MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

March Madness isn’t just for college hoops.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association boys basketball tournament is set to get underway next week with a plethora of contenders in each division.

This year’s crop of D3 teams has a number of undefeated teams still remaining, setting up what promises to be a highly competitive tournament. A couple teams have multiple D1 college recruits, making this potentially one of the more loaded fields in recent years.

Here is a look at the toughest districts throughout Division 3:

District 67 – Charlevoix

Teams: Charlevoix (16-5), Harbor Springs (15-7), Mancelona (17-4), Elk Rapids (14-7), East Jordan (7-14), Joburg (5-16)

Key Players: Joe Gaffney, 5-9 (Charlevoix); Rider Bartel, 6-0 (Harbor Springs); Braeden Flynn, 5-10 (Harbor Springs); Haven Somers, 5-11 (Elk Rapids); Ivan Kuzmanoski, 6-5 (Mancelona)

Charlevoix has a small starting lineup comprised mainly of 6-0 and under guards, but they can shoot lights out and generate tons of assists. Harbor Springs has three intriguing sophomores (two of them are listed above), making them one for the future and maybe even the present. Elk Rapids has some impressive wins and always compete. Mancelona’s foreign exchange student, Kuzmanoski, has a physical advantage over most teams in this district.

Prediction: Charlevoix

District 71 – Benzie Central

Teams: McBain (19-2), Benzie Central (18-3), TC St. Francis (9-12), Manton (9-10), Lake City (5-16)

Key Players: Evan Haverkamp, 6-9 (McBain); Ben Rodenbaugh 6-6, (McBain); Jaxon Childers, 6-2 (Benzie Central); Miles Pritchett, 6-6 (Benzie Central); Max Ogden, 6-2 (TC St. Francis); Lincoln Hicks, 6-0 (Manton)

Most of Division 3 is really going to start getting interesting the second week for regionals, but this district has a potential Breslin Center-implicating final. McBain might be the tallest team in the state, never mind in D3. But they also play very slow. Benzie Central has incredible athleticism and a nice mix of guard and post play. Manton and TC St. Francis are more dangerous than their records indicate, while Lake City might be a couple years away from contending.

Prediction: Benzie Central

District 83 – East Jackson

Teams: Jackson Lumen Christi (17-4), Napoleon (18-3), Michigan Center (19-3), Springport (14-7), East Jackson (7-13)

Key Players: Luke Tropea, 5-10 (Lumen Christi); Kadale Williams, 6-1 (Lumen Christi); Grant Bradley, 6-3 (Napoleon); Connor Cole, 5-10 (Michigan Center)

Always a tough area for D3, this district has several teams hoping for long postseason runs. Lumen Christi has had a tough schedule, earning some eye-popping wins. Michigan City and Napoleon have been steady all season and might be more fresh entering the tournament. Springport can’t be forgotten after an impressive regular season. This could be an exhilarating start to March.

Prediction: Lumen Christi

District 92 – New Haven

Teams: New Haven (12-10), Clintondale (18-4), RH Lutheran Northwest (16-4), Mount Clemens (9-10), Arts & Tech Acadamy of Pontiac (7-6)

Players: Zander Smith, 6-0 (New Haven); Derian Williams, 5-10 (New Haven); Justin Gloster, 6-4 (Clintondale); Andrew Kasat, 6-1 (RH Lutheran Northwest)

New Haven has played a gauntlet of a schedule, facing off against a number of high-quality D1 teams. They are much more dangerous than their record indicates with a blend of quickness, shooting and physicality in the paint. Clintondale has great team size but have suffered a couple lopsided losses in recent weeks. RH Lutheran Northwest is an athletic, underrated team that could surprise some people in the tournament. They are a prototypical wild card.

Prediction: New Haven