MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

It’s that time of year, when brackets are printed and filled out throughout the state.

The end of February through March is the best and most exciting time of the year, capped off by three thrilling days at the Breslin Center.

The 2025 class was loaded with talent in Michigan, which means there are tons of fantastic teams with Breslin aspirations – which should make for a memorable final three weeks of the season.

Here are our final four predictions for each division:

Division 1

Rockford (20-2) – Freshman Eli Wolfe (6-1) has been on a tear. Jake Bascom (6-6) is one of the best post presences in the state, and seniors Lucas Pitsch (6-7) and Michael DeKuiper (6-0) are solid on both ends of the court. This team has state title upside as they look to rebound from last season’s early exit.

East Lansing (20-2) – Beating Waverly a third time will be very difficult in the district final, but it’s a home game for the Trojans, so they get the edge in our prediction. KJ Torbert (6-2) has arguably emerged as the second-best overall player in the state as an explosive scorer and playmaker. Cameron Hutson (6-6) is a threat from beyond the arc, and Kingston Thomas (6-4) is one of the best sophomores in the Midwest.

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (15-6) – It’s never easy reaching the Breslin, but OLSM has a pretty favorable road compared to their regular-season schedule. McDonald’s All-American Trey McKenney (6-4) is healthy again and back to scoring 25-plus points per game. Jayden Savoury (6-6) is a beast in the paint, while guards Zip Hines (5-11) and Sharrod Barnes (6-2) are capable of taking over games.

Brother Rice (20-2) – Defense wins championships and Brother Rice is borderline elite on that end of the court. Beating UD Jesuit in the regional semifinals will be a tough ask, but this just might be the Warriors’ year. David Williams (6-2) runs the show as a physical guard with a nice shot. Juniors Greg Grays Jr. (6-2) and Trevor Smith (6-7) have D1 offers, and almost everyone on the team can consistently knock down 3-pointers.

Division 2

Kingsford (17-3) – Midseason losses against Iron Mountain and Norway took some of the steam out of their hype train, but finishing the regular season with a double-digit win over Marquette has many back on board. Lake Superior State commit Gavin Grondin (6-1) is the best player north of Big Rapids and it would be a treat to see him live. Carroll University commit Morgan Sleik (6-5) has a penchant for snatching rebounds, and he’s great at putbacks. Owen Olkkonen (6-4) and Jack Kriegl (5-10) are also very good players who can score double figures any given night.

South Christian (18-4) – Western Michigan commit Carson Vis (6-3) likely feels slighted for being omitted as a Mr. Basketball candidate. He also missed out on the Sailors’ trip to the Breslin two years ago with a broken wrist. He might go bonkers this postseason. Davis Kemper (6-8) is an elite shooter with D2 college interest. Isaac Schrotenboer (6-6) has become a force in the paint on both ends of the court. Sophomore Austin Burgess (6-1) could be this team’s x-factor off the bench.

Flint Powers (19-2) – Javontae Ross (5-11) was scoring at an elite clip the last 10 games, while twins Jesse Cull (6-5) and Dempsey Cull (6-5) can shoot, slash and battle in the paint. They have unique versatility and next-level bodies. Transfers Andrew Caldwell (6-3) and Danny Wolak (5-10) have made this team elite with a state title on their mind.

Warren Lincoln (16-4) – The defending D2 state champs are loaded again and heavily favored to repeat. Eastern Illinois commit Markus Blackwell (6-2) teams up in the backcourt with Moses Blackwell (5-8) and Oak Park transfer/Northern Iowa commit Geon Hutchins (6-4) to form one of the best guard trios regardless of division. Da’Marion Bozeman (6-5) and Christopher Morgan (6-6) round out the starting lineup, giving the Abes five players who can consistently hit 3-pointers and get to the rim.

Division 3

McBain (19-2) – With five Breslin trips since 2000, McBain is familiar with long tournament runs. Sophomore Clayton Heuker (6-5) is an elite post presence with 20-point, 10-rebound upside. Tall point guard Ben Rodenbaugh (6-4) is a great floor general and outside shooter. Drew Hamilton (6-5) gives this team even more size. If guards Aidan Koetje (6-1) and Brett Eling (5-11) can take care of the ball, this team should breeze to the quarterfinals where a brutal matchup against Iron Mountain, MC Glen Lake or Harbor Springs could await.

Pewamo-Westphalia (19-3) – Star junior Grady Eklund (6-4) looks like a D1 college recruit who is nearly unstoppable against most D3 teams. Trevor Piggot (6-5) is a solid interior force who can score on the block and rebounds better than most players he faces. Reece Thelen (5-10) is a good point guard who can play off the ball and shoot when Eklund runs the show. Pewamo has a relatively benign road to the Breslin this year.

Riverview Gabriel Richard (18-2) – Would likely contend for a Breslin spot in Division 2. Loaded with talent, Riverview GR might be the most heavily-favored team to reach the Breslin regardless of class. Wayne State commit Luke Westerdale (6-0) has a lot of former Mr. Basketball Foster Loyer in his game. Saginaw Valley commit Charles Cage (6-8) is long and athletic as a developing offensive force. Siena Heights commit Nick Sobush (5-11) is a elite shooter and Drew Everingham (6-6) provides more height and length on the wing.

Arts & Technology Academy at Pontiac “ATAP” (16-1) – Elite guard play has helped ATAP beat some impressive foes like River Rouge, Detroit Voyaguer and Old Redford. Teyshaun Hicks (6-1) and Terrance Hicks (6-1) scored over 20 points most nights. Freshman Lewis Lovejoy (5-8) is an elite prospect, while sophomore Devontae Grandison (6-2) gave the team four dangerous scorers. Despite a tough road, this team has state-title upside if everything clicks.

Division 4

Wyoming Tri-Unity (20-2) – Legendary coach Mark Keeler earned his 700th career win this season. He’s retiring after the postseason. Does this team have one more state-title run in them under Keeler’s watch? Grace Christian commit Keaton Blanker (5-10) will certainly think so.

Crystal Falls Forest Park (20-2) – Reached the quarterfinals last year and might be even better this time around. Sophomore Vic Guiliani (6-1) has been touted as a future Mr. U.P. winner as an elite scorer with a versatile skillset. Kevin Guiliani (6-5) is a load in the paint, especially against other D4 teams. Matt Showers (6-3) adds more size and skill, while sophomore Izaiah Tarter (6-0) has elite upside.

Fowler (19-3) – Beating Tri-Unity to kick off the season was a statement, but so was a midseason 30-point victory over Fulton, who recently beat defending state runners-up MT. Pleasant Sacred Heart. Alex Halfmann (6-5) is nearly impossible to stop at this level, and a great supporting cast should make Fowler tough to beat before and potentially after reaching the Breslin.

Allen Park Inter-City Baptist (19-3) – Juniors Ethan Esse (5-11) and Carlos Jackson (6-4) are terrific players ready to redeem themselves after a rough semifinal last season. This team could make two more trips to the Breslin with a formidable junior class.