Overlooked October: Northern Michigan Fab 40 (20-11)

As the calendar flips to October, I am going to continue a series highlighting overlooked or undercovered regions in the state. I'll begin with my place of dwelling. The vast and rural region of Northern Michigan.   This isn't the first year I have attempted this herculean task. If you are a regular reader, you know the drill. Nothing is changing from previous years. Probably the most difficult prerequisite is defining what Northern Michigan is. If you are a new reader the parameters I will be using are listed below.   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 (example Traverse City West star 2028 quarterback prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2844370' first='Brayden' last='Tillman'] is not on the list)   20. [player_tooltip player_id='3682495' first='Jace' last='Shaw'] 6-4 2027 Petoskey A high production placement for the Big North conference product. I saw Petoskey play quite a bit last year. With a GLIAC bound guard and a talented sophomore in the rotation (see below) Shaw was not always front of mind. However, when I watched the Northmen, I was usually taken by Shaw's production in the post. Nothing too flashy. Just a fundamentally sound above average athlete who makes plays at the rim. Petoskey has a deep a young frontline. I will be interested to see how much Shaw's game moves out to the perimeter as a senior.   19. [player_tooltip player_id='2835843' first='Chaos' last='Davis'] 5-11 2027 Manistee The opposite of Shaw (see above) A talented player who might not put up the biggest counting statistics. Primarily beacause he is the conusmate pass first point guard. Has played that role for two years running with the Hardwood Midwest grassroots program. Not a small point guard and is built like a tank. Penetrates well and uses his sturdy frame to draw and finish through contact. I believe he will have to score more for the Mariners to take the next step as a program. If that happens this placement could seem low by the end of the year.   18. [player_tooltip player_id='2759317' first='Braden' last='Fralick'] 6-3 2028 Petoskey Advanced athlete who excels on both the gridiron and the hardwood. Not a football scout. That being said, I think there is still some upside left on the basketball court. Hence his placement on this list. On a deep talented squad last year was a bit of a "garbage" man. In that he found ways to affect the game without being a primary offensive option. That could change in the upcoming year. If he increases his ball handling and perimeter touch a tick. He could be one of the top players in a deep Big North conference.   17. [player_tooltip player_id='2873437' first='Ethan' last='Johns'] 6-4 2027 Traverse City Christian Coming off a big junior year where the forward showed versatility. After his squad lost their star player to injury before Christmas (see below) Johns was part of a group effort to fill that void. Helped lead the Sabers to an undefeated campaign and their second consecutive regional final appearance. While he didn't move into a pure point guard role. He showed the ball handling and passing ability to initiate offense from the wing position. Has long arms that helps him play taller than his listed height. Not the bulkiest prospect though. If he can add weight and strength in the coming year, he could expand his range of opportunities at the next level. The talent is certainly there already.   16. [player_tooltip player_id='2759321' first='Zander' last='Robinson'] 6-4 2028 Indian River Inland Lakes Perhaps the player who made the biggest one year jump on this entire list. Last summer looked young for his grade and was quite slender. One year later while still on the slim slide, has markedly increased explosion and athleticism. Is a threat out in transition and plays well above the rim. If the perimeter skills can catch up to the transition upside. He could be in for a big junior year. Underrated, as you can't much more remote in the Lower Peninsula than a school district that lies just outside the Wilderness State Park. Accordingly, grassroots participation will be important for this player. He looked good with HB Elite in the spring and participated in the Grassroots Basketball League's fall combine.   15. [player_tooltip player_id='3641528' first='Alex' last='Mcgowan'] 6-7 2028 Cadillac Similar developmental path to Robinson (see above) Has made quite a jump physically in the past year. Went from Freshman basketball to a solid varsity contributor in a short time. It helps to be long, lanky and a legitimate 6-7. He is continuing to get stronger and is growing into his body. Showed growth in the spring running with [program_tooltip program_id='2077029' first='Parallel' last='45'] in grassroots basketball. His older brothers were wide bodied posts who grew into college football prospects. I don't think McGowan will add that level of bulk. However, an extra 10-20 pounds could add a lot to his potential. Is light on his feet with the lateral quickness of wing. Shows a soft touch around the basket nice jumper out to the mid-range.   14. [player_tooltip player_id='3668071' first='Asher' last='Coates'] 5-11 2027 Traverse City Christian I'm going to go out on a bit of limb here. If Coates would have been healthy last year. He would not be in this grouping. I feel pretty safe in saying would be in the top ten. I watched him before Christmas torch a quality Division III squad on the road. Shortly after that contest he sustained a season ending knee injury. If back to full health, he could be the most dynamic point guard in the entire region. A big time competitor who plays with some spice to his game. Not afraid to pull from well beyond the three point line. Equally fearless in attacking the rim as well. I will be curious if this approach is still present after his injury recovery.   13. [player_tooltip player_id='2845576' first='Roan' last='Johnston'] 6-7 2028 Reed City Developing into the prototype of the modern stretch four. Has always been a tall strong athlete who did not need to add too much strength. What he has added is an improved touch on the perimeter. Not surprising as he appears to be hard working player with a solid fundamental base. Has put together a strong multiyear run with a talented [program_tooltip program_id='2429901' first='REAL' last='Basketball'] squad all over the Midwest. Finishes above the rim often and with relative ease. Performed well at the recent Prep Hoops Expo in Grand Rapids. Part of a strong 2028 Coyote class that could be quality team in the next two years.   12. [player_tooltip player_id='3680323' first='Carter' last='Greenacre'] 6-4 2028 Charlevoix Bouncy and lengthy wing with a lot of potential. Gets off the ground quickly. Hangs in the air and knows what to do while up there. The length and elevation provide intriguing defensive upside. Like McGowan, seemed to take the next step in grassroots basketball with their [program_tooltip program_id='2077029' first='Parallel' last='45'] club. Also played well at the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo in September. Should move into a primary scoring role with a Rayder squad that dealt with some unique (but inspiring) injury adversity last year. Could have big junior year with more offensive opportunities.   11. [player_tooltip player_id='2964366' first='Baron' last='Colbert II'] 6-3 2027 Dollar Bay (pictured) The Keweenaw Peninsula (that's the top of the UP for uninitiated) prospect is coming off a break out junior year. Began it by showing out against some of the top players in the state at last year's Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo. Followed it up with strong season that ended in the Breslin Center as the Blue Bolts advanced to the state semifinals. Played well in that contest against a talented Detroit Douglass squad. At 6-3 Colbert has excellent positional size for both the one and two spots in the backcourt. More importantly has skillset to toggle between those slots as well. With a rebuilding and smaller Dollar Bay squad, might need to play closer to the basket. Has the size and elevation to do this at the Division IV level. If college coaches can look beyond the remote locale. Colbert has proven he can play with anyone.

As the calendar flips to October, I am going to continue a series highlighting overlooked or undercovered regions in the state. I'll begin with my place of dwelling. The vast and rural region of Northern Michigan.