MHSAA Division I End of July Outlook
And then there was one….
I guess I took a little bit of a break on the “way to early ranking” front. After cramming to get out Divisions 2-4 before the end of June. We hit a little lull on the rankings roll out. Maybe I should invest in a hard driving editor that doesn’t share my name for this little site…
All joking aside. I hear a lot of stuff in this job. There seems to be an inordinate amount of transfer smoke with many of the contenders for the Top 10. Consequently I wanted to give it all a little time to play out. While you can never be sure of the transfer landscape in the state of Michigan. The end of July feels like the right time to take a shot at identifying a top 10.
As always this is high school sports. This is meant to be fun and hopefully informative for fans. I have no agenda or affiliation with any of these teams. If you disagree, or some team uses this as motivation. I am perfectly fine with that. You can light me up on social media— that’s your prerogative. I’ve been through much worse. Or feel free to reach out and tell me what I am missing….this is meant to be an early and fluid list
As I did with the other divisions. No numerical rankings yet. Teams are listed in alphabetical order with last years record in parentheses. I’ll number them at a later date.
Ann Arbor Huron (22-5) How far can Iowa St commit Macari Moore carry the River Rats. If you put much stock in last year’s Breslin Center run (which I do) The answer is pretty far. He is simply that good. While Huron might not have the depth of last years squad. Moore will not be a “one man band”. I really like Kaleb Brown as a number two option and think he could really break out as a senior. A reserve last year, point guard Yaseen Issa appears to be ready to step into a larger role. Issa had an outstanding grassroots run with the Michigan Playmakers. If the rotation fills out in spots 4-8 Huron could be right back at the Breslin Center.
Belleville (18-6) This is my June team camp special. I was not prepared to rank this group. From the BCAM event at Grand Valley, to campus team camps at places like Western Michigan. This group just seemed to pop. An athletic, deep, and solid rotation missing that one singular next level Division I standout. I really liked senior Shemar Woodson in my viewings. A versatile prospect capable of playing multiple positions. Down low 6-8 senior Braylon Mannan accumulated more than one Division II offer in June. About that Division I standout… he’s coming. Sophomore Adam Coats was a little off the beaten path this summer playing out of state with Kenny Smith’s AAU program (Jet Academy) He could take the leap this year and be the headlining star to finish out this talented rotation.
**Note: Just after publication Braylon Mannan committed to Wayne St (MI)**
Byron Center (18-6) As I have written for other publications. Byron Center might be this year’s version of Zeeland West. A West Michigan program that breaks into state championship contention after a few years of knocking on the door. Headlined by 6-9 Bowling Green commit Camden Karel. The Bulldogs feature an imposing frontline. If Jaden Bowman’s transfer from East Kentwood comes to fruition, they could be one of the better front courts in the entire state. The backcourt will anchored by seniors Keane Hinkle and gridiron star Isaac Lee. More perimeter support should come from junior guard Cassius Bont. A physically advanced point guard who had a nice grassroots season with the Grand Rapids Storm.
Detroit Cass Tech (22-3) After losing one the top players in the nation to a high profile out of state transfer. The Technicians would be forgiven for taking a step back last year. How did they respond? With a two loss regular season, a PSL championship, and a district title. Not too bad. Now they return most of their rotation. Point guard Stevie Hall (pictured) should be better as a sophomore. That is saying something, as he was one of the best freshman in the state last year. National blue chip football recruit Corey Sadler continues to produce at a level that makes you wonder if the junior could also play on the hardwood somewhere post high school. They have a deep rotation and are arguably one of the better defensive teams you will see.
Detroit Renaissance (16-7) If you follow this space for a few years. You will probably tire of this adage, especially in March. In a 32 minute high school basketball game— I would rather have good guards than good bigs. I’m not sure anyone has a more dynamic backcourt than Renaissance. Lance Stone is the senior floor general. He is 5-… I don’t care what digit you pick. Despite a diminutive size he does so much. Scores, distributes, and picks up 94 feet defensively. A “worth the price of admission” player that is fun to watch. Complementing Stone on the wing is junior Jordan Sigmon. Like Stone, he might not have ideal size at his position. But few score so effortlessly. The lefty simply has a nose for the basket and can really fill it up when he gets hot. His 40 plus point outing at the Motor City Roundball Classic was one of the better performances I saw during the regular season last year. Watch to see if 6-6 sophomore Laviance Gales can take the next step in his development in the post. That would be big for the Phoenix.
Detroit U of D Jesuit (18-6) I can’t rave about how talented Orchard Lake St Mary’s is (see below) and leave out the only team to defeat them last season. Let’s be clear, it wasn’t just a fluky one off victory. The Cubs might be the only program that can match St Mary’s talent level 1-12 on their roster. It all starts with Leroy Blyden Jr. A dynamic and experienced point guard. Not very big (5-9) but that is about all you could ding him for. Attracting plenty of Division I interest after his spring/summer EYBL participation. Where to go with the rest of the roster? I’m not even sure where to start. They have the three S’s— Size, shooting, and slashing. They appear to be adding an impact transfer and one the top incoming freshman in the state. There is a LOT on this roster. I’ll unpack it more when I finalize this list into numerical rankings.
East Lansing (24-3) When it is clicking on all cylinders for the Trojans. There are few teams more impressive and fun to watch. The ballyhooed 6-5 duo of Cameron Hutson and Jayce Branson have one more run as seniors. Junior guard KJ Torbert had an excellent spring and summer and is beginning to garner Division I interest. Do they have enough beef down low on the block? They might not, but with the way they defend and get out in transition. They might be able to compensate for a lack of size. Watch out for explosive freshman Tyree Anthony who was manning the post during June team camps. Sophomore Kingston Thomas, one of the better prospects in the emerging 2027 class. Should be ready to step into a larger role.
Grand Rapids Northview (18-6) There are a lot of questions with this year’s Nothrview squad. Who will take the leadership role after the graduation of four year starting point guard EJ Ryans? (Western Michigan) Is there enough size on the frontline? How will a high profile transfer fit in? That’s a lot of question for a team that I am expecting to be one of the best in the state. How about one more question that isn’t necessarily rhetorical? Does anyone on the west side of the state have a better 1-2 combo than Brady Swartz and Cameron Ryans? I feel pretty safe in saying the answer to that question is— no. Swartz a 6-6 Western Michigan commit has one of smoother perimeter games you will see anywhere. He should be highly motivated as a senior after an injury ended last year’s campaign early. Ryans (6-5) is making a strong case to be at the top of Michigan’s ever shifting 2026 class. His latest statement was a standout performance at the prestigious Nike Peach Jam.
Muskegon (22-3) Death, taxes, and Muskegon being a state championship contender from the west side of the state. The Big Reds feature their usual deep and talented roster. The headliner is junior James Martin. An explosive and bouncy 6-3 wing who might be one the better individual talents this storied program has produced in a while. They will have depth and bulk on the frontline with seniors Elija Langston and Ken’Yae Foley. It appears this will also have depth at the point with the transfer of East Kentwood senior point guard Darryl Thompkins Jr. This is just scratching the iceberg of returning talent from a program coming off a quarterfinal appearance.
Orchard Lake St Mary’s (27-1) Once again, these teams are in alphabetical order with no numerical rankings yet… That being said, I saved the best for last. No other real direction to go at the top. The defending state champion with a top twenty player nationally returning. That will be tough to top. If you haven’t caught Trey McKenney yet, you need to. One of the best to do it in this state for quite some time. Has a four year running mate in Western Michigan commit, combo guard Sharod Barnes. If you are looking for holes in this deep lineup. They might not have a lot of post depth if Michigan St football commit Jayden Savoury decides to not to play in the second semester. Even if he departs, there is plenty of depth on this roster. Look for sophomores Peyton Kemp and Quincy Wright to step into larger roles.
