Mitten Prep Hoops Scouting & Analysis

The Michigan High School Athletic Association revealed the 2024-25 boys basketball district pairings Monday, with plenty of movement from last year’s tournament.

Christmas comes early when districts are released, usually during team camp season, and we can start longing for scraping ice off the windshield after leaving yet another exciting basketball game.

Although it’s way too early, here’s a look at the Division 3 and Division 4 teams most likely to make it to the Breslin Center next year:

Division 3 – Final Four

Harbor Springs – The Rams can certainly ski, but it’s been a while since they’ve had a legitimate chance to make the trip to East Lansing. The junior guard duo of Braeden Flynn (5-10) and Rider Bartel (6-0) might be the most explosive in D3. They are exceptional shooters, team leaders and aggressive on defense. They also have some size in junior Aaron Sowles (6-3) and Collin Lang (6-3).

Pewamo-Westphalia – Remarkably consistent as a program for a small, public school. Pewamo is almost always a lock to reach the regionals, and this could take it farther. Junior guard Grady Eklund (6-4) will be an elite scorer as he climbs up the recruiting rankings. Pewamo will also get help from brothers Reece Thelen (5-9) and Ty Thelen (5-10) who can stretch defenses. Cody Cox (6-4) could start in the post.

Riverview Gabriel Richard – The overwhelming favorite to win the D3 state title after reaching the Breslin last year and returning their top-six players. Luke Westerdale (6-0) has some Foster Loyer to his game as a great shooter and playmaker. Charles Kage (6-8) oozes potential. If his offensive game gets some refinement, he could be a D1 college player this time next year. Nick Sobush (5-11), another elite scorer, returns as a formidable offensive weapon. Drew Everingham (6-4) is another long-range shooter with great length on defense. Derek Lasko (6-0) and Antonio Sobush (5-11) rotate for that final starting spot.

Flint Elite – Four-star national recruit Greg Lawson (6-3) was seen playing with them this summer. If he’s on their roster come November, Flint Elite will be at the Breslin. No one in D3 will be able to stop Lawson, a powerful guard who can get to the basket, shoot mid-range jumpers and knockdown 3-pointers. The rest of the team improved last year, so this program is on the rise, overall. Junior Jeffrey Turner (6-0) was first-team all-conference, while incoming freshman AJ Smith has already been turning heads this summer. Quese Fields (6-4) was a double-double machine last season and should be a dangerous post presence. Head coach Greg McMath has state title experience with Arthur Hill.

Division 4 – Final Four

Crystal Falls Forest Park – Fresh off a quarterfinal appearance, Forest Park looks poised for an even longer run this season. A combination of seniors and sophomores will lead this squad. Vic Guiliani (6-1) and Izaiah Tarter (6-0) are two of the most underrated sophomores in the state. They will have a size advantage over most D4 guards. Matt Showers (6-2) provides an able scorer and rebounder on the wing, while senior center Kevin Guiliani (6-5) will be a tough matchup for most smaller U.P. teams. Most of their top competition lost key players, so bringing everyone back will certainly be an advantage for Forest Park.

Bellaire – One of my favorite little towns in Northern Michigan – it plays host to a plethora of beautiful golf courses – Bellaire has the chance to return to East Lansing for the first time since the McClary brother days. Seniors Drake Koepke (6-1) and Jayden Hanson (6-5) have been hyped as must-see prospects since their freshmen years. Koepke is a smooth guard who sees the whole court and can score in bunches. Hanson, quite honestly, is just physically superior to most of his competition at this level. Both should be on college scouts’ radars. Beating Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart will be tough, but Bellaire has the talent to do it.

Wyoming Tri-Unity – The Defenders might actually have some tough competition this year as most of their starters graduated and Adrian Lenawee could be waiting in the quarterfinal. However, this is Tri-Unity we’re talking about, and as long as Mark Keeler is leading the program, the Breslin Center is just another game on the schedule. Senior point guard Keaton Blanker (5-10) was phenomenal last season. He is crafty with the ball and plays bigger than his listed size. Joey Mellon (6-7) is poised to have a breakout season. He flashed at the Breslin and appears to have nice touch out to 15 feet. Clayton Rowlader (5-11) will be the team’s top 3-point shooter.

Inter-City Baptist – They had a tough time at the Breslin last season, but this is a talented group who returns 10 players from a state semifinal run. Junior Ethan Esse (5-10) is a fantastic shooter who can also get to the basket. He can also handle point guard duties. Carlos Jackson (6-3) will provide muscle in the paint. He’s an athletic rebounder with a blossoming offensive game. Watch out for the development of sophomore Nathan Vanderbilt (5-11). He could step up as the third scorer.