Northern Michigan Notebook: Late Season Check-in

In the waning days of the MHSAA basketball season. We dive back into the notebook to check in with my region of dwelling. Following are five players that have stood out in the past few months of Northern Michigan basketball. Best Performance- [player_tooltip player_id="1211317" first="Trevin" last="Winkle"] 6-3 2022 McBain Northern Michigan Christian (pictured at top of article) I have been high on this young man’s game since he was a sophomore. I often preface his performance by saying that statistics only tell part of the story. He frequently makes the “right” and “winning” plays. I have always believed he was capable of scoring more if needed. In a big contest against Lake City the need was there. Winkle needed 38 points to get 1,000 for his career. He came out firing and scored you guessed it— a career high 38 points. Showed off the full offensive arsenal. Went inside and out and scored from beyond the arc. Has an old school high release that is effective and makes his shot hard to block. As stated earlier in this write up. He is a very unselfish player. Has excellent court vision and seemingly always makes the right play. At the time of publication has the led the Comets to a perfect record. A top 5 state ranking, conference championship, and perhaps the favorite the represent the region at the Breslin Center. Has committed to play at Calvin. Where his uncle is a top 5 career scorer at the storied Division III program. But he is more than just a legacy recruit. Has the type of game to have a similar career. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Anthony-Ribel.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1187004" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Anthony-Ribel-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Best Underclassmen Performance- [player_tooltip player_id="1111925" first="Anthony" last="Ribel"] 6-3 2024 Traverse City Central This prospect has been on my radar since he was in middle school when his trainer gave me a heads up. I have always been impressed with his size for the point guard position. Additionally he has corresponding next level court vision. He is also very unselfish. Recently I worried that perhaps this was becoming a detriment. I was beginning to question his ability to beat defenders off the dribble. Consider those concerns alleviated. The Trojans went into it’s road contest with first place Cadillac down two starters. Ribel took control of the game from the outset and led his team to a convincing victory. Penetrated at will against the Vikings large frontline. Finished with 20 points in a game that allowed the Trojans to earn a share of the Big North conference championship. After playing primarily with the Grand Rapids Storm the past few years. Is slated to run with Indiana based Kyle Guy Elite on the NY2LA circuit in the upcoming grassroots season. Best Athlete- [player_tooltip player_id="1068264" first="Dylan" last="Cragg"] 6-4 2022 Grayling The game of basketball lends itself well to debate. Discussing the best players or skill sets is often subjective and difficult to prove. That being said. If there is a better all around athlete in Northern Michigan. I haven’t seen him. Cragg has a lean but also muscular frame. He also has long arms and can jump out of the gym. Needless to say he can effectively play well above the rim. Long strider who easily gets to his spots. More than just athlete. Is decent ball handler and can play in the backcourt when needed. Is a streaky shooter with a smooth and effortless release from deep. When it is falling there is not much you can do defensively. Uses all of the above physical advantages to be a lock down defender. Blocks shots that other players simply can’t get to. Showed off the full package in his squad’s big road victory against a good Elk Rapids team. Committed to play both football and basketball at Alma. Has the ability to pull off this rare feat. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/47CD7D00-9DE8-44E2-BD46-12A8018E4F7F-rotated.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1236232" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/47CD7D00-9DE8-44E2-BD46-12A8018E4F7F-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> Under the Radar Upperclassmen- [player_tooltip player_id="1349431" first="Gavin" last="Bisballe"] 6-5 2022 Lake City While he did not perform well in the contest with NMC and Winkle (see above). That game ended an impressive four game streak of high level play. Bookended by two monster games. A 16 point 15 rebound performance in close victory over Houghton Lake. Followed by a monster 32 point 18 rebound outing against Evart. Despite the record Evart is not a team devoid of talent (see below) so this stat line was posted against solid competition. His overall game and intensity appear to be catching up to his athletic potential. Not as explosive as Cragg. But a little taller at 6-5 (maybe 6-6) Bouncy and long with a legitimate wing skill set. Had a highlight reel dunk in the game against Evart. Has good basketball bloodlines as his sister currently plays at Grand Valley. A late rising prospect who could pop at the small college level. Under the Radar Underclassmen- Dakobe White 5-10 2024 Evart An under the radar player who has not garnered much attention up to this point. But there is a lot to like in this young point guard prospect. Extremely quick both with and without the ball. Able to pass effectively off the dribble with the flick of the wrist. Not a knock down outside shooter yet. But there is nothing wrong with it mechanically. Penetrates without fear and is a creative finisher at the rim. Has a nice floater in the mid range. It’s been quite a while since Evart has had a player on the recruiting radar. But there is some good young talent in the program right now. Including Dakobe’s older brother Marcel. Has a ways to go but there is a lot to work with already.