City Rankings: Up North More 2023’s Plus One
After closing the book on closing the book on the 2020 class in my last column, I though it would be best to look to the future. I already gave you a numeric ranking for what I think is the…
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Continue ReadingAfter closing the book on closing the book on the 2020 class in my last column, I though it would be best to look to the future. I already gave you a numeric ranking for what I think is the top of the class. Now I’ll give you a few more players to look out for in what is shaping up to look like a very talented 2023 class. Then I’ll toss wild card into the underclass mix.
Jaden Montague Jaden Montague 6'3" | PG Cadillac | 2023 State MI 6-0 2023 Cadillac Led a talented Cadillac JV squad to a 14-6 record that was minus its top player (Cole Jenema 2022) on varsity. This is a prospect with a lot of upside. Has an unorthodox release on his shot but it is effective. Evidenced by averaging 11.4 points per game. Well rounded and versatile, posted 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game as well. Has been active in grassroots basketball since a young age so he is battle tested. I have been told he has added an inch or two since the regular season ended so that size above might not be accurate. The Vikings have a good young nucleus so this prospect should get plenty exposure in the next few years.
Dylan Barnowski Dylan Barnowski 6'1" | CG St. Mary's Of Lake Leelanau | 2023 State MI 5-10 2023 Lake Leelanau St Mary’s While teammate Shawn Bramer Shawn Bramer 6'2" | SF St. Mary's Of Lake Leelanau | 2023 State MI grabbed the statistical headlines, this prospect turned in an excellent freshmen season as well. A good shooter who is particularly adept from behind the three point arc. The Eagles high octane four guard lineup played into his strengths. Showed this with 16 points in a big win against a good Leland team. St Mary’s was poised to play that same Leland squad for a third time in a District championship when the season was cancelled. Notched a near double double with 12 points and 9 assists in the Eagles last win of the season over Traverse City Christian. Another young prospect on a very young team to keep an eye on for the future.
Joey Donahue Joey Donahue 6'2" | SF Traverse City St. Francis | 2023 State MI 6-2 2023 Traverse City St Francis Like the player listed above, was a little bit in the shadows of a standout 2023. Unlike a lot of freshmen this prospect passes the eye test in a big way. Has a sturdy and well put together frame (180 pounds). Came off in the bench in the games I attended. Accordingly brought a lot of energy and defensive intensity which you like to see in a young player. Also played up on St Francis’ varsity football team. Considering the rich Gladiator gridiron tradition that you should tell you everything need to know about what could develop into elite athleticism. With fellow 2023 standout Wyatt Nausadis Wyatt Nausadis 6'4" | PG Traverse City St. Francis | 2023 State MI setting him up, the future is bright for this prospect and the entire St Francis program.
Blake DeZeeuw 6-2 2023 McBain Northern Michigan Christian Like Donahoe this is another prospect who simply passes the eye test. Fluid athlete with a lean and lanky frame. Additionally is left handed making him that much more difficult to defend. There is a lot of projection at this point as DeZeeuw spent the bulk of the season playing with the JV team. However after coming up, the Comets began to peak and were preparing to play for a District championship. Will team with 2022 Trevin Winkle to make NMC a squad to watch in Division 4 for the next few years.
Without further ado…. a prospect from the Class of 2024, goodness I am getting old.
Anthony Ribel 6-1 2024 Traverse City East Middle School/Traverse City Central I’m going to break a few of my personal rules for this one. I don’t typically write about players who have yet to enter high school. I’m obviously going to make an exception. Another thing I don’t like to do is “name drop”. I’m going to go halfway on that one. When one of the best players to ever do it in Northern Michigan gives you a heads up on a player, you take notice. The former player will remain nameless, but trust me he could really go. Onto Ribel, this young combo guard already has excellent size for his position to go with a developing skill set. Despite his age has been active on grassroots level already for multiple years. Most of them have been spent with Northern Exposure, playing up a grade level in the previous summer. Also has played with the Grand Rapids Storm UA team as well. Will be attending Traverse City Central next year. If you follow my columns you know coach Travis Shuba has a lot of good young players already in the fold. It will be interesting to see where Ribel fits in next year. But this young man has the game to be major factor in the programs bright future.