MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

Monday starts the most exciting three weeks of the year: the Michigan High School Athletic Association boys basketball tournament.

In the end, 16 teams will travel to East Lansing to play in the semifinals and potentially the finals over a jam-packed three-day stretch.

This year’s tournament seems completely up for grabs with numerous teams proving they have a realistic chance at a final four run.

Here are the four teams we think will prevail in Division 1:

Quadrant 1

Final 4 Prediction: Muskegon (19-2)

After losing three next-level guards from last year’s state runner-up season, it would have been understandable to expect a drop-off. However, The Big Reds have reloaded with another core of tall, versatile college-level athletes. Muskegon features a balanced, nine-man rotation with five players standing 6-4 and taller. Sophomore James Martin (6-3), junior Keashawn Johnson (6-5) and senior sharpshooter Justin Watson (6-7) have been the team’s most consistent scorers as of late. Seniors Mykai Guy (5-9), Davenport signee Montrel Oliver (6-4) and Lake Superior State signee Terrance Davis (6-6) are also key contributors.

Top Contenders: Saginaw Heritage (17-3), East Kentwood (15-7), Hudsonville (15-7), Rockford (18-4), Byron Center (17-5), Grand Rapids Northview (16-5), Cadillac (20-2), Coopersville (19-3), Reeths-Puffer (19-3)

Saginaw Heritage is a scary team. Braylon Isom (6-3) is back after injury, and Mr. Basketball candidate and Toledo signee Tyler Ode (6-5) has been scoring at a phenomenal clip. Hudsonville, Rockford, East Kentwood, Byron Center and GR Northview all have similar records and have been trading wins and losses back and forth all season. Your guess is as good as any as to which one reaches the quarterfinal.

Quadrant 2

Final 4 Prediction: Detroit Catholic Central (13-8)

Detroit CC survived the gauntlet schedule of the Catholic League. Senior shooter T.J. Nadeau (6-4) picked up a PWO offer from Arkansas, while Uchenna Amene (6-2) can score in bunches and in a variety of ways. Devin Lee (6-3) emerged as a consistent third scorer, while Onimisi Sadiq (6-4) and transfer Jack Janda (6-5) provide muscle in the paint. Sophomore Asher Suardini (5-10) offers a poised presence at point guard who can also knock down some shots. The Shamrocks have piled up some losses but have handily defeated most quality teams they’ve faced outside the Catholic League.

Top Contenders: Ann Arbor Huron (17-4), East Lansing (20-2), Mason (20-2), Ann Arbor Pioneer (16-5), Saline (18-4), Belleville (17-5), Canton (18-4), Lansing Waverly (17-5), Okemos (19-3), Portage Central (18-3), Wayne Memorial (15-6), Ypsilanti Lincoln (16-6)

East Lansing has had another great season and have a plethora of future D1 college players. However, for whatever reason, this team has struggled to get past the quarterfinal hump over the past decade. This year is no different in this prediction. Saline, Belleville and Ann Arbor Pioneer have been playing inspired basketball lately, while AA Huron is always a tough out. Watch out for Portage Central. They are a sleeper in the Kalamazoo area who will be favored to reach the regional final, and from there anything can happen.

Quadrant 3

Final 4 Prediction: Warren De La Salle (13-7)

The Catholic League firmly proved it was the top division this season, and the Pilots have been Breslin Center staples over the past five years. De La Salle features a future D1 guard in junior Phoenix Glassnor (6-0). Center Nnaemeka Ikechi (6-7) has signed with Army, while Nicholas Speiser (6-5), Armoni Portis (6-2) and Julius Wilson (6-1) are all future college players as well. Glassnor missed the first half of the season with a football injury, but De La Salle still impressed. Throw record out the window, as the Pilots are among the best teams in the state.

Top Contenders: Cass Tech (20-2), UD Jesuit (16-5), North Farmington (17-2), Dearborn (22-0), Detroit Renaissance (15-6), Grosse Pointe South (18-4), Hamtramck (14-8)

This quadrant might be the deepest overall, as De La Salle, UD Jesuit, North Farmington and Cass Tech would make for a pretty impressive final four. Only one of those teams, plus undefeated Dearborn, will advance to the Breslin Center. This should be an entertaining journey with two potentially outstanding regional semifinal matchups of Cass Tech versus Dearborn and UD Jesuit versus De La Salle.

Quadrant 4

Final 4 Prediction: Orchard Lake St. Mary (20-1)

All seven players in OLSM’s rotation will play college basketball at some level. Junior guard Trey McKenney (6-4) is a five-star recruit nationally. He has averaged over 23 points per game and can score from all over the court. Sharod Barnes (6-2) has expanded his offensive game to be able to knock down 3-pointers and has gained D1 offers to show for it. Forward Jayden Savoury (6-6) has been picking up D1 football offers almost daily, but he also remains a high-profile basketball recruit as well. Rounding out their quartet of talented juniors is point guard Isaiah Hines (5-11) who is lightening quick on offense and defense. Seniors Daniel Smythe (6-3), Mason Wisniewski (6-7) and Andrew Smith (6-2) would probably be leading scorers on most other teams but are happy to fill their role on this state-title favorite squad.

Top Contenders: Brother Rice (16-6), Davison (17-4), Troy (20-1), West Bloomfield (16-5), Rochester Adams (14-7), Waterford Mott (19-3), Grand Blanc (13-8)

Brother Rice has lost to OLSM three times but might get another shot at beating them in the quarterfinal. Davison has an extremely talented roster but has not fared well against Catholic League opponents this year. Troy only has one loss, and has an underrated roster, but haven’t been tested overall like some of the other teams on this list. Rochester Adams, Waterford Mott and West Bloomfield are super sleepers who have young, intriguing starting lineups beginning to find their groove. Grand Blanc started 0-5 and have since been exceptional.