Five Players that will Decide Division IV

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are approaching the most wonderful time of the year. Not Christmas— but the madness that is the month of March (I'm told the real name is copyrighted) Let's start by digging into the bracket and doing some forecasting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is not meant to be some type of bracketolgy. I am not going to try and name the teams that are going make it to the Breslin Center. I am going to identify the players that will need to perform well in order for their teams to <em>win </em>the state championship. We'll start with the state's smallest classification. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='986885' first='Dylan' last='Barnowski'] 6-1 2023 Lake Leelanau St Mary (pictured)</strong>The dynamic lefty point guard led the Eagles to the Breslin Center last year. He is poised to do it again. The X factor with Barnowski is his length. Allows him to play much bigger than his listed height. Also makes him a plus defender to go along with the offensive fireworks. Has added post scoring this year to his game to make him a true three level scorer. Has been a potent four year multi sport duo with [player_tooltip player_id='986572' first='Shawn' last='Bramer']. This could be the year they break through to raise a state championship banner </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='985669' first='Damaryon' last='Fishburn'] 6-5 2023 Taylor Trillium Academy </strong>Possibly the best college prospect in Division IV. Fishburn is a versatile scoring forward. His combination of size and skill make him a matchup nightmare at this level. Can play inside and out. Is also a good passer out of the high post. The last two state champions have been led by a singular prospect who is head and shoulders above other players in the division. Fishburn is closer to <strong>Brady Titus </strong>(Indiana Tech) than <strong>Pierre Brooks </strong>(Michigan St). He could have similar impact deep in March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='986253' first='Mike' last='Lividini'] 5-9 2023 Southfield Christian </strong>The recent history of Division IV has been largely dominated by two blue blooded teams. Wyoming Tri Unity Christian and Southfield Christian. While Tri Unity is the defending champions and can definitely do it again. They are a balanced squad this year minus the aforementioned <strong>Brady</strong> <strong>Titus</strong>. If Southfield Christian is going to make it back to familiar surroundings. It's going to be on the back of this point guard. Lividini is not very big but is a dynamic scorer and playmaker. Ran with the Michigan Warriors. That team name pretty much sums up his fearless game. Made it to the quarterfinals last year where the Eagles lost to Genesee Christian (see below) If Lividini can make it to the Breslin he is going to join a long list of standouts point guards for the little school off Lasher Road. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1170692' first='Trenton' last='Boike'] 5-10 2023 Genesee Christian </strong>Like Barnowski, Boike led his squad to the seminal last year. With the Yeager twins at Saginaw Nouvel moving up to Division III. Boike is hands down the best shooter in the division. Similar to Lividini not very big. But has tested himself against top competition the past two summers on the grassroots circuit. Has an absolute gauntlet to get through to make it back to the Breslin. However has scoring ability and supporting cast led by [player_tooltip player_id='1300922' first='Tyler' last='Chapman'] to make it happen. Boike is more than just a shooter. Is a clever ball handler and passer. This allows him to create space on the perimeter despite the lack of size. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1434093' first='Trenton' last='Taratuta'] 6-4 2024 Hillman </strong>We can't let the seniors have all the fun. Taratuta might the best scorer on this list. Has the size and scoring ability that not many players can match. Is already a 1,000 scorer in his young career. That is quite an accomplishment when you consider what players in his age group have gone through (short season, pandemic) Hasn't just done it against small school opponents. Scored 41 points in a overtime loss to Alpena. Additionally played up an age group with Parallel 45 where he teamed with previously mentioned [player_tooltip player_id='986885' first='Dylan' last='Barnowski']. If that matchup materializes. It should be quite a battle in the quarterfinal round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->