Building a Team Down US 10

As I have opined in previous columns, I have a love/hate relationship with Northern Michigan. One of the challenges is determining the borders of this vast region. I have struggled mostly with Southern part. Since I didn’t include them in my all area teams let’s take a drive down interstate 10 and build a pretty good team. Power Forward [player_tooltip player_id="983502" first="Peyton" last="LaCombe"] 6-7 2022 Ludington We’ll begin on the shores of Lake Michigan with perhaps the top prospect regardless of class in the region. I have written extensively about LaCombe for this site, so if your new here there is a LOT to like. Extremely mobile, long, and battle tested prospect at such a young age. Played at the Breslin Center as a freshman and followed that up by running with with a national AAU program (Illinois Wolves). In his sophomore season got the upper hand on Zeeland East’s standout big man [player_tooltip player_id="811107" first="Nate" last="Claerbaut"]. Those are some nice notches to have on the belt before becoming an upperclassman. The things that initially catch your eye are the fluid way he runs in the open court and defensive instincts. Plays for Thad Shank so college coaches aren’t going to have to worry much about defensive schooling. Put simply he is already an elite defender. The next step will be offensive development. He already shows plenty of potential in that area as well. His shot is smooth and non mechanical and shows a soft touch around the rim. If the developmental curve continues on this trajectory I fully expect to see LaCombe follow the next guy on this list to be a contributor at the next level. Center [player_tooltip player_id="785012" first="Jeffrey" last="Carrier"] 6-7 2020 Mason County Central Hop in the car keep your steering wheel straight for 15 miles and you will find another long, lean athlete in the town of Scottville. This bucolic town sports a famous clown band, but this young man’s game is no joke. Carrier averaged a double double with 21.4 points per game and 11.9 rebounds. Also proved to be stat sheet stuffer with two assists and steals per game. Not afraid of the moment and big time competition as he had a good summer with the Grand Rapids Storm. Showed this off in the regular season with a huge game against aforementioned Ludington in a 41-39 overtime victory. Carrier sent the contest into OT with a late three and capped it off by scoring eight of his teams twelve point in the extra period. Finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds on the night. Very slender but not a major concern as he has skills to play on the perimeter at the next level. Carrier is the all time leading scorer for MCC and that is saying something with the Spartans deep history of players like Chad Pleiness (Central Michigan) and Dan Aultmam (Calvin). Committed to Davenport and has potential to develop into a Division ll steal. Note: That is quite a frontline in terms of size, so we’re going to “small ball” it the rest of the way with an extremely quick three guard lineup Guard Carmelo Lindsey 5-8 2023 Baldwin The next leg of our journey is a little longer (27 miles) and you’ll have to turn the wheel a little but you eventually find the small hamlet of Baldwin. This tiny village is rich in history on the basketball court and beyond. After attaining a slight resurgence in this century with the Childress brothers, first year head head coach JJ Eads made the trek down the road from Reed City to keep the momentum going. Leading the charge is this electric Freshman guard. 16 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assist is an impressive line for any player. Let alone someone just beginning his high school career. Did I mention quickness? Averaged 3.5 steals as well. Posted a rare high school triple double against Mesick. As you would expect from a young player he was peaking at the end of the season, scoring a career high 27 points against Big Rapids Crossroads in a district tournament victory. This is certainly a young player coaches will want to keep an eye on. Guard Lavonte Palmer 5-10 2021 Baldwin Lindsey in not alone in the Panthers young and developing backcourt. A little older and a little bigger, Palmer averaged 12 points five rebounds per game. It’s interesting to note that he averaged 3.5 assists as he played off the ball with Lindsey manning the point. It is also telling when you average 2.5 steals and you are second on your own team by decent margin. I would not want to be a West Michigan D League coach against this two guard front. Like Lindsey, was first team all conference. The Panthers finished 16-6 this year and featured a 10 game winning streak. Unlike a lot teams their season did end with a loss as they fell in district semi final action to McBain Northern Michigan Christian. Another team with a successful tradition and some good young talent. This will be an intriguing district to watch in the next few years. Guard Zach Saenz 5-10 2020 Reed City While Coach Eads is leading a resurgence in Baldwin, his former point guard did well for himself just down the road in Reed City. Saenz was a four year player and two year captain for the Coyotes. Showed his leadership and versatility in playing through a coaching change for new (old) coach Jesse Kailing. He plays the type of crafty floor game that you would expect from such an experienced player. Averaged 14 points game. Will continue his playeing career at Alpena Community College where he will join an overlooked player from 2019 class in Chris DeRocher (Alpena) These are the type of prospects who could blow up at the next level and leave coaches wondering “how did we miss on these guys?” Well I hope you enjoyed this little road trip. I’m going to hop highway 131 and head home......maybe I’ll find some good players along the way on there?