Season Preview: Northern Michigan Fab 40 31-40

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back by popular demand (insert sarcasm) I'm going to once again take on the daunting task of compiling a list of the top 40 players in Northern Michigan. Buckle up and get a map as this is a vast geographic region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From parts of the Upper Peninsula that stretch into the central time zone. To the southern I-10 corridor passing through the Ludington and Reed City areas. These are the borders that 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>40. Ryan Patterson 6-6 2024 St Helen Charlton Heston Academy </strong>I usually like to start with a bit of a project. Patterson has what you can't teach— size. Patterson is about 6-6 280. Is a good shooter. Doesn't have a lot of lift but offsets it with a high arching shot. Will have to improve athletically to play at the next level. But there is a lot to work with for a patient college coach looking for size. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>39. [player_tooltip player_id='2080541' first='Clay' last='Shoup'] 6-1 2024 Mason County Eastern </strong>Is already the leading scorer at his school. That is quite an accomplishment as MCE has a decent hardwood history. Good shooter with positional size and the ability to play both backcourt slots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>38. Ethan Bennett 6-5 2024 McBain Northern Michigan Christian </strong>While the public school across the street will be one of the top Division III teams in the state. Bennett will try and keep the Comets in the Division IV conversation. Has an excellent frame to be a factor at that level. Plays larger than his listed height due to length. Moves well and has a good touch out on the perimeter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>37. [player_tooltip player_id='2353057' first='Reece' last='Broderick'] 6-0 2025 Traverse City Christian </strong>Long range marksmen coming off a shooting performance for the record books as a sophomore. Hit 104 threes last season. The third most in MHSAA history. Wasn't some haphazard pump either. Did it efficiently shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>36. Levi Framm 6-1 2024 Painesdale Jeffers </strong>Versatile guard coming off a big junior campaign. Led the Jets to the quarterfinals where they lost to the eventual state champ in Munising. Averaged nearly 21 points per game. That will probably rise as a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>35. Harrison Shepard 5-11 2025 Traverse City St Francis </strong>After appearing in the Division III state finals last year. The Glads are going to be undertaking a pretty big rebuild. Sheppard is the only returnee who saw significant tournament time. Did this as a sophomore. Also coming off a good year as a quarterback on the gridiron. Showing that the athletic potential is there. The key will be how quickly he adjusts to a new role this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>34. [player_tooltip player_id='2262437' first='Jaxon' last='Jurmu'] 6-0 2025 Marquette </strong>There is a lot of young talent in the Marquette program. I'm partial to the athletic upside of Jurmu. This was readily apparent at a Ferris St Elite camp in the summer. Tested as one of the best athletes in the entire camp. It was a deep field with players from across the Midwest region. Giving you an idea of the athletic potential. He can run and jump with anyone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>33. [player_tooltip player_id='1598818' first='Asher' last='Garrison'] 5-10 2024 Watersmeet </strong>From one of the smallest public high schools in the entire state. The Upper Peninsula guard put up eye popping numbers for the “Nimrods”. Averaged 28 points and earned eight assists per game. Perhaps more impressively, also averaged eight boards and three blocks at only 5-10. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>32. [player_tooltip player_id='1504837' first='Morgan' last='Sleik'] 6-5 2025 Kingsford </strong>Sleik has shown physical growth in the past year. Not that he was small before. Now has the upper body strength to go with the height. Coming off a good grassroots campaign with the Wisconsin Crusaders. Part of a strong 2025 class for the Flivvers (great mascot— I'll always mention it) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>31. [player_tooltip player_id='2276657' first='Clayton' last='Heuker'] 6-4 2027 McBain (pictured) </strong>I've been doing this for a few years now. I have yet to include a freshman on this list. I guess there is a first time for everything. Hueker is as advanced of a ninth grader from the region that I have seen in quite some time. Tested himself by running in the prestigious [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] Fall League. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->