MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

Christmas in…June? Yep, the Michigan High School Athletic Association announced district assignments for the 2023-24 boys basketball season this week, and there are some surprising gifts.

The path to the Breslin Center will look very different this winter than previous seasons, which is a positive, as top teams seem more spread out this year.

But even with a more promising outlook on the 2023-24 tournament, there are still some treacherous districts out there.

Here is a look at our top-5 toughest districts of the 2023-24 season.

Division 1 – District 7

Easily the most difficult district in the state. District 7 is in the Grand Rapids area, featuring state title contenders East Kentwood, Byron Center and Hudsonville; as well as solid sleepers Grandville and Wyoming. Jenison rounds out the district.

East Kentwood, coached by multiple state-title champion Mike Thomas, will be led by 6-9 senior Christian Humphrey-Rembert. The Falcons also boast one of the state’s best backcourts with 5-10 juniors Jah Hatchett and Darryl Thompkins leading the offense. East Kentwood also has solid depth, led by 6-2 sharpshooter Landon Storms.

Byron Center boats one of the tallest and most exciting lineups in the state. Led by 6-9 junior forward Camden Karel, who has seen his recruitment explode this spring/summer, Byron Center has plenty of offensive firepower. The Bulldogs will likely also start 6-5 forwards Jayden Brock and Ben Heagle; as well as 6-2 sophomore point guard Cassius Bont and 6-0 junior Isaac Lee. For what it’s worth, the Bulldogs will host the district.

Hudsonville and Grandville are led by future college athletes, with 6-2 senior point guard Brayden Szmarej spearheading Hudsonville and 6-8 power forward, and Grand Valley St. commit, Cameron Regnerus leading Grandville. Both teams also have very talented rosters with depth, height and versatility.

Prediction: East Kentwood

Division 1 – District 20

Even though this district lost River Rouge this season, it remains one of the most difficult in the state.

Led by Cass Tech, the defending Division 1 state champs, District 20 features some of the state’s best players. The Technicians will once again be led by nationally-ranked 6-2 guard Darius Acuff. Detroit Martin Luther King will be led by 6-3 PG, and San Diego commit, Chas Lewless.

Detroit Western will be led by 6-6 forward Frederick Saunders, who can jump out of the gym. Grosse Pointe South has joined this district, and it will be led by 6-2 PG Karter Richards. Grosse Pointe North joined its cross-town rivals and will be led by 6-3 CG James Phillips Jr.

As a team, Cass Tech will be heavy favorites to not only win the district but to potentially return to the Breslin Center. But with so many great players in one district, all it takes is one team to get hot at the right time to make it out.

Prediction: Cass Tech

Division 1 – District 21

We didn’t have to look far to find another brutal district. District 21 features state title contenders U of D Jesuit and Detroit Renaissance. It also features solid squads such as Hamtramck and Warren Fitzgerald.

I could write about Jesuit for days. The Cubs are my pick to win a state title this season, but they first have to get through a tough district. The Cubs feature a balanced starting lineup with 6-1 PG Leroy Blyden Jr., 6-1 SG Ryan Hatcher, 6-4 SF Xavier Johnson, 6-5 SF Gerrard McCoy and 6-7 PF Sebastian Randolph. Jesuit also has a highly ranked So., 6-4 Jaden Garwood, coming off the bench.

Renaissance boasts an electric backcourt comprised of 5-7 PG Lance Stone and 6-2 SG Jordan Sigmon. Both have multiple D1 college offers and could ignite a spirited postseason run. Renaissance lacks ideal size and height, but with an abundance of backcourt options, they could trap and shoot their way past anyone.

Hamtramck and Fitzgerald have solid overall athleticism, enough to possibly pull up an upset or two come March.

Prediction: UD Jesuit

Division 2 – District 45

At first glance, this appears to be the second most difficult district in the state. The MHSAA, which did a great job overall, wasn’t very nice to the Grand Rapids area. Like District 7 pitted some of the area’s top D1 teams against each other, this district is loaded with the area’s top D2 teams.

State title contenders Grand Rapids Christian, South Christian and Hudsonville Unity Christian are all in this district. South Christian returns most of its lineup from last season’s state runner-up squad. Unity reached the quarterfinals last season, and GR Christian reached the regional finals.

Led by 6-9 senior Jaylen Ouwinga and 6-5 forward Nathan Johnson, GR Christian should have the height advantage. Led by 6-3 junior Carson Vis and 6-1 Sr. Jake Vermaas, South Christian will be the best from beyond the arc. Unity, led by a trio of 6-6 forwards and 6-3 rising guard T.J. Fisher, are solid on both ends of the court.

This district also features Godwin Heights, who could be led by rising 6-6 So., Isiah Guyton, who made a splash this AAU season.

Prediction: GR Christian

Division 3 – District 82

This stacked district may not be quite as eye-popping as the other four. However, it will be no less competitive.

Laingsburg and Stockbridge appear to be the favorites. They will face competition from perennial solid programs such as Bath, Perry, Leslie and Dansville.

Laingsburg will be led by 6-3 senior Xander Woodruff and 6-2 senior Ty Randall. Those two could combine for 35-40 points per game. Stockbridge will be led by 6-9 junior Shannon Henderson and 6-1 senior Keegan Collins. Both teams have solid depth behind their two stars.

Prediction: Laingsburg