MHSAA Way-to-Early Rankings: Division IV Top Ten

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When I endeavored to begin this series of rankings roll outs. My initial goal was to avoid the "Way to Early" moniker in the headline. After all school is close to starting in most Michigan school districts. Rosters are usually pretty set by this point. However, a funny thing happened on the way to a deadline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In case you haven't been paying attention. The transfer portal in high school basketball is beginning to resemble the late breaking version being seen in college basketball at the moment. Consequently I will stick with calling these "way to early" rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting with perhaps with the most stable grouping. Found in Michigan's smallest classification Division IV. Last year's record in parentheses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>**<em>This will be an ongoing and updating list, for the sake of brevity I'm going to limit each team to only 2 contributors. We will add players, details, and x-factors more in later incarnations**</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Detroit Frederick Douglass (21-8) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top two teams in this division have stayed pretty static since essentially the pandemic. You can quibble about rankings and eventually post season predictions. It is a pretty inarguable fact to this scout that the Hurricanes have the best collection of top level talent in the division. The aforementioned transfer portal could still bring more good players both out and into this program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However if the backcourt of senior [player_tooltip player_id='3682220' first='Jacodi' last='Nathan'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3627530' first='Damani' last='Oliver'] (pictured) are still on this team. I'm keeping the Hurricanes in the top spot. Oliver is the headliner of the group. Coming off a strong grassroots run with [program_tooltip program_id='2077030' first='The' last='Family'] on the EYBL. There is plenty of talent beyond the top two</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian (25-2) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Douglass, a returning big two with plenty of big game experience and tradition that simply does not graduate. Year 1 of the post Mark Keeler era still saw the Defenders in the Breslin Center with an overtime loss to the eventual state champion Concord (see below) There is no reason to think year two will any different.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They will be led by the senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='3680885' first='Cody' last='Osbun'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3682334' first='Caleb' last='Hoffman']. Both are highly versatile and productive players who stand about 6-3. If the backcourt can develop and a sizeable post transfer adjusts quickly. Tri Unity could be back in familiar surroundings in March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Crystal Falls Forrest Park (19-5) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another very consistent program near the top of the list. Forrest Park was somewhat surprisingly bounced in the regional semifinals after making a Breslin center appearence two seasons ago. This is an experenced squad that has had sucess in mutiple sports. The headline with this group is both the present and future being bright.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2622028' first='Vic' last='Giuliani'] is a 6-4 wing who might be the top individual talent in the division. He has battled injuries throughout his career but has still been highly productive. While Guiliani represents the present. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2402509' first='Lyle' last='Price'] is the future. The 6-0 guard is coming off of strong freshman season and is only going to get better. I first caught him as a rising 7th grader at exposure camp in Northern Michigan. He was good enough to play on state championship caliber team then. He was not six feet tall yet. He is bigger and better now. This is a team with a very deep rotation beyond just the two players mentioned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Traverse City Christian (25-1) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Small parochial in Northern Michigan's biggest city coming off an undefeated regular season. Pulled it off after arguably losing their best player to an early season ending injury. Like Forrest Park and Douglass, they have uncommon depth and size for the division. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2873437' first='Ethan' last='Johns'] was part of the communal the stepped into the injury void. The versatile 6-3 forward should be able to move back to the wing because....</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The aforementioned injured point guard who missed most of last season should be back. If senior [player_tooltip player_id='3668071' first='Asher' last='Coates'] is back to full strength. The Sabers will have a strong case for the top spot in division. He is simply that good. Between the Northern locale, the injury, and the lack of AAU participation. he understandably flies well under the radar. He might the top point guard in the division if back to full strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Concord (25-4) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending state champions lose quite a bit. However, they return enough to still be a factor. They will be fronted by the backcourt of senior [player_tooltip player_id='2829102' first='Darrell' last='Dean jr'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='3683857' first='Marcus' last='Gill Jr'] (did you follow juniors there?) Dean the 5-11 senior, should slide into a more natural point guard role this year after playing off the ball last year. That should suit him better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gill, the coache's son is bigger at 6-2. After a strong AAU run with the [program_tooltip program_id='2077017' first='Grand' last='Rapids Storm'] he looks prepared for a larger scoring role after primarily coming off the bench last season. If the frontline can develop this year (the pieces are there) The Hornets could be right back in state title contention this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. Hillsdale Academy (22-3) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Colts just couldn't get past Concord last season (hence their current placement) However they return a freshman who might just... Wait I'm double checking my notes here. The Colts return a freshman just might the top overall player in the division. You read that correctly a "returning" freshman. How...? Hillsdale Academy's small enrollment allowed [player_tooltip player_id='2844069' first='Jackson' last='Huffman'] to play as an 8th grader last season. The versatile 6-7 forward did more than just play. Earning all-state honors and leading his squad to a two loss regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Accordingly, it goes without saying that this will be a very young group. The youth will be compensated by uncommon size for the division. Huffman will be joined by 6-4 sophomore <strong>Logan Knirk.</strong> There is also more size coming up from Huffman's middle school class as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">7. Fowler (23-3) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like other programs near the top of this list. A recent history of sustained success gives the Eagles the benefit of the doubt. After losing a lot of production from last year's squad (five seniors) The Eagles will rebuild. They will do it with names that should be familiar to anyone who has followed basketball in the greater Lansing area for the last 20 or so years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Need a Thelen? We have Thelen. Need a Klein? We have Klein, and so it goes. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2422457' first='Garrett' last='Klein'] and <strong>Issac Thelen</strong> should lead the Fowler attack. While they are good returnees. Don't undersell what is on its way up as the Eagles JV and Freshmen squads went 18-3 and 17-4 respectively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. Dollar Bay (24-3) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This placement is a belief in the talent the of senior [player_tooltip player_id='2964366' first='Baron' last='Colbert II'] I first caught the 6-3 guard at an exposure camp in the fall and thought he showed the ability to play with anyone. He showed that with a strong performance in the state seminal against the #1 team on this list. So, if he is returning, why is this squad in the second half of the top ten? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dollar Bay loses perhaps the most production of any team on this list. That being said, like Hillsdale Academy they were able to get some middle schoolers run last season. A lot of growth can happen between eight and ninth grade. If a team can develop around Colbert, the Blue Bolts could surprise once again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">9. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (19-7) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have a hard time believing Detroit Frederick Douglass is going to be the only Detroit area squad in state title contention for the coming season. After making a Cinderella run to the quarterfinals last year. I'm going to sneak the Lakers in here. It's not just going with hunch and picking chalk. There is some talent here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2411249' first='Lukas' last='Tedder'] is a talented guard who I caught at the same event I saw Colbert at in the fall. The 6-1 guard will be primed for a big senior season. He should be joined by fellow senior <strong>Louis Artz.</strong> Senior leadership returning from a deep tournament run could allow the Lakers to surprise once again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">10. Frankfort (10-13) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can't just go with every team that had a good season from last year. I need to give a squad that should be much improved. Injuries and youth played a role in the Panthers taking a slight step back last season. They looked back to full strength during the June team camp season. If that holds throughout the regular season, they should be much improved. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2873740' first='Hudson' last='Worm'] should lead the attack. The 6-1 guard did not look or play like a freshman last year. He will be joined in the backcourt by senior [player_tooltip player_id='2494295' first='Sam' last='Volkema']. The frontline was where the injuries befell the Panthers. They were beginning to jell and get healthy near the end of last season. Evidenced by pushing #4 on this list during district play. That gives you an idea of their ceiling as a group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->