City Rankings Up North: Best Available

As July rolls around college plans are normally finalized and young people are settling in for theIr last summer at home. Theses are not normal times. As college coaches and players attempt to navigate what will be an unusual 2020-2021 year. I thought I would take one last run at the Class of 2020, highlighting some players without known college commitments. Please note I put known in italics for a reason. Due to these unique circumstances I have not sought out players or did much research on where their recruitments stand. Some of these players do have offers, but the last thing they need is some writer bugging them as try and make what I’m sure will be a difficult decision. Please reach out if I have missed a commitment. 1. [player_tooltip player_id="959856" first="Joseph" last="Kimmerer"] 6-3 2020 Hale The statistics jump off the page as they should. The four year standout averaged 29 points and 12.2 rebounds. When one reads numbers like that at the Division 4 level, the image of a small town “bully” who just athletically overpowers opponents comes to mind. That is not the case with this player. When I first viewed Kimmerer at Ferris Exposure Camp I was impressed with his athleticism and overall skill level. Has a solid frame with room to add bulk. As the statistics show has “kind of a jack of all trades” type of game. Can play inside and out, and above the rim. An excellent free throw shooter, which serves as an ideal compliment to his physical game. Added a 50 point effort to his resume in his senior year. You don’t score 1,882 points by accident. If college coaches are looking for a possible late recruiting steal they should look this young man up. 2. [player_tooltip player_id="789810" first="Ashton" last="Janke"] 6-3 2020 Dollar Bay Located near the top of Keweenaw Peninsula, perhaps the most remote prospect we have in our database. However this player should not be unfamiliar to statewide hoop heads. Made back-to-back appearances at the Breslin Center, and was on his way to a third at the time of cancellation. Averaged 25.3 points per game to go along with 11.6 rebounds. As the stats indicate, this slender athlete possesses a solid all around floor game. As with most players from this region coaches are probably concerned about the level competition. Don’t forget in his second journey to the Breslin Center he out dueled Pellston and [player_tooltip player_id="789766" first="Blake" last="Cassidy"] in a dramatic quarterfinal matchup. Cassidy will be playing at Lake Superior St next year, so Janke has experience in defeating next level athletes. If coaches are looking for a “winner” they should seek this young man out. 3. [player_tooltip player_id="789866" first="Parker" last="Neu"] 6-6 2020 Traverse City West From one of the most remote schools in the region to its biggest. Why does this young man remain unsigned? My guess would be the dreaded label of “tweener”. Doesn’t quite have the bulk to be a true post at the next level, and at this point is not a traditional wing. While there is some merit there, I prefer to focus on the fact that this a young player who developed greatly throughout his career. Also showed toughness playing through some injuries. With West scheduling aggressively and his grassroots participation on Northern Exposure, competition is not concern. He has gone to toe-to-toe with the big boys. Had a big game in a win against [player_tooltip player_id="785004" first="Reece" last="Hazelton"] (Ferris St) and Glen Lake’s huge frontline. Also scored 21 points in a loss against a good Bloomfield Hills team. Has an excellent wingspan and finishes well in the post with both hands. Like similarly ranked teammate [player_tooltip player_id="789879" first="Andy" last="Soma"] (Lake Superior St) I believe he has a chance to be a good player at the next level. 4. Brayden Mallack 6-0 2020 Oscoda In this era of positionless basketball the concept of floor general sometimes gets lost. This no frills point guard falls into that category. Was the true point guard for an Owls team lost two games in two seasons. Also had two different head coaches during that span saying something about his leadership capabilities. The thousand point scorer averaged 17.3 points per game and six assists. Set schools all time assist mark, and was in striking distance of points at the time of the cancellation. Excelled defensively, often guarding the opponents best like #1 on this list. Highly competitive and possesses a compact sturdy frame. Like #2 on this list if you’re looking for a “winner” you should give this young man a chance. 5. Merik Hodgins 5-10 2020 West Branch Ogemaw Heights Put simply this is type of the player that grabs your attention. From the floppy hair to the unique flashiness of his game, just does things that make you take notice. Started the year strong with two solid performances on the Fall showcase circuit. Played well in both the Prep Hoops 250 and Bank Hoops events. Continued that into a regular season that ended on seven game winning streak. In those seven games were victories over Hale and the number one player on this list, and a dramatic double overtime victory that served as Oscoda’s only loss of the season. Averaged 17 points and three assists per game. Has an excellent academic profile and has a strong desire to play at the next level.