MHSAA January Division I Power poll

ByJonathon Gilbert

Full disclosure— after doing a January poll for Divisions 2-4. I wasn’t planning on making one for Michigan’s largest classification. Then a funny thing happened. Enter “snowmageddon” and a bunch of mass cancellations. So I thought I would take this opportunity to enter my two sense into the rankings fray for the big boys.

Division I (current record in parentheses)

  1. Muskegon (6-0) I might be a little higher on the Big Reds than others. I am for this simple reason. Muskegon has been an assembly line of D2 talent for quite some time. When Keith Guy and Co. have had Division I talent. They have won a state championship. Sophomore wing James Martin has made the leap into the category in the last year. There is plenty of size, talent, and senior leadership on the squad outside of Martin. A good portion of that leadership has already earned a state championship on the gridiron earlier this year. Senior Montrel Oliver (pictured) appears more comfortable in his role after transferring from Grand Rapids Union last season. There is a lot to like here.
  2. East Lansing (9-0) Very similar to Muskegon. Extremely deep and balanced. Just a little younger. Undefeated against a gauntlet of schedule. Juniors Cameron Hutson and Jayce Branson will most likely be the top senior duo in the state next year. I was impressed with their defensive intensity in a Christmas win over River Rogue. Senior post Christian Dunn (6-7) did not play in the Rogue contest. There is not a lot size in the post outside of Dunn. They have more than enough talent to make the shortest road trip possible to the Breslin Center for a finals appearance.
  3. North Farmington (9-0) Similar to East Lansing, an undefeated squad led by a dynamic duo. Seniors Landon Williams (Niagara) and Tyler Spratt (Cleveland St) have been as advertised. The Smith transfers Robert (Oak Park) and Dylan (Walled Lake Western) have fit in nicely. I will have my eye on the January 27th matchup with Grand Rapids Northview (see below)
  4. Orchard Lake St Mary’s (9-1) For my money, from top to bottom. The most talented roster in the state. However only five players get to play at a time. I felt like they were still sorting those things out in a victory against a very good Warren Lincoln squad. They might take a few more losses against their brutal schedule. However don’t be surprised if they end up back at the Breslin Center in March.
  5. Grand Rapids Northview (6-0) Not a lot of post size with this group. However, when you have a good senior point guard. You can do a lot in March. They don’t come much better than Western Michigan commit EJ Ryans. Can his younger brother hold up down in the post as just a sophomore? If you seen Cameron Ryans play. You know the answer is most likely— yes. The schedule will stiffen up considerably in the second half of the year. Starting with 10-1 Forest Hills Centeral tonight.
  6. Detroit Catholic Central (8-3) First year coach Tory Jackson has the Shamrocks playing well. I’m high on this group for one reason. Two good senior guards. Uchenna Amene and TJ Nadeau are experienced, battle tested, and can really fill it up. Outside of that duo junior Devin Lee appears to be more comfortable this year after transferring from Bloomfield Hills. Also keep an eye on underrated senior Sam Howard
  7. UD-Jesuit (9-2) Another deep talented squad from what is easily the state’s toughest conference— the Detroit Catholic League. They have standout guards in Ryan Hatcher and Leroy Blyden. Wing firepower in David Herron and Xavier Johnson. Post presence In Sebastian Randolph and Jaden Garwood. That’s a lot, and I’m fully cognizant I have left some good players off that list.
  8. East Kentwood (5-2) If the Detroit Catholic League is toughest team in the state. The OK-Red has a strong case for second. The Falcons might be the top dog in that murderers row. They do have two losses. However they both came early to out of conference opponents. Like a lot of the teams on this list. They have just about everything you need. A state championship head coach. Not one— but two next level point guards. Both wing and post firepower.
  9. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (8-3) Their season is going the opposite of how I thought it might. Introducing some new players and high profile transfers. I thought they might struggle early, then peak late. The peak late part can definitely still happen. However they got off to a quick 8-0 start against a difficult schedule. Before encountering a current three game losing streak. Like conference foe, Orchard Lake St Mary’s This is one of the more talented rosters in the state. I wouldn’t bet against Oakland commit Warren Marshall IV in March.
  10. Detroit Cass Tech (9-0) If anybody was doubting the strength of the Cass Tech program—the aren’t talking now. With Darius Acuff doing his thing at IMG Academy in Florida. Cass just keeps rolling right along. Freshman Stevie Hall has seamlessly stepped into Acuff’s role, and is making an early case for inclusion at the top of the 2027 class statewide. With that name and grade level. He is going to earn a lot of attention. However 5-11 senior guard Derrick Miller has been the engine for the Technicians this year.

Watch out for (sounds better than Honorable Mention)

Warren De La Salle (7-3) I can’t in good conscience put in the entire Detroit Catholic League and exclude this group. They have weathered the storm of a difficult early schedule without Phoenix Glassnor. Glassnor missed the first half of the season with a broken collarbone. Junior Armoni Portis has more than capably stepped into Glassnor’s playmaking void. Now with Glassnor back, they have the ability to beat anyone. Showed it by recently defeating a good Saginaw Heritage squad on the road.
Cadillac (9-0) If this was a college football playoff poll. This would be your Liberty or Boise St. In their first year in the Division, can they make it to the Breslin Center? That is quite an ask. That being said, they are undefeated and are getting ready to enter a 10 game gauntlet that includes opponents like Whitehall, Wayne Memorial, and Dearborn Fordson. If they make it through that without a loss. It might need to be considered.

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