Season Preview: Top Five Backcourts

With the start of the regular season most likely delayed, I will slowly roll out the 2020-2021 season previews. I’m not going to attempt to rank teams. I’ll simply rank the top backcourts, frontcourts, then duos lastly. From that list you should be able to ascertain the top teams. We will start today with the backcourts. I will try and stick with traditional 1 and 2 guard compositions. However the swingmen and three and even possible four guard lineups factor into the equation. All prospects are 2021 prospects unless noted 1. Orchard Lake St Mary’s- This is kind of like saying Trevor Lawrence is going to be to the number 1 pick in the NFL Draft. This is the best and deepest backcourt by quite a margin. Northwestern signee [player_tooltip player_id="811092" first="Julian" last="Roper"] gets most of the attention and that is deserved. However I think 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="863918" first="Kareem" last="Rozier"] is the engine that makes this finely tuned car hum. Would be a national recruit with more size. 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="863920" first="Jason" last="Drake"] is good enough to slide Roper down to the three position which is saying something. If that wasn’t enough, added perhaps the top shooter in the state with the transfer of [player_tooltip player_id="814564" first="Will" last="Smythe"]. An embarrassment of riches. I’m well aware I am leaving some out some other contributors but I only have so much space. 2. Grand Blanc- The only unit that can match the Eaglets combo of depth and high level talent. In fact these two squads served up an overtime classic in the regular season last year with St Mary’s coming out on top. Starts with uber 2022 recruit [player_tooltip player_id="787618" first="Ty" last="Rodgers"]. Might be the best overall prospect still playing MHSAA basketball this season. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="985658" first="RJ" last="Taylor"] will look to build off a stellar freshman campaign. An outstanding floor general who plays well beyond his years and simply doesn’t make mistakes. The two will be manned by [player_tooltip player_id="814624" first="Nate" last="Brown"], a steady and tough left handed scorer. The second unit is led by Adrian commit [player_tooltip player_id="814649" first="Josh" last="Rechsteiner"]. Highly competitive player who can get hot from beyond the arc. Like the number one unit on this list, bringing 2023 prospect [player_tooltip player_id="986250" first="Amonte" last="Allen"] off the bench is almost comical. Would start and star for virtually any other program in the state. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/20_Trinidad-ChamblissPrepHoops-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1061816" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/20_Trinidad-ChamblissPrepHoops-2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> 3. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern- Led by Ferris St commit [player_tooltip player_id="811128" first="Ethan" last="Erickson"]. Erickson is responsible for the perhaps in front of [player_tooltip player_id="814564" first="Will" last="Smythe"]’s name above. Erickson is accurate from deep with a trigger quick release. Despite not having ideal height he can play the two due to the presence of [player_tooltip player_id="814560" first="Trinidad" last="Chambliss"]. Chambliss (pictured above) is one of the fastest guards in the state who wreaks havoc on the defensive end. While size could be a slight concern with this group that was addressed with the transfer of [player_tooltip player_id="980052" first="Gavin" last="Fisher"]. Fisher should slide nicely into the three where his versatile game should thrive. Erickson and Chambliss have won a lot of games in their career and will look to continue this tradition in there senior years. 4. Ann Arbor Huron- This group plays so well together they have decided to continue their partnership at the next level. Both [player_tooltip player_id="811099" first="Devin" last="Womack"] and [player_tooltip player_id="611480" first="Tyson" last="Edmondson"] have committed to play Lake Superior St. Womack is more of a combo guard than a true point. Competitive scorer who plays bigger than his listed height. Edmomdson’s length complements Womack and he is a excellent scorer in his own right. Oh yeah did I mention their three man is one of the top seniors in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="611420" first="Julian" last="Lewis"] will be taking his varied and versatile offensive game to William and Mary next year. While offense makes the mix tapes this group really excels defensively. Physically talented but they also play extremely well as a group. 5. East Lansing- From the Big House to the Breslin Center this next group is here on the strength of their grassroots performances. [player_tooltip player_id="811105" first="Marcus" last="Wourmann"] had an excellent playing with the Grand Rapids Storm. Electric penetrator who is adept and finishing at the rim or finding his teammates with a dish. Not to be outdone two Trojans showed out with their respective UTS Elite squads. [player_tooltip player_id="814656" first="David" last="Wilkerson"] showed a lot of development and should break out in his senior campaign. 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="863943" first="Mason" last="Woods"] is a little undersized at the 2. However he is should be an outstanding point guard after Wourman graduates. Woods showed the ability to play off the ball with a UTS 2022 squad that featured lead guard [player_tooltip player_id="863922" first="Brady" last="Titus"]. Depth should come by the way of 2022 prospect Evan Sundermann and possibly 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="986242" first="Evan" last="Boyd"]. I should also note that I don’t believe gridiron standout Andrel Anthony will be playing. If he did that would definitely change the calculus. Honorable Mention Troy- Led by Oakland signee [player_tooltip player_id="811098" first="Brody" last="Parker"] and twin brothers [player_tooltip player_id="811102" first="Ethan" last="Emerzian"] and [player_tooltip player_id="814597" first="Jake" last="Emerzian"] (Madonna) Effective three with [player_tooltip player_id="814577" first="D’Anthony" last="Hamilton"] as well. Benton Harbor- Doesn’t get much tougher and hard nosed than [player_tooltip player_id="814589" first="Kentrell" last="Pullian"] and 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="863960" first="Trucell" last="Singleton"]. Linden- Led by heady and battle tested [player_tooltip player_id="811100" first="Blake" last="Lund"]. Younger brother [player_tooltip player_id="863991" first="Reichen" last="Lund"] brings a lot of the same shooting and intangibles in a bigger package. Also features [player_tooltip player_id="814618" first="Eli" last="Beil"] who is an excellent passer.[player_tooltip player_id="864005" first="Shane" last="Eberhard"] is another excellent guard from the 2022 class. Next Generation (oddly enough all west side teams) Muskegon- 2023’s [player_tooltip player_id="987274" first="Jordan" last="Briggs"] and [player_tooltip player_id="987635" first="Anthony" last="Sydnor"] are going to be problems on the west side for the next few years Grand Rapids Catholic Central- [player_tooltip player_id="987270" first="Kaden" last="Brown"] will lead a group with 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="863974" first="Jorden" last="Brooks"]. The X factor might be Durell Brooks one the top overall 2024 prospects in the state. Don’t forget elder statesmen 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="811113" first="Ryan" last="Grantham"] Wyoming Godwin Heights- Super young group led by next level 2023 shooter [player_tooltip player_id="902884" first="Jakhary" last="Towns"]. Fellow 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="902914" first="Damarie" last="Thompson"] plays much bigger than his listed height. Depth comes in the form of 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1067869" first="Wells" last="Walker III"]. Next up in the long assembly line of good Godwin guards.