MHSAA Preview: Final Preseason Division IV Top Ten
December 1st is here, so lets wrap things up. If you are a regular reader you are familiar with my thought process. I will link the two previous rollouts from the summer and fall. Consequently, these capsules will be brief. You can find more detail at those links below if you would like
Initial Top Ten here
Five More here
1. Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian (27-2)
Overview: Not going to overthink it. The two-time defending state champions have enough returning to remain the gold standard of the division. Beyond the back-to-back titles. They have appeared in the last five finals, winning one additional trophy as well. The consistency is difficult to ignore
Concerns: That being said, the adage hold true. “all good things come to an end”. The head coach for the entire historic run has retired. The Defenders have kept it in house with former standout Brandon Voorhees taking over. They also graduate a lot of production from last year’s championship squad.
Key Players: Cody Osbun 6-2 Jr, Brayden Nelson 6-1 Sr, Clayton Rowlader 5-10 Sr, Caleb Hoffman 6-3 Jr
2. allen Park Inter-City Baptist (24-4)
Overview: Similarly to Tri-Unity, not going to overthink this one. They return the core of a team that has made back-to-back semifinal appearances. The Chargers have retained their legendary long time head coach.
Concerns: Three straight semifinal appearances are rare because they are hard. The target will firmly be on this group’s back this year. They have not played particularly well in their respective Breslin showings. Does that pressure get to this senior laden group?
Key Players: Ethan Esse 5-10 Sr, Carlos Jackson 6-3 Sr, Mason Kowalski 6-3 Jr, Asher Bettinger 6-0 Sr, Kaden Appel 5-9 Fr
3. Detroit Frederick Douglass (12-13)
Overview: In terms of next level college talent. Might be the deepest team in the division. They had a strong summer session. Testing themselves against some of the best teams in the state. As the record shows. They do not play a Division IV schedule. They have an experienced state championship coach in Pierre Brooks Sr.
Concerns: A twelve loss regular season is still a twelve loss regular season. Will they hold up better this year against this gauntlet and be playing their best basketball in March? Health tripped them up last year. That is impossible to predict. They will be working in some highly touted freshmen and transfers. That can always be challenge to chemistry. Accordingly, they are still a very young group.
Key Players: Joshua Brooks 6-4 Soph, Dontay Burkes 6-8 Sr, Jacodi Nathan 5-9 Jr, Jeremiah Thurman 5-11 Sr
4. Crystal Falls-Forest Park (25-3)
Overview: The Detroit Douglass of the Upper Peninsula. Deep, very talented, and young. Forest Park has the added caveat of a sterling post season resume. In multiple sports nonetheless. They return much of their firepower from last year’s squad.
Concerns: Health, their star player wasn’t overly active in the spring/summer after an injury sustained in Track and Field. Will they get tested in the UP? Last year Division IV appeared to be a little deeper in quality opponents. It could be again, but it seems other squads graduated quite a bit. Not as big on the frontline as they were last year. Also while battle tested, they are a young group.
Key Players: Vic Giuliani 6-3 Jr, Dax Huuki 6-0 Jr, Izaiah Tarter 6-0 Jr, Aiden Waldo 5-11 Soph
5. adrian Lenawee Christian (22-5)
Overview: Talented squad that might feature top overall senior prospect in the division (Salenbien) Strong core that has played a lot of basketball together. Continuity and chemistry should not be an issue. Should be highly motivated after losing in the quarterfinals to #1 on this list.
Concerns: Like seemingly every team on this list. Not a lot of size after graduating a big body from last year’s unit. In watching them live. They really embrace three-point shooting. That can be a double-edged sword.
Key Players: Jaxon Salenbien 6-4 Sr (Spring Arbor commitment) Daniel Scrupsky 5-8 Sr, Owen Kirkendall 6-0 Jr
6. Dollar Bay (20-5)
Overview: The Blue Bolts are loaded with backcourt firepower. Return quite a bit from good team that won both their conference and a district championship. Should be highly motivated after falling in overtime at the regional round. A lot of continuity returning from last year’s squad.
Concerns: Size along the frontline. How much will they be tested in from the far reaches of the Keweenaw Peninsula? Can they work in a highly touted freshman into the rotation?
Key Players: Liam Tourtillott 6-0 Sr, Baron Colbert 6-1 Jr, Caleb Kentala 5-9 Sr,
7. Fowler (25-4)
Overview: The defending state finalist looks poised to carry on the strong tradition of this Lansing area program. They do not look like a Division IV squad. With height and bulk uncommon for the division. They are a well coached group that excels in multiple sports.
Concerns: While still talented. They will not have the depth of last year’s bunch. In watching them last year. They beat up teams on the block. Not sure how well they shoot it from beyond the arc. Could maybe be a little more transition oriented this year. That might be an adjustment.
Key Players: Jonah Thelen 6-0 Sr, Isaac Thelen 6-0 Jr, Joe Epkey 6-4 Sr
8. Concord (17-10)
Overview: Talented group that has been playing together for a few years. They have took their lumps against some challenging schedules. They appear to be ready to take the next step into contention. They have good size and solid guard play to go with an experienced head coach.
Concerns: Like Douglass above. A nine-loss regular season is still a nine-loss regular season. They might want to perform a little better in the regular season to be prepared come tournament time.
Key Players: Connor Stevens 6-6 Sr, Jett Smith 5-10 Sr, Darrell Dean Jr 6-0 Jr
9. Traverse City Christian (23-3)
Overview: I’ve long considered the parochial school in Northern Michigan’s largest city a sleeping giant. After a regional final appearance. This group of Sabers is tapping into that potential. They have a little bit of everything and an experienced head coach.
Concerns: How do they handle expectations for one of the first time in their history. As an independent school, motivation can be difficult. It’s a tournament run or bust. They return a lot, but did graduate one of the most prolific shooters in MHSAA history. Will that loss change how they play?
Key Players: Asher Coats 5-11 Jr, Ethan Johns 6-3 Jr, Garrett Schultz 6-3 Sr, Isaac Torbet 6-1 Soph
10. Saginaw Nouvel Catholic (14-9)
Overview: A state championship contender from a two years ago with a dynamic twin brother backcourt. They reloaded quickly with another familial duo. Balanced group that has size to complement the explosive backcourt.
Concerns: Chemistry and experience. One half of the aforementioned duo has yet to play game in high school. Their leader is only in his second year in the program after coming over from defunct Saginaw Arthur Hill. How will the pieces all fit together against a difficult schedule.
Key Players: Rahmaan Kelley 6-1 Sr, Malik Box 6-2 Fr, Sean Foley 6-0 Sr
