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.

Orchard Lake St. Mary has separated as the cream of the crop, but below them it seems like any team could make the march to East Lansing.

Here is a look at the toughest districts throughout Division 4:

District 102 – Pickford

Teams: Rudyard (15-6), Pickford (15-5), Cedarville (11-9), Brimley (7-14)

Key Players: Cameron Peterson, 5-10 (Rudyard); Perry LeBlanc, 5-10 (Brimley); Eli MacDonald, Jr. (Pickford); Gunner Brennin, So. (Pickford)

Pickford has stumbled a bit as of late, but this youthful backcourt is capable of getting hot in a hurry. Rudyard has been good for the past half decade and might have enough leadership to make another Breslin run. Cedarville is always a tough out even though this isn’t quite a vintage squad. Brimley doesn’t have a great record but has won three of its last four games, including an upset over Pickford

Prediction: Rudyard

District 107 – Maple City Glen Lake

Teams: MC Glen Lake (16-4), Frankfort (15-7), Traverse City Christian (16-5), Lake Leelanau St. Mary (7-13), Suttons Bay (6-13), Leland (3-17)

Key Players: Jacob Plamondon, 6-6 (MC Glen Lake); Benji Allen, 6-3 (MC Glen Lake); Carter Kerby, 5-11 (Frankfort); Bryce Plesha, 6-6 (Frankfort); Reece Broderick, 6-2 (TC Christian)

Plamondon might be the best player in all of D4 as just a sophomore. Glen Lake has a nice combo of size and shooting, which could lead to a long postseason run. Frankfort reached the Breslin Center last season and returned its two best players. Kerby is a rising guard and Plesha might of played his way onto a college roster with a terrific season. Frankfort got off to a rough start, but has won five straight games, including impressive victories over Rudyard and Baldwin. Broderick is a volume-scoring junior who can take over games.

Prediction: Frankfort

District 113 – Bellevue

Teams: Fulton (16-6), Bellevue (15-4), Fowler (15-7), Portland St. Patrick (11-10), Lansing Christian (2-20)

This Lansing-area district is filled with quality teams who have enjoyed successful season with some impressive wins. Bellevue hosts the district, but Fulton might be in the best form. Fowler is always tough, adding a third team with district title aspirations. If Fulton can continue shooting well from beyond the arc, they could be a tough team in March. Bellevue almost always has a great regular-season record but hasn’t been able to translate that into recent tournament success.

Prediction: Fulton

District 121 – Adrian Lenawee

Teams: Adrian Lenawee (18-3), Petersburg Summerfield (18-4), Britton Deerfield (16-6), AA Central Academy (6-13), Morenci (1-19)

Key Players: Brandon Summer, 6-2 (Adrian Lenawee); Jaxon Salenbien, 6-4 (Adrian Lenawee); Tyler Dafoe (Petersburg Summerfield); Jha Jha Hornbeak (Petersburg Summerfield); Teddy Gault (Petersburg Summerfield); Logan Shiels, 6-0 (Britton Deerfield)

Not only is this district brutal, but whomever does advance will likely face top-ranked Taylor Trillium in the regional semifinal. Lenawee has a great blend of size and skill. Summer provides scoring and senior leadership, while the Salenbien brothers are versatile with some next-level potential. Summerfield has enjoyed one of its best seasons in recent memory, spurred on by talented freshman, Hornbeak. Deerfield could spoil the party for the other two.

Prediction: Adrian Lenawee