MHSAA Preview: Five More For Division II
With the season tipping off Monday. I’m into to OT on my preseason preview series. Moving onto the largest classifications in Michigan is tough. As larger enrollments means more good teams. It’s not bias, just simple math. I’ll embed my way-to-early previews from May. Then give you five more teams to watch. There will be changes in these lists as the high school transfer portal works its way out. I’ll release a final preseason top 10 before the big tip off events kick off this weekend. (Last years record in parentheses)
Detroit University Prep (8-17) No other way to say it. That is not a great record from last year. However it came against an absolute gauntlet of a schedule. In this big three era of basketball. Few will be have a better big three than the Panthers. It starts down low with 6-9 Xander Wedlow. Wedlow is possibly the best unsigned senior in the state. He is skilled, has a college ready frame and long arms. Few can match his physical gifts. He will be a major factor on both ends of the court. The backcourt will be dynamic with 6-1 senior Tyler Lowry and junior Dimaunye Smith-Powe Lowry is lanky sweet shooting lefty. The presence of Smith-Powe will allow Lowry to roam a little more off the ball. Smith-Powell might be one of the more underrated players in the 2025 class. Built like a fullback with healthy dose of speed and athleticism. He could really break out this year.
Flint Powers Catholic (16-8) Might be a year early on this group. They are young and have not played a lot of regular season basketball together. However they are talented and have shooters all over the court. They are led by junior point Javontae Ross. A good ball handler with devastating change of direction ability. They will add not one— but two of the best shooters in the state. Junior 6-5 twins Dempsey and Jesse Cull should be more than ready to go after sitting out last year due to a transfer. We should know pretty quickly how well this group is gelling. As they take on a really good Schoolcraft squad at a showcase at Saginaw Valley St this Saturday.
Ferndale (21-8) The defending state champions took some lumps last year in the regular season. They also sustained heavy graduation losses from their rotation. So why the mention? With an influx of a talented group of freshmen. The cupboard is most definitely not bare. Returnees Trenton Ruth and Darion Johnson should provide more than just rotational stability. They are both talented enough to take on larger roles Ruth is coming off a good summer with DTO Elite on the Under Armour circuit. Johnson has good size and runs about 250 pounds. The x-factors however will be a talented group of incoming freshmen. You never know who will be ultimately ready out of the gate. However I feel pretty safe in saying 6-7 Eden Vinyard is ready for prime time. The talented post played up an age division with The Family on the prestigious EYBL. I was also extremely impressed with his skill level at a freshman showcase in the fall.
Whitehall (17-6) As long as junior standout Camden Thompson’s (pictured) broken toe from football doesn’t linger. The Vikings should be one of the better Division II teams on the lakeshore. Thompson is a 6-5 do-it-all forward attracting major recruiting interest on both the gridiron and the hardwood. He is a talented player. That being said, every time I watch him I come away impressed with how often he just simply outworks his opponents. Especially on the glass. He is joined down low by fellow 6-5 junior Kal Koehler. Another junior Camar Ready capably mans the point. The Vikings are definitely scheduling like a team with high expectations. With a neutral site game against Grand Rapids Northview and road trip against Cadillac in the non conference.
Ludington (20-3) We’ll stay on the lakeshore and in the West Michigan Conference for our last squad. On paper are the Orioles one of the top 15 teams in Division II— probably not. However games are not played on paper. Ludington has some things breaking for them to be factor in the state tournament. For starters their side of the bracket has opened a bit with Cadillac sliding up to Division I. They also have a four year starting point guard in David Shillinger. He has been through some battles in both the regular season and grassroots basketball. If 6-3 sophomore Cameron Gunsell can find a role in a deep rotation the overall talent level should go up. Lastly, this isn’t head coach Thad Shank’s first rodeo. Watch out for this bunch in March.
