MHSAA Preview: Five More For Division II

Way back in the beginning of June. 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

Detroit Country Day (10-14) The record in parentheses isn’t very impressive from last year. However the Yellowjackets are independent program who faced a gauntlet of a schedule. What is impressive is the collection of young talent that is beginning to percolate at this program. Christian Cast is a 6-3 2027 backcourt prospect who is firmly in the mix as the top overall player in his class. He has everything you want in guard except a mature physical frame. As a sophomore, it might have came in the last few months. I was was very impressed by his play with the The Family on the prestigious EYBL circuit this summer. Not far behind him (maybe equal) in that conversation is 6-6 2027 Isaiah Marino. Marino has the versatility and frame to play positions 2-5 at the high school level. The youth movement goes beyond headliners as well. Lance Kukes has size and toughness while Anthony Cartwright III is a highly touted football recruit. Both are 2027’s who run about 6-5. If the underclassmen begin to play like upperclassmen this year. This could be a special group. Country Day was THE program of my youth. If this young group sticks together under head coach Darryl Nobles they could be headed back to those lofty heights.

Detroit University Prep (17-9) I’m not going to lean on some “addition by subtraction” cliche. Let’s be clear the graduation of St Bonaventure bound Xander Wedlow is going to be tough to replace. Wedlow was a HUGE presence both literally and figuratively for the Panthers. That being said— his departure opens up some driving lanes. University Prep is thankfully loaded with dynamic guards who put pressure on the rim. Six foot senior Dimaunye Smith-Powe is the powerful engine that makes this backcourt attack go. A physically imposing point guard who is coming off a big junior season and grassroots campaign. He is supported by fellow senior Ryan Neal who is just as explosive with a bit more vertical size (6-3). The junior class is fronted by Darnell Murphy who is talented and has fought through injuries early in his career. The junior class also has a bit more size in the 6-4 duo of Christopher Bryd and Maurice Jackson. This duo also has perimeter ability to go with the size. That is a lot of returning talent for a squad coming off a quarterfinal appearance.

Goodrich (21-6) Like Detroit University Prep (see above) Goodrich is a quarterfinal squad from last year that returns much of their rotation. Unlike University Prep, the Martians (great mascot) will not lack for size. Led by 6-8 Indianapolis (Division II) commitment Parker LePla, Goodrich has some serious beef down low. LePla has an old school post frame. With a thick lower body and broad shoulders. However he has new school skill set. He is light on his feet with the ball skills to take his game out on the perimeter if needed. The perimeter attack stays within the family with 2027 wing prospect Jensen LePla. The younger LePla has plenty of size (6-5) but also has deep range and a solid handle. He had an outstanding grassroots campaign with D-Rice Elite. The entire team is large as fellow 2027 Drew Aagesen (6-5) will complement the elder LaPla on the block. While there is no substitute for size. Thes is also no substitute for experience. Goodrich is led by longtime head coach Gary Barns one of the active career coaching win leaders in the state. Size, skill, and seasoning on the bench. That is a recipe for success for this Flint area program that feels like it’s been knocking on the door for a while.

Hudsonville Unity Christian (18-5) This perennial West Michigan parochial power was lined up for a big season last year. That was before a spate of downright terrifying injuries (neck, cardiac) impacted the start. It is a testament to strength and depth of this program that still put together a successful regular season. Much of the rotation that stepped up returns and the Crusaders will be deep and talented once again. This group isn’t really fronted by any one player with a balanced and egalitarian attack. I was impressed with junior guards Kyler Berghuis and Brogan Sherd (pictured) in multiple viewing this summer with the Northcoast Premier AAU squad. They are both guards in the 6-0 to 6-2 range who play bigger with some bounce off the floor. There is also plenty of size down low with senior Jake Chapman and junior Owen VanderWaal. Like their backcourt teammates. This is a duo with similar and complementary skill sets in the 6-6 to 6-7 range. I mentioned above that Goodrich has a lot of wins on their bench. That pales in comparison to the resume of multi-time state championship head coach Scott Soodsma. This isn’t his first rodeo and he knows how to utilize a rotation this is this deep and talented.

Imlay City (17-6) The Thumb region of Michigan is not particularly known for producing state championship caliber teams. Particularly in the larger classifications. While “state championship” might still be a little too high of bar. The Spartans have a chance to be very good this year. They will be led by 6-7 multi faceted Zander Nash. The hyper versatile and very lengthy Nash is capable of playing all five positions at the high school level. The high academic prospect averaged nearly a double double of 20 points and 8 rebounds last year. He will be supported by 6-3 seniors Landon Jones and Matthew Evans. The x-factor could be the possible contributions of Jalen Gauthier. Gauthier is a 6-5 freshman who I was very impressed with in limited viewings this summer. That grouping of four brings a lot of size of positional versatility. The Spartans have beefed up their schedule and are playing all over the state. That could pay dividends in March.