Season Preview: Northern Michigan Fab 40 11-20

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.    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    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.   20. Asher Coats 5-11 2027 Traverse City Christian Playing for a small parochial school without much hoops history. Coats seems to be flying a little under the radar. Not overly active in grassroots basketball either (at least from what I have seen) Trust me though. The Bluegrass transplant can really play. Good ball handler with advanced court sense. Is a true point guard who plays with his head up. However, will probably score more this year after the Sabers graduated a prolific outside shooter.    19. [player_tooltip player_id='1588205' first='Cole' last='Vanderhaag'] 6-0 2026 Mason County Central From the far southern portion of the region. Vanderhaag is an explosive with good speed and a tight handle. Heady and intelligent player who is a coach's son. Should put up decent statistics in an up-tempo Spartan system. Coming off first team all-conference honors in a West Michigan centric league loaded with solid guard play.    18. Ben Stanek 6-3 2027 Boyne City Extremely versatile prospect who did a little bit of everything when I caught him with HB Elite this spring/summer. Has a stocky and sturdy frame. However, has quick burst athleticism that allows him to play and guard multiple positions. The Ramblers have a new coach and Stanek has a large front court partner in 6-8 Lukas VanZee (#35 on list) After earning second team all-conference honors as a sophomore. Stanek could be ready for an even bigger leap as an upperclassman.    17.[player_tooltip player_id='2758909' first='Collin' last='Rademacher'] 5-11 2028 Traverse City Central One half of an exciting sophomore duo for the Trojans (see below) Rademacher plays like a player who grew up around the gym. Has excellent court sense and is not intimidated. Played well off the bench as a freshman. Isn't very big but makes up for it with intangibles and extreme quickness. Bright future as he is tutored by a coach who knows he way around the backcourt.     16. [player_tooltip player_id='2129505' first='Jett' last='Buckley'] 6-0 2027 Kingsford Came off the bench for a deep semifinalist squad last year. Should step into a bigger role as the Flivvers (great mascot I will never apologize for using) graduate quite a bit of production.  I'm sure the jokes have been made most of his life but.... he is very fast with the ball in his hands. As you would imagine, is a good penetrator and drop off passer. Has tested himself with a Wisconsin based AAU program in the past.   15. [player_tooltip player_id='2539732' first='Hudson' last='Mclean'] 6-4 2028 Traverse City Central (pictured) In terms of sheer production. The best freshmen in Northern Michigan by a pretty comfortable margin. Seems to already be making the transition from the post into a jumbo sized wing. If can improve his quickness. Could be a major matchup nightmare. As he has the size and physicality of a player who grew up playing in the post. Formed a nice duo with #17 on this list. Did this both in the regular and grassroots seasons. With the departure of the Trojans leading scorer. His statistical profile should expand as a sophomore.   14. Blake LaFaive 6-1 2026 Traverse City West Lanky combo guard who is looking to use a strong grassroots campaign to set up a breakout senior season. Isn't a point guard but plays bigger than his listed height due to his length. Slasher who attacks the rim without fear despite slender frame. Should be part of a potent Titan attack this year. West will most likely be the top team in the region with two college players who will be in the top 10 of this list. His recruiting profile could expand as more eyeballs see his developing game.   13. Connor Fierstine 6-5 2026 Maquette I caught Marquette's talented and deep varsity program last year three times. While they lose a lot, the presence of this lanky four man should keep the Sentinels competitive. Picked his spots well and skillfully played off a college bound post last year. With Marquette graduating both starting guards. It will be interesting to see how adept he is at creating his own shot. Tested himself and played well with the new Zero Stars AAU program.   12. Taj Williams 5-11 2027 Ludington Quick and shifty lefty comimg of a strong grassroots campaign. Well tested, played national competition with the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] on the Under Armour circuit. Has plenty of big game experience already as he becomes an upperclassman. Playing at Ludington, you shouldn't have to worry about the defense. Will be well schooled with the Orioles. Has been on varsity since his freshman year. Offensively is difficult to stay in front of with his change of direction ability. Will need to improve the outside shot to take the next step in his development. Will form a nice duo with 6-3 2026 Cameron Gunsell who would be high on this list if not for his Grand Valley St football commitment.   11. [player_tooltip player_id='2300933' first='Eli' last='Smith'] 6-1 2028 LeRoy Pine River I believe I am a little higher on this point guard than most. Dealt with a serious oblique injury last year and missed some time. Also plays for a deep and talented squad, so his regular season statistics don't jump off the page. That being said, showed in grassroots basketball, and especially team camps that he can play with anyone. Has the vertical size and upright playing that helps see over most defenders. Has good court vision. Accordingly, isn't going to turn the ball over often. I intended to have these lists done before the season. For what it's worth, he has kicked off the season by averaging 18.5 points per game.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">And finally.... Whoops</h2>   I work hard on these lists. I try to make them as accurate and reflective of a very large geographical footprint. But every now again, a player just slips through the cracks. I really try to keep the list at 40, and I'm not going to remove a player from something I've already written. So.... somewhere between 15-20 on this list. Insert the name of   [player_tooltip player_id='2847775' first='Colton' last='Haverkamp'] 6-3 2026 McBain Coming off a strong spring/summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2429901' first='REAL' last='Basketball']. This "jack of all trades" forward looks to step into a larger role with the well oiled Rambler machine. Versatility is key for this prospect. As he can play and guard multiple positions. Will probably play more guard than what he is used to this year. This could possibly expand his game even more and increase his recruiting options.

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.