MHSAA Preview: Eight is Enough for Division I
As December 1st and the start of the regular season begins to approach. I will kick this long running ranking rollout into high gear. If you are a regular reader you know the drill. Bigger enrollments means more talent, which equates to more talented teams.
After going with five additional teams for Division IV, then six more for Division III, and so on. We’ll settle with a great eight more for Division I. This will supplement the initial top 10 released in late September.
You can find first ten here
**teams are in alphabetical order with last year’s record in parentheses**
Detroit UD Jesuit (22-4)
Full disclosure, I wasn’t anticipating the Cubs being a top team in the coming year. I though the loss of Leroy Blyden (Toledo) and the retirement of a long time successful coach. Then I saw the team and various individual players in action. They are still going to be one of the more talented teams in the always deep Catholic League.
Senior Jaden Garwood is one of the hardest working players in the state. The 6-4 forward is versatile and talented. He should be ready for bigger role in his senior season. Fellow senior Solomon Spann should be more comfortable in second year in the program. Similarly the brother duo of Colin (Sr) and Clark Langdon (Jr) will be dynamic duo in the post. If some other rumored transfers can help make up for the loss of Blyden. This team could remain near the top of the state rankings. Where they spent most of last season.
East Kentwood (12-12)
The record isn’t pretty from last year. However they played a gauntlet of a scheduke and in the challenging OK Red conference. However, they were essentially a JV team working in a completely new rotation after a spate of graduation, injuries, and transfers.
After a full offseason of stability the rotation and role definition should be tighter. The rotation is very and I mean very deep. Nobody wants to read someone just lists players. The one player was by no means JV last year was now senior leader RJ Chapman. The Saginaw Valley St commit is coming off a huge spring/summer and looks to primed for a banner senior season. There is size and length up and down the roster. Like Jesuit, if a true point guard can emerge from this deep group. They should not have sub .500 regular season this year.
Holland West Ottawa (13-12)
The record isn’t the only thing that has the Panthers resembling their OK Red foe in East Kentwood (see above) West Ottawa essentially ran out a JV team and competed well against a difficult schedule. This young group has a district title to show for their efforts.
Junior Makai Campos isn’t very big, but that is about all you can ding him for. The sub six foot point is attracting plenty of Division II interest as he becomes an upperclassman. Sophomore JT Gill, and junior twins Sam and Jay Watson provide similar skill sets and plenty of depth. Explosive senior Allegan transfer Quintin Edwards is a nice luxury to have. If 6-6 sophomore Darien Stewart can take the next step in his development in the post. This is pretty close to a complete team.
Hudsonville (19-6)
So the OK Red is going to be pretty tough again… you think? The Eagles are becoming a rinse and repeat profram. Graduate multiple college level players and just reload. The Eagles will led by Jovaan Daniels, a four year varsity player who thrived in his more natural point guard role last year. Junior Alex Armstrong (6-5) is not only one of the more underrated players in the region. The talented might be one of the more underrated players in the state. Injuries impacted his spring/summer performance. If healthy he has the talent to play with anyone.
The x factor could be the development and role of freshmen Cortae Towns. Towns is an excellent shooter who will not have to worry about ball handling or playmaking this year with Daniels presence. Size and athleticism on the frontline will not be an issue. This is a deep, talented, and young group. A return to the regional finals (or further) could be in order if all the pieces jell together.
Saginaw heritage (13-9)
Any team with two senior college commitments in house should be considered a state title contender. Jaylin Cooper used a huge grassroots campaign to earn a spot with Eastern Michigan. With that stress off his chest, the explosive 6-5 wing could have a huge senior season. Fellow senior Noah Arnold (6-8) followed a similar spring glow up path to a college commitment as well. Arnold will make the short trip to Saginaw Valley St. Arnold after a meteoric rise from long lanky player still trying to grow into body. Into a legitimate rim protector and stout post option.
I did have questions about the backcourt, particularly the point guard spot after a transfer departure. However I was impressed with junior Josh Emeott at a showcase in fall. Not sure the 6-3 wing is the answer at the point. For that watch out for fellow junior Braylen Williams. Heritage has plenty of talent and might be the top team in the Saginaw area except for…
Saginaw United (18-6)
Arguably, few times have ever dealt with as much change as Saginaw Unified did last last year. They were a brand program merged from two historic programs. A little growing pains were to be expected. A five loss regular season is a pretty good accomplishment in and of itself.
The Phoenix will feature plenty of perimeter firepower. Led by senior returnee Dionquavis “Boop” Hardy. There is a lot of transfer noise with this group as well. I was very impressed with crosstown transfer Lamonte Wiley at an elite camp in the fall. Additionally junior Trevon Parham was a standout at perennial power Detroit Cass Tech the last two years. If these transfers (and others) go through. United will be one of the more talented teams in the state. Normally, I would be hesitant for a team dealing with too many transfers. The Phoenix have shown themselves to be a program that deals well with chane.
Traverse City West (19-5)
Do I think Traverse City West is a state title contender? Not necessarily, but we are up to 18 teams listed at this point. Do I think they are top 20 team— yes. The logic is this. Two years ago Cadillac rode a college player with a strong supporting cast to some solid victories over down state teams before competing with Muskegon in a regional final. Last year Marquette rode a college player with a strong supporting cast to a victory over the aforementioned Detroit Cass Tech and competitive loss in regional final. That’s essentially the sweet 16 round of the state tournament.
The Titans have thar equation this year. Senior Carter Grubb proved this spring and summer that he can play with anyone. The versatile and bouncy 6-7 prospect parlayed into s commitment at Lake Superior St. I’m a huge fan of Grubb’s game— and have been for quite some time. However I’m not sure he is primary scoring option. Traverse City Central transfer Owen Ribel is certainly a primary scoring option. The 6-2 wing has no problem scoring and has done throughout his career. If he adapt to new surroundings and mesh well with returning senior Blake LaFave. The Titans could surprise and even factor into the periphery of statewide title consideration.
Wayne Memorial (25-4)
It’s a story that has played itself out many times. A team loses a high profile player through transfer or graduation. Then everyone expects a large step back. The Zebras (great mascot) are going to be fine. A defending state finalist returning a Division I recruit? This program is in good shape.
Jaylohn Allen (6-3) is the Division I recruit in question. The Toledo commit looked well positioned in June to be Wayne’s primary scoring option. Cyrus Goins is not going go replace the transfer departure of Carlos Medlock, few could. The Flat Rock transfer is a much different player. However the lengthy 6-6 wing gives the Zebras a much different look and skillset. He looked to be fitting in nicely during the team camp season. If a player like Chase Dyer can handle the point and the frontline can develop. Wayne Memorial could end up in the same spot their season ended last season.
