MHSAA January Division III Power Poll

With the recent conclusion of a slew Holiday showcases and tournaments. Most teams are now at least a third of the way through their season. So while it’s not exactly the “quarter pole”. It’s as good of a time as any to check in on all four classifications. Important note, this is not Bracketolgy. Just a look at this scouts humble opinion of the top teams in each division. After giving you Division IV yesterday. We’ll slide on up to Division III.

Division III (current record in parentheses)

1. McBain (5-0) I’m not a big numbers guy. However it’s nice when statistics back up the eye test. The Ramblers have the highest MPR score in the division. Beyond that, they have the third highest score in the entire state regardless of class. While this measurement is inherently flawed and probably won’t last the season. It does give you an idea of the elite level McBain is playing at. Tucked away in rural Northern Michigan. I don’t think people statewide realize how big, and more importantly— how talented this team is. If they can beat a Division I opponent in Cadillac this coming Monday. I don’t see a loss remaining on their schedule. Last year Traverse City St Francis was barely tested in the postseason all the way to the Division III final. McBain could be this year’s version. Led by 6-9 senior center Evan Haverkamp (pictured) with the capability to run out a lineup of all 6-4 and taller. The Ramblers will be a tough out in March.
2. Riverview Gabriel Richard (6-1) Even if McBain were to defeat Cadillac on Monday. I’m not sure anyone in the division will have a better non conference victory than the Pioneers’ 58-55 win over defending Division II semifinalist Romulus Summit Academy North. Additionally losing to Detroit Catholic Central isn’t much of demerit either. They might be the preseason #1 team next year as they are led by a host of juniors. Headlined by high scoring lead guard Luke Westerdale. Outside of the Summit victory they also have an impressive neutral site victory over…..
3. Niles Brandywine (7-1) The Bobcats are two points away from an 8-0 start against a difficult schedule. Falling to the aforementioned Riverview Gabriel Richard at the Motor City Roundball Classic. They are the polar opposite of the team at the top of the rankings. Extremely talented but not a lot of size. They are led by the law firm of Palmer, Palmer & Goins. The first part of the masthead is the 6-0 senior duo of Jamier Palmer and Jaremiah Palmer. Dynamic jack-of-all-trades type guards. The point is helmed by electric 5-9 sophomore Nylen Goins. Together they might be the most explosive trio in the division. They have plenty of big game experience after advancing the state semifinals last year. They could be headed back again.
4. Chesaning (8-0) Undefeated by the slimmest of margins with two overtime victories. They are a classic “drop down” team. A good Division II squad last season who has high expectations now playing in a lower division. They were very impressive at an early season showcase victory over Carrollton at Saginaw Valley St. They have size led by leading scorer Mason Struck in the post. They are also getting good guard play from a steady group led by Nate Ferry.
5. Iron Mountain (7-0) One of the premier programs in the Upper Peninsula for nearly a decade is fully reloaded and ready to go. They had high expectations for a deep run last season with a one loss regular season. However they were upset in the district final by Menominee. A loss like that tends to galvanize a team. Especially one that returns much of their core. They have not really been tested yet. However they will be soon against Kingsford and the revenge opportunity with Menominee. Led by 6-6 junior forward Oskar Kangas the Mountaineers might be the only team with enough size to keep #1 on this list from the Breslin Center.
6. Lainsburg (6-0) It’s been a minute since the Wolfpack lost a regular season game. They went undefeated last year while playing one of the more difficult small school slates in the Central Michigan Athletic Conference. Although the scores might not reflect it at times. There is not an easy game in that conference. They are led by senior Zander Woodruff. A versatile and dynamic scorer who excelled the last two summers with DV45 in AAU.
7. Pewamo-Westphalia (7-1) Speaking of Lainsburg, that is the only blemish on the Pirates record. A nail biting overtime loss. Accordingly I’ll place these two squads right next each other and wait for the second contest January 23rd. Pewamo has been consistently good for a while without having that “bell cow” star player. Well now they do. 6-3 Sophomore Grady Eklund can play with anyone and has proved it regionally with the Grand Rapids Storm. Outside of the loss, Pewamo has two impressive non conference victories against Saginaw Nouvel and Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern. These victories provide a glimpse of their ceiling when they are clicking.
8. Watervliet (5-1) The Panthers have nice mix of size, experience, and youth. The size and experience comes in the form of senior Kaiden Bierhalter. The youth is led by sophomore guard Jacob Pleyer. Who is trending towards being one the top players in the 2026 class. Their only loss came to a large school from the Chicago suburbs. Outside of that, they haven’t really been tested yet. That is why I have my eye on next Tuesday’s contest against Schoolcraft. If they win that one decisively. Then they might need to jump up a few spots on this list.
9. Flint Beecher (4-4) Call me sucker for tradition and history. But I am not ready to move on from the defending state champion just yet. Yes, they lost quite a bit from last years squad. However take a look at those losses. Carman-Ainsworth, Goodrich, and (gulp) Orchard Lake St Mary’s. These are state championship level squads in higher divisions. Kind of like people hanging onto Alabama early this year in college football. I’ll start to panic when they lose to a team they are supposed to beat,
10. Menominee (7-1) If I’m going to use MPR to justify #1. I have to consider it once again for the last spot. Menominee has the second highest MPR score in the division. Once again, those are probably skewed a bit by an unusual schedule. But like McBain, they do back up the eye test. The Maroons were impressive winning a tip off tournament in Benzie Central to start the season. When you consider this was done with very little practice time due to their appearance in the football state finals. Looking good that early is even more impressive. They also have a victory over St Ignace and bunch of teams from Wisconsin. Their lone loss came out of state. I will be watching the February 5th rematch with Iron Mountain from last season’s district final.