Prep 250 Expo: Northern Michigan Contingent

The Prep 250 Expo was a highly competitive action packed day. With so many good players I’ll be summarizing with regional rankings. I hope to get to as many players as possible. I’ll start with my region of residency, Northern Michigan <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/141_Peyton-LaCombePrepHoops-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1061914" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/141_Peyton-LaCombePrepHoops-2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> 1. [player_tooltip player_id="983502" first="Peyton" last="LaCombe"] 6-8 2022 Ludington While my desired matchup with [player_tooltip player_id="863935" first="Max" last="Burton"] didn’t materialize. LaCombe showed the rim protection and mobility that make him such a tantalizing prospect. As a first time participant I was initially taken by his aggressiveness. He was not shy at all and came to get after it. I am always struck by the ease and speed in running the court for a player size. He continues to show a willingness to extend his game out to the three point line. Continued to display the easy and fluid release that I first saw at the Great Eight in Fort Wayne. Showing no signs of leveling out in development. The arrow continues to point up for this prospect. 2. [player_tooltip player_id="814631" first="Jack" last="Stefanski"] 6-6 2021 Frankfort Coming off a big summer with Parallel 45, Stefanski is continuing his momentum going into the fall. In his first game showed versatility by getting a steal and going coast-to-coast to feed point guard [player_tooltip player_id="811109" first="Keyon" last="Menifield"] for the lay up in a bit of a positional role reversal. Four year player who led his team to the Division 4 final in his sophomore year. If you’re a college coach looking for a battle tested versatile stretch four with plenty of big game experience, this young man checks all the boxes. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/84_Shawn-BramerPrepHoops-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1061869" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/84_Shawn-BramerPrepHoops-2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> 3. [player_tooltip player_id="986572" first="Shawn" last="Bramer"] 6-2 2023 Lake Leelanau St Mary and [player_tooltip player_id="986885" first="Dylan" last="Barnowski"] 5-10 2023 Lake Leelanau St Mary These two teammates looked much more comfortable in their second time around at the 250 Expo. Last year Bramer looked like a physically advanced player still trying to figure things out. After a huge freshman season he looks even more physically developed. However he is definitely not trying to figure things out anymore. Especially on the offensive end. Displayed a strong spin move and the ability to finish in the post. But also has enough quickness and skill to play on the perimeter. Should put up huge numbers in his sophomore season. Unlike Bramer, Barnowski looks like an underclassmen. However he displayed a high level of skill and toughness to make up for his slight frame. Good enough ball handler to play the 1, but has a pure outside shot that will allow him to shift to the 2 when needed. Also helps that he is left handed with a quick release. Definitely a dynamic duo to watch in Northern Michigan. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/75_Jaden-TurnerPrepHoops-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1061862" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/75_Jaden-TurnerPrepHoops-2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> 4. [player_tooltip player_id="986886" first="Jaden" last="Montague"] 6-1 2023 Cadillac No other way to say it. It just happens sometimes. Montague did not get a lot of touches offensively. However this was not a total negative as he got to show off other aspects of his game. Didn’t pout and stayed extremely active moving well off the ball. Staying active allowed him to show off his trigger quick release as he scored a few times off of some loose balls. Excellent athlete who competed well defensively. Played a full season of JV ball last year for a deep Cadillac program. He should move up and be a factor on a good program in what will be a deep Big North conference. Excited to see what the coming year holds for this prospect. 5. Joel Ewald 5-10 2022 Roscommon (pictured at the top of article) Like Barnowski, Ewald is a slight but skilled point guard prospect. Coaches son who excels in playing in the pick and roll. Showed that off a few times today but it admittedly was not the most conducive environment with brand new teammates. Shifty ball handler who dealt with defensive pressure well on the day. Has deep range on the perimeter which will be needed due to slight build. Will have an opportunity to be tested and enhance his reputation as the Highland conference has a deep stable of point guards. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/14_Nate-ChildersPrepHoops-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1061810" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/14_Nate-ChildersPrepHoops-2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> 6. [player_tooltip player_id="864009" first="Nate" last="Childers"] 6-1 2022 Benzie Central Unlike the other guards on this list I would not describe Childers as slight. Similarly to Bramer has a strong and well developed upper body. Has a quick release in the mid range and had a nice left handed finish early in the day. Is deceptively quick and moves his feet well on the defensive end. Has led a mini resurgence with the Huskies. Will look to keep that momentum going with his younger brother 2024 prospect [player_tooltip player_id="986582" first="Jaxon" last="Childers"]. Coming off a big summer with Parallel 45 2022 Green. This could be a big year in his development as a prospect.