MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

There’s no rest for the weary, and high school basketball players might be just that after a grueling AAU season.

Jumping right back into action, high school teams reassemble in June for a plethora of team camps with some great game action.

Here are out 10 best backcourts as high school teams return to the court in the coming weeks: (Wayne Memorial is not listed because Carlos Medlock Jr. is transferring to Missouri for his senior year.):

10. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s – The Eaglets usher in the post-Trey McKenney era with a very inexperienced but touted backcourt. Peyton Kemp (6-2) has started to look all the way back from his leg injuries and could be a real force. Super sophomore Mateen Cleaves (6-4) doesn’t have the same game as his famous father. He’s taller, quicker and has a better outside shot. If he can gain confidence as a distributor and getting to the basket, he could be special. People have been telling me Bela Matyus Jr. (6-0) would be a 1,000- point scorer if he hadn’t been buried on the bench by the Eaglets’ elite 2025 class. Now he will have his opportunity to shine as the team’s likely starting point guard.

9. Port Huron Northern – The elite trio of Amir Morelan (6-1), Cam Harju (6-2) and Alex Jamison (6-3) entered high school with lofty expectations. While their postseason record isn’t great, they’ve put up some sparkling numbers and performances in the regular season as they enter their senior years. All three can take over a game, offensively. Morelan is the lead guard who excels at getting to the basket. Harju is a great 3-point shooter and defender. Jamison can score from all over the court. His only slight weakness is his lack of speed. Can this team put it all together as seniors for a long tournament run?

8. Detroit MLK – The Crusaders enter the upcoming season as one of the deepest and most talented teams in the state. Starting guard trio Drew Floyd (5-10), Derrick Kilgore (6-2) and Steven Jones (6-2) all had clutch performances last year and have college basketball potential. Braylen Stinson (5-9) is a key contributor off the bench as a slippery lead guard. Kilgore is a streaky shooter who is great in transition and can get physical when in the mood. Floyd turned it on late last season with more confidence calling his own number on offense. Jones is the most likely to play at least D2 college basketball, but he needs to work on his jumper. It’s a bit flat and spinny.

7. Grand Rapids Catholic Central – After making a somewhat surprising run to the Breslin, and pushing eventual champ Warren Lincoln to the brink, the Cougars look poised for a massive season. The backcourt trio of Jordan McCoy (6-2), Brieland Watkins (6-2) and Zay Larthridge (6-5) will give teams fits again this winter. McCoy is a tall point guard who can shoot, dish and get to the rim. He has elite upside. Watkins is a streaky scorer, but makes GRCC almost un-guardable when locked in. Larthridge looks like a D1 college wing with long arms and a great outside shooting touch. He could emerge as a Mr. Basketball candidate and must-have recruit.

6. Brother Rice – The Warriors have five intriguing, returning guards. Greg Grays Jr. (6-2) had some prolific 3-point efforts in the tournament, setting up what could be a monster year. He has a D1 offer from Detroit Mercy. Jacob Lamb (6-1), Adam Tribul (6-0), Sebastian Thrower (6-1) and Robert Blackwell (6-1) will also see major minutes. Lamb looked poised splitting point guard duties last season. He’s a bit of a sleeper with a nice overall game. Tribul, just a sophomore, is an elite 3-point shooter who could make a dangerous wing partner to Grays. Thrower and Blackwell saw limited minutes last season, but have talent to force their way into the rotation this time around.

5. Detroit Renaissance – Power-4 D1 recruit Jordan Sigmon (6-1), Jayden Miller (6-2) and rising junior Alfonzo Harris (6-4) form one of the best backcourt trios in the state. Depth is a question mark, but those three won’t leave the court very often. Sigmon is an elite scorer from all over the court. He has unrivaled handles and quickness, gliding through the lane. His 3-point shot is a work-in-progress, but solid. Miller is kind of a skilled role player who enjoyed some breakout moments last season. Harris has rare athleticism on the wing with a rapidly improving outside stroke. The Phoenix will again be among the most entertaining teams in the state.

4. Detroit Catholic Central – Off the radar a bit the last couple years, Detroit CC will be back with a vengeance this season. Reached the regional final despite losing lead guard Asher Suardini midway through the season. Remaining guards Jackson Bowden (6-3), Wycell Davis (6-4), Malachi Clayton (6-1) and Evan Milosevich (6-1) are all skilled scorers with size and upside. Bowden, a Davison transfer, plays a cerebral game as a floor general and leader. He can also knock down some shots and plays solid defense. Davis and Clayton have D1 college upside as guards with great size, athleticism and scoring instincts. Milosevich is a great outside shooter and pesky defender.

3. Grand Blanc – The Bearcats boast a quartet of skilled guards who could all start, or be immediate offense off the bench. Isaiah McCree (5-10), Caseton Sendry (6-0), Emmanuel Cooley (6-0) and Georyeon Cannon (6-3) provide a unique blend of abilities few teams will be able to contain. Cooley and Sendry will likely lead them in scoring most nights as confident shooters and explosive athletes getting to the basket. McCree is a patient point guard who helps set the tone and pace of the game. Cannon is a big guard who can run the offense or knock down 3-pointers.

2. East Kentwood – Perhaps the deepest backcourt in the state, the Falcons will be led by the explosive trio of Jeremiah Cook (6-1), Randy Chapman (6-2) and C.J. Reynolds (6-3). This could develop to No. 1 on the list if they all click together. EK also brings Major Barnes (5-8) and Stephan Jones (5-8) off the bench as scrappy players on both ends of the court. Cook put up some 30-point games last season as a sophomore, while Chapman also had some bulky scoring games. They are athletic, fearless guards who can also shoot. Reynolds might have the most upside out of the three, but injuries have held him back. He’s still trying to find his true identity on the court. Barnes and Jones are winners who never let up when on the court.

1. East Lansing – Power-4 D1 prospects and sons of former MSU Spartans, K.J. Torbert (6-3) and Kingston Thomas (6-4) are top-10 players in the state. Games where they are both clicking will likely end in wins, no matter who they are playing. The rest of the backcourt will be unproven, but Kellen Lott (6-0), Henry Peck (6-3), Tyree Anthony (6-3) and Brady Johns (6-2) all have size and talent. Torbert may not have to go far for college if he has a good senior year. Tom Izzo almost certainly has his eye on the dynamic guard and son of Kelvin Torbert. Thomas can play many positions in high school, but he will be an elite wing in college, which is likely where he will play this season. Lott, Peck and Anthony have had impressive AAU seasons.