MHSAA Rankings: The Division III Not Quite Yet Group

<p>I try to not be a clickbait provocateur. Consequently, I struggled to come up with a name for the tail end of this ranking series. Future rankings didn't feel right as there are plenty of teams in the initial rankings with bright futures. I didn't want to just go with just the best young teams either as juniors are not necessarily young.</p>   <p>I'm going to go with the "not quite yet" moniker. Don't get me wrong these teams can certainly make some noise this year. However, I think state championship contention might be a little rich. As I have often wrote. I would be thrilled to be proven wrong. If my thoughts are in any way used for bulletin board material. That is fine with me. I'll attach the initial Top Ten and the five honorable mentions. Math isn't my thing but if you want to combine them to create a preseason top 20 that would be a cogent conclusion.</p>   <p><em>**Last year's record in parentheses**</em></p>   <p>Initial Top Ten: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/mhsaa-way-to-early-rankings-division-iii-top-ten/">https://prephoops.com/2026/08/mhsaa-way-to-early-rankings-division-iii-top-ten/</a></p>   <p>Honorable Mention: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/mhsaa-way-to-early-rankings-five-more-for-division-iii/">https://prephoops.com/2026/09/mhsaa-way-to-early-rankings-five-more-for-division-iii/</a></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ecorse (19-5) </h2>   <p>Traditionally strong downriver school that is well tested playing in the Detroit Charter School League. Coming off a strong year and a regional final appearance. The reason for future hope lies in the return of a talented young backcourt. <strong>Chelldon Mattison</strong> (6-1) leads the way as a talented junior scoring guard. He will support from fellow junior <strong>Braylin Campbell</strong> (5-6) Campbell isn't very big but is electric with the ball in his hands. </p>   <p>I was impressed with Campbell when he played with Cho-Zen Elite at the Great Lakes Closer event at the end of June. If you have two good guards, you have a chance against most teams in Division III teams in the state. Showed that by defeating Jonesville, one of the biggest teams in the state regardless of class during last year' deep March run. If the frontline can develop, Ecorse could once again be a factor in March for the next few years.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hemlock (10-14) </h2>   <p>The opposite type of squad from Ecorse (see above) A team coming off of a down regular season that returns of strong frontline. It's a bit of a fire ice grouping. Featuring two players with opposite body types and skillsets. It starts with the "man" in the middle. I used the quotes intentionally. The "man" is a quite young prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='3678998' first='Cal' last='McFadden'] A hulking post who just completed his freshman campaign. McFadden stands about 6-4 and a healthy 250. The type of player who needs to play up grade levels to be pushed physically. Which he did and did well.</p>   <p>Was a key player while competing up two grade levels with a [program_tooltip program_id='2429901' first='REAL' last='Basketball'] 17U group that has featured Division II basketball commits. While the girth is advanced, the skill level is not far behind. Is a bit of a dancing bear. Is light on his feet and has good lateral quickness. Also shows above average ball skills. Is a good passer out of the high post and has a soft touch around the basket. The polar opposite is slender 6-5 junior <strong>Kellan Schultz. </strong>Coming off strong year that saw him earn all-league honors. He could have a big year if he can take the next step psychically. If he can't, he has the versatility to slide to wing and create matchup problems. No way to gently put it, 14 losses is a lot of losses, However I saw this group during the team camp season and was impressed. If the backcourt can develop this could be a good team in the next few years.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kent City (16-9) </h2>   <p>For the Eagles it starts begins and end with sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='3678902' first='Aiden' last='Farr'] One of two freshmen to earn all-state honors within the Division last season. Kent City did graduate a fair amount of production from last year's squad. Farr should be equipped to handle more of a load as a sophomore. After playing well during the June team camps season. The scoring guard with a long projectable frame should be in for another leap in the coming year. </p>   <p>Like Ecorse (see above) the key going forward will be the development of the frontline. There are good athletes in the program with Falcons coming off of a semifinal appearance on the gridiron. A name to watch going forward is 6-4 junior <strong>Tyler Stray</strong>. While he appears to be focused on the pigskin going forward. He has the size and athletic ability to be a factor on the block in the Division III level. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stockbridge (18-7) </h2>   <p>A very strong core of sophomores is the reason for optimism with this Jackson area squad. Performed well against a difficult schedule before losing to a good Springport unit in a district final. If they adjust quickly to new coach and system, they could be even better this year. I just wrote that [player_tooltip player_id='3678902' first='Aiden' last='Farr'] was one of two sophomores to earn all state honors as a freshman. The other was the Panthers 6-3 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2850654' first='Jonathan' last='Crow'] </p>   <p>Crow is a versatile prospect who can stretch the floor while also scoring down low. He showed improvement in his release from beyond the arc during grassroots play. He is also good ball handler loaded with winning intangibles. Reflected by the success of his Michigan Ignition squad at various events all over the Midwest. Crow has plenty of help within his class. [player_tooltip player_id='2969940' first='Bradley' last='Buddenborg'] is sweet shooting lefty guard with good basketball bloodlines. He had a good summer with the School Days Foundation on the Grassroots Basketball League. Crow's Michigan Ignition running mate [player_tooltip player_id='2850856' first='Remington' last='Christie'] is another sophomore guard who could contribute in the coming year.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Traverse City St Francis (9-14) </h2>   <p>Three years removed from a state final appearance. The Glads rebuild looks ready to show fruit in the coming year. While there is strong group of upperclassmen. This is a quasi future ranking column. Accordingly, like Stockbridge (see above) I'm most intrigued with the sophomore class. That class is led by [player_tooltip player_id='2802595' first='Mikey' last='Bauman'] (pictured) a high upside 6-3 scoring forward. Bauman was outstanding at multiple prospect camps in the fall. Showing a mature game that allowed him to score in a wide variety of ways. </p>   <p>With Bauman's dynamism on the wing. The post is manned by [player_tooltip player_id='3639517' first='Oliver' last='Hayes'] a bulky 6-4 sophomore who is rapidly improving. As he develops and stretches out a bit physically, he should be hard to stop on the block with his combination on strength and skill. There is further help in the backcourt from <strong>Tyler Reibel, </strong>a small sophomore guard with a strong basketball lineage. There might not be room in the rotation this year, but a name to watch for the future. Like Hemlock, 14 losses is a lot of losses. However, as an independent school they faced a gauntlet of a schedule. They were playing well at the end of the year and should carry some momentum into the upcoming season.</p>   <p></p>

I try to not be a clickbait provocateur. Consequently, I struggled to come up with a name for the tail end of this ranking series. Future rankings didn't feel right as there are plenty of teams in the initial rankings with bright futures. I didn't want to just go with just the best young teams either as juniors are not necessarily young.