MHSAA February Finals: Division I Rankings
No long meandering into needed here. If you have been following along you are probably aware my methodology and thought process. One final February rankings before we get into the postseason bracketology rollouts. Accordingly, no bracket considerations here. Just who I think the top ten teams are based on what I have seen, what I know, and resumes.
I’ll provide all the past links (beginning in June) if you want to track progress, or look for your favorite team if they are not in the final ten. I’ve highlighted roughly thirty teams throughout the season.
Post Summer Top Ten: here
Eight More: here
Final Preseason Top Ten: here
MHSAA Misfires Division I Misses: here
Post Holiday Top Ten: here
** current record in paratheses**
1. East Lansing (17-1)
How we got here: One bad night doesn’t erase a 40-game winning streak. One bad night doesn’t nullify the gritty clutch wins against Rockford, Detroit King, and Lansing Waverly. However, there are depth and injury concerns. For now, the Trojans continue to hold the pole position. A position the defending state champions are comfortable with. They have held that spot for much of the last two years.
Key Players: KJ Torbert 6-3 Sr (Bowling Green commit) Kingston Thomas 6-5 Jr, Dequarius Stewart 6-6 Sr, Tyree Anthony 6-2 Soph
2. Muskegon (14-1)
How we got here: Slow start as they did not play many games before Christmas. Have shown themselves ready as the schedule has toughened up in 2026. Not as big on the frontline as last season. However, they are arguably more explosive from the perimeter than last year’s squad. As has been a staple of the Big Red run of excellence, they are extremely deep. I do worry about giving up 95 points in their sole loss of the season. That is a lot of points in high school basketball game. Kalamazoo Central (see below) is very good though. The schedule will not get any easier late with upcoming non-conference contests against Grand Blanc and Hudsonville (Honorable Mentions)
Key Players: Key Players: James Martin 6-3 Sr (Detroit Mercy commit pictured) Ehman Guster 6-0 Sr, Arquez Petty 5-10 Sr, Ky’ren Noble 6-6 Sr, Tyson Worthington 6-1 Jr, AJ Lambers 6-1 Fr
3. East Kentwood (15-2)
How we got here: The promise long held by the Falcons 2027 class is beginning to bear fruit. They currently sit in first place in the OK Red. Arguably the toughest conference in the state this year. They are playing well as unit and are getting good senior leadership from a college bound wing. Extreme depth, length and size along their frontline. Coming off a strong win against one of the top ranked teams in the state of Ohio.
Key Players: RJ Chapman 6-3 Sr (Saginaw Valley St commit) Jeremiah Cook 6-1 Jr. Samuel Makaug 6-6 Jr, Andrew Kenyi 6-10 Jr, CJ Reynolds 6-3 Jr (injured)
4. Rockford (14-3)
How we got here: If you count all classes. The Rams might have the largest collection of possible Division I basketball players in the state. My concern with Rockford is the same as the fall. This unit has struggled to stay healthy. While everyone appears to be playing at the moment, but it is tenuous. Other reporters have covered this (Lenny Padilla) I would encourage you to check it out. It’s the type of galvanizing story that could also unite a team. But tenuous nonetheless.
Key Players: Jake Bascom 6-6 Sr (Central Michigan commit) Eli Wolfe 6-1 Soph, Josh Bascom 6-4 Soph, Dylan Gross 5-9 Sr, Drew Ferwerda 6-7 Jr, Jace Opoku-Agyeman 6-0 Fr
5. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (15-4)
How we got here: The Warriors rival Rockford for Division I talent across all four classes. Outside of December three game swoon. They have been consistent all year. Only other loss came out state to a strong team from Toledo. I wondered about chemistry early in the year. With an assortment of freshmen, foreign imports, and players returning from extended injury absences. That concerned was unfounded. They appear to play very well as unit. They should be a tough out in the tournament.
Key Players: Greg Grays Jr 6-3 Sr (Detroit Mercy commit) Trevor Smith 6-8 Sr Jacob Lamb 6-2 Sr, Jordan McDaniel 5-10 Fr Stefan Banica 6-7 Soph Ivan Stojanovski 6-5 Sr
6. Kalamazoo Central (14-2)
How we got here: Have worked in a high-profile transfer seamlessly into what was already a well established starting unit. The recent victory over Muskegon and the corresponding scoring output was very impressive. They don’t have a bad loss and just put together a nice win over Warren Fitzgerald. Outside of elite outside shooting (and White pretty darn good at that) they are pretty close to a complete package. Solid jet-quick guards, an efficient mid range attack, and Division I size on the block.
Key Players: Isaiah Theodile 6-8 Sr (Oakland commit) Davier White 6-6 Jr, Kameron Bean 6-1 Sr, Taveon Vaughn 6-0 Sr, TJ Terrentine 6-3 Sr
7. Wayne Memorial (14-2)
How we got here: Those expecting a step back for the defending state finalist might have jumped the gun. After losing a top 100 nationally to transfer, the Zebras have continued to roll along. The positional versatility of a incoming transfer (Goins) has aided the cause. An uber experienced, no nonsense head coach has helped with transition as well. This experienced group will not shy away from the moment as the lights get brighter in the tournament.
Key Players: Jaylohn Allen 6-3 Sr (Toledo commit) Cyrus Goins 6-6 Sr, Jeremiah Smith 6-3 Jr
8. Auburn Hills Avondale (18-1)
How we got here: I need to come up with a term for this type of team. I have mentioned this in other divisions. I certainly thought Avondale would be good. I didn’t think they would be “18-1” good. Doing with very little frontcourt size and a first year head coach is particularly impressive. It feels strange to call a “one loss” team a sleeper, but this squad fits the criteria.
How got here: Jakobe Liford 6-4 Sr, Noah Bonds 6-4 Sr, Qualaeb Ross 5-10 Soph, Maxwell Muhl 5-10 Sr
9. Ann Arbor Huron (17-2)
How we got here: I slept on this team pretty hard early in the season. After watching them this past weekend in Grand Rapids. I have awoken from my slumber. Led by an outstanding backcourt, the River Rats continue to pop out state contending teams. Nothing too flashy and not a lot of size down low. However plenty depth and bright future for the program. As I like the two freshmen who contribute off the bench.
Key Players: Kaiden Morning 6-1 Sr, Nate Sidney 6-3 Jr, Jake Gernant 6-4 Jr Sam Fluker 5-10 Fr Maverick Flagg 6-2 Fr
10. grand Rapids Northview (13-4)
How we got here: You knew there would transition with this program. Working in a new head coach while losing production is a challenge. After some early hiccups the Wildcats appear to have weathered the storm. Just handed East Lansing their first loss since 2024. You know what helps a program deal with change? A Mr. Basketball candidate. Northview has that to go along with a deep and talented roster.
Key Players: Cam Ryans 6-5 Sr (Western Michigan commit) Anthony Willis 6-3 Jr, Izzy Hatibu 6-5 Jr, Brayden Williams 6-2 Jr
Honorable Mention
Grand Blanc (14-2) Hudsonville (15-3) Detroit Martin Luther King (14-4) Detroit Catholic Central (13-5) Lansing Waverly (12-5) Macomb Dakota (15-4) Bloomfield Hills (16-2) Detroit Cass Tech (14-4) Saginaw Heritage (15-4) Clarkston (15-3)
