MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

March…or February Madness is almost here!

There could be a large number of teams returning from last year’s Breslin weekend, as many of those squads were young and again have great records this season.

Here are our Breslin predictions for each division:

Division 1:

Rockford – Their starting lineup is among the most talented and balanced in the state. Kalamazoo College commit Dylan Gross (5-9) is a steady lead guard who can get hot from deep. Freshman phenom Jace Opoku (5-11) and sophomore sensation Eli Wolfe (6-1) are capable of 15-plus points any night. Sophomore Josh Bascom (6-4) provides versatility on both ends of the court, while Central Michigan commit Jake Bascom (6-6) has excellent footwork in the paint. They will have to beat Muskegon on the road in the district, and then face top 25 teams every step of the way.

East Lansing – The defending state champs feature a three-headed dominant offensive attack. Bowling Green commit and Mr. Basketball favorite KJ Torbert (6-2) has put on a show this season. Junior Kingston Thomas (6-4) is a strong wing with an offer from Michigan State. Power forward DQ Stewart (6-6) has vastly improved this season, which recently earned him a D2 offer from Lake Superior State. Kalamazoo Central will be a very tough opponent in the regionals, and then EL could face AA Huron or Detroit CC in the quarters.

Detroit MLK – Despite having key players in and out of the lineup all season, MLK still looks poised to make a long playoff run. If the senior-laden lineup of Drew Floyd (5-10), Steven Jones (6-2), Derrick Kilgore (6-2), Mareon Knott (6-4) and Gabe Hawkins (6-3) are all on the court come tournament time, this will be a tough team to beat. Games against Cass Tech, Brother Rice and potentially Wayne Memorial could be the toughest tests.

Auburn Hills Avondale – Perhaps a bit unheralded and underrated, this squad can really play. Jakobe Liford (6-4) is a borderline D1 college prospect who might be playing for those honors throughout the postseason. Maxwell Muhl (5-9) has a bevy of offers from out-of-state D3 schools as a good ball-handler and outside shooter. Noah Bonds (6-5) and D’Kari Fields (6-5) provide height and athleticism in the post, while combo guards Qualeeb Ross (5-10) and Jaden Bourgeois (6-0) can score in bunches. Grand Blanc could await in the regionals – a matchup Avondale won by one point earlier this season.

Division 2:

Freeland – Largely considered the runaway favorite to emerge out of this quadrant to begin this season, some other teams like Ludington and Frankenmuth have emerged as legitimate threats. Flint Hamady, St. Johns and Flint Powers also might have a say, but Freeland has some very impressive wins and I think they reach the Breslin, where future Spartans tight end Tristian Comer (6-6) will get an early look at his new campus. Saginaw Valley basketball commit Wilson Huckeby (6-4) might be the state’s best 3-point shooter, and point guard Cooper Wagner (6-1) will also play college basketball.

Unity Christian – One of four GR private schools will likely make it to the Breslin this season, and it really could be any one of Unity, South Christian, GR Christian and GRCC. Unity has four players committed to Calvin University: Owen Vanderwaal (6-7), Jack Kamminga (6-3), Kyler Berghuis (6-2) and Luke Tubergen (6-9) will all be Knights next season but could first lead Unity to a state title. With that being said, unsigned Brogan Sherd (6-1) leads the team in scoring fairly often as a knockdown shooter.

Romulus Summit – Back to the Breslin after finishing state runner-up last season. Freshman Codey Bush (6-3) is the real deal as a tall, skilled point guard who plays with the poise of a senior. D2 Tiffin University commit Jordan Fuller (5-11) has blossomed into a terrific scorer who can get to the basket and knock down 3-pointers. Marquan White (6-2) gives the team three elite high school guards, which is usually enough for a long postseason run in Michigan hoops.

Detroit University Prep – A bevy of quality wins against D1 opponents to end the season pushes them over the edge for me in a quadrant that has up to 11 true contenders to reach the Breslin Center. Senior scorer Maurice Jackson (6-4) has a versatile offensive game in which he frequently scores over 20 points. Chris Byrd (6-3) is another bulk scorer who has refined his skills to become a consistent threat. Kamari Northfleet (6-3) and point guard Tony Dent (6-0) are also quality guards who can create and score. It’s going to be a tough road, but UPrep has momentum on their side.

Division 3:

Ishpeming Westwood – There are a lot of good teams in this quadrant, but a return to the Breslin is definitely in play for Ish. Westwood. Michigan Tech signee Ethan Marta (6-3) will likely win U.P. Player of the Year as an elite scorer and smart all-around on the court. Jacob Pratl (5-11) and A.J. Pizziola (5-11) are solid guards who can score a bit and distribute. Caden Balzarini (6-2) adds size as an athletic forward. McBain’s size and strength could be a challenge should they meet in the quarters.

Pewamo-Westphalia – Ready to return after last year’s semifinal trip. D2 Northwood University commit Grady Eklund (6-3) leads the way as a dynamic scorer and team leader. Trent Piggott (6-6) is a load in the paint with solid post moves and finishing instincts. Logan Farmer (6-2) gives the team three dynamic players who almost always win their individual matchups. Pewamo may have emerged as the state title favorites.

Detroit Loyola – At times, Loyola has looked like they could compete in Division 2. But they have also had a few lackluster performances since the turn of the calendar. Cody Champion (6-0) and Martez Davis (5-8) lead a dynamic backcourt with quickness and shooting. Donovan Clark (6-4) and Deandre Dann (6-6) are athletic, rangy forwards who can score, block shots and rebound. On paper, they are the most complete and dynamic team in D3.

Jackson Lumen Christi – It’s going to be a tough road, and Flint New Standard’s quickness has me second guessing this pick a little, but sophomores Ashton Callan (6-3) and Broden Burgess (5-11) are future college prospects ready to lead right now. Amarion Clay (5-10), Zack Tropea (5-7) and Jonathan Morgan (6-1) are dynamic guards who possess versatile offensive skillsets. The frontcourt has depth with George Grossbach (6-2), Kellen Crowley (6-3) and Isaac Maki (6-4). With a deep rotation and a strong schedule on their side, this is the team I feel most confident about in a deep quadrant.

Division 4:

Traverse City Christian – If Asher Coates (5-11) hadn’t torn his ACL, I think this team would have been a lock to win the state title. They were that dominant. As is, they are still a Breslin team with a unique group of 6-3 and 6-4 players who can lineup all over the court. Senior Garrett Schultz (6-3) is a 1,000-point scorer and a matchup nightmare at this level. Ethan Johns (6-4) can play point guard through power forward and can score 15 a game if needed. Sam Bigger (6-3) and Isaiah Willis (6-4) are versatile forwards who can shoot and defend. Guard Isaac Torbet (6-1) is a quality facilitator and scorer from different spots.

Crystal Falls Forest Park – I had them in my final four at the beginning of the season, and no team did enough to convince me otherwise. This team is lethal from beyond the arc, which can make them run a little hot and cold. Vic Guiliani (6-3) might be the second-best player in the U.P. behind Marta. Fellow juniors Dax Huuki (6-1) and Izaiah Tarter (6-0) are quality guards who can get hot from deep. Sophomore Aidan Waldo (5-11) makes it a quartet of potentially future college players in the backcourt.

AP Inter-City Baptist – Each of the last two years, APICB has reached the semifinals only to be defeated one game before the finale. This year, potential D4 Player of the Year Ethan Esse (5-10) will make it a Breslin three-peat. Carlos Jackson (6-3) also eclipsed 1,000 points this season, while fellow season Mason Kowalski (6-3) has size and can stretch the floor. Junior Jack Dawson (5-10) is another knock-down shooter, while freshman Kaden Appel (5-11) adds more scoring pop.

Concord – Things haven’t always gone smoothly this season, and the road seems much more difficult now than it did a couple months ago, but Concord just has too much talent with this senior class to go without a Breslin trip. Trine University commit Connor Stevens (6-6) is the type of special player who is rarely seen at this level. He and fellow senior Jett Smith (5-10) both eclipsed 1,000 points this season as dynamic offensive threats. Brady Garrett (5-9), Tyler Rundle (6-3), junior Darrell Dean (6-0) and sophomore Marcus Gill Jr. (6-2) round out the deep and talented rotation.