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

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After giving you the preseason Division I 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: https://prephoops.com/2026/09/mhsaa-way-to-early-ranking-division-i-top-ten/</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Clarkston (18-6) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With its enrollment and tradition of excellence, Clarkston is always going to be good. However, since the graduation of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2837380' first='Matthew' last='']</strong> <strong>Nicholson </strong>(Northwestern) and the transfer departure of <strong>Fletcher Loyer</strong> (Purdue) the Wolves have felt just off the radar of state championship contention. Why, well just look at what is in the parentheses. Mainly high-level Division I college talent. That might change with this year's group. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140466' first='Ace' last='Walters'] is a top 30 player in his class. He has everything you want for the position except elite size. He is loaded with winning intangibles and fits the prototype of recent successful Wolves point guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I used the qualifier "might" above with Walters in regards to Division I status. I don't need that for sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3258647' first='Brody' last='Champagne'] a top 10 player in a loaded 2029 class in Michigan. The 6-5 wing is trending hard towards elite status after a breakout spring and summer. A smooth and fluid wing prospect who could be next elite player to the grace the Dan Fife court. Champagne has a slender build but he should be able to develop nicely on the wing due to the Wolves size down low. Mainly 6-6 senior [player_tooltip player_id='2872834' first='Waylon' last='Hunter'] who I liked with Inspire U in AAU action this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Holland West Ottawa (13-12)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young core that has seemingly played together for a long time with nary a transfer or defection. They exceeded expectations two years ago. While probably coming up short of their goals last season. That being said, they still won a competitive district and return nearly their entire rotation. Could this be the year it all comes together for the Panthers? The headliners are the inside out duo of senior [player_tooltip player_id='2140516' first='Makai' last='Campos'] (pictured) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='3671612' first='Darien' last='Stewart'] After a strong grassroots run, Campos recently committed to Wayne St. With his recruitment over. Campos could be in line for a huge senior campaign. He is arguably to the top sub six-foot prospect in the entire state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewart is not a sub six-foot prospect. The 6-7 post has long tantalized with his immense physical upside. He appeared to be putting it altogether during the June team camp season. An electric and explosive athlete in transition. If he can carry over his June progress into the regular season, the Panthers should be much improved. Outside of the top two there is a plethora of guards led by junior <strong>JT Gill </strong>and the senior familial attack of the <strong>Watson </strong>twins (<strong>Jay and Sam</strong>) I also was impressed with guard [player_tooltip player_id='2799442' first='Braden' last='Overbeek'] at the recent Prep Hoops Sophomore ID camp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Muskegon (20-3) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not going to lie. it did not feel right leaving the Big Reds out of the initial Top 10. With a Hall of Fame head coach and a talented core, that omission might not age well. However, this group has some questions. Who is going to step into the shoes of graduated four year star <strong>James Martin </strong>(Detroit-Mercy). Recent Big Red squads have put the "Big" in "Red" along the frontline. How are they going to adapt to a smaller rotation in terms of vertical size? While there is talent, it is young talent. Who is going to provide the senior leadership this group has had the luxury of having for the last few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If I'm nervous about not ranking this group. That means there are possible answers on this roster. After a high scoring freshman season, is [player_tooltip player_id='2815567' first='Anthony' last='Lambers'] ready to step into the<strong> James Martin </strong>role? That is a big ask for a sophomore. However, Lambers is extremely talented and one of the top prospects in an exceedingly deep 2029 class in Michigan. He is already one of the top shooters in the state and filled that role last year. Recently on the fall elite camp circuit. He showed expansion to his game with improved ball handling and strength. The size question. Is 6-6 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2758277' first='William' last='Whyms'] ready to step into a bigger role in the post? While Whyms is quite slender, he is one of the better leapers in the state. As for senior leadership. Can [player_tooltip player_id='2280868' first='Tyson' last='Worthington'] step into that role? Possessing much more than just intangibles, Worthington is similar to Lambers. An outstanding shooter who showed improvement while earning a starting role in a deep rotation last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Redford Thurston (20-3) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles are coming off a successful regular season and return much if their rotation. They went undefeated in their conference and defeated a talented North Farmington squad in the state tournament. There only regular seasons came to talented teams from Ann Arbor (Pioneer and Huron) After flying a bit under the radar, they should be equipped to have a bit more of target on their back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest reason for optimism is the return of senior [player_tooltip player_id='2140533' first='Tony' last='Holliday Jr'] a dynamic 6-3 scoring guard. I was very impressed with the diverse offensive skillset he showed with [program_tooltip program_id='2078459' first='Michigan' last='Playmakers'] this spring and summer. He will have help in the backcourt from [player_tooltip player_id='3682338' first='Modou' last='Touray'] at the point. I liked Touray at a BCAM event in June and believe he is underrated going into his senior year. He is explosive and can make plays at the rim despite a sub six-foot frame. Fellow 6-1 senior [player_tooltip player_id='3585621' first='Orion' last='Mcnelson'] could also contribute in a deep backcourt. If the frontline can develop as well, Thurston will not sneak up on opponents this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rochester (23-1) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm not going to name names but one thing I enjoy about my job is talking to people from all over the state. I'm not from the Detroit area, but in my conversations and travels, there seemed to be a prevailing belief that Rochester's undefeated regular season was a bit of mirage. After going out in districts to their crosstown rival. Those holding that sentiment probably felt vindicated. After not seeing them in the regular season, that was all I had to go off of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Consequently, I was rather surprised when I saw them in June. There is a lot of returning talent and some new additions that will make the Falcons strong once again. Senior swingman [player_tooltip player_id='3659895' first='Nate' last='Tandy'] fits the protype of a player that flies under the radar. A multi-sport standout who does have a ton of grassroots participation on his resume. He is skilled and has good size for the backcourt. I also liked what is coming up in junior class with guard [player_tooltip player_id='2541984' first='Owen' last='Trombley'] and post [player_tooltip player_id='3587533' first='Ben' last='Bissett'] (6-6) If there is room in the rotation they have a good one coming up in 2029 guard [player_tooltip player_id='3594644' first='Tyrion' last='Tucker'] as well. Like Thurston, they are not going to sneak up on anyone this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->