MHSAA Way-to-Early Rankings: Five More for Division II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After giving you the preseason Division II top ten a few weeks ago. It's time to add to that initial list. A few quick guidelines. Consider the initial list (which I will provide a link for) as a static group right now. This list is not numbered and is in alphabetical order. The initial list does not change (yet) These are just more teams to watch that will probably be ranked at some point in the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>**Last year's record in parentheses**</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Initial Top Ten: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/09/mhsaa-way-to-early-rankings-division-ii-top-ten/">https://prephoops.com/2026/09/mhsaa-way-to-early-rankings-division-ii-top-ten/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frankenmuth (23-2) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year a public school one town team from the Tri-Cities area mildly surprised observers and won the state championship. While their hamlet name began with "F". It was Freeland and not Frankenmuth. I highlight that mention that Frankenmuth was one of Freeland's few losses on the season. Returning much of their rotation and a healthy amount of size. Could Frankenmuth replicate Freeland's equation and contend for state championship?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They certainly have enough size. With a senior twin tower look featuring [player_tooltip player_id='3682265' first='Drew' last='Davis'] (6-10) and <strong>Matt Schoenow </strong>(6-7). Davis (pictured) is a reminder that bigs always develop later than guards and wings. I had not heard of Davis before the June team camp season. After watching him at the BCAM event and a Wanye St team camp, he is rapidly improving and one of the biggest players in the state. Schoenow is not quite as big but is quick and light on his feet. He will have the luxury being a matchup nightmare at the four spot with Davis manning the five full time. Led by 6-2 senior [player_tooltip player_id='3682268' first='Landon' last='Jacobs'] there is size and skill in the backcourt as well. While Jacobs can play both backcourt spots. There is enough depth that should allow him to focus on scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Rapids Christian (17-6) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles will not be as deep and talented as recent versions. After establishing a pretty good preps to college pipeline. They will also lack the "no doubt about it" Division I player this year (yet) That being said, they still have the potential to be very good if the pieces fit together well. As with most teams, it starts at the point. Christian has a good one in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2140474' first='Braylon' last='Taylor'] The slender prospect has everything you want for the position except elite size. With three years of varsity experience Taylor should be able to take on a featured role as a senior. I could see the talented point guard blooming late physically and becoming the next Eagle prospect to take off at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The x-factor for the team could be the growth shown by sophomore post [player_tooltip player_id='2822822' first='Pabegg' last='Anyijong'] Like Taylor, Anyijong is quite slender but was being measured during June elite camps at 6-11. That is size you just can't teach. He showed improvement with a strong West Michigan Premier squad in the spring and summer. With the one and five spots locked down pretty good. How seniors like [player_tooltip player_id='2140481' first='Charlie' last='King'] and <strong>Will Ferwerda</strong> fill in the perimeter gaps could be story of the Eagles season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lansing Sexton (23-3) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a very successful regular season, Sexton graduates much of their rotation. As the rotation was packed with four-year contributors. I had no intention of ranking this squad after all the departures. A funny thing happened on the way to falling out of the rankings. Sexton showed the depth of their program. I was very impressed with the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='3659417' first='Korey' last='Jackson Jr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3660642' first='Carmine' last='Henderson'] at a late May tournament in the Detroit area. Jackson is talented and multifaceted forward who should be able to shoulder a bigger load as a senior. At 6-5 Jackson could contribute down low. Though he is a major matchup on the perimeter as big wing. Henderson should be able to step into a gigantic hole at the point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If highly lauded gridiron standouts like [player_tooltip player_id='2871868' first='Willie' last='Brown'] come out, Sexton might not take much of step back in terms of guard play. Sexton is another school that is in the midst of the ever growing late summer transfer winds. If everybody plays and is eligible, Sexton could be one of the more talented teams in Lansing area that lost a lot of talent in the past year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">St Johns (17-5) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I did not see the Red Wings in action last season. Nor did I see them during the during the June team camp season. So how did the program merit mention? Simply put, the power of three. Three different players, from three different grades, had outstanding offseasons with three different programs. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2412865' first='Hunter' last='Kinkema'] kicked things off early. The sub six foot point guard was good in April with one of the many [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] squads at the Storm Classic in April. At the same event junior [player_tooltip player_id='3683468' first='Tyler' last='Priest'] was good with [program_tooltip program_id='2429901' first='REAL' last='Basketball']. Priest is a versatile 6-3 prospect who shoots the ball well but also has the size to bang down low. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, the reason for this scout's optimism is 6-5 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3699137' first='Brayden' last='Cook'] and the leap he took this spring/summer. Playing with Michigan Ignition all over the Midwest, Cook was one the better wings I saw. Not many holes in his offensive game from the three spot. Has the size and vertical explosion to play and finish above the rim. Much more than just an athlete though. Good shooter from the mid range and from beyond the arc. If the pieces jells and Cook can continue his ascent. St Johns could join Sexton as one of the more talented teams in the Lansing area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pontiac (17-7) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like a seemingly abnormal number of schools this year. Momentum for this squad was slowed a bit by a late transfer. However enough talent remains for Pontiac to have one of their better squads since the combination of storied Northern and Central programs. Senior leadership should come from the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2871072' first='Jeremiah' last='Claudio'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2974484' first='Timothy' last='Ewing'] Claudio is an dynamic point guard whose junior year was slowed by an injury. At 6-3 Ewing is physically advanced and versatile. He could be needed down low after the Phoenix graduated some size from last year's squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future and possibly present of program could run through sophomore guard <strong>Caden Covington</strong>. The 6-2 prospect is a pure shooter who continues to develop the rest of his game. The ball handling looked improved at the Prep Hoops Sophomore ID Camp in August. If he can take the next step, Pontiac could have one of the deepest backcourts in the division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->