MHSAA Preview: Five More for Division I
Way back at the end of July I rolled out a “Way to Early” top 10 for each of Michigan’s four classifications. With football nearing completion it’s time add to that initial list. Just like the inaugural rollout. No numerical rankings yet. Teams are in alphabetical order with last years record in parentheses. This isn’t an honorable mention list. One or more from the group will be in the final preseason list.
You can find the original group of ten here
Birmingham Groves (13-12) This squad will be case study in gauging how AAU success can translate to the regular season. Seniors Joshua Gibson (pictured) and John Simpson had perhaps the best grassroots campaigns of any players statewide. With outstanding high level performances in prestigious events across the Midwest. They parlayed their success into Division II commitments to Alabama-Huntsville and Northwood respectively. Importantly they did it together on the same squad with the Michigan Playmakers. Gibson is unique prospect. As positional size continues to expand, Gibson is the rare 6-2 two guard. He plays with an extreme level of bounce that helps him play much taller than his height. He can also play the point when needed. However he really excels as a slasher making plays well above the rim. Simpson has similar positional versatility at 6-5. Flashing the ability to play on the block, out on the perimeter, and more importantly above the rim. With the all winning done in the spring and summer by this duo— it begs the question. Can they flip the script on what was 12 loss team from last year? A third option could help. Landon McKinney, a 6-2 senior who also had a strong grassroots campaign could be ready to step into that role.
Clarkston (14-12) Much like Birmingham Groves, a 12 loss squad whose players put up some huge grassroots campaigns. From REACH which featured juniors Hayden Flavin (6-8) and Cole Charter (6-4) To the North Oakland Wolfpack with seniors John Kaul (6-2) and Quinn Rosenberg (6-6) It felt like I could not go to a tournament this summer without seeing a Clarkston player showing out. Beyond the AAU plaudits, they had a stellar June team camp run as well. However much stock you put in June basketball, they only lost one game against stiff competition. Beyond the upperclassmen mentioned above. Also watch out for freshmen Shane Dasqui who impressed me at a showcase in the fall. This team will be big, deep, talented.
Detroit King (16-7) If you didn’t believe in the resilient program George Ward has been building at King. Last year was not great year for holding that position. Losing a Mr. Basketball candidate early in the season to an out of state transfer would be crippling for most programs. The Crusaders didn’t really miss a beat. Rebounding from an 0-2 start to come an overtime away from a district championship. They will fronted by a plethora of junior guards in Steven Jones, Drew Floyd, and Derrick Kilgore Jr. Kilgore might be the most intriguing as he is a transfer from Old Redford. The front court should be manned by junior Mareon Knott (6-4) and sophomore Tyler Hunter. Hunter is an imposing 6-8 big man with a ton of upside. One thing missing from this write up is the word “senior”. This is a program with both a bright present and future.
Rockford (18-5) In retrospect might have been the most glaring omission from the original group of ten. Rockford is one the largest high schools in the state and has a healthy hoops history. This might be the most talented teams they have had from top to bottom since their 2003 state championship squad. So why would a talent scout leave them out? I was concerned how their mix of experienced and very young talent would gel together. After watching then play together in Fall League basketball, I’m not as concerned. That being said…. it’s still just fall league basketball— impressive nonetheless. During that run they were down two starters due to football participation. Those football players will be key senior leaders in guard Michael DeKuiper (Calvin) and 6-7 versatile forward Lucas Pitsch. The post will be manned by junior 6-6 Jake Bascom who has already earned a Division II offer and interest. The wild cards will be the contributions of freshmen Josh Bascom and Eli Wolfe. If they are ready to fufill their vast potential at a place not used to playing freshmen, this could be a special team.
Wayne Memorial (18-7) Similar team Detroit King as the Zebras are led by a pair of outstanding junior guards. Carlos Medlock Jr and Jaylohn Allen could possibly be the backcourt in the state— next year. Medlock is a dynamic and experienced point guard standing just below six feet. There are not many holes in his game and he plays with an uncommon maturity. Allen is a little bigger at 6-1 and the more natural scorer of the two. The are both generating plenty of Division 1 interest already. Senior support should come from 6-5 duo of Austin Tory and Joshua Dennis. Their contributions will especially be a key component as this team is not very big on the frontline. Dennis is attracting small college attention after a standout summer with the aforementioned Michigan Playmakers squad (see above) However the x-factor could be transfer Jeremiah Smith. You never know with the MHSAA transfer portal. However if Smith is eligible, he should be quite a third perimeter option for experienced head coach Steve Brooks to utilize.
