MHSAA February Finals: Division II 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 can’t see everyone, no one can.. it’s a big state)
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
Seven More: here
Final Preseason Top Ten: here
MHSAA Misfires Division II Misses: here
Post Holiday Top Ten: here
** current record in paratheses**
1. Romulus Summit Academy North (19-1)
How we got here: A wire-to-wire holder of the top spot in this poll. I was slightly concerned about the transfer of a Division I college bound post. I shouldn’t have been. A program that went through three coaches in three years doesn’t blink with just losing a player. Some stability on the bench has brought even more success. Undefeated against Michigan squads. Only loss came to a school from Ohio. A defending state finalist, the Dragons have plenty of tournament and big game experience.
Key Players: Jordan Fuller 6-0 Sr (Tiffin-OH commit) Marquan White 6-2 Sr, Demetri Campbell 6-3 Sr, Tylon Pitts Jr 6-5 Sr King Pierce-Black 6-8 Soph, Codey Bush 6-2 Fr
2. Lansing Sexton (15-2)
How we got here: Defending quarterfinalist appears highly motivated to take the next step and make the short trip to the Breslin Center. Close battle with the #1 team in this list for the best backcourt in the division. The two losses to East Lansing and Lansing Waverly are certainly not bad losses. While the victories to against Detroit Cass Tech and River Rogue are impressive. Senior laden group has been building towards this season for quite some time.
Key Players: Keyshawn Summerville 5-10 Sr, Mario Murray 5-11 Sr, Markese Murray 5-11 Sr, Korey Jackson 6-6 Jr, Terryon Skipwith 6-4 Sr
3. Freeland (15-3)
How we got here: Their recent victory over #4 on this list vaults them into this spot. Returning essentially their entire team from a quarterfinal appearance. Expectations were accordingly sky high. The Falcons have handled them well. They run very disciplined sets that get open looks for arguably to the top shooter in the state (Huckeby-pictured at top) Senior dominant group that has played a lot of basketball together.
Key Players: Key Players: Wilson Huckeby 6-4 Sr (Saginaw Valley St commit) Tristan Comer 6-7 Sr (Michigan St Football commit) Cooper Wagner 6-0 Sr, Tucker Hileman 6-2 Sr, Zander Wheatley 6-4 Sr
4. Hudsonville Unity Christian (14-3)
How we got here: One of the biggest teams in the state has put together a strong season against a difficult schedule. I was mildly surprised by their recent loss to the #3 team on this list. They will be a tough out in the tournament. It’s difficult to have off nights in defense and rebounding. Unity excels in those areas. Not your typical Unity squad though. They get out in transition and score quickly when needed as well. Like Freeland, another senior dominant group that has played a lot of basketball together over the last four years.
Key Players: Owen VanderWaal 6-7 Sr (Calvin commit) Kyler Berghuis 6-2 Sr (Calvin commit) Jack Kamminga 6-3 Sr (Calvin commit) Brogan Sherd 6-0 Sr Luke Tubergen 6-9 Sr
5. Grand Rapids South Christian (15-2)
How we got here: No excuse for the historically good Sailors squad to be off my rankings radar at the beginning of the year… but I’ll make one. I thought they simply lost too much production from last year’s unit. I was massively incorrect. Avenged one of their two losses with a dramatic overtime victory against Grand Rapids Northview. Balanced unit with plenty of sibling connections. As you might expect, they play well together.
Key Players: JJ Modderman 6-6 Sr, Josh Fles 6-5 Sr, Caleb Krosschell 6-3 Sr, Austin Burgess 6-1 Jr, Max Zichterman 6-2 Jr
6. Frankenmuth (17-0)
How we got here: Simply put, by winning every single game they have played. Mostly by fairly large margins. Team that flies slightly under the radar. Roster is populated by college players… in sports other than basketball. A team that might have legitimate gripe with their placement. As they already own a road victory over the #3 on this list. Round #2 between those squads will be this Friday.
Key Players: Andrew Schoenow 6-7 Jr, Lleyton Hoard 6-4 Sr (Northern Michigan Football commit) Caden Sommerfield 6-1 (Saginaw Valley St Baseball commit)
7. Dearborn Divine Child (16-2)
How we got here: Younger squad that might be a year ahead of schedule. Put together a strong year playing in the always tough Catholic League. They are alone at the top of their division (AA) in this Motor City behemoth. Two losses came early and within the league gauntlet. Avenged one of those losses with an overtime victory against Detroit Loyola.
Key Players: Malik Bush 6-3 Jr, Joe Arnold 5-11 Soph
8. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (13-4)
How we got here: Defending semifinalist that has dealt with adversity well. Lost what was projected to be their top player to a summer knee injury. An impressive youth movement has allowed them to make up for this loss in production. Have fared well against a difficult schedule. Another battle tested group with plenty of tournament and big game experience.
Key Players: Jordan McCoy 6-1 Sr Brieland Watkins 6-2 Sr, Ty Moody 6-5 Sr, Emani Hinkle 6-3 Soph, Miles Burgin 5-10 Fr
9. Grand Rapids Christian (13-5)
How we got here: The “prisoner of the moment” ranking. This unit was very impressive at the 2k Showcase this weekend in Grand Rapids. Defeated a talented Ferndale squad. Watching them live makes it hard to leave them out of a top ten. Features perhaps to the top senior duo in the state. With two college bound wings. Early injuries played a role in some of the losses around the holiday. They are currently dealing with injury to their starting point guard (Taylor) If they are fully healthy, they should be tough out in the tournament.
Key Players: Carl Thompson 6-4 Sr (IPFW commit) Connor Johnson 6-7 Sr (Northern Michigan commit) Braylon Taylor 5-10 Jr Ajak Gieu 5-11 Sr, Will Doezema 6-6 Sr
10. Ludington (17-1)
How we got here: It was either here or Fruitport for the top team in the Lakeshore region. The Orioles are a little more experienced. Only loss came on the road to North Muskegon, one top Division III teams in the state. Well coached and experienced group coming off back-to-back regional final appearances. Schedule should stiffen up late with contests against Division I opponents in Cadillac and Traverse City West.
Key Players: Taj Wiliams 6-0 Jr, Cameron Gunsell 6-3 Sr (Ferris St Football commit) Messiah Himes 6-0 Jr Kyle Himes Jr 6-1 Soph, Steele Stowe 6-2 Jr
Honorable Mention
Benton Harbor (17-2) Paw Paw (12-6) South Haven (13-1) Chelsea (11-3) Detroit Edison (14-6) Battle Creek Pennfield (14-4) Flint Powers Catholic (13-4) Fruitport (14-2) Yale (17-2) Detroit Country Day (12-6)
