MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

The 2026-27 school season is either back under way or fast approaching across the state, which means we’re that much closer to hoops season.

High school hoops hits differently than AAU, where coaches and players have to face stringent game-planning defenses all winter.

Here are teams we think have the best chance to push for a state title this upcoming season:

Crystal Falls Forest Park – Senior Vic Guiliani (6-3) is one of the most prolific scorers in U.P. history and could eclipse 2,000 career points this season. Fellow senior guards Dax Huuki (6-1) and Izaiah Tarter (6-0) are great outside shooters continuing to improve their overall games. Junior guard Aiden Waldo (5-11) is another lethal shooter from beyond the arc. CF Forest Park can go big with freshman John Guiliani (6-5) in the starting lineup, or shoot teams out of the gym by adding sophomore sharpshooter Lyle Price (6-0) to the fold.

Traverse City Christian – Point guard Asher Coates (5-11) returns from injury to lead a roster that might be capable of competing in D3. Coates is a terrific lead guard who can also score in bunches. Ethan Johns (6-4) is one of the more underrated players in the state, as a long wing with a nice outside shot. Sam Torbet (6-1) is versatile on offense, scoring in the paint and creating his own shot from the perimeter. Senior Sam Bigger (6-3) adds another forward with a well-rounded skillset and great area rebounding. Senior Ethan Pancoast (6-4) might not look it, but he’s basically a shooting guard with deep range from beyond the arc.

Wyoming Tri-Unity – Senior forward Cody Osbun (6-3) might win MVP statewide if that were a thing. He can dominate the post, but he can – and likely will – be asked to run the point quite a bit this season. Returning forward Caleb Hoffman (6-3) is a good shooter and tall enough to score in the paint. Things really got interesting after Hopkins junior Carter Estelle (6-7) transferred over the summer. He’s a top-50 player in his class and possible D2 college prospect. Jacob VanKlompenberg (6-0) will add ball-handling and shooting from the perimeter.

Concord – Fresh off a state title, Concord could be right back into the fold this season. Sophomore Zack Stevens (6-5) is the real deal as an athletic forward who could be more of a wing than post presence. Darrell Dean Jr. (6-1) was a key part of last season’s historic run, and should form a great scoring duo with Stevens. Junior Marcus Gill Jr. (6-2) has a lot of upside, but his skillset will have to take a step forward for this team to truly contend. Colton Gray (6-4) is a solid post presence who excels on defense and as a rebounder.

Detroit Douglass – Deep, talented and almost certainly a lock to at least reach the Final Four, Douglass has the look of an elite D2 squad. Sophomore Damani Oliver (6-0) is a top-10 player in his class. He’s shifty, quick and can shoot from NBA range. Junior Joshua Brooks (6-7) is long and lanky. He’s a solid 3-point shooter, but needs to work on his foot speed. Dime Smith-Powe (6-3) has a power forward look to him, but effectively runs point. Deceptively quick, Smith-Powe is a viable outside shot away from becoming a sure-fire college prospect. Kamari Howard (6-3) will start in the post as a solid finisher and great rebounder. Junior transfer Chukumeka Donaldson (6-1) looks primed to round out the starting lineup as yet another explosive backcourt option.

Hillsdale Academy – Freshman forward Jackson Huffman (6-7) seems like one of the better 9th graders in the Midwest, which is why he already has at least one D1 college offer. He plays like an upperclassman with his skills and court awareness. Fellow freshman Hunter Trine (6-4) also has great size and work ethic. He should develop into a next-level player with his already solid skillset. Sophomore Logan Knirk (6-3) is a tall wing with good scoring instincts, providing this team with a great young trio of matchup problems.