Northern Michigan Showcase: New Names

In its fourth year, the Northern Michigan Showcase returned to the classic old gym at Traverse City St Francis. While presenting its standard ambitious five game slate. The event took on a slightly different flavor this year. By adding three of the top teams from the Upper Peninsula. The Showcase provided plenty of next level college performances featuring players from West Michigan to the far reaches of the UP. While a group of well established star players lived up to their reputations. Some new names showed out as well. Following are five that caught my eye   [player_tooltip player_id='2844376' first='Isaac' last='Torbet'] 6-0 2028 Traverse City Christian The Sabers are undefeated and have been one of the top teams statewide in Division IV all year. The road has not been without bumps though. Around Christmas they lost their starting point guard for the season to a knee injury. Only a sophomore, Torbet has stepped into a ball handling and scoring role nicely. I wouldn't say he is a natural point guard at this point of his development. Towards that measure, earned a fair amount of points with clever off ball movement. Not the most explosive athlete, but gets the ball up to the rim quickly. Competes hard on the defensive end. Put up 16 points in a dominant win. Has tested himself regionally with HB Elite travel program in the spring/summer. Torbet and his program have extremely bright futures if they continue to improve.   Talan Woods 5-11 2027 Menominee The Maroons have a solid 10 man rotation. Picking a secondary standout beyond their senior leader is difficult. In two viewings this year I have been impressed with the junior point guard. Efficient ball handler who gets his squad into their sets quickly. When the sets break down has enough wiggle to get to the rim to score. Accordingly, balanced playmaking and scoring opportunities like a seasoned veteran. Has picked up the slack after Menominee lost their second best player to injury. The Maroons will graduate a fair amount of production after this season. Don't be surprised if some physical development leads to a big senior year for this Upper Peninsula prospect.   Pierre Johnson 5-11 2027 Baldwin Baldwin did not have the best day Saturday as a team. This junior guard was a bright spot however. Traverse City Christian plays a very strong zone that is difficult to penetrate against. Took Johnson about a half to figure it out. Once he did, got the basket often as he tried to furiously get the Panthers back in it. Did it with a quick first step and impressive acceleration. Avoided contact with good use of a big euro step. Wasn't afraid of contact and got to line often. Put up 25 points in the loss. Has had some big scoring outputs this season. Including a recent 37 point outing against a solid Division III opponent in Evart. Could be lining himself up for a big senior campaign with offseason improvement.   Gunner Bennin 6-0 2026 Pickford No delicate way to say it. Pickford does not have the look of a 20-0 team. What they do have is a solid group of similarly sized prospects who just know how to play. Bennin is the senior leader and the most skilled of the bunch. Handled the depth and size that St Francis threw at him very well. Physical and aggressive, played in the post at times for the undersized Panthers. Took charge of the game late. Was a steady hand in a raucous environment as the host St Francis almost came back at the end. Has won a lot of games over the last few years in multiple sports at Pickford. The winning intangibles should allow to him play something at the next level if he desires.    [player_tooltip player_id='2802595' first='Mikey' last='Bauman'] 6-2 2029 Traverse City St Francis A new name because the freshman is new to high school basketball. Lanky and long with good ball handling skills already. Hit a pair of threes with fluid release from beyond the arc. While fluid, it will need to be sped up as he ages. St Francis ran effective and unique 5-man unit system that somewhat limited his minutes. However if plus/minus was being tracked, his would be up there. Good things happened when he was on the court. As a freshman, still has a ways to go. But there is a lot to like and build with already.

In its fourth year, the Northern Michigan Showcase returned to the classic old gym at Traverse City St Francis. While presenting its standard ambitious five game slate. The event took on a slightly different flavor this year. By adding three of the top teams from the Upper Peninsula. The Showcase provided plenty of next level college performances featuring players from West Michigan to the far reaches of the UP.

While a group of well established star players lived up to their reputations. Some new names showed out as well. Following are five that caught my eye