All-U.P. Forwards Under the Radar

Michigan's Upper Peninsula is famous for its outdoor recreation, snowfall, breathtaking natural scenery, mining history, pasties, and vast forests. Dozens of prospects above the Mackinac Bridge have the talent to make an impact at the next level. Increasing awareness about the U.P.'s prospects has been an emphasis of mine for the past two years, and I hope to see more Yoopers getting offers to play downstate in the future. Here are six forwards above the Mackinac Bridge that college coaches should have on their radar.    Gianna earned an All-UP Second Team selection as a junior, and she's having another strong season for Menominee. She's a long and versatile lefty who can hold her own inside and step outside to hit threes. Gianna buried three triples during a win against Marquette, posting a well-rounded stat line of 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a block. Gianna keeps her long arms active on defense to deflect passes and block shots. She switches hands off the dribble, slashes to the hoop for layups, and works hard to secure rebounds.     Irelynd averaged a double-double for ETC as a junior (16.6 ppg., 10.4 rpg), hit 1,000 career points, and earned All-UP First Team honors. She's a force inside and finishes well at the rim using either hand in traffic. Irelynd muscles her way into scoring position, earns trips to the free throw line, and knocks them down at a high clip. She gives ETC an advantage in the paint and will be an important factor in the playoffs again come March.     Mia is a long and athletic forward prospect from Jeffers who makes her presence felt on both ends of the court. She keeps her hands active to cause deflections, uses her volleyball instincts to block shots, and jumps into the passing lanes to create steals. Mia pushes the ball with an explosive burst in transition, switches hands, and finishes layups in top gear. She received recognition as an All-UP Honorable mention Selection as a junior and is having a noteworthy senior year. Mia turned in an all-around effort in a win against Bessemer with 20 points, five rebounds, five steals, and three assists.     Jaelyn uses effective pivots to create space from defenders, and her effort on the glass puts second-chance points on the scoreboard. She can play inside as a back-to-the-basket post or face-up and score off the dribble. Jaelyn is a double-double threat every night. She drives hard to the basket and finishes in traffic with both hands through contact. Jaelyn pushes the ball up the court, switches hands, and steps outside to hit threes. She poured in 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against Watersmeet. Jaelyn received recognition as an All-UP Honorable Mention her junior season at Ironwood.     Caragan reached the 1,000-point summit during a win against Mackinac Island, leading Big Bay de Noc with 21 points. She's lanky, athletic, versatile, and skilled. Caragan drives with long, graceful strides off the dribble and finishes with a soft touch off the glass. She posts up inside, uses her shoulder to create a scoring angle, maintains her balance, and powers up off two feet. Caragan earned an All-UP Honorable Mention selection as a junior.     Keira uses her length, athleticism, and versatility to make a noticeable impact on the court for Negaunee. She has the quickness to catch a pass on the perimeter, rip the ball by her defender, drive with a burst, and then score in traffic. Keira pursues rebounds and dives to make the effort plays. She runs the floor with pace, has soft hands, finishes effectively off two feet, fires passes across the court, and handles the ball confidently using both hands. Keira's sharp instincts and aggressiveness on defense produce many steals. She's a threat to put up double-digit points and rebounds on any given night. Keira earned recognition as All-U.P. Special Mention as a sophomore.

Michigan's Upper Peninsula is famous for its outdoor recreation, snowfall, breathtaking natural scenery, mining history, pasties, and vast forests. Dozens of prospects above the Mackinac Bridge have the talent to make an impact at the next level. Increasing awareness about the U.P.'s prospects has been an emphasis of mine for the past two years, and I hope to see more Yoopers getting offers to play downstate in the future. Here are six forwards above the Mackinac Bridge that college coaches should have on their radar.