MHSAA January Rankings Update: Division II
With the conclusion of the holiday and post-holiday showcases. The ides of January feels like an appropriate time to update the rankings for each of Michigan’s four classifications. To show my work I will provide links for previous lists below
Post Summer Top Ten here
Seven More here
Final Preseason Top Ten here
Division II Misses here
**Current record according to the MHSAA in parentheses**
1. Romulus Summit Academy North (12-1)
Why: My preseason #1 holds firm. I would think the out of state loss makes there surprisingly low MPR score a little wonky. Best resume and perhaps deepest roster in the division. They have survived a transfer departure in the paint with an outhandling backcourt. Already more than halfway through their schedule. Will they be playing their best basketball in March?
Key Games: 1/19 @ Detroit Catholic Central, and the Charter School League playoffs
2. Hudsonville Unity Christian (7-2)
Why: Perhaps the biggest team in state just in terms of height and girth. They were not as deep as thought they would be in their Rockford loss. That could have just been a symptom of how good Rockford is this year though. The emergence of 6-9 Luke Tubergen has allowed 6-7 Calvin commitment Owen VanderWaal (pictured) to move his game out to the perimeter at times. I’m sure their loss cross-town public-school rival stings, but it looks better every day as the Eagles continue to soar undefeated. The Macom Dakota showcase win is better than it looks on paper.
Key Games: 2/6 @ Holland Christian, 2/7 Freeland.. that is quite the 24 hours
3. Lansing Sexton (8-1)
Why: I expected Sexton to be good. The links above show it. Not sure I expected them to be this good though. However, you can win a lot with a talented and experienced senior point guard. Keyshawn Sommerville certainly fits that mold. He hasn’t done it alone as the frontcourt has developed nicely as well. Only loss was in the opener to East Lansing. That is a pretty good loss to say the least.
Key Games: 1/17 Lansing Waverly, 1/27 @ Lansing Catholic Central
4. Detroit Country Day (9-2)
Why: The Yellowjackets are back. The return of junior guard Christian Cast from a knee injury has sped up the timeline for this youthful group. Isaiah Marino (6-6) forms a nice junior duo with Cast. There is young talent up and down the rotation. As an independent squad, they play a difficult schedule and do not have a bad loss.
Key Games: 1/13 @ River Rogue, 2/13 @ Pewamo-Westphalia
5. Benton Harbor (13-0)
Why: Didn’t rank this team initially in the preseason. I mentioned them, but I thought they would be too young along the frontline. I was wrong Junior Kesean Hobbs and sophomore Zameir Clayton might form the best non senior duo in the state.
Key Games: 1/13 @ Niles Brandywine, 1/17 Detroit Catholic Central (@ Westland John Glenn)
6. Frankenmuth (9-0)
Why: The Christmas tournaments might be over. But Christmas never really stops in this town. Squad that seemingly came out nowhere to grab Division II early bragging rights in Tri-Cities area. The anonymity is partially due to the fact that this team is loaded with next level athletes… just not in basketball. For anyone doubting them, the road victory against Freeland this past week should silence that noise.
Key Games: 2/10 Goodrich, 2/13 Freeland
7. Grand Rapids South Christian (8-2)
Why: The rumors of the Sailors demise have been greatly exaggerated Like Benton Harbor, another team I whiffed on badly. A talented and tall frontline combined with a familial backcourt is an efficient equation for winning basketball. Senior 6-6 post JJ Modderman is having a breakout senior season.
Key Games: 1/30 @ Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 2/6 @ Grand Rapids Northview
8. Freeland (8-2)
Why: Expectations were sky high for a squad that literally returned everyone from a state semifinalist run. They might be surprised by the two losses, but I think the Falcons will be just fine in March. Just too much talent and experience. The schedule has been very tough. If you are of a statistical bent. They currently have the highest MPR in the state, regardless of division. They should be well tested and ready to go by March.
Key Games: 1/17 North Muskegon (@ Fowler) 2/7 @ Hudsonville Unity Christian, 2/13 @ Frankenmuth
9. Dearborn Divine Child (10-2)
Why: Head Coach Eric Evans has turned things around quickly. They already split with Detroit Loyola and defeated Jackson Lumen Christi within their league. They are young squad led by junior Malik Bush and sophomore Joe Arnold. They should only get better as the year continues, and they gain more experience.
Key Games: 1/19 Warren Lincoln (@ Wayne CC) 1/27 @ Jackson Lumen Christi
10. Ludington (10-0)
Why: A guard heavy and well coached squad that is off to a perfect start. They haven’t really been tested too much yet. That will change in the second half of the season. The Orioles are always going to play good defense. Will the youthful backcourt be able to score enough points to make a deep March run this year?
Key Games: 1/20 @ North Muskegon, 2/10 @ Cadillac, 2/16 @ Traverse City West
Honorable Mention
Yale (11-0) South Haven (9-0) Adrian (8-2) Paw Paw (6-4) Grand Rapids Christian (7-4), Detroit Edison (7-4) Ferndale (5-6) Chelsea (6-2) Battle Creek Pennfield (8-2) Fruitport (8-2)
