MHSAA Preview: Five More From Division III
Way back in May I gave you a Way-to-Early MHSAA top 10 ranking. I plan on updating it for a definitive preseason look. If you want to refresh your memory you can access the list here.
Way-to-early MHSAA Division III Rankings
Since May, other teams have jumped up and caught my attention. Before moving on to the final preseason lists. I wanted to give these squads notice. There is a good chance one of more of the teams on this list will work their way into final preseason top 10. (Last years record in parentheses)
Chesaning (17-6) Checks most of the boxes for a team gearing up for a big season. They are talented, experienced, and have good size. They are also coming off a successful season in which they went out of the tournament earlier than expected. The icing on the cake is they are sliding down a classification into Division III. Expectations will justifiably be high. Headlining player will be 6-6 do-it-all forward Mason Struck. However it will not be a one show. Chaz Slankard (6-3) will provide plenty of offensive punch and size as well.
Hemlock (11-13) Going a little out on a limb for this one. This team did not have a great record last season. However I think they have a few things working for them. I really liked the improvement 6-4 senior Carter Gensch showed this summer with REAL Basketball in AAU. He is a lanky guard with the ability to play both backcourt positions. Down low the Huskies will feature a big and versatile post in 6-6 Chad Brown. Brown is a little under the radar as he is the increasingly rare three sport standout. Lastly, state championships have a way of galvanizing small towns. The girls basketball program raised a banner last year. We’ll see if a little of that momentum slides over to the boys side.
Jonesville (19-6) If you have a good coach and a good point guard. That is tough to beat at the Division III level. Jeff Turner is an experienced head coach who runs a good program program. The offense will revolve around 6-1 senior Warrick Elder. The Indiana bred guard is a little off the beaten path due to his Hoosier bona fides. Ran with a good out of state squad in AAU. Is versatile, fundamentally sound, and can play both backcourt spots. Coming off a district title. Fell in the regionals in a close one to a very good Lainsburg squad.
Hanover Horton (12-11) One of the more consistent Division III programs in the state will look to bounce back. Last years record is a bit deceptive. Half of the losses came in a late season five game swoon. They will led by 6-3 junior Luke Soper. Further help and size will come from 6-4 senior Kaiden Henry. They are not easing to the season. Opening with two state championship contenders in Onsted (Division II) and Adrian Lenawee Christian (Division IV)
Flint New Standard Academy (18-7) and Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (13-9) I’m going to group these two programs together. They were both decent and young last year. However these are bets on their head coaches. Greg McMath won a lot of games and a state championship at Saginaw Arthur Hill. His New Standard program should continue to improve. James Scott is in his first year Liggett. He won big at Chandler Park, he won big at Warren Michigan Collegiate, he has even won big on the EYBL as the head coach of The Family. It might not be this year but he is going win at Liggett. Keep an eye on both programs in regards to incoming players. You never with MHSAA transfer rules. I would expect both programs to add talent in the coming year.
