Northern Michigan Showcase: Fab Five Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In its second year the Northern Michigan Showcase delivered an ambitious four game slate. Featuring sone of the best teams in Northern Michigan taking on teams from the Motor City. Following are five of the top overall performances from the day. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1434245' first='Charlie' last='Howell'] 6-6 2024 Cadillac (pictured) </strong>Last year the host school (Traverse City St Francis) featured <strong>Wyatt Nausadis</strong>. A player who had as impressive of a senior campaign as any player from the region in quite some time. This year about an hour south, Howell is pulling off a similar feat for the Vikings. Howell continued what has been a huge senior season with a 30 point outing against Wayne Memorial. Showed off the full arsenal by scoring at all three levels. Only blemish was an off night at the line. However after missing two. Used his size to get his own rebound and calmly step back and drain a three. No harm there I guess. Notched his 1,000th career point in the first half with a steal coast-to-coast take for a two handed dunk. Was everywhere defensively with two blocks at the rim. A long, lanky 6-6 wing who plays with strength. Skilled with an excellent academic resume as well. That is quite the prospect profile and why he is one of top unsigned seniors in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1793650' first='Carlos' last='Medlock Jr'] 5-11 2026 Wayne Memorial </strong>The Zebras struggled last year in their trip North in a loss to Glen Lake. It appeared the long bus ride might have gotten to them again as Medlock got off to a very slow start. However he hit a three at the first half buzzer that seemed to get him going a bit. Came out firing in the second half. Aggressively attacking the rim and going right at Cadillac's big frontline. The penetration came easily for a player who has one of the top ball handling skill sets in the state. When the outside shot is falling there is not much defenders can do. As he has aged, has gotten better at avoiding dribbling into trouble. Has a trigger quick release and doesn't need much room to get his shot off. Finished with 19 points and led his team to a come from behind victory against a good Cadillac team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1793921' first='Jaylohn' last='Allen'] 6-1 2026 Wayne Memorial </strong>While Medlock got off to a slow start. The Zebra's second sophomore star kept them in it with a big first half. How he did it was even more impressive. Allen is bigger than Medlock and excels on penetration. However he was raining threes in the first half. They were no doubters and extremely deep. Not a natural spot shooter and created most of his looks off of his own dribble. As Medlock got going in the second half. Allen began to penetrate more. This is where he thick but athletic frame comes into play. Bounces off defenders with the strength to finish through contact. Has the bounce to play easily above the rim at 6-1. Allen and Medlock has the ring of a law firm. But get used to the name as they form the top sophomore backcourt in the state. Nothing on Saturday dissuaded me from that belief. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112296' first='Derrick' last='Miller'] 5-11 2024 Detroit Cass Tech </strong>The prototype for what the Technician backcourt prospect is becoming. A no frills, tough as nails prospect, who is also highly productive. Miller earned his early baskets the hard way. Playing at the top of the suffocating Cass Tech full court press. Forcing a parade of turnovers that he turned into offense quickly. He wasn't just doing this against a completely overmatched opponent. Traverse City Central features a battle tested point guard in [player_tooltip player_id='1111925' first='Anthony' last='Ribel'] who has faced big time pressure before. Went hard to the hole and scored at the rim despite not being very big. Was able to hang in the air and was adept at creating contact. Is in the midst of big senior season. Finished with a game high 24 points in the convincing victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2348937' first='Dontez' last='Winfrey'] 5-9 2024 Hamtramck </strong>Doesn't have the biggest frame or statewide reputation. However I will use the qualifier of— yet. Winfrey showed how his quickness can change a game beyond just the scoring column. Going into the half, McBain was having their way down low as they do to almost all opponents. Hamtramck could not match their size and they were already in foul trouble. So Winfrey just amped up the defensive pressure significantly and kept them from even getting the ball down low. Offensively controlled tempo with a tight handle and played with his head up. Did a good job of getting teammates involved as well. Scored when he needed to and had the gym buzzing with his creativity and flash on a few drives. Finished with 12 points in the impressive victory. Type of prospect who adds an inch or two and comes out of nowhere after a JUCO stint. Winfrey can play with anybody, just needs a little more size and opportunity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->