MHSAA February Division IV Power Poll
That sure seemed fast. We are already in the homestretch of the 2023-2024 high school basketball season. After doing power polls for each division at the start of the new year. Here is a February check in. Note, this is not bracketology. I’ll attack that near the end of the month.
Division IV (current record in parentheses)
- Adrian Lenawee Christian (11-2) I’m going to go out on limb and shake things up a bit at the top. If you are numbers person. At the time of writing. LCS has the highest MPR in the division. That’s not why I have them here. They seem to really be clicking offensively. They avenged an earlier loss to Ottawa Lake Whiteford by dropping 99 points. That is hard to do in a regulation high school game. Just last night they took care of a solid Britton-Deerfield squad on the road. In addition to that, they own a victory over a Jackson Lumen Christi outfit that is trending towards the top of the Division III rankings. They have the talent to make a deep run. They are led by senior Brandon Summer and sophomore Jaxon Salenbien. However they are also getting contributions from a solid supporting cast as well. If they continue to score at their current clip they will be a tough out in March. Previous Rank: 4
- Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian (11-4) Make no mistake about it. I still view Tri-Unity as the gold standard within the division. However four losses is a lot for a #1 team. That being said, there is not a bad loss in there. A recent buzzer beating defeat to a very good Schoolcraft team is a prime example. When you have experienced guards like Jordan VanKlompenberg and Keaton Banker. That is a recipe for March success. Previous Rank: 1
- Taylor Trillium Academy (15-1) The east side version of Tri-Unity. A program that has done nothing but win of late. However they don’t have the historical tournament resume of the Crusaders. The downriver charter school is aiming to change that this year. They still have probably the best loss in the division. A road defeat to one of the top teams Division III, Riverview Gabriel Richard. Can senior guard Keymarryon Fishburn get this group over the hump and to Breslin Center? Previous Rank: 2
- Saginaw Nouvel Catholic (11-3) In the January power poll. I speculated that Nouvel might be finding their footing over Christmas after a rough 0-3 start. That appears to be correct as the Panthers have yet to drop game in 2024. Frankly, they haven’t appeared to be tested in the new year. They have big one on February 20th when they take on undefeated Division III opponent Chesaning. That will be a barometer game for both programs. The Panthers have everything you need to make a deep run. Dynamic guard play, size, and senior leadership. Previous Rank: 7
- Mt Pleasant Sacred Heart (15-1) The COVID impacted 2020-2021 season was strange on many fronts. In that year, a small but high scoring Irish squad seemingly came out of nowhere and advanced all the way to the semifinals. This year’s group could be repeating that history. Not a lot of preseason buzz. But they are young and might be ahead of schedule. Led by sophomore guard Noah Zeien. They are lighting up scoreboards once again. Their only loss came to on the road to the aforementioned Tri-Unity (no shame there) They have good wins over Beal City (the only non-McBain team to defeat them) and Fulton. Also watch out for junior Grady Pieratt who paced the Irish with 18 points per game through the early part of the season. Previous Rank: NR
- St Ignace (11-4) If you follow me here and various other spaces. You know I am high on Jonathan Ingalls. Who I think might be the top player in the division (the Yeager twins at Saginaw Nouvel might want a word) The numbers also love the Saints due to their aggressive schedule. However I am concerned with their recent two game losing streak. At the time writing, I haven’t been able to get a score from last night’s Sault St Marie contest. That could be a nice bounce back win. After dealing with injuries early. Health will big for this group. Previous Rank: 3
- Pickford (13-1) The Panthers just keep rolling right along. Their only loss coming to the team directly above them, St Ignace. They will have a chance to avenge that loss in their home gym on Valentine’s Day. I will have my eye on that matchup. As it might signal the favorite to come out of the UP in March. Previous Rank: 8
- Maple City Glen Lake (11-3) Similarly to Saginaw Nouvel. Not the smoothest start to the year. With a rare mid season coaching change. However they appear to have recovered nicely and should be ready to go in March. In their first year in Division IV in quite some time. The Lakers have uncommon size for the division. Led by 6-6 sophomore Jacob Plamondon. Previous Rank: 9
- Munising (13-3) Simply put, you just can’t count out a defending state champion that returns three starters. They do have three losses. However they were all early. One was a OT defeat to #8 on this list. They have not lost a game since the calendar turned to the new year. Can junior guard Trevor Nolan take over the leadership that Kane Nebel provided last year? If the answer is yes, the Mustangs can make it back to Breslin Center. Previous Rank: NR
- Bellaire (11-3) Like Sacred Heart, a young and talented group that might be a little ahead of schedule. Led by the junior attack of Jayden Hanson and Drake Koepke. Hanson recently notched his 1,000th career point. I will have my eye on the February 20th matchup with Mancelona. That is a chance for the the Eagles to avenge an earlier loss. It will also most likely be the championship of the Ski Valley conference. If they can take that one on their home court. Belliare might be ready to make some noise in March. Previous Rank: NR
