City Rankings: Up North Five More 2022’s
In what will probably be my last batch of city rankings I’m going to go beyond the box score. Meaning we‘re going to look at some players who didn’t put up gaudy statistics or garner all state attention but are…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIn what will probably be my last batch of city rankings I’m going to go beyond the box score. Meaning we‘re going to look at some players who didn’t put up gaudy statistics or garner all state attention but are good prospects to keep an eye on.
Hopefully post July 4th we will have some grassroots basketball to cover.
Demarcus Lee 5-10 2022 Big Rapids Quite possibly the quickest guard in Northern Michigan. Will be a four year player for the Cardinals. I first saw him two years ago when he played well in a district loss against a Ludington team that ended up in the Breslin Center. Competition should not be a concern for college coaches as Lee has played well against plenty of quality opponents in just two years. The speed and first step catch your attention but he is a capable outside shooter already. Plays well in the high pick and roll and coach Kent Ingles puts him in these situations often. Scored 18 points in a game against a good Cadillac team. Further development of an outside shot and more frequent use of his off hand could balance Lee’s game. This would make him potentially lethal to defend.
Will Gaston 6-2 2022 Traverse City West Teamed with fellow 2022 Garett Shuler to be give the Titans an effective underclass bench attack. Fluid movement and broad shoulders catch your attention immediately. Didn’t appear to be to involved on the offensive end in the games I watched. However on a talented team with two next level seniors, that is not necessarily a demerit. Was active and aggressive defensively in a early season loss to a Bloomfield Hills squad that had a lot of perimeter firepower. Will have to continue to expand his offensive game to avoid the dreaded “tweener” label; but there is a lot of potential in this young prospect. Historically due their enrollment West is not the type of program that moves up players often, so coach Sanders Frye must see a bright future with both Gaston and Shuler.
Quinn Zickert Quinn Zickert 6'2" | CG Benzie Central | 2022 State MI 6-0 2022 Benzie Central If you are an old school basketball fan then you will enjoy this player. Has a thick sturdy frame and is not afraid to use it. This frame combined with excellent footwork allows him to get his shot off despite not being the tallest prospect. Contrasts the hulking frame with an extremely soft touch from the perimeter. While he needs to keep developing his lateral quickness, there has been improvement in this area from the fall showcase circuit to my most recent viewing at an AAU open run. Played well against good competition. Scored 12 points against Detroit Cody in a showcase event at Saginaw Valley. Finished up the season strong with a game high 19 points in a loss to Ludington. Will be playing with Parallel 45 16U this summer so will have further opportunities to continue to show improvement against next level competition
Joel Ewald 5-10 2022 Roscommon A lot to like to in a small frame. It is an overused cliche but it applies here. He is a coaches son and plays like it. Clearly well schooled in how to operate in the pick and roll. Also possesses in the gym range with a trigger quick release. Tight handle and deceptive speed. Averaged 7 points and 2 assists per game mainly off the bench. I would expect those stats to increase a as he becomes the full time floor general next year. Like Zickert is going to be playing at the grassroots level with the Parallel 45 16U team. Has an excellent academic profile. This is the type of prospect who just grinds away and through either a late growth spurt or natural development blows up with a huge senior season. Should also be noted that he is going to be tested in the Highland conference. A small school league with a lot of good point guard play.
Gavin Bisballe 6-4 Lake City Like Ewald the stats don’t jump off the page, but the potential should. I’m going to put him at 6-4, but honestly I think he was 6-2 when I watched him in a early season win against Houghton Lake. Fast forward to a regular season ending loss to a good Elk Rapids team and he looked like a different player. Clearly moving in a upward development trajectory. While he has the skills to be a perimeter prospect will still need to add a lot of strength to take the next step. Will also need to get a little quicker to be an effective tall wing. The name should be familiar to Northern Michigan hoop heads. Older sister Rylie was a four year standout for the Trojans and will be playing at Grand Valley next year. Will team with fellow long and lean 2022 prospect Oakley Barger to give Lake City a solid foundation to build on.