MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

Everybody deserves a second chance, right?

Well, this article is about teams looking to bounce back after losing in their district last season. All the teams mentioned are possible state-title contenders this season.

Michigan high school basketball is stacked with great teams, so not everyone is going to win a district. We get that, so here’s a shoutout to some of this season’s top teams looking to bounce back from last season’s early exit.

Detroit Catholic Central – The Shamrocks introduce new head coach Tory Jackson this season after leading Grand Blanc to the Breslin Center last winter in his lone season there. DCC returns D1 college prospects T.J. Nadeau (6-5) and Uchenna Amene (6-2) to lead the offense. Devon Lee (6-4), Josh McKee (6-4) and Sam Howard (6-2) will likely round out the starting rotation. Asher Suardini (5-10) and Onimisi Sadiq should see heavy minutes off the bench. After losing in the district semifinal last season, the Shamrocks will look to bounce back. They are just two seasons removed from a quarterfinal appearance.

River Rouge – Winning their district was never going to be easy with eventual state champ Cass Tech in the mix, but River Rouge didn’t even get to Cass Tech, losing its district semifinal matchup against Detroit Western. Simply put, River Rouge is far too talented to suffer a similar fate once more. A strong starting five, consisting of James Weaver (6-0), Kendall Bentley (6-2), Keshawn Fisher (6-6), Memphis McDowell (5-10) and Nick Marsh (6-3) have the perfect blend of chemistry and talent. Xavier Burnett (6-2) posed a great sixth-man last season. I expect to still see River Rouge’s name on the brackets deep into March.

Saginaw Heritage – Kind of an under-the-radar program, but certainly an abundance of talent right now, Heritage looks poised for redemption of last season’s district final loss. Led by University of Toledo commit Tyler Ode (6-5), Heritage features a dynamic roster. Football star Braylon Isom (6-2) can also get it done in the gym. Gage Coonan (5-10), Joss Bradley (6-2) and Jaylin Cooper (6-3) round out the backcourt and they all enjoyed great summers. The frontcourt will be led by 6-7 junior Tamarrion Kindle and sophomore Noah Arnold (6-8). If Heritage can get past Flint Carman-Ainsworth, it could see a path to at least the quarterfinals.

Brother Rice – Losing the last two districts has been a major disappointment for a program largely believed to have the best talent in the state. Districts have been shifted since last season, so Brother Rice now has a friendly path to the quarterfinals. The Warriors will be young this season, led by senior Warren Marshall IV (6-5), sophomore Elijah Williams (6-6) and sophomore Trevor Smith (6-8). Senior power forward Luke Salkowski (6-7) will also play a large role after a breakout summer. Lead guard duties will likely be split between juniors David Williams (6-0) and Logan Hamama (5-11).

Grand Rapids Northview – Few teams in the state will have a better backcourt than Northview. Led by Western Michigan University commit E.J. Ryans (6-3), his brother Cameron Ryans (6-4), who also has D1 offers, and junior Brady Swartz (6-5) who was turning heads on a swivel this summer, Northview has a backcourt filled with size, poise, shooting, strength and athleticism. The Grand Rapids area is ripe with basketball talent, but Northview has the chance to get hot and right last season’s district wrong.

Zeeland West – This is a bit of a sleeper pick for me. Zeeland West is quietly one of the more balanced and dynamic squads in the state. Led by uncommitted senior Merritt Alderink (6-7), whom I could write about for days and who has multiple D1 offers, the Dux are in great shape. Point guard Myles Steffon (6-3) can lead the team or hit from outside. Alderink literally does everything on the court. Lukas Baker (6-5) was injured most of last season but is another athletic forward who can also shoot. I’ve been very impressed with Orion Yant (6-6) as a perfect glue guy who is a great finisher around the rim. Trenton Bolthouse (6-2), Khi Anderson (6-1) and Lincoln Jipping (6-0) should also add depth and make an impact.

Byron Center – Unfortunately for them, Bryron Center is in arguably the toughest district in the state this season. But the Bulldogs also feature one of the best rosters in the state. This is a tough one for me because I personally think East Kentwood is going to not only win the district, but also reach the Breslin Center. Yet, the Bulldogs with 6-9 star forward Camden Karel and uber athletic forwards Jayden Brock (6-4) and Ben Heagle (6-5) constantly dunking, this team had to be mentioned here after losing last season’s district. Byron Center runs about eight deep with star power and will be among the most entertaining teams to watch.

Onsted – After just missing the cutoff to go down to Division 3 from Division 2, Onsted will look to avenge last winter’s district semifinal loss. Led by senior center Ayden Davis (6-10), Onsted can largely dominate other teams in the post. Sophomore Rylan Henagan (6-3) should take a big leap forward. Seniors Drew Wendt (6-0) and Connor Szul (6-2), as well as juniors JT Hill (6-1) and Aidan Paquin (6-2) can all light it up from outside. This is a sleeper Breslin Center team in D2.

Grand Rapids Catholic Central – At one time thought to be a dynasty, GRCC has been upset in the state finals and then upset in the district semifinals each of the last two seasons. But don’t fear, GRCC still has one of the state’s best players in University of Michigan commit Durral Brooks (6-2). Brooks is a crafty floor general who excels on defense and getting to the basket. He doesn’t have much of a jump shot, but he’s usually still the best player on the court. GRCC will be deep with Ferris State commit Carter Meerman (6-0), DJ Nystrom (6-2), Brieland Watkins (6-2) and Zay Larthridge (6-4) all making up an elite backcourt. The frontcourt will be led by Isaiah Hamlet (6-7) and Jack Bowen (6-6). With most of Grand Rapids’ best D2 teams all crammed in the same district, GRCC has a fairly open run to the quarterfinals on the other side of the bracket.

Williamston – Two seasons removed from a state title, Williamston almost knocked off Chelsea in the district finals last season even though they were in the midst of a deep rebuilding year. Now up to speed, Williamston looks poised to contend again, led by a trio of athletic stars whom all have great positional height. Hudson Hunt (6-5) will start as the team’s stretch 4, while Ben Smith (6-4) has great height for his shooting guard spot. Zachary Cribbs (6-3) is extremely versatile and could be the team’s leading scorer. I wouldn’t want to see this team in the tournament.