Traverse City boys hoops has plenty to be excited for this holiday season

Traverse City is one of our state's most famous towns and one of the most populated areas north of Grand Rapids. But it hasn't always been able to find basketball success.

Schools around the area have made trips to the Breslin Center, but only D3 Traverse City St. Francis has reached the Breslin over the past 27 years.

That could soon change, as Traverse City West, Traverse City Central and Traverse City Christian all field impressive rosters and already have some great results.

Traverse City Senior High School was split into West and Central in 1997. Neither team has made the Breslin Center since; neither has TC Christian.

Here's a look at the three Traverse City teams ready to buck a trend:

Traverse City West

West has a great blend of leadership, shooting, athleticism and length. Trine University commit Lincoln Lockhart (6-1) runs the offense as a dangerous scorer. He has improved as a shooter, adding to his great driving ability. Winslow Robinson (6-1) and Mason Zimmerman (6-2) are solid complimentary guards who play tremendous defense and can hit shots. Caden Stoops (6-3) can get really hot from beyond the arc, creating space for the other guards to get into the paint. Junior forward Carter Grubb (6-6) oozes potential as a future college wing. He has a formidable wingspan with a nice outside shot. The Titans have every opportunity to reach at least the regional final this season, making them a firm Breslin contender.

Traverse City Central

This team has immense talent, but six of their main rotation players are juniors who haven’t gained much varsity starting experience. There may be some lumps and bumps at times this winter, but Central looks poised to be a top team next year. Junior star guard Owen Ribel (6-2) has already been racking up points this season. Junior Brendan Slack (6-4) is another next-level talent who earned rave reviews over the summer and fall. Juniors Owen Viehman (6-5) and Soren LaCourse (6-6) control the paint with a mix of staunch defense and offensive upside. Cassius Feeney (6-0) is a rising point guard who could make this team elite sooner than later.

Traverse City Christian

Reece Broderick (6-2) is one of the best players in Division 4. He’s an aggressive guard who has put up prolific scoring totals and has continued to shine this season. The Sabres are already 5-0 this season. They have won every game by at least 14 points, displaying a mix of elite offense and defense. It usually takes great guard play to make a long tournament run in D4. The Sabres will have no problem there, as they feature a deep group of versatile guards. Out of the three teams, TC Christian has the best chance of reaching the Breslin this winter. However, Central will be very dangerous next season if the juniors all stay together.