MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

Monday starts the three-week adventure that is the Michigan boys high school basketball postseason.

With so many teams hoping and able to make a long run, there should be plenty of intrigue in the early and late stages of the playoffs.

Here are two tournament sleepers for each division:

Division 1

Greenville (20-2) – The ultimate sleeper, Greenville has the type of starting lineup opposing teams will fear. Alma commit Michael Lindquist (5-9) is a bucket-getter who can score from all over the court. Backcourt mate Kyle Graber (5-10) plays a similar game with a little added strength getting to the basket. Forwards Braden Latimer (6-3) and Lucas Lisagor (6-4) are athletic and skilled, capable of putting up 10-15 any night. Sophomore center Emmitt Wilhite (6-5) has D2 college potential as a versatile playmaker on both ends of the court. Yes, this team might have the most difficult road of any team in the state (they might have to face Muskegon, Rockford, Saginaw Heritage, Traverse City West and East Kentwood just to reach the semifinals), but they have the talent to make some noise.

River Rouge (12-10) – It’s a tale of two seasons for River Rouge: before and after getting junior Ken White Jr. (5-10) in their lineup. The star junior helped River Rouge rattle off victories against Detroit Country Day, Port Huron Northern, Chelsea and Saginaw United over the past month, which shows this team’s immense potential can equate to quality wins. In a relatively weak part of the bracket, River Rouge could certainly get hot and make a quarterfinals run, where Detroit King or Brother Rice could be waiting for that final step to the Breslin. Fellow juniors Shae Eggleston (6-4) and Kordell Robinson (6-2) will also play college basketball at some level, while sophomore Jayden Charles (6-5) is on the shortlist for most upside of any player in the state.

Division 2

St. Johns (17-4) – Great size plus a talented backcourt make St. Johns a team to watch in the quadrant most believe Freeland or Frankenmuth will emerge from. Mid Michigan CC commit Bryce Pratl (6-2) eclipsed 1,000 points this season. He’s joined by Hunter Kinkema (5-11) to form a lethal backcourt combo. Juniors Conner Kurncz (6-4) and Aidan Wirth (6-7) provide size and versatility, allowing this team to matchup with almost anyone. A tough district leads to an even more difficult regional, but this team could sneak up on some teams.

Pontiac (16-6) – Although extremely young, with multiple impact freshman in the rotation, Pontiac has the skill and coaching (first-year coach Dion Harris) to make an aggressive run in a quadrant that is completely wide open.Freshmen guards P-Nut Covington (6-1) and G’amir Lyles (6-2) look like future D1 prospects, already showing the ability to take over games. If the moment isn’t too large for a young team and inexperienced coach, this squad has a legitimate chance to reach the Breslin.

Division 3

Kalamazoo Hackett (15-5) – A rough start to the season has gone back to the mean, as Hackett has racked up some very impressive wins of late. Star junior Elijah Brooks (6-2) is one of the better players in D3, as a crafty scorer and intelligent leader. Hillsdale commit Leland Berg (6-4) provides great wing size and shooting. Strong depth, including center Lukas Husovsky (6-6) make this team difficult to matchup with, especially if unfamiliar with them.

Flint New Standard (14-4) – There hasn’t been a ton of hype around this team, but they have a really solid four-headed backcourt group. A.J. Smith (5-10) is a heady point guard who can also score. Razach Spillers (6-0) and Deion Wright (6-0) can shoot and get to the basket, usually scoring in double figures each night. Jeffery Turner (6-1) is slasher who adds some physicality to the mix. Good guard play often leads to tournament success, and this team has plenty of it.

Division 4

Felch N. Dickinson (18-3) – A balanced scoring attack drives this U.P. squad who might have to again beat Crystal Falls Forest Park and then Dollar Bay on any potential run. But this team has proven it can hang with the area’s best teams and might be able to make a sustained run. Senior Ty King (6-1) can be a lead scorer when needed, while juniors Jason Graham (5-8) and Trent Kramer (6-4) and sophomore Mason Florenski (6-5) are also capable players on both ends of the court.

Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart (17-4) – Noah Zein (5-8) is the last piece from the squad that reached the Breslin two years ago. He’s a crafty guard who plays hard and leads a tough trap-press. The rest of the team has shown it can handle a complex system and win big games. One of the most difficult roads in D4 (might have to beat Tri-Unity, Fowler and TC Christian), but they have the moxie and competitiveness to claim another Breslin trip.