League Preview: Big North Basketball Conference
Here is a preview of The Big North Conference which is a high school conference based in northern Michigan.
ALPENA – They finished 9-11 last year but 0-10 in conference. They return 6’5 SF Chris DeRocher who can shoot the long ball and score inside. Aiden Goike should bring senior leadership at the point along with fellow classmates Bruz Copping and Kayden Wisniewski. The Wildcats improved as the season went along last year and if they can control boards and play team defense they should offer up more of a challenge in conference play.
CADILLAC – Seniors Cale Mickelson and Jacob Roberts should lead the team and they look to build on their 15-8 record from a year ago. They both bring size and athleticsm to the court. Junior Tipp Baker will run the point and Junior Logan Wilde will look to improve from a solid sophomore season. The Vikings should contend for the league championship and look to make waves in the playoffs.
GAYLORD – The Blue Devils finished 12-10 and 3-7 in conference last season. 6’4 Forward Blake Charboneau returns along with PG Jared Landrie. There long bench got shorter this year due to graduation but they always manage to stay in games. The catalyst for Gaylord’s offense is it’s heads-up defense, which turns turnovers and rebounds into either transition points or easy half-court sets offensively.
PETOSKEY – With the hiring of new coach John Flynn there will most certainly be some growing pains since he will be replacing Hall of Fame Coach Dennis Starkey. The Northmen have been as successful as any school in Northern Michigan and certainly put Petoskey boys basketball on the map. Winning the conference title last year and finishing with 21-4 record and losing in the disctict final will surely motivate the team this year. Petoskey has long been noted for producing disciplined, fundamentally-sound teams and this year should be no different. John McCloskey and Nathan Spadafore return to guide this team to another championship.
TRAVERSE CITY CENTRAL – The Trojans finished fourth in conference play and overall 12-9 last year. Junior 6’3 G Tobin Schwannecke brings length to the perimeter. On the inside 6’6 Junior Henry Goldkuhle brings a little size. This team lost some seniors and have good length and athleticism on the team with players like 6’6 Preston Briggs and 6’3 Noah Strugala. This team should be fun to watch.
TRAVERSE CITY WEST – PG Miigwaanhs Barrientoz will be the floor general again this year along with his sharp shooting ability, he looks to improve on the team’s 6-4 conference record and 16-9 overall. This team lacks size and will struggle on the boards but with their shooting and passing skills, along with a team defense attitude, they can compete.