Up North Challenge-Repping the 231

Despite it’s moniker over the years the Up North Challenge has expanded into a state wide showcase for young players. However the event returned to its roots this past weekend as both the 16U and 17U championships each featured a team primarily made up of Northern Michigan players. So here are four players who represented the 231 area code— plus one from way UP North. Quick Note: Trevin Winkle continued his strong play and could be the breakout player from the entire region. I’ve covered him before so I would encourage you to look up previous reports I have written on him. [player_tooltip player_id="985668" first="Luke" last="Hazelton"] 6-7 2023 Glen Lake What a difference a year makes. Not that Hazelton ever looked bad but like a lot of young posts he was usually more potential than production. He showed this weekend that he is really coming into his own. Biggest development was the emergence of a very efficient face up game. When he caught the ball in the high post he was able get to the basket at will. Excellent passer who finished many of his drives with kick outs to open teammates. Helps that he is left handed but is just as good with his off hand. Always has been a good shooter with a soft perimeter touch that stretches out to three. Showed excellent ball handling ability. Even ran the point occasionally for his team that was shorthanded due to injury. Led them all the way the 16U championship where they lost to the North Oakland Wolfpack. [player_tooltip player_id="1128347" first="Brock" last="Broderick"] 6-3 2022 Traverse City Christian (pictured at top of article) No other way to say it. Broderick was simply on one this weekend. Had scoring outputs of 27 and 24 points respectively on Saturday. When I arrived Sunday he preceded to quickly score nine points in a row. Was a walking bucket. This is in addition to lockdown defense where he generally drew the opposing teams best player. Playing for a small parochial school his statistics have always been eye popping. Now he is matching that in AAU. As far as the next level the key will be finding a positional fit. Kind of a tweener right now between the backcourt and forward positions But on the positive side Broderick is a athletic, aggressive, and willing defender who knows how to score multiple ways. That is a lot for a small college coach to work with. JJ Marshall 5-11 2022 Petoskey Point guard who has had back-to-back impressive showings in Mount Pleasant. The previous weekend did it with a squad of fellow Northern players. This past weekend was snagged by the Detroit based M&M Boyz that won the 17U bracket. Showed that his speed travels well. Can stay in front of anyone defensively and get to wherever he wants offensively. The new dimension that he has shown this spring has been an improved outside shot. Also has tightened up his handle and runs an offense well. This was all on display this past weekend. I was impressed with how he seamlessly fit in with a new group with little practice time. Shows that he has a good grasp of team basketball and how to play shifting roles. Not surprised that he understands the point guard position playing for Northern Michigan legend John Flynn (Grand Valley St) Braidon Ewing 6-7 2022 Petoskey Marshall’s regular season teammate has had a coming out party this summer and it continued in Mount Pleasant. A no frills old school big man. Has a full assortment of post moves and finishes with both hands at the rim. Not overly bulky but has solid frame with a wide base at the hips. Stepped up to the challenge of guarding M&M Boyz 6-9 big Karim Rashed and held his own. Showed toughness throughout the weekend. He was P45’s only true post as Kadyn Warner was not with the team this weekend. That is a lot of games and a lot of big bodies to be banging with for two days. Was running the court and diving hard to the basket during all way to final championship game. With a good point guard in Marshall and an excellent shooter in Dylan Aldridge. All the pieces are in place for Ewing and the Northmen to have a big 2021-2022 season. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/8E1B8062-EA96-42C8-B3BC-70A06028C90F-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1621898479.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1201167" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/8E1B8062-EA96-42C8-B3BC-70A06028C90F-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1621898479-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Cooper Conway 6-5 2022 Menominee Not technically in the 231 area code but definitely qualifies as an Up North player. Gridiron standout at one of the top football programs in the Upper Peninsula (and the entire state) That being said there is a lot to like on the hardwood. Very sturdy and thick frame but also mobile and light on his feet. Excellent passer particularly out of the high post. Exploited this frequently against a zone in a Sunday loss to the Oakland County Ballers. Despite bulk appeared to be quick off his feet and had an impressive block in that same contest. Showed a soft touch around the basket. Menominee is definitely off the beaten path for most coaches but a big senior season could provide options for this young man in more than one sport.