reaching Higher, which is gives the student-athletes an idea of what it takes to succeed both academically and athletically, as well as socially, at the college level.

Niles junior Elyse Zimmerman and Buchanan sophomore Brooke Wesner will take part in the girl’s event.

“Reaching Higher provides a forum for student-athletes to display their talents in a competitive and educational setting while being exposed to first-hand accounts from people at the next level,” MHSAA Executive John E. ‘Jack’ Roberts said. “It’s a combination unparalleled in the state.”

In December, BCAM sent out an email allowing coaches to submit online their nominations for Reaching Higher. The deadline for submitting nomination was Feb. 14 and the Reaching Higher Showcase committee met at the MHSAA offices to select 125 boys and girls to participate.

There were no alternates selected.

The players selected for the showcase were posted on both the BCAM and MHSAA websites on Feb. 23.

Participants had until April 15 to accept the invitation to the showcase.

Participants will hear from an NCAA compliance speaker, as well as professional and college basketball players and will be introduced to the Reaching Higher coaching staff.

They will then take part in team practice before doing station work, which includes offensive transition, transition from offense to defense, shooting off the dribble and shooting off the pass.

Games will be played in three sessions to wrap up the day.

“This is a great opportunity for a player to compete against some of the best players in the state and hopefully improve their individual game,” Dowagiac coach Danum Hunt said. “It also allows them to get first-hand information about collegiate eligibility and what steps they need to take if they have aspirations to play at the next level. I think the MHSAA is doing a great job with providing this opportunity.”

Edwardsburg coach Steve Wright was also excited about the chance for Razzano to take part in the event.

“Dante will receive feedback from college scouts and get the opportunity to showcase his talents,” he said. “I am sure he will do a great job and I look forward to hearing his comments about the experience.”

Niles coach Phil D’Amico is looking forward to Zimmerman facing strong competition.

“For our player it is a chance to play against some of the best talent in the state,” he said. “Hopefully she will take away those skills and things that she needs to work on to continue to strive to play at a higher level.”

Wesner also attended Reaching Higher as a freshman. Buchanan coach Gabe Miller said it was a great experience for his player.

“She and her parents felt it was a wonderful opportunity to gain some perspective on both the athletic and academic expectations for a collegiate student-athlete,” he said. “Brooke used this information to help set goals for last season and I think it helped with her leadership she displayed as a player. This year she hopes to bring back more skill sets and reflect on her last year goals and set them even higher. Both her and her mother feel it was a great experience for a student athlete hoping to play at the next level to be a part of, and Brooke is excited to again participate in this experience.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to hear from others what is expected from a collegiate athlete, as well as an exposure opportunity to many colleges. Additionally, it gives her a chance to measure herself against some very talented players from all over the state.”