Season Preview: Northern Michigan Fab 40 1-10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back by popular demand (insert sarcasm) I'm going to once again take on the daunting task of composing a list of the top 40 players in Northern Michigan. It is a herculean effort as this is a vast geographic region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From parts of the Upper Peninsula that stretch into central time zone. To the southern I-10 corridor passing through the Ludington and Reed City areas. These are the geographic borders I am going to use </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sticking with the purpose of this site I am going to focus primarily on college potential and not chiefly statistical output. In most cases (not all) this focus will also exclude players who will most likely play other sports at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. [player_tooltip player_id='1372969' first='Lincoln' last='Lockhart'] 5-11 2025 Traverse City West </strong>Dynamic lead guard who has everything but size. Coming off a standout summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='2077033' first='West' last='Michigan Lakers']. Good shooter with bouncy elevation that helps make up for his height. Absorbs and finishes through contact. Despite its enrollment West does not have a lot size right now and is going through a bit of a rebuild. Lockhart leads a strong group of guards along with fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='1587863' first='Winslow' last='Robinson'] and seniors <strong>Quinten Gillespie</strong> and <strong>Ben Habers. </strong>If the frontline develops quickly it could be more of reboot than full blown rebuild. Whatever it is Lockhart will most likely be leading it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. [player_tooltip player_id='1616016' first='Landon' last='Kulawiak'] 6-3 2025 Buckley </strong>Long range marksman with good basketball bloodlines is coming off a big sophomore year. In addition to the stellar shooting. Has the size and length to get his shot off easily against most defenders. Especially at the Division IV level. Playing for a new head coach this year that he has also worked extensively with in grassroots basketball. His production could possibly go up in this new system. That is kind of a scary thought. As Kulawiak averaged nearly 23 points per game last season. Trending towards being the Bears' all time leading scorer. That's something as this tiny district south of Traverse City has produced some serious players in the last twenty years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. [player_tooltip player_id='1300876' first='David' last='Shillinger'] 5-9 2024 Ludington </strong>Seems like a lifetime ago when I first caught this player playing with Bates Fundamentals. Played for a squad that featured two of the top players in the state. Future Michigan commit and Mr Basketball candidate [player_tooltip player_id='1112374' first='Durral' last='Brooks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1143391' first='Merritt' last='Alderink']. Well the more things change the more they stay the same. Late in the spring, I stumbled into an off the beaten path gym outside of Columbus Ohio. The band was back together as SWISH featuring Brooks, Alderink, and Shillinger was once again going at it. Shillinger hasn't grown much vertically since those early days. But he is much more mature as a playmaker and scorer. Picks his spots well and knows to set teammates up. Is an absolute menace defensively. Placing him in the middle of diamond press is a scary sight. His calling card will always be his speed and ability to change direction on a dime. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. [player_tooltip player_id='1112371' first='Jaxon' last='Childers'] 6-2 2024 Benzie Central </strong>Might be the most exciting transition threat in the region. Is an explosive athlete who could be trending towards becoming a football recruit. However don't sell his hardwood skills short. Had over 40 in-game dunks as a 6-2 two guard last season. It's more than just dunks though. Is also a good shooter with a unique but effective release. Productive player who averaged 18.3 points per game to go along with six rebounds. The Huskies were a young rebuilding squad last year. I look for Childers to have a big senior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. [player_tooltip player_id='1223509' first='Johnny' last='Ingalls'] 5-11 2024 St Ignace </strong>A gym rat from a coaching family who is just a winner. I list him at 5-11. However with his long arms you could probably add an inch or two and not feel guilty. Really knows how to find open shooters off of dribble penetration. Especially on kick outs from underneath the basket. With his length and explosiveness is an excellent finisher at the rim period— but especially for a player his size. Has extremely deep range on the perimeter and is not shy about pulling it from there. When it is falling there is not much defenders can do. Led the Saints to a quarterfinal appearance playing in Division III. With St Ignace now in Division IV. They could make even more noise in March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='1434093' first='Trenton' last='Taratuta'] 6-4 2024 Hillman </strong>Dynamic and high scoring forward who came within a whisker of a semifinal appearance last season. Is already a 1,000 point scorer. Thar statement might be underselling it a bit. It is far more than just the 1k mark. Already has 1,600 points entering his senior year. Averaged 24.6 points per game last season. The statistics are staggering. Then when you see him play you realize he is much more than some wild green light small town gunner. Does so many things well and waits for the game to come to him. Might be the best college prospect from the Alpena area since Michigan Tech great <strong>Matt Cameron.</strong> That is some heady praise if you are old enough to have seen Cameron play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='1811797' first='Evan' last='Haverkamp'] 6-9 2024 McBain </strong>Tallest player on this list by a pretty significant margin. However has more than just size. Skill level has really grown immensely in the last two years. Has broad shoulders and a thick frame. However is light on his feet and moves well for his size. Averaged a double double with 17.5 points per game and 10.7 rebounds. As a product of McBain, a college coach won't have to worry about defensive effort or intelligence. Has really put in the work. Playing with REAL Basketball in AAU for the past two summers. Was one of the top overall performers on the GRIT Region of the Prep Hoops Circuit. Players of that ilk and pedigree have parlayed those performances into college opportunities the last two summers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1441371' first='Oskar' last='Kangas'] 6-6 2025 Iron Mountain </strong>Kangas is arguably the top player in the Upper Peninsula already as a junior. Skilled enough to play both the three and four positions. Possibly even the two in a pinch. Averaged the standard 20 and 10 double as a sophomore. Despite being the focal point of most defenses already. Plays with maturity and patience. Especially out of high and low post situations. Doesn't try and force it and is a good passer when double teams come. Showed this particular growth and development with the Wisconsin Crusaders on the Prep Hoops Circuit. After getting upset in the District round by Menominee. Should lead a hungry squad that will be one of the better teams in the region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='1434245' first='Charlie' last='Howell'] 6-6 2024 Cadillac (pictured) </strong>Versatile forward with excellent size is next up for a Viking program that has been on quite a run of late. Standout quarterback whose field vision translates well to the hardwood. Can physically overpower players in the post or take players off the dribble. Smart player with advanced court sense. Makes the right play and doesn't take bad shots. Evidenced by shooting 61 percent from the field inside the three point line. Bouncy athlete with the length to be a factor on the defensive end as well. This attribute also allows him to make some highlight reel plays out in transition. Really has the full package on the wing. Just needs to put it all together. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1 [player_tooltip player_id='1111925' first='Anthony' last='Ribel'] 6-4 2024 Traverse City Central </strong>A four year starter at one of the biggest schools in the region. Ribel is getting ready to cap off a stellar career. A unique and talented prospect. A legitimate pass first point guard with uncommon size for the position at 6-4. The Northern Michigan version of Western Michigan commit [player_tooltip player_id='1111924' first='EJ' last='Ryans']. While he often looks to pass. He had no problem scoring when needed. Already a 1,000 point scorer with a pandemic shortened freshman outing tossed in. Tested himself nationally this summer with Michigan Unified on the Adidas Circuit. Teamed with Mr Basketball favorite [player_tooltip player_id='2252592' first='Chas' last='Lewless'] to form a devastating duo. Will make the college coach who wants to look beyond the traditional point guard template very happy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->