MHSAA Preview: Six More For Division III
After recently concluding the longest running ranking rollout in publishing history. It is quickly now time to expand those lists. In the coming weeks (months ??) I’ll expand each list by five (six for Division III) before settling on a final preseason top 10 before the start of the season.
If you missed the initial grouping of ten you can find then here
**teams are in alphabetical order with last years record in parentheses **
Flint New Standard Academy (16-9)
This still rather new program that goes by the name “Flint Elite” could be ready to take the next step. That next step could be the Breslin Center after they getting hot in Match and coming up just short in the quarterfinals.
The strength of the team will be in the backcourt. Jeffery Turner teams with Deion Wright to form a dynamic senior duo. Turner is the bigger of the two (6-1) and has put together a standout four year career. Sophomore AJ Smith will look to build off a strong freshman year and make the backcourt a three headed monster. If 6-4 sophomore Damarius Gray can continue to develop down low the Warriors will once again be a tough out in March.
Harbor Beach (23-2)
From the shores of Lake Huron comes a group of seniors that has done a ton of winning in multiple sports over the last few years. Accordingly the Pirates are currently one of the top Division 8 football teams in the state. They return the bulk of last years one loss regular season squad. They came up just short of a quarterfinal appearance to the team directly above them on this list.
They will be led by 6-1 guard Benson Harper, a four year player whose gridiron exploits have overshadowed his work on the hardwood. He is already a 1,000 point scorer and should have options to play something at the next level. Harper’s backcourt partner will be senior Andrew Kabban an experienced point guard.
Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep (11-11)
I wasn’t planning on placing a team with double digit losses and an opening tournament loss here. Then I saw junior Elijah Brooks (pictured) play at an elite run in the fall. The powerfully built 6-3 guard could be one of the top players in the division. He was outstanding with a strong United Persuit squad on the Puma circuit. I also watched him go toe-to-toe with Mr Basketball candidate KJ Torbert (East Lansing) in the fall. So he can compete with anyone.
He will get support down low from 6-6 senior Leland Berg. The versatile Berg can also step out on the perimeter and is beginning to attract college interest after a strong spring/summer with Strictly Skills. The Kalamazoo area is a minefield of tough Division III squads (see below) If Brooks and Berg continue to build upon their grassroots success. The Fighting Irish should be much improved.
LeRoy Pine River (19-6)
Everyone Up North just calls it Pine River. But I’m going with MHSAA given name for reference. Consequently the team that sounds like a generic AI generated country music singer gets this moniker. There is nothing generic or frankly country about this unit. Mason Gugle is the headliner of the group. The versatile 6-4 senior is a highlight reel athlete and is currently having a strong season on the gridiron.
While Gugle gets the clicks and deservedly so. Senior point guard Eli Smith might be one of the more underrated players in Northern Michigan. The Bucks struggled late last season when he was injured. Smith proved this spring/summer that can play with anyone after a strong run with HB Elite. The x-factor could be the development of 6-8 senior center Stone Walker. This unit seemed to figure things out late and came an overtime away from a regional final appearance. With a new coach, can this group take the next step?
Onsted (21-2)
Trick question for you. When is a one loss regular season team not in the conversation for a Division III state title? The answer… Onsted couldn’t compete for a state title because they were not in the division. After a multi year run as one the smallest teams in Division III (by enrollment, not frontline) They get to be one of the big boys in Division III.
Rylan Henegan is versatile 6-3 senior guard who has been a four year contributor to the Wildcats recent period of success. Henegan will get help from fellow senior Cole Wells. I caught the versatile 6-1 Wells with the Michigan Jayhawks this summer. This will not be one of the more talented Wildcat teams of the last five years. However, they should have enough returning to make some noise in Division III.
Schoolcraft (20-7)
Perhaps the most glaring omission from the initial list of ten. I knew Jimmy Miller would be one of the best big men in the division. I didn’t expect the full extent of development I saw in the month of June. The 6-9 Wayne St commit is no longer one of the best big men in the division. He is now arguably one of the top big men in the entire state.
Even with that development, I wondered if Miller would have enough help after graduating quite a bit from last years squad. Especially on the perimeter. That question was strongly answered by the play of junior guards Ty Goddard and Kodee Bienz. The Eagles are in the midst of a strong multi year run of excellence. That does not appear to be ending anytime soon.
