Way-to-early MHSAA Division IV Rankings

ByJonathon Gilbert

With the recent passing of the NBA Draft Deadline. It seems all the national college basketball writers are releasing their revised top 25 lists. This time also happens to coincide with the conclusion of the spring AAU period.

When you combine it with beginning of the team camps all across the state of Michigan. This seems like a decent flashpoint to do a mid summer high school basketball check in.

I’ll provide a few important caveats. Similarly to the Bracketolgy series I did at the start of the MHSAA playoffs:
1. This is high school basketball— if an omission offends or bothers anyone than I apolo… Nope I don’t apologize. Just meant to serve as a primer for fans and coaches. If it fires anybody up or serves as bulletin board material. That is perfectly fine by me.
2. This is high school basketball— if you feel like you have a good understanding of the transfer process in Michigan. Maybe we can assign you inflation. If you are 100 percent certain you know what particular division a team is going to be in. Once again hats off to you. This is my best guess based on the numbers and info at my disposal. PLEASE let me know if I have made any egregious mistakes.
3. I know I can be a bit long winded. So at least on this first list I’m going to limit myself to talking about 2-3 players per team We’ll expand as we get closer to the season and I get more definitive info.

I’ll begin with Michigan’s smallest classification. Last year’s records in parentheses.
Note: All players are seniors unless noted

  1. Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian (22-7) One of the true blue bloods of Division IV basketball. The Defenders will once again be very good next year. They return much of a squad that fell to Munising in the state final game. The school that produced Chris Kaman has been known over the years for uncommon size along the frontlines. Especially in this classification. Unless something changes that will not be the case next year. They will led by the backcourt of Junior Keaton Blanker (5-9) and Jordan Van Klompenberg (6-0) Size will come from Akais Giplaye (6-2)
  2. St Ignace (22-5) The Saints would have been one of the top teams in Division III this year. Now they drop down a classification and return much of their quarterfinal squad. Jonathan Ingalls (5-11) becomes one of the top players in the entire division. He is that good. But the Saints will not be one man show by any stretch of the imagination. At 6-3 Ethan McLean provides outside shooting and an inside presence. Outside of McLean the Saints have shooters all over the court.
  3. Marine City Cardinal Mooney (16-12) This might seem high. As the Cardinals did not have great regular season last year. While also losing a lot from their rotation. However sometimes winning begets winning. I think they discovered something repeatable in their run to the Breslin Center. Additionally the cupboard is not entirely bare. Brian Everhart has had an excellent grassroots campaign with The Program. Junior guard Daniel Rice should be ready to step into a larger role.
  4. Taylor Trillium Academy (21-4) Downriver school has been one of the more consistent small school programs in the Detroit area recently. Their task will be a little tougher next year as they graduated the AP Division IV player of the year in Damaryon Fishburn (Macomb C.C) The Wildcats top returner will be a familiar name. Damaryon’s younger brother Keymarryon. At 6-2 the younger Fishburn doesn’t quite have the of size of his older brother. However possesses a similar well rounded game. Fishburn will get help from fellow 6-2 guard Sharone Russ. Both players have had good springs with UTS Elite.
  5. Frankfort (18-9) Traditional Northern Michigan power did not have their vintage regular season. Still ended up in the Breslin Center which has been their home of late in March. They will return an excellent backcourt in 5-10 guards Junior Carter Kerby and Emmerson Farmer. The Panthers post presence will come from Bryce Plesha (6-3)
  6. Hillman (22-5) If his travel ball teammate Jonathan Ingalls isn’t the top player in the division. Hillman’s Trenton Taratuta would also have a claim. Big time 6-4 scorer has uncommon size and ability. Already a 1,000 point scorer. Will have to carry a much bigger load this season as the Tigers graduated a lot of production and size. However as long as they have Taratuta they have a chance to make some noise.
  7. Detroit Public Safety Academy (13-11) You can usually count on a Division IV from metro Detroit Area to surprise. I don’t know if I should use the word surprise with this accomplished group. Coming off a district championship and close regional final loss to Taylor Trillium (see above) The Eagles should be led by the junior duo of Jeremiah Hall and Jackson Neal-Smith
  8. Rudyard (18-7) To the best of my knowledge. Defending state champion Munising will be sliding back up to Division III. That leaves the Bulldogs standing as one of the more recently consistent upper peninsula programs. A mainstay of that run has been guard Cam Peterson. Now in his senior campaign. He will look to finish off his decorated career strong. Will get help from three sport standout Aidan Bickel.
  9. Adrian Lenawee Christian (13-12) This might be a little high. As there is a chance the record might not be much better. They lose some contributors and will be joining a tougher conference. So why are they up here? They might have the best 1-2 punch in the division. Brandon Summer is a physical guard who will be joined by super sophomore Jaxon Salenbien. Salenbien is 6-3 do everything forward with good basketball bloodlines.
  10. Fruitport Calvary Christian (14-10) Junior forward Bradley Richards (6-5) has been putting up eye opening numbers for the Eagles in the last two years. Will have some backcourt help this year in sophomores Quinn Swanson (5-10) Gabe Van Balle (6-2). This program might still be a year away from breaking through. However they are definitely a program to watch.

    One more to watch– Glen Lake (19-5) Like St Ignace going down a division. For their storied girls program that move resulted in a state championship. Might have the best size in division. However it’s young. Two 6-5 sophomores in Jacob Plamondon and Peyton Viehman could be a problem in a few years.

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