The players to watch out for during the 2023-24 Cheboygan area boys basketball campaign

CHEBOYGAN – Basketball season is here. It’s hard to believe it's returned this quickly.

With winter approaching, teams will be competing in games soon. To get us all into the basketball spirit, here’s my Cheboygan area boys basketball players to watch for during the 2023-24 campaign.

CHEBOYGAN 

Kaleb Goodrich, Senior, Guard – After earning All-Straits Area Conference honorable mention recognition as a junior, Goodrich will be hungry for a big senior season. A capable scorer and a solid defender, Goodrich should take one big step forward in his final season.

Brennen Thater, Senior, Forward – Thater was a menace defensively for the Chiefs a season ago. In addition to being a stout defender, he's a very capable shooter.

Caden Gardner, Senior, Forward – One of Cheboygan’s most productive players last season, Gardner gave the Chiefs scoring and rebounding. Should provide consistency on both ends of the court.

LAST SEASON: Inland Lakes’ Hansel named Ski Valley boys basketball Player of the Year

LCA GAMES: Cheboygan, Inland Lakes basketball teams to play at Little Caesars Arena on Dec. 26

INLAND LAKES 

Sam Schoonmaker, Senior, Center – It feels like he’s been around forever, but Schoonmaker is back for one more season. Last winter, he was one of the top players in the area. His scoring, rebounding and defense helped lift the Bulldogs to a share of the Ski Valley crown.

Connor Wallace, Senior, Guard – Was as solid and consistent as anybody in the area as a junior. Provided quality scoring, tenacious defense and leadership for the Bulldogs. With Kaden Hansel graduated, look for Wallace to become that top guard for Inland Lakes.

Payton Teuthorn, Senior, Guard – An experienced player and an outstanding defender, Teuthorn has done a little bit of everything for the Bulldogs during his varsity career. Wallace and Schoonmaker are probably I-L's two best offensive players, but Teuthorn can put it in the bucket as well.

MACKINAW CITY 

Lucas Bergstrom, Senior, Center – Fueled by energy and physicality, Bergstrom had a stellar junior season and earned All-Northern Lakes Conference first team honors. Provided scoring, rebounding and defense for a Comets team that won its conference and reached the regional final.

Sabastian Pierce, Senior, Guard – Came up with an impressive junior season as a guard for the Comets. With Mackinaw City graduating Lars Huffman and Cooper Whipkey, Pierce will be called upon to provide scoring, defense and leadership to a Comets team that should be solid.

Trystan Swanson, Senior, Forward – If any Comet came into his own last season, it was Swanson, who was strong as one of Mackinaw City’s forwards. Like Bergstrom, he scores, rebounds, defends and gives the Comets a physical presence in the frontcourt.

REGIONAL SEMIS: Relentless Mackinaw City tops Onaway, faces Munising in regional final

ONAWAY 

Austin Veal, Senior, Guard – After earning the Daily Tribune’s Co-Player of the Year honor as a junior, Veal returns as Onaway’s leading scorer this winter. Helped lead the Cardinals to Ski Valley and district titles. Expect him to once again light it up on most nights.

Jadin Mix, Senior, Guard – A tremendous two-way player, Mix is a terrific scorer and a relentless defender who’s shut down plenty of opponents in the past. Earned All-Ski Valley first team honors as a junior and played a major role in multiple titles won by the Cardinals.

Mason Beebe, Senior, Forward – Had a breakout sophomore campaign for the Cardinals and made their biggest basket of the season in a thrilling district final victory over rival Inland Lakes. Beebe will sit out the early portion of the season with an injury, but when he comes back, watch out.

PELLSTON 

Jack Schmalzried, Senior, Guard – Will be a senior leader for the Hornets. With Coby Dyer graduating, Schmalzried might slide in and become Pellston's top scorer.

Joshua Grondin, Sophomore, Guard – Spent time on the varsity as a freshman. Following a productive offseason, he’ll have a huge opportunity to become of one Pellston’s top guards.

Nolan Busby, Sophomore, Forward – Brings much-needed size to a Pellston squad hoping to be more effective in the frontcourt.

BURT LAKE NMCA  

Josiah Brabson, Senior, Guard – One of the area’s best scorers during his junior season, Brabson returns to lead what could be a solid NMCA squad. A dangerous shooter who also gets to the basket and scores consistently.

Josh Ferraiuolo, Sophomore, Guard – Fresh off a terrific freshman season, Ferraiuolo will lead the way at the point guard spot for NMCA. A quality ball handler and shooter, Ferraiuolo showed last year that he’s one of the area's best young players.

Derek Vest, Senior, Forward – A relentless and energetic defender, Vest is arguably NMCA’s best all-around returning player. Will provide the Eagles with rebounding and quality defense.

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan area boys basketball players to watch during 2023-24 season