Northern Michigan Showcase: New Names

In its third year, the Northern Michigan Showcase delivered another ambitious five game slate pitting UP North programs against teams from the Metro Detroit area. While the stars and established names stood out in a major way. A handful of new names announced themselves with their play. Following are seven standouts from Saturday's action.   [player_tooltip player_id='2725432' first='Austin' last='Tory'] 6-6 2025 Wayne Memorial At the start of the year I questioned Wayne Memorial's frontline. That question was answered on Saturday from a somewhat unexpected source. I have seen Tory play before. However that was as a slender 6-2 or 6-3 ish wing. A late growth spurt has catapulted him into intriguing prospect status. He still looks like a player who is adapting to his stature. Doesn't play like a big man. Despite the vertical growth, still has a very slender and lengthy frame. Uses this length to his advantage often. Especially defensively and out in transition. Had four dunks in that came at key momentum changing times in Saturday's close contest. Ran court fluidly and with purpose. This could late developing sleeper recruit for a patient college coach.   Ty'Ron Jackson 6-3 2025 Hamtramck Another Saturday showcase event. Another outstanding offensive performance from Jackson. Jackson is a “jack of all trades” type of scorer. Looks most comfortable on penetration and in the mid range. Rose easily over defenders with a fundamentally sound jump shot. Got to his spots easily with a tight handle befitting a point guard. Hasn't had to play that position with the Cosmos due to presence of Devin Mixon. I wonder if might be able to develop into a big lead guard somewhere at the next level. Explodes to the basket off the bounce and plays easily above the rim. Scored 19 points in a victory, but it could have been more. Impressive month for the Detroit area guard.   Connor Fierstine 6-6 2026 Marquette Turned in a no frills workmanlike performance in Marquette's upset victory over Detroit Cass Tech. With Cass' press moving [player_tooltip player_id='2471674' first='Jacob' last='MacPhee'] out to the mid range. Fierstine manned the paint offensively. He showed confidence and a soft touch around the basket. Wasn't just layups though. Showed good ball skills and didn't turn the ball over in the face of heavy pressure. Plays with strength and off of two feet. While he did not have dunk, showed easy elevation in warmups. Has a strong athletic frame with solid upper body. Scored 19 points in the upset victory. Only a junior, If he follows a similar developmental path to his front court partner. Could find a home somewhere at that next level. Will definitely have opportunities next year as the Sentinels graduate quite a bit.   [player_tooltip player_id='2477378' first='Carter' last='Grubb'] 6-6 2026 Traverse City West (pictured) The emerging forward continues a big spring/summer into a breakout junior campaign. Formed a potent two man duo with [player_tooltip player_id='1372969' first='Lincoln' last='Lockhart'] on Saturday. Is an above average athlete who excels as a rim runner in two man situations. In game that featured a serious high flyer as an opponent (see above) I was impressed by Grubb's explosive elevation. Got up to the rim so quickly. Was also able to contort his body and finish from unique angles. Showed his defensive upside by hedging out hard on Wayne Memorial's Division I guards. If he has the foot speed and lateral quickness to stay in from that duo— well he can guard at the next level. Hard working player who took a such a leap between his sophomore and junior campaigns. Very intrigued to see what he adds as a senior.   Caden Stoops 6-2 2025 Traverse City West Stoops had a nice game for the Titans. Like Grubb, showed his next level athleticism in contending with the Wayne Memorial backcourt. Offensively made his mark from beyond the arc with some timely threes. Plays with confidence and aggression on both ends of the court. Has been hot offensively of late. Had a solid outing against Cadillac last week. Scored 17 points in the loss. Appears to be trending towards baseball at the next level. Has some hardwood upside as well.   Eli Main 6-2 2025 Cadillac Like his conference foe Stoops, Main flies a little under the radar due to multi sport participation. Has been a productive four year player. In the tail end his hardwood run, he is putting up some of his better performances. Coming off an 18 point outing last weekend in a Saturday showcase victory over Williamston. Followed that up with 26 points in a victory over Petoskey. The scoring uptick has been the result of improved outside shooting. Not a small point guard. Has a sturdy and athletic frame. Is quicker on his feet than he appears. Is also a good ball handler who makes good decisions. Competes hard defensively and uses his size as an advantage on that end. Shot the ball well on Saturday. Had a good look on three at buzzer to win it, but couldn't get it to fall.   Gavin Roberts 6-2 2026 Walled Lake Western Detroit area guard got off to a slow start in the opener. Didn't force things and waited for the game to come him. Got hot from beyond the arc in the second half. A confident shooter with a quick release. Good spot up ability and shot well on the move. Will need to add weight to his frame to become more of threat at the rim. Didn't look like a natural point guard. However was a capable ball handler and passer. So the potential is there. Finished with 20 points against a Glen Lake squad that features a physical backcourt.

In its third year, the Northern Michigan Showcase delivered another ambitious five game slate pitting UP North programs against teams from the Metro Detroit area. While the stars and established names stood out in a major way. A handful of new names announced themselves with their play. Following are seven standouts from Saturday's action.