MHSAA Bracketolgy: Division III Outlook
Part 2 in a series that will analyze the upcoming state tournament. I’m planning on going through each of the four classifications and try to forecast what will happen. After kicking things off with Division IV. We move on up to Division III. Once again for the sake of brevity. I’m only going to project out to the Elite Eight (Quarterfinal) round.
Disclaimer: This is high school sports. All meant to be in good fun. I have no dogs in this fight. If is this taken by some team and used as motivation or bulletin board material. That would honestly be perfectly fine with me.
Quarterfinal #12 @Waterford Mott
Detroit Loyola vs Flint Beecher
So much for leaning into an easy prediction to kick off Division III. I don’t want to spoil the final pick but these are the top two teams the division. The numbers back that up and make Loyola the slight favorite. Loyola has the third highest MPR ranking in the state regardless of class. Tradition sides with Beecher. The preeminent Division III program of the twenty first century with six state championship banners. However they are not the defending state champion after falling to eventual state champions Schoolcraft in the semis last year (remember that point)
Loyola is a deep and balanced unit. They have had an excellent year against a tough schedule. I watched them earn a victory against Romulus Summit Academy North over Christmas. That was only one of two losses for one of the top teams in Division II. However Beecher has also played a difficult schedule. The Buccaneers only three losses were a neutral court loss to Benton Harbor at the buzzer. Along with two close losses on the road to Ferndale and Detroit Cass Tech. That is an absolute gauntlet.
I’m a former history teacher. I can admit I’m partial to tradition. While that plays the role. That is not the sole reason I’m going to go with Beecher. Let’s go through them quickly and hopefully not anger a fan base too much. Not going lie. This one could come back to haunt me. MPR is only metric. It does not take it account when you play your opponent. Loyola’s schedule was tough but it was somewhat front loaded. Most of their difficult games came early. Speaking of competition. I also think Loyola has a much tougher road to get to this round. They have to win a regional on Detroit Edison’s home court. The host squad will be a tough out along with New Haven. I am also concerned about reports of a recent injury to the Bulldogs big man Jotham Nweke. He appears to be healthy now, but concerning nevertheless.
All teams are motivated in March. I think the sting of last years loss is going to keep Beecher hyper focused. They have a go to option in Robert Lee Jr. Lee is a well built versatile basketball player who has been a four year varsity contributor. His scoring role has expanded greatly in his senior season. He is a positionless player who creates matchup problems. Lee won’t have to do it alone. Junior Keyonta Menifield and senior Kevin Tiggs Jr will also provide scoring punch. Wasir James adds some front court size.
Pick: With a low confidence level I’m going to go with Flint Beecher over Detroit Loyola.
Quarterfinal #11 @Ypsilanti Lincoln
Lainsburg vs Ecorse
The CMAC is historically one of the better small conferences in the entire state. Last year the conference sent THREE teams to the quarterfinal round. None of those teams were Lainsburg. How did the Wolfpack respond to being left out of last years March party? How about complete domination? Is that hyperbole? When you go undefeated with not a single game is in single digits. I would classify that as dominant. They are led by sweet shooting junior guard Zander Woodruff. While Woodruff is really good. As the scores indicate he also has plenty of help as well.
However they don’t have what their opponent will have. That would be experience with deep March runs. Ecorse made it to the semifinals last year where they lost to Menominee. They return most of their rotation. Led by Kenneth Morrast Jr and Malik Oliafoye. Oliafoye is arguably the best overall player in the entire division. If not the state. He is the rare 2,000 point scorer. A special talent who can obviously fill it up. They have a beast of a regional to get through. If they can get past Plymouth Christian and Riverview Gabriel Richard (if you haven’t seen 2025 guard Luke Westerdale yet— you will) The Raiders should be in a good spot to head back to the Breslin.
Pick: Ecorse over Lainsburg
Quarterfinal #9 @Gaylord
St Ignace vs Traverse City St Francis
The Northern Michigan portion of the draw is similar to the “pod” we began this article with. Who is going to come out of the Upper Peninsula? Iron Mountain or St Ignace? Two UP programs with storied histories. St Ignace’s history has been a little more prominent on the girls side. Tom Izzo high (Iron Mountain) has quickly reloaded after the graduation of generational prospect Foster Wonders (Southern Illinois). The Mountaineers are led by 6-5 sophomore forward Oskar Kangas. Kangas is really good and might be the best long term college prospect in the UP. That being said I don’t think he is the top current player. I’m going to give that nod to St Ignace junior guard Jonathan Ingalls.
Ingalls is a bouncy and dynamic lead guard who can play with anyone. There is no shot clock in Michigan. If I waved a magic wand and implemented one tomorrow. It would not affect the Saints one iota. They get up and down the court quickly and put constant pressure on the rim. The entire team can shoot from beyond the arc and Ingalls knows how to find them. However they do not have a lot of size (that will matter in a minute) I think the the Saints have enough to go marching past (couldn’t resist) Iron Mountain and into the quarterfinals.
Do they have enough get past Traverse City St Francis? In a word— no. St Francis might be the best team in Northern Michigan regardless of division. They are led by Wyatt Nausadis (pictured) The physical senior 6-4 guard is a top two player in the entire division. It’s closer than many statewide might think with Malik Oliafoye (see above) He is getting hot at the right time. Scored 26 and 24 points respectively in wins over good opponents against Boyne City and McBain. He has a good supporting cast of sturdy next level football prospects. That size will be too much for St Ignace.
Pick: Traverse St Francis over St Ignace— although if the Saints can get the game to their breakneck pace. It could get interesting.
Quarterfinal #10 @Portage Central
Grandville Calvin Christian vs Schoolcraft
The Squires are good enough to come out of a deep field featuring a handful of parochial schools from the Grand Rapids area. They are as close to a complete team as you will find and they have the resume to back that up. They are led by the two headed monster of forwards senior Carson DeHaan (6-4) and junior Matt Elderkin (6-5). They will be a tough matchup for any team in the division to deal with.
Unlike the top line. The bottom line lacks a clear favorite. I would be inclined to lean towards Watervliet. However the Panthers are young and have struggled a bit after a big mid season injury. They might be a year away. A lot has changed for Schoolcraft since raising a banner last March. A new coach and a new starting frontline has led to an uncommon seven loss campaign. However as long as they still have junior guard Shane Rykse the Eagles have a chance to beat anyone. The 6-3 guard is arguably one of the best shooters in the entire state. In a bit of an upset I’m slating Schoolcraft to the quarterfinals.
Pick: Grandville Calvin Christian over Schoolcraft
Semifinal Picks (brief)
Flint Beecher over Ecorse
Traverse City St Francis over Grandville Calvin Christian
Champion
After a one year break order will be restored in Division III. Flint Beecher will raise their seventh state championship banner of the 2000’s and the first for head coach Marquise Gray.
