Season Preview: Five to Decide Division 4

As the MHSAA football playoffs get ready to kick off it’s time to start looking ahead to the upcoming basketball season. In lieu of comprehensive team previews let’s look at five players who will have a big hand in deciding each of of the four divisions. 

Last year this was an easy column for the smallest classification. In a rarity for Division 4   Pierre Brooks Pierre Brooks 6'5" | SG Detroit Douglass | 2021 State #76 Nation MI took home both of the big trophies for Detroit Douglass. The top 100 national recruit and future Spartan lived up to the hype and then some. Brooks’ Mr Basketball and state title sets a ridiculously high bar for this years crop. 

Brady Titus Brady Titus 5'10" | PG Tri-Unity Christian | 2022 State MI 5-10 2022 Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian (pictured at top of article) The only player on this list with a Breslin appearance on his resume. With his impressive four year career at a high profile program. Titus has the best chance at being this years Pierre Brooks Pierre Brooks 6'5" | SG Detroit Douglass | 2021 State #76 Nation MI . Titus has everything you want in a point guard except elite size. Makes up for that demerit with an extreme level of athleticism and competitiveness. This was on full display at the Top 250 Expo where he engaged in a classic duel with Otsego’s Ashton Atwater Ashton Atwater 6'0" | CG Otsego | 2022 State MI . Could be in line for a special senior season. 

Damaryon Fishburn Damaryon Fishburn 6'4" | CG Trillium Academy | 2023 State MI 6-5 2023 Taylor Trillium Academy The first Junior on this list might also might be the best long term prospect. Fishburn is a matchup nightmare because he does just about everything well. With his size and playing at the Division 4 level he is going to get most of his points near the basket. However he showed this summer with Hoop Mentality that he can score from all over the floor. Especially adept in the mid range. Uses a good handle to get to his spots easily and has a quick and efficient release. Near the basket uses a sturdy frame and wide lower base to overpower smaller opponents. A top 40 overall player in his class already. It will be interesting to see how he develops in the next two years. 

Dylan Barnowski Dylan Barnowski 6'1" | CG St. Mary's Of Lake Leelanau | 2023 State MI 6-1 2023 Lake Leelanau St Mary Fellow 2023 standout Shawn Bramer Shawn Bramer 6'2" | SF St. Mary's Of Lake Leelanau | 2023 State MI is going to put up most of the numbers. But as the point guard I think Barnowski is the engine that makes the Eagles offense go. Has the three L’s. Long, lanky, and left handed. Has shown a lot development in the past two years. With his length is an excellent rebounder for his position. Plays in a up tempo offense. Accordingly is always attacking and plays with his head up. Currently quarterbacks one of the state final favorites in the 8-man division. (Suttons Bay-Co-op) So he could get off to a slow start depending on how deep the Norseman go. 

Jeremiah Drake Jeremiah Drake 6'6" | PF Godwin Heights | 2022 State MI 6-4 2022 McBain Northern Michigan Christian If Barnowski and the Eagles do not make it out of regionals it will probably be due to the work of this player. Old school scorer who is a mid range wizard. That’s what makes him so hard to defend. Doesn’t need to get hot from deep to be a factor. But don’t let his old school nature or remote location fool you. He can play with anyone and showed it this summer with Parallel 45. Explosive in the open court and can play above the rim. Will have a good supporting cast with the Comets led by 2023 forward Blake DeZeeuw.

Jaden Borseth Jaden Borseth 6'3" | CG Ewen-Trout Creek | 2022 State MI 6-3 2022 Ewen-Trout Creek For the first time in three years the title of top player in the Upper Peninsula is up for grabs with the graduation of generational talent Foster Wonders Foster Wonders 6'5" | SF Iron Mountain | 2021 State MI . Borseth looks poised to attempt to take this spot. Already a 1,000 point scorer the multi-faceted scorer is a matchup nightmare. His well rounded game is backed up by his stat line. Borseth averaged 21.8 points per game to go along six rebounds and four assists. Like Winkle won’t have to do it alone as the Panthers return a solid supporting cast.