Midseason MHSAA Division I Top Ten

After giving you Michigan’s two smallest classifications last week. I’ll tackle the big boys now that we are at the halfway point. Similar to the smaller classifications, I’ll give you a top 10 along with brief capsules including resumes and concerns. I’ll also provide some additional teams to watch

If you want to check my work here

1. Detroit UD Jesuit (12-1)

Resume: I’m not going to wade into the muddy waters that are the MHSAA transfer portal. I’ll just say this, this team is undefeated on the court. They have done it against a tough schedule both in and out of the Detroit Catholic League. They have high level college talent and depth. Including some transfers who have fit in well to their rotation. They have defeated #2 on this list two straight years. Point guard Leroy Blyden Jr (Toledo) is having outstanding senior year. Senior Xavier Johnson and junior Jaden Garwood are a strong mirror image forward duo. This is a loaded group that has more than earned this spot.

Concerns: Finding a weakness with #1 ranked team in the state…. Hmm…. They have played a difficult schedule. That being said, they have yet to leave the Metro Detroit area for a game. That is rare, but not for them. Will that matter in March?

2. Orchard Lake St Mary’s (8-5)

Resume: For a wide variety of reasons. You can throw out most of those losses. Three of them came out of state. One of them came to a nationally ranked prep school. When you have a top 20 player nationally and last year’s state championship banner hanging in the rafters. You get a bit of a mulligan. You know what you are going to get from Trey McKenney (Michigan) However 6-8 sophomore Quincy Wright appears to be coming into his own. Freshman Mateen Cleaves Jr has looked ready for prime time off the bench. This group might have even more depth than last years squad. That is a scary thought.

Concerns: In my preseason rankings, I mentioned the quasi-national schedule they were getting ready to play. Personally I’m all for it. However that is a lot of attention and buzz. Five losses is still five losses. Could it be too much? We will find out in March.

3. Rockford (12-1)

Resume: Perhaps this is a guilt ranking. I missed badly by not ranking this team in the preseason. They gave St Mary’s a serious scare early in the season. Holding a lead heading into the fourth quarter. That gives you an idea of their lofty potential. Junior Jake Bascom is making a strong case to be near the top of Michigan’s 2026 class. Senior Michael DeKuiper (Calvin) and a junior Dylan Gross have been dynamic in the backcourt. The freshmen duo of Eli Wolfe and Josh Bascom have fit in seamlessly.

Concern: I didn’t rank them due to concerns about their front court depth and how the freshmen would integrate into the rotation. The “freshman” question has been answered quickly and loudly. The front court? The teams that have given them problems (St Mary’s, Byron Center, Hudsonville) all have some front court size. That question might still need to be answered.

4. East Lansing (12-1)

Resume: If you are just going off the eye test. When this team is rolling and getting out in transition. They are the most impressive team in the state. Looking back in few years, this squad might feature five players playing Division I basketball. I’m not sure anyone can match that talent level. The emergence of sophomore Kingston Thomas has given them a new backcourt dimension. The senior duo of Cameron Hutson (Saint Louis) and Jayce Branson look to be on a mission in their final campaign together. At times junior Kelvin Torbert Jr looks to be the best prospect of the bunch. This squad is loaded.

Concerns: I get rivalries. I used to be a high school educator. I understand that volatile nature of working with kids. However this team always seems to have a game that leaves you scratching your head. The home double overtime victory against Okemos is this year’s version. Oh how I wish their victory over St Mary’s would have been with the Eaglets at full strength.

5. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (13-1)

Resume: Like Rockford another team I missed badly on by not ranking them in the preseason. Honestly I might still be underestimating them. Their only loss has come to the #1 team on this list. They also have emphatic victories over Warren Lincoln and Muskegon. They have done it with heavy backcourt defense from David Williams, Jeremiah Caffey, Greg Grays Jr, and Jacob Lamb.

Concerns: Also similar to Rockford, I have questions about their front court depth. Can 6-8 junior Trevor Smith man the paint and stay out of foul trouble? The aforementioned backcourt pressure certainly helps. They get their first crack at St Mary’s in a few days. They could make this ranking look foolish once again.

6. Detroit Cass Tech (7-1)

Resume: Death, taxes, and the Technicians in the state championship conversation. Sophomore guard Stevie Hall looks like the next point guard from a program that continues to pump them out. Depending on what he chooses to do on the gridiron. This could be junior Corey Sadler’s last run on the hardwood. 6-5 senior Lee Harris (Tuskegee) is having a big year and provides versatility.

Concerns: I understand how the famed Detroit PSL schedules with a conference tournament at the end. The Operation Friendship game will also probably be on their schedule. That being said— 8 games is awfully thin. I think there is an out of state game that isn’t showing up. Cass is used to this, but could it be too back loaded for a young team heading into March?

7. Muskegon (10-2)

Resume: You could copy and paste Cass Tech’s intro here. The Big Reds don’t rebuild, they just reload. The resume and team has a bit of everything. College players, size, and young talent. They also have impressive victories (East Lansing, Hudsonville) and two tough losses (Brother Rice, Warren Lincoln) If junior James Martin can continue to take next step as a wing scorer the potential for this team will continue to rise.

Concerns: Honestly, not many. If one of their losses had went the other way. I would have them much higher. Not sure if they have a knockdown outside shooting option. This team at #7 is a picture of how deep Division I this year.

8. Ann Arbor Huron (9-2)

Resume: When the season began I had questions about health and integrating a high profile transfer. Those have largely been alleviated after a slow start. Both losses were to quality opponents and came early. If Macari Moore (Iowa St) is healthy in March the River Rats can make return trip to the Breslin Center.

Concerns: Like a lot of teams listed across four divisions. I wonder if they have enough depth along the frontline. Outside of that, not too many questions for a team loaded with perimeter firepower.

9. Hudsonville (8-3)

Resume: Outside of St Mary’s and their absurd schedule. This is the only group with more than two losses on this list. Junior Jovaan Daniels has stepped seamlessly into a big hole the Eagles had at point guard. Isaiah Hamlet appears to have found a home as a senior. They don’t have a bad loss. Lost at the buzzer to the #3 on this list.

Concerns: The questions I have were largely answered and covered above. They are talented, but where do they go when they need a bucket late? I think that answer is a little clearer right now for the other top teams in the Grand Rapids area.

10. Lansing Waverly (10-2)

Resume: Experienced head coach Rod Watts is building something sustainable at Waverly. 6-7 Junior Xavier Pendergrass has transformed his body and is much improved in the post. Fellow 6-3 junior Derrick Thomas provides a versatile inside/out option.

Concerns: The guards are talented. They are just not very big. Can the interior size and strength make up for this? Are Pendergrass and Thomas ready to take the reins as juniors?

Honorable Mention

Belleville (10-1) You don’t have to look hard to see the methodology here. I ranked them in the preseason, I believe in their talented rotation. Their only loss came to Lansing Waverly. If that was a win, they would be comfortably in the top 10. Their schedule will stiffen up late and they will get a chance to prove they belong in the top group.

Detroit Martin Luther King (8-2) I like the talent of this young squad. I take the record info directly from the MHSAA site. I believe there is an early season loss from the Chicago area not included. Not sure why that is. Perhaps it counted as a scrimmage. Junior guard Steven Jones is having a breakout year.

Grand Rapids Northview (10-2) High upside group that didn’t get off to the best start. Both losses came early and to teams ranked above. I’m not going to give up on a team with two college wings in Brady Swartz (Western Michigan) and junior Cameron Ryans. The last I saw them, their sophomores were beginning to get comfortable in their roles.

Oxford (13-0) I like their record and margins of victory. I really like senior guard Jake Champagne. I’m not crazy about their schedule. If 6-3 junior Brennan Elling has developed into a consistent sweet shooting second option. I like this team even more.

Wayne Memorial (9-2) Junior laden group might be a little under the radar as they have tested themselves three times out of state. Gave St Mary’s a tough game over Christmas. They have an excellent backcourt. Senior Austin Tory has used a late growth spurt to give the Zebras an option down low. If this team sticks together they will be comfortably in the top 10 next year. Perhaps this year if they remain unscathed through a late season gauntlet.