Five Players that will Decide Division I

We are now well into the most wonderful time of the year. Not Christmas— but the madness that is the month of March (I'm told the real name is copyrighted) After covering divisions 2-4. We'll wrap things up with the big boys in Division I.   This is not meant to be some type of bracketolgy. I am not going to try and name the teams that are going make it to the Breslin Center. I am going to identify the players that will need to perform well in order for their teams to win the state championship.   [player_tooltip player_id='985661' first='Curtis' last='Williams'] 6-5 2023 Birmingham Brother Rice This might not age well. But with the exclusion of [player_tooltip player_id='985658' first='RJ' last='Taylor'] (see below) Williams is most likely the front runner for this years basketball Mr. Basketball award. However in watching him play multiple times this year. I don't think he really cares. The Louisville commitment has been about one thing— winning. The same can be said of his teammates. Among them three (if not more) Division 1 recruits. Accordingly this natural born scorer will not need to carry his team. However I think he will need to play well. In March there will come a time where a team will just a need a bucket. Williams is a bucket. Able to score in multiple ways and at all three levels. Has an innate ability to hang in the air and make plays. Coming off a big Operation Friendship victory over an undefeated Cass Tech squad (see below) Brother Rice appears to be poised for a deep March run.   [player_tooltip player_id='985658' first='RJ' last='Taylor'] 6-0 2023 Grand Blanc It is furthest thing from my desire to stir up controversy. However I would be remiss if I did not address this players exclusion from the list of Mr.Basketball finalists. I'll be brief and succinct. A top five player in the class who has led his team to back-to-back final game appearances. Including raising a banner— should be a finalist. Simple as that. I'll let the social media warriors take it the rest of the way. That being said. The only thing it really provides is a heavy dose of motivation. Taylor is a consummate point guard who impacts the game in so many ways that are not going to show up in a scorebook. In both regular season and AAU basketball. His unheralded teammates continue to rack up college opportunities. Why is that? He puts his teammates in a position to succeed. This years beneficiary is [player_tooltip player_id='1212739' first='Tae' last='Boyd']. Who will be heading onto Ferris St next year. If Taylor (Northern Iowa commit) can get back to Breslin Center. It will cap off one of the more impressive three year runs for a player in MHSAA history. That would be an accomplishment no one can argue with.   [player_tooltip player_id='1077679' first='Hutch' last='Ward'] 6-8 2023 Kalamazoo Central The Maroon Giants missed a trip to the Breslin Center on a buzzer beating three by Grand Rapids Northview last year. If they are to take the next step. They will be led by a player who has taken a significant personal step. Ward absolutely blew up this summer and become a high priority GLIAC recruit. Eventually he decided to take his talents down I-94 to Wayne St. Short of running the point. At the high school level. There aren't many weaknesses in his game. Can really shoot it. Not just for player of his size. But might be one of the better shooters in the state regardless of position. A prototypical college stretch four. Has also shown improvement as both a ball handler and passer. Especially out of the high post. Doesn't need to play point. [player_tooltip player_id='1300899' first='Terrance' last='Jones'] has that held down pretty well. Feels like it's been a minute since this perennial power has made an appearance at the Breslin Center. They can do it if this duo comes up big.   [player_tooltip player_id='986247' first='Amari' last='Allen'] 6-3 2023 Hamtramck The pitfalls of of getting sick and delaying this list a week. Hamtramck's run could end tonight if they fall to defending state champion Warren De La Salle. However if the Cosmos are going to make a deep run it will be on the back of this “power” guard. I put power in quotations for reason. Allen is fullback playing basketball. Has broad shoulders with long arms and appears to enjoy contact. However it is not all bully ball. Is a skilled player who is able to play under control. Avoids fouls with an array of clever euro steps and the ability to hang in the air. Not a point guard and doesn't need to be for his squad. However is a good enough ball handler to take over games with penetration when needed. There are not many guards who can match his physicality. Forms a good duo with transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1825100' first='Chuck' last='Bailey'] (Evansville) But if Hamtramck is going to make a deep run and contend for a banner. I believe they will need to be led by Allen.   [player_tooltip player_id='1223506' first='Travon' last='Cooper'] 6-5 Detroit Cass Tech Both the present and future is bright for Cass Tech. They have only dropped one contest this year to highly touted Brother Rice (see above). They have guards for days and they are young. However what they don't have is a lot of size. Copper is a versatile forward who can play and guard multiple position. Including the post if needed. Has a slender build. However he can play the post due to his lengthy frame. Also has plenty of bounce and the ability to play well above the rim. If the Technicians are going to make a deep run. The backcourt led by 2025 standout [player_tooltip player_id='1437537' first='Darius' last='Acuff'] are going get a lot of the ink. However they will not be able to fulfill their full potential without contributions from players like Cooper.

We are now well into the most wonderful time of the year. Not Christmas— but the madness that is the month of March (I'm told the real name is copyrighted) After covering divisions 2-4. We'll wrap things up with the big boys in Division I.