MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

High school basketball is finally here!

Most of these teams won’t be featured in the top showcases throughout the state, and they might not be predicted to finish top-three in their respective conferences. But they all have the talent to surprise come tournament time.

Here are some deep-sleeper teams who could surprise:

Division 1

Bloomfield Hills – They will have a hell of a task trying to beat Brother Rice in districts, but this team has shooters, athleticism and good coaching. Da’ron Mason (6-4) leads the way as a Wayne State commit who has a versatile offensive game with an improving outside shot. Mason Hitchcock (6-4) is another athletic wing who could join Mason in the D2 college ranks. Carter Canfield (6-1) and Carter Hartfield (5-11) are good shooters who play intelligently. Ryan Hunt (6-0) is an underrated, energetic point guard.

Byron Center – Cassius Bont (6-3) is the only remaining starter from last year’s quarterfinals squad. He will be a D3 college stud as a tall lead guard with a great feel for the game. Forwards Ethan Seyffert (6-7) and Carson Pierling (6-7) are very solid front-court pieces. Seyffert moves well and has scoring skills. Pierling is a solid rebounder who just needs to play with a bit more confidence. A host of shooters will also vie for playing time.

Dearborn – This well-coached program has become an annual “sleeper”. Forward Hassan Makki (6-5) is a bulldozer in the paint; just the type of post presence every high school team needs. Adam Mashhour (6-2) hasn’t shown the overall athleticism as his older brothers, but he’s a great shooter who can create his own shot. Ahmad Sayed (5-10) is a veteran point guard who can handle pressure and run the offense. A Breslin trip seems like a stretch, but a district title will be well within reach.

Dexter – A true sleeper team who could pull off a Cinderella run in the tournament. Playing in a quadrant with some rebuilding teams, Dexter, led by Jack DeMerell (6-2) and William Simpson (6-7) will be an imposing opponent. DeMerell and Simpson both seem destined to D3 college ball as solid scorers and defenders. Sophomore Brady Bishop (6-5) is another intriguing piece looking for a breakout. If all the pieces fall into place, Dexter will be on everyone’s radar despite once again being overlooked in showcases.

Forest Hills Northern – College coaches and basketball fans need to go see senior Kyle Brown (6-3). He’s the real deal as a shooter who can put the ball on the floor and has solid size. Junior Cam Crowder (6-3) is another next-level player who can run the point or shoot from the wing. Michael Armour (6-7) flashed at times over the summer and could be the missing piece to help this squad become recognized state wide.

Grand Haven – If you like 3-point shooters, go check out a Grand Haven game this winter. Calvin University commit Will Plummer (6-1) is a great long-range sniper, while junior Harper Huntington (6-2) quietly has one of the most well-rounded games in west Michigan. Nolan Portenga (6-6) is a rugged, energetic forward who can score and rebound in the paint. Junior Owen Spoelman (6-7) is a player to watch over the next two years.

Greenville – I love this team. They are a blue-collar lineup who fights and battles on every play. Guards Michael Lindquist (5-9) and Kyle Graber (5-10) gobble up buckets in bunches and in a variety of ways. Braden Latimer (6-3) is an athletic wing with a solid outside shot. He’s also very active on defense. Sophomore Emmitt Wilhite (6-4) plays taller than his height and could turn into a solid D3 prospect.

Division 2

Battle Creek Pennfield – Their tough, rugged frontcourt will be too much for most teams. Johnny Lake (6-6) has been collecting D3 and NAIA offers this summer as a skilled wing/post prospect. Peyton Merlington (6-4) is another active forward with versatility, making this one difficult team to out-rebound. If a couple guards step up, this could be a surprise Breslin contender come late February.

DEPSA – Once a powerhouse, it appears an Edison comeback is on the horizon. This squad has great height and overall team size. Sophomore Anthony Spencer (6-1) could be special, which is why Edison has started to creep back up on the map. DEPSA is actually in quite a few showcases, but always the early games. By February people might be glad they showed up early to those things.

GR West Catholic – Summer transfers can be hard to sort out. Many might not be unaware that former Godwin Heights star Isaiah Guyton (6-6) is now enrolled here. Guyton is a big guard who looks poised for D2 college basketball. Senior Connor Olszewski (6-0) is a good scorer and confident guard who can play point or off ball. The duo could be special enough for a few upsets this season.

Holland Christian – Quietly one of the more intriguing teams in the state. Trine University commit Jake Holcomb (6-5) is a bouncy wing who can put the ball on the floor to drive, shoot from outside and play some point guard. Titus Spencer (5-11) will likely be the team’s leading scorer as a quick, aggressive lead guard. He’s an excellent passer and silky athlete. He should be a top priority for local D3 and NAIA schools. Davis Alderink (6-6) adds a true post presence with improved body control and finishing skills.

Niles – Senior guard Brayden Favors (6-4) enjoyed a breakout summer as a great shooter with a strong frame. Brenden Olsen (6-6) might be a little raw as a skilled basketball player, but he’s an electric athlete always ready to tear the roof down with some massive dunks. Jayelin Vawter (6-6) adds more size off the bench, while Derrick Hill (6-0) could be a key scoring threat in the backcourt.

South Haven – A quietly potent starting lineup, although depth might be an issue. A quartet of seniors with next-level aspirations lead a team hoping to breakthrough in districts. Noah Weaver (6-1) is a good scorer from multiple levels, while forwards Max Versaput (6-8) and Isaac Chalupa (6-5) are good low-post scorers and rebounders. Grayson Knox (6-3) is a wild card who has elite shooting upside.

Division 3

Ithaca – With teams moving up a division, and guys moving out of state, Ithaca is an intriguing team to watch this season. Gibson Rondy (6-2) is a great all-around scorer and athlete who could be one of the best players in D3 this season.

Kalamazoo Phoenix – They flirted with a Breslin trip in Division 4 last year with most of starting lineup returning. Although a jump up to D3 will make things tough, Dequarius Frierson (6-6), Johnathan Oldham (6-0), Kamarion Parker (6-3) and Remire Lockhart (6-0) is a quartet capable of another long run.

McBain – It’s hard to peg McBain as “sleepers” when they have been a consistent Breslin fixture over the past 25 years, but they seem to be flying a bit under the radar this season. Junior forward Clayton Heuker (6-5) is a crafty scorer with terrific post moves. Kind of a throw-back player in some ways. Josh Rodenbaugh (6-3) and Drew Hamilton (6-5) help make this a squad potentially too tall and physical for most Northern Michigan D3 schools.

New Haven – Always athletic, New Haven has some bright, young talent mixed with a few solid guards. Sophomore Kayden Harmon (6-5) could be the next in a line of stars who have donned their halls. Things could definitely click enough for this team to make their first Breslin run of the 2020s after several appearances the previous decade.

Division 4

Battle Creek St. Phillip – Jackson Dzwik (6-3) is a tremendous scorer who uses his versatile skillset to dominate at this level. His size and shooting skills make him a contender to play at the next level. The rest of the team has some question marks, but this is a great program who usually churns out solid all-around talent.

Dollar Bay – The Tourtillot brothers might be able to spark some late-season magic, as they are primed to become a star duo in the U.P. Senior stud Liam Tourtillot (6-1) might flirt with U.P. Player of the Year, while his freshman brother Noah Tourtillot (5-11) should hit the ground running.

Inkster International Academy – This team is starting to generate some buzz, even getting into a couple showcases. Most assume either Inter-City Baptist or Detroit Douglass will make a Breslin push out of this quadrant, but IIA might be a tough out as well.