MHSAA misfires: Division IV Misses
Despite what my penchant for missed personal deadlines might belie. I spend a lot of time on my preseason ranking rollouts. Accordingly, I feel pretty good about them and I’m not going update the lists until after the holidays.
That being said, there will invariably be mistakes and oversights. Do not consider these to be amendments or full-scale mea culpas. It’s still very early in the season. However, following are five more teams that deserve early recognition. I will provide the links for the previous lists. If you put them all together you will have full watch list of 20 plus teams for the season in Division IV
Final Preseason Top 10 here
Additional Group of Five here
…and if you want the first group of ten from way back in the summer you can find that here
Baldwin (3-0)
A longtime Class D (that’s what they called it kids) power looks to be rejuvenated under head coach and former star player Brandon Childress. Not a lot of size down low, but they have good size on the perimeter. They are led by 6-3 senior wing Chance Dockery (pictured above) Dockery has the size and athletic ability to shoot over most defenders at the Division IV level. The point is capably manned by junior Pierre Johnson who looked talented and quick at a team camp this summer. The Panthers have beefed up the schedule this season. They are in a holiday tournament and will take on ranked Traverse City Christian later in the year.
Battle Creek St Phillip (3-2)
I often write about teams fronted by twin brothers. As a matter of fact, I will do it more than once later in this piece. Not sure I ever highlighted a team led by triplets. The Fighting Tigers are that rare case. Additionally, after strong careers, Carter, Jackson, and Lincoln Dzwik are all seniors. Jackson, a 6-3 guard has already scored 1,000 career points. He averaged just over 18 points per game last season and should put together a strong senior season. While they already have two losses. They have come against quality opponents. The upcoming contest with last team on this list should be a good one.
Bear Lake (5-1)
Like the group above them, a familial attack for the Lakers. Twins Grady and Myles Harless are looking to cap off strong four-year varsity runs. They are off to a very strong start thus far. Both players are in the 6-2 to 6-4 range and are versatile players who stuff the stat sheet. Both are averaging nearly 20 points per game on the young season. The non familial third cog is 6-0 senior guard Easton Nowak. All three played together this spring/summer with the Parallel 45 AAU club. Sophomore guard Myles Hallead is off to good start on varsity and provides defensive pop.
Harbor Springs Harbor Light Christian (3-0)
Young group that is off to a good start after advancing to a regional final last year. The Swordsmen are fronted by junior guard Landon Jakeway. Jakeway is already in the 1,000-point club and has “plenty” of varsity experience as he becomes an upperclassman. I use the quotes intentionally as Jakeway began playing varsity basketball as a 7th grader due to Harbor Light’s low enrollment numbers. Jakeway is joined in the backcourt by fellow junior Daniel Urman. Seniors Ayden Burns and Travis Rose provide experience and defensive depth.
Mendon (5-0)
In a school more known for their gridiron exploits. The Hornets are starting to make noise on the hardwood. One last time, we have a unit with strong familial bonds. Twin brothers Ryder and Owen Gorham are explosive guards who stand just south of six feet. Ryder is a prolific outside shooter and coming off a BCAM All State season. Carter Hutson is a fellow 6-0 guard who provides a dangerous third perimeter option. The Hornets have size down low in 6-4 junior Dante Goto.
