MHSAA Preview: Five More for Division III
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 now kicking into the postseason 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
Harbor Springs (16-8) Might be a year early with this group. The Rams feature a junior backcourt that should ready to take the next step after being the focal point of their teams as sophomores. Braeden Flynn (5-9) hasn’t gotten much taller. However his frame has filled out considerably. Allowing him to better absorb contact on penetration. He will be joined in the backcourt by Rider Bartel, a 5-11 two guard coming off a solid spring and summer. The duo plays off each other well as they also play together in grassroots basketball. They will need to get contributions from a developing frontline to win the always deep and newly named Northern Shores conference.
LeRoy Pine River (15-8) This is a skilled, big, and deep group that might sneak up on some people this year. The Bucks have the type of size teams in larger divisions would covet. It they want to they could go 6-4, 6-6, and 6-7 along the frontline in their starting unit. Junior Mason Gugle (6-4) is the engine and has the ability to play on the perimeter and on the block. Gugle is coming into the season with some major momentum. As he had a nice run with REAL Basketball on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Along with a big season on the gridiron. The posts are senior Trevor Holmquist (6-6) and junior Stone Walker (6-7). They have good length to go along with the height. It’s not all size for the Bucks. Senior Ayden Nichols and junior Eli Smith provide backcourt firepower as well
Munising (20-5) With Flint Beecher and Detroit Old Redford moving to different divisions, and Niles Brandywine rebuilding, The Mustangs have something very few teams in the division have (see below) A winning state championship pedigree. The 2023 Division IV state champions now get to try their hand in a larger division. That team featured three sophomores who should form the backbone of the Mustang attack as seniors. Trevor Nolan will be the trigger man as a small but very experienced point guard. He has earned additional experience playing with the Great Northern Elite AAU club in the past few years as well. Nolan will supported down low by the duo of Jack Dusseault and Carson Kientz. Like Nolan, the 6-3 seniors are battle tested by deep March play. There’s no use in crying over enrollment spilled milk. They would have been one of the favorites in Division IV. With Menominee and Iron Mountain looming, it will interesting to see if the school from shores of the Pictured Rocks can make it back to the Breslin Center.
Schoolcraft (22-4) Like Munising, the Eagles have a recent state championship on the program resume. However a lot has changed in terms of coaching and personnel. One thing that remains the same is size and talent. There is a healthy dose of both in 6-4 senior guard Tucker Walther. Walther’s versatility could make him one the top players overall in the entire division. He is skinny and very lanky. However he plays with surprising strength that should give him a spot somewhere at the next level. At the division III (high school) level he can effectively play and guard the 1-4 positions. He shouldn’t need to worry about the five due to the rapidly developing 6-9 junior Jimmy Miller. There is size and depth beyond Miller as well. While the vast majority of these players weren’t around for the state championship run. They were a part of the unit that pushed Niles Brandywine to brink last March in a regional final. They should be highly motivated to go a little deeper with their side of the bracket opening up a bit.
Stockbridge (17-7) This is a big bet on the talent and upside of the player pictured at the top. Few players in the division— nor the state for that matter. Can match the length and dexterity of 6-8 senior post Shannon Henderson. Can he put it all together as a senior? Judging from his participation in the School Days Elite Open Runs in the fall, the answer is yes. The lefty can score from all the over the court and runs the court like a guard. However his biggest impact on the game might be defensively. If he can establish a “no fly” zone at the rim. That would pose a problem for most opponents. He also has a new coach in experienced former Webberville head man Nate Lott. If the supporting class can round into the form. The Panthers could surprise and emerge from what will be gauntlet of a path in March.
