Northern Michigan Showcase: Super Six Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. Following is a six pack of top standouts from Saturday's action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2471674' first='Jacob' last='MacPhee'] 6-6 2025 Marquette (pictured) </strong>Didn't put up the biggest point total of the day. But easily turned in the most eye opening performance. The Michigan Tech commit put up a near triple double as Marquette pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year in defeating Detroit Cass Tech. Set the tone early. Flashed into the center of the vaunted Cass Tech diamond press. Calmly caught a pass, turned into open space and quickly accelerated for an emphatic dunk. Throughout the first half lived in the mid range area. Has as smooth and effortless release that you will see from big man. Also has good elevation that makes his shot very hard to block. Scored 14 points in the first half…. and that was it about it. So he fell off in the second half? No, in fact he did the exact opposite. Showed his versatility by controlling the game through other facets. Mainly owning both the offensive and defensive glasses (15 rebounds) along with shot blocking. The shot blocking totals nearly got him the triple double. That particular stat can always be tough to determine at the high school level. Just know this— he had much more than five. Simply put, one of the more impressive all around performances I have seen this year— anywhere. Scored his 1,000th career point the previous night. It appears the Huskies might have gotten a steal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2262437' first='Jaxon' last='Jurmu'] 6-0 2025 Marquette </strong>MacPhee wasn't Marquette's leading scorer. That honor went to their point guard. Like MacPhee, Jurmu's contributions go far beyond just a box score. I have seen many talented backcourts struggle with Cass Tech's pressure. Jurmu handled as well as I have seen anyone. Was patient and kept his composure. Waited for flashers to open up in the middle. Then hit them with precision and decisive passing. When the defense began to adjust in the second half. He started to attack the basket. Having covered him at elite camps. I have seen the numbers. He is a deceptive above average athlete. Can run and jump with anyone. Showed this with his sudden first step and quick explosion to the basket. Finished with 20 points and might have started to open some eyes statewide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1793650' first='Carlos' last='Medlock Jr']</strong> <strong>5-11 2026 Wayne Memorial </strong>A three time participant in the event. Medlock let voters in Northern Michigan know he is a candidate for Mr Basketball next year. A dominant four quarter point guard performance. Effectively balanced scoring and playmaking all night. Excelled in stop and go mid range actions. Drove hard to his spot. Stopped on dime and quickly rose for a jumper. Lost count of how many times he did this. Creative body control allows him to hit shots from unique angles. This makes up for his smaller stature. When he wasn't scoring, he was efficiently getting the Zebras into their offensive sets. Had a handful of highlights reel live dribble transition passes. I'm impressed with how he continues to improve his game each year. Earned a Division I offers before he was even in high school. Seemingly hasn't dimmed his desire to continue improving. Really has the full package as a point guard prospect. Only missing elite size. Finished with 27 much needed points against a Traverse City West that kept it close for four quarters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1793921' first='Jaylohn' last='Allen'] 6-2 2026 Wayne Memorial </strong>Got off to a slow start while his teammate was rolling early. Defense appeared to get him going. As he switched onto West's top player after Medlock picked up a second foul. Held that player in check for most of the game (see below) Created most of his offense from strong physical drives. Has broad shoulders and a strong upper body that helps him create space at the rim. Came up big late in the close contest. Took a steal and went coast to coast himself for clutch basket. Fresh off of earning offer from Oakland. Scored 19 points and continued to solidify his spot near the top of Michigan's 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1372969' first='Lincoln' last='Lockhart'] 6-1 2025 Traverse City West </strong>The Trine (IN) commit got off to a slow start against Wayne Memorial. However came alive in the second half to turn in an outstanding all around performance. While the second half was nice and will be covered. The first half was perhaps more indicative of his long term potential. Showed patience in setting up the Titan offense and waiting for the game to come to him. Was excellent in two man situations with nice pocket passing. Handled heavy pressure against a very good Wayne Memorial backcourt. Put two fouls on their best player in the process. Got going offensively in the fourth quarter. Started with unique “jump stop” to create space down the baseline. This seemed to get him going as he then hit a deep three that turned momentum and forced a timeout. Scored 21 points in the loss and continues his march towards 1,000 career points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2270808' first='Jacob' last='Plamondon'] 6-6 2026 Glen Lake </strong>So far this list has been loaded with guards and a new school stretch four prospect. How about an old school five. Plamondon dominated the opener with his physicality down on the block. Simply put, if you allow a deep post catch, you are getting a bucket. Not your typical image of strength. While he has plenty of size up top. I would say most of his power comes from his lower body. Plays with a wide base and explodes out of it quickly to get to the rim. It wasn't all power though. Hit a straight on three in a high scoring first quarter. Put up 13 in that frame. Didn't score in the second quarter as the defense adjusted. He adjusted as well. Finding teammates with passes out of double teams. Showed good lateral quickness and burst by recovering for a nice block at the rim in the second half. The scoreless second quarter was a mere blip. Got going once again after half to finish with an event high 31 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->