MHSAA Preview: Division I Preseason Top 10
…..and then there was one.
We finally culminate a long running ranking rollout with the big boys of Division I. Beginning in June and running through the present. I’ve given you 15 teams to watch— minus numerical rankings.
Now let’s whittle it down to a final ten and assign some rankings. For brevity and since it’s already been covered. The team capsules will be brief. You can follow the links below if you would like a more in depth look at the teams and their backgrounds.
End of July Top here
November Additional Five here
Division I is tough to peg. Larger enrollments mean more good players and consequently more good teams. A top 10 is hard. I’m going to stick with the ten I ran out at the end of July.
1. orchard Lake St Mary’s (27-1)
Strengths: Goodness where to start? Elite talent, with elite performances, against an elite schedule. To put more words to it. There have been a lot of very talented teams over the years. St Mary’s is difficult to beat because they seemingly always play and defend hard. With an elite one-on-one talent, they can get a bucket whenever they need one.
Concerns They could bigger along the frontline. Especially if some size chooses to start their college gridiron career early. I haven’t heard this, but this can change quickly. There is going to be a lot of well earned hype around this team. Playing national prep school opponents and other high profile games. I don’t think it will reach Emoni Bates levels. But as someone who witnessed that phenomenon. It can overwhelmingly and exhausting if not handled properly. As the ranking suggest, I don’t see that happening. However it could play a role.
Key Players: Senior 6-4 SG Trey McKenney (pictured-Michigan commitment) Senior 6-2 PG Sharod Barnes (Western Michigan) Senior 5-11 PG Isaiah Hines, Sophomore 6-2 PG Peyton Kemp,
2. East Lansing (24-3)
Strengths: Similar to the St Mary’s group. A group of high profile players who have received attention for a long time. With a few of their last names and backgrounds. It would be easy to fall into an entitlement “trap”. But they seemingly always play so hard. Especially on the defensive end.
Concerns: Since they force so many turnovers. Sometimes they appear to struggle to get good looks in the half court. Graduated some size from last years squad. Seemingly haven’t replaced that. Not the best shooting team you’ve ever seen from beyond the arc. It might not matter. They are just that explosive in transition.
Key Players: Senior 6-5 SF Cameron Hutson (Saint Louis) Senior 6-5 SF Jayce Branson, Junior 6-2 SG Kelvin Torbert, Sophomore 6-3 SG Kingston Thomas
3. Grand Rapids Northview (18-6)
Strengths: Featuring two high level Division I prospects. The Wildcats know where they are going to go when they need a bucket. They have a guy who get his shot from beyond the arc (Swartz) and a guy who can just bully a defender in the post (Ryans) Well coached and experienced team who has been through some battles.
Concerns: That little thing called a pandemic can mess with one’s perception of time. It feels like EJ Ryans (Western Michigan) helmed this program for about eight years. How do they adjust to a new point guard for the first time in what feels like forever. They have the personnel to do it. It is just young and inexperienced
Key Players: Senior 6-5 SG Brady Swartz (Western Michigan) Junior 6-5 SF Cameron Ryans, Sophomore 6-4 SF Izzy Hatibu, Sophomore 6-0 PG Anthony Willis
4. Ann Arbor Huron (22-5)
Strengths: Experienced and battle tested group who beat #2 on this list to make a semifinal appearance. They return return a decent chunk of that rotation. While also adding a high profile transfer. A lot of offensive firepower and can score in a variety of ways.
Concerns: Health, I’m not a HIPAA violator. However I was told a player they were counting on is dealing with a pretty serious injury. Their star player (Moore) was pretty banged up this summer. While they did not graduate any headliners. They were solid strong players who got after it defensively. They could be hard to replace.
Key Players: Senior 6-3 PG Macari Moore (Iowa St), Senior 6-5 SF Dominic Krzesowiak, Senior 6-3 SG Kyle Brown
5. Detroit UD-Jesuit (18-6)
Strengths: A very deep and talented roster that has a little bit of everything, Including the all important four year point guard who is heading to a Division I school (Blyden) A deep bench with some underclassmen as well.
Concerns: Surviving the gauntlet that is the Catholic League. Iron sharpens iron, but you want to be playing your basketball in March. Can this group do that this year? Just like a difficult schedule, a deep rotation can cut both ways. Can they can enough people involved and find a workable rotation? Frankly a good problem to have.
Key Players: Senior 6-0 PG Leroy Blyden Jr (Toledo) Senior 6-5 SF Xavier Johnson, Senior 6-3 SG David Herron III, Junior 6-5 PF Jaden Garwood
6. Muskegon (22-3)
Strengths: Nothing really knew here. A deep, talented, and well coached rotation. Next level size on both the wing and the froncourt. Can survive injuries with ease as they will also have a very strong JV team depending on who stays down.
Concerns: Going into the year I had concerns about the point guard position. A high profile transfer alleviated that. Who is the “go to” guy for the Big Reds this year. There are a lot of options.
Key Players: Junior 6-3 SG James Martin, Senior 6-7 PF Elija Langston (Ferris St) Senior 6-4 SF Keashaun Johnson (Ferris St) Senior 5-9 PG Darryl Thompkins Jr
7. Detroit Renaissance (16-7)
Strengths: Arguably the best backcourt in the entire state. They have a an explosive lead guard who plays some of the best on ball defense in the state. A junior scoring machine who excels at getting to the basket on the wing. Along with an improved senior who is a good shooter from beyond the arc.
Concerns: While the backcourt is going to be really good. I have some questions about the frontcourt. Traditionally you are going to have to rebound and protect the rim to win in the rugged PSL. Can the Phoenix do that at a high enough level for this backcourt to reach their full potential?
Key Players: Senior 5-8 PG Lance Stone (Detroit Mercy) Junior 6-2 SG Jordan Sigmon, Senior 6-1 SG Malachi Jackson
8. Detroit Cass Tech (22-3)
Strengths: Rinse, repeat, defend, and win. That has been the formula since head coach Steve Hall has returned to his alma mater. They will do the same this with a cadre of tough as nails guards.
Concerns: Defense will never be a concern with this program. Will they score enough? With their top guard ready to take the next step as a sophomore. The answer is probably a yes. As good as their football program has been of late. This is the furthest they have played in the last few years. Does their state championship game thus weekend impact how Corey Sadler and others start the season?
Key Players: Sophomore 6-2 PG Stevie Hall, Senior 6-5 SF Lee Harris (Tuskegee) Senior 6-1 SG Darian Smith-Gervin (Siena Heights) Senior 5-11 PG Donivan Eddin (Siena Heights)
9. Byron Center (18-6)
Strengths: Had one of the bigger and better frontcourts last year. After a transfer addition they will still be in that position after graduating a few members from that unit. The backcourt is much improved and played well in both the grassroots and team camp seasons. They remind me a lot of the successful Zeeland West squad from last year. A group of seniors who have built methodically and are ready to break through in a big way.
Concerns: One of their key backcourt contributors (Isaac Lee) is going to get a bit of a late start to the season. As the Bulldogs are in the state championship this week on the gridiron. How quickly can he (and maybe others) adjust to the hardwood.
Key Players: Senior 6-9 C Camden Karel (Bowling Green) Senior 6-5 PF Jaden Bowman, Senior 5-10 PG Keane Hinkle, Junior 6-1 PG Cassius Bont
10. Belleville (18-6)
Strengths: A deep, talented, and largely senior laden rotation. Physical group that is well coached and guards hard. One of the better units I saw during the team camp season. The whole team can make plays above the rim.
Concerns: While it is a senior led group. A sophomore (Coats) has the best long term potential. Is the group content letting him take the reins at times? Where does the balanced group go when they need a bucket in the clutch?
Key Players: Senior 6-8 C Braylon Mannan (Wayne St) Senior 6-3 SG Shemar Woodson Sophomore 6-3 PG Adam Coats
