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

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After giving you the preseason Division IV 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>Link for initial Top Ten: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/mhsaa-way-to-early-rankings-division-iv-top-ten/">https://prephoops.com/2026/08/mhsaa-way-to-early-rankings-division-iv-top-ten/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Felch North Dickinson (21-4)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off an outstanding regular season where the Nordics defeated the #3 team on the list in the link listed above to reach a regional final. Their season was then ended by the #8 team on that same list. So, why aren't they on the in the initial ranking right now? There might be more an adjustment period here as they graduated a fair amount of production. Especially in the backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They do have good size for the division returning in the front court. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2759312' first='Mason' last='Florenski'] (6-5) and senior <strong>Trenton Kramer</strong> (6-4) return after strong campaigns. If players like <strong>Jason Graham</strong> can develop in the backcourt. North Dickinson could be in for another strong year deep in the heart of the Upper Peninsula.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gaylord St Mary (15-10) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ten losses is a lot of losses. However, many of those losses came to Division III schools. Additionally, the Snowbird's return much of last year's rotation. Even with that knowledge, I might have been hesitant to mention this squad due to their youth. After watching [player_tooltip player_id='3629872' first='Nathan' last='O'Connell'] with the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] this spring. I'm ready to look beyond the inexperience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Only a junior, O'Connell had huge year averaging a double double and earned Player of Year plaudits from local media in the Gaylord area. The versatile 6-4 forward excels in multiple sports and has a long, lanky, and athletic frame. O'Connell is joined in the junior class by <strong>Cal Royce</strong>. Like O'Connell, Royce is a multi-sport standout. The sturdy 6-0 guard provides a spark in the backcourt. He should be more comfortable in the program this year after transferring in from Boyne City. Senior <strong>Charles Cameron </strong>provides leadership and more size down low.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Onekama (17-11) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Gaylord St Mary, a Northern Michigan school coming off a double-digit loss season. Unlike St Mary's, Onekama got hot late and made a deep postseason run. Losing in single digits at the quarterfinals to perennial Division IV power Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian. In the process they handed Traverse City Christian their only loss of the season in the regional final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While they lose more production from their rotation than St Mary's. They will return a nice inside/out duo in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2468116' first='Bennett' last='Zeller'] and senior<strong> Carson Bradford.</strong> Bradford has a beefy frame and is strong enough to bang down low. But he is also a good shooter from beyond the arc. He was huge in the aforementioned upset win over Traverse City Christian. However, it was the freshmen (at the time) guard Zeller, who bailed out the Portagers in the second half. Zeller looked good in the June team camp season as well. The sub six foot prospect should be even better in his second year on varsity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saginaw Nouvel Catholic (16-8) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nouvel is coming off a strong year that saw them collect a district championship before bowing out to Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian (there's that team again) While they lose do-it-all point guard <strong>Rahmaan Kelley. </strong>If some young players can take the next step in their development. They could be a factor for a deep run again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3678757' first='Kobe' last='Box'] is main name to watch in terms of a player taking the next step. The talented 6-2 lefty looked very good recently at the Prep Hoops Sophomore ID Camp. At the Division IV level, he has the size and athletic ability to play and guard multiple positions. If he can move into a featured scoring role seamlessly. The Panthers could be a dynamic offensive team. Senior<strong> Jason El-Haj </strong>will also be strong backcourt contributor with Box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Vestaburg (16-7) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines are hoping a familial backcourt can lead them to one of their best seasons in quite some time. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2140475' first='Brehm' last='Warczinsky'] is a stocky guard who is already a 1,000 point career scorer. He should be able to focus on scoring due to the presence and growth of [player_tooltip player_id='2850784' first='Lucas' last='Warczinsky'] (his younger brother) at the point. Lucas (pictured) is coming off an outstanding spring and summer with Michigan Ignition on the Prep Hoops Circuit. While he is not very big, he proved himself against top competition throughout the Midwest all summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If senior <strong>Kofee Arntz </strong>can develop on the block. Vestaburg could be close to a complete offensive attack. Defensively they will run an aggressive and tenacious system that will force a lot of turnovers. Also watch out for sophomore <strong>Jackson Kilmer</strong> developing and adding more pop from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->