MHSAA Division III June Outlook

In the throes of the June team camp season. It’s natural to look ahead and begin to identify the top teams for next year. While still sorting out the transfer portal for many of the top teams in the larger divisions. I feel like I have seen enough to take a shot at Michigan’s second smallest classification— Division III.

This division has seen a lot change in all directions on the enrollment front. With defending state finalist Detroit Old Redford moving up a class, and perennial contender Flint Beecher sliding down to Division IV. To top it off, one of the leading contenders in IV and a state champion from two years ago. Munising is now up in III.

That’s a lot to unpack. I’m not going to rank the following ten teams (got to build some suspense) Closer to the beginning of the season. Or maybe even July. I’ll put some numbers next to the names and possibly shake up the teams depending on what I see or hear.

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

**last years record in parentheses**

Flint New Standard (16-7) This isn’t based on who might be on the team. I really like what they have already. Experienced head coach Greg McMath has been slowly building this program for a few years. With perennial power Flint Beecher now in Division IV. It might be time for Flint Elite. The Warriors should be led by junior point guard Jeffrey Turner. He will be equipped to take on an increased load now as an upperclassman. He will joined in the backcourt by fellow junior Dei’On Wright. They also appear to have an emerging prospect in the class of 2028 in AJ Smith. We’ll sort out the transfers if/when things become official.

Iron Mountain (22-2) While this isn’t a “bracketology” type article. Those will come much later. The question in Mountaineer county isn’t whether or not this team will be good— they will most certainly. Can they get the Menominee (see below) district monkey off their back? After three straight outstanding regular seasons, they have not been able to get past the Maroons. Junior 6-7 do-it-all forward Oskar Kangas is looking to cap off what has been a stellar career. He is an athletic, big, and versatile prospect who has long tested himself on the Prep Hoops Circuit with the Wisconsin Crusaders. Most importantly he won’t have to do it alone. Dynamic point guard Gerald Sampoll-Torress is back for what should be a big senior season. There is plenty of depth in the Iron Mountain rotation outside of those two as well.

Jackson Lumen Christi (22-5) Despite his state championship pedigree and success at multiple schools. It is impressive how quickly Josh Tropea has turned around this parochial school known mostly for its gridiron exploits. Just entering his third year, the Titans are a major Breslin Center contender after knocking loudly on the door last year. Senior point guard Luke Tropea steadily leads a deep rotation. The x-factor will be the development of sophomore Lundon Hampton. Hampton is physically advanced multi positional athlete coming off a good grassroots campaign with a Young Hustle squad on the Puma circuit. There is a lot of talent and experience up and down this roster.

Maple City Glen Lake (22-5) After a one year detour in Division IV. The Lakers are back in the familiar confines of Division III. It was a successful detour as they fell in quarterfinals to Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart. They did it all as a program in the midst of a lot of change. With former state championship girls head coach Jason Bradford taking over at midseason. Having a full offseason to implement his system will be huge for Glen Lake. They will also have one of the best post prospects in the entire division with Jacob Plamondon. The 6-6 junior is a load on the block and lives on the glass. He is matchup problem on the block for virtually anyone in the division. When you add in senior three year starter Benji Allen who is starting to amass Division II football offers. Glen Lake has a physicality that will be difficult for teams to match.

McBain (25-3) Coming off a semifinal appearance. The Ramblers looked poised for another big season. I was in the minority last year. Having them #1 in the division for most of the season. They will not feature the same overwhelming size and depth that that did last year. But they will still be bigger than most teams they play. They will be led by the dynamic forward duo of Ben Rodenbaugh and Clayton Heuker (pictured) who might be the best 1-2 punch in the entire division. Rodenbaugh is the experienced and versatile 6-4 senior who has largely played the point out of necessity in the past. Hueker is a fast rising 6-5 prospect in Michigan’s 2027 class. Can they find their third scorer and build depth from a talented JV program? That will be the key to success for the rural school outside of Cadillac.

Menominee (20-7) Well off the beaten path in the far reaches of the Upper Peninsula. Head Coach Sam Larson is quietly turning this traditional football school into a Division III power. They lose some serious firepower from a squad that lost in overtime of the quarterfinals to McBain (see directly above) With their heavy losses this a big bet on the development of Tanner Theuerkauf. I thought he was the best player in that thrilling quarterfinal as only a sophomore last year. That is saying something as I have been a big believer in the McBain duo for quite some time. Theuerkauf is an explosive and versatile 6-4 wing. He is trending towards being the top player in the Upper Peninsula next season. If the Maroons can fill in the spots around him they will be a tough out once again.

North Muskegon (24-1) There is a lot to like with this young squad coming off the increasingly rare undefeated regular season. Led by junior point guard Adam Dugener the Norseman will now to have to adjust to playing with a target on their back. Dugener is coming off an excellent spring with the Northcoast Premier squad on the NY2LA circuit. With a football transfer and the graduation of Lamarkis Graham. North Muskegon might still be a year away. It will be interesting to see if incoming freshman Lou Gressett plays a role in offsetting those losses

Pewamo-Westphalia (23-3) The Pirates are perhaps the top Division III athletic program in the state. With recent banners in both football and basketball. They just produce winning athletes. This year’s group is rinse repeat. I caught them at a team camp at Ferris St where they beat several larger schools. Their deep rotation is led by junior guard Grady Eklund. A talented but also very intelligent 6-3 prospect. He is a coach’s son, but more importantly plays like it. Doesn’t make a lot of mistakes and runs Pewamo’s disciplined system like a seasoned veteran. Now an upperclassman and coming off an excellent spring with the Grand Rapids Storm. He will be one of the top overall players in the division.

Riverview Gabriel Richard (23-4) Not going to break my rule about numerical rankings like I did in the Division IV list. But…. I will say this. The Pioneers have the deepest rotation in the division. Led by the senior backcourt of Luke Westerdale and Nick Sobush Richard should be aiming for a return trip the semifinals were they lost on a buzzer beating three last year. In the aforementioned duo listed above. Richard has not only one, but TWO of the top point guards in the entire division. When you add in imposing 6-8 center Charles Kage, you are really cooking with gas. Kage and Westerdale have excellent chemistry in the two man game. As they also play together with The Academy on the NY2LA circuit.

Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (13-12) Going to go a little off the board for the last spot. The gold standard for Division III success on the girls side is ready to make some noise with the boys. Didn’t have the greatest regular season last year. However most of those losses were against an absolute gauntlet of a schedule. I have been very impressed this spring with sophomore point guard Ken White Jr. The 5-9 spark plug just finished a standout spring with REACH on the New Balance circuit. If he can carry that momentum into the regular season. The Gators will feature a super dynamic backcourt. White should get help from senior KJ Roberts. A talented 6-4 wing.