March Madness isn’t just for college hoops.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association boys basketball tournament is set to get underway next week with a plethora of contenders in each division.
Orchard Lake St. Mary has separated as the cream of the crop, but below them it seems like any team could make the march to East Lansing.
Here is a look at the toughest districts throughout Division 1:
District 6 – GR Forest Hills Northern
Teams: Rockford (16-4), GR Northview (15-4), Coopersville (17-3), Forest Hills Northern (7-13), Kenowa Hills (8-12), GR Union (0-18)
Key Players: Brady Swartz, 6-6 (GR Northview); E.J. Ryans, 6-3 (GR Northview); Camron Ryans, 6-4 (GR Northview); Andrew Landis, 6-1 (Rockford); Drake Irwin, 6-3 (Rockford); Jake Bascom, 6-5 (Rockford); Kyle Brown, 6-0 (Forest Hills Northern); Joey Angok, 6-8 (Forest Hills Northern); Eli Spencer, 6-2 (Coopersville); Porter Kretschman, 6-3 (Coopersville)
Rockford has lost just once since December and has beat most of the teams it would face in the tournament. Getting Lucas Pitsch (6-7) back really helped this lineup. Northview has lost three games in recent weeks, including twice to GR Christian. They have one of the best offensive trios in the state, but just haven’t been able to win close games against top teams. Coopersville has the best record but played a weaker schedule than the other teams in the district. It would be a big upset if FH Northern, Union or Kenowa Hills prevailed.
Prediction: Rockford
District 7 – Byron Center
Teams: East Kentwood (14-6), Byron Center (15-5), Hudsonville (13-7), Grandville (14-6), Wyoming (6-14), Jenison (2-18)
Key Players: Christian Humphrey-Rembert, 6-9 (East Kentwood); Jah Hatchett, 5-11 (East Kentwood); Camden Karel, 6-9 (Byron Center); Brayden Szamrej, 6-2 (Hudsonville); Cameron Regnerus, 6-8 (Grandville)
This might be the toughest district in the state. Four teams seem equally likely to make it through to regionals, although East Kentwood’s quickness and tenacity might give them the edge. Byron Center has immense talent, size and shooting. They struggled early but have picked up some great wins as of late and might be peaking at the right time. Hudsonville is technically sound and has three solid scorers. Some late-season losses have trickled in, but they remain a big threat. Grandville has the size to advance, but East Kentwood has proved a bad matchup for them, so Mike Thomas’ squad would need to be avoided.
Prediction: East Kentwood
District 12 – Mason
Teams: East Lansing (18-2), Mason (19-2), Okemos (18-3), Holt (8-12), Lansing Everett (8-9)
Key Players: Cameron Hutson, 6-6 (East Lansing); KJ Torbert, 6-3 (East Lansing); Luke Marlan, 6-2 (Mason); Kaleb Parrish, 6-5 (Mason); Collin Alexander, 6-2 (Okemos); Colin Walton, 6-6 (Okemos); Brandon Mercer, 5-8 (Holt)
It just feels like an upset could be brewing here. East Lansing is the favorite and one of the most talented teams in the state with a plethora of next-level players. But Okemos has played them close twice. It’s hard to beat a team three times. Mason is also a very solid team with smart, athletic guards, some of whom were on their state runner-up football team. Holt and Lansing Everett could be good for an upset. Both are exciting to watch and probably better than their records.
Prediction: East Lansing
District 16 – Belleville
Teams: Belleville (15-5), Saline (16-4), Ypsilanti Lincoln (15-5), Romulus (10-8), Ypsilanti (7-11)
Key Players: Ja’Len Jenkins, 6-2 (Belleville); Braylon Mannon, 6-8 (Belleville); Jonathan Sanderson, 6-3 (Saline), Dante Wimberly, 6-1, (Ypsilanti Lincoln); Myles Gregory, 6-1 (Romulus)
This district probably doesn’t have a title contender, but it has three teams with 15-plus wins. It will be a very competitive battle. Belleville is young with great size. The Tigers lost a few games early, but have been playing determined, winning basketball since the turn of the calendar. Saline arguably has the most overall talented player in the state in Sanderson, who is just a sophom*ore. He has already eclipsed 1,000 points scored. Ypsilanti Lincoln may not have Emoni Bates on its roster anymore, but it’s an athletic bunch who plays tremendous defense. Romulus is solid enough to pay attention too.
Prediction: Belleville
District 20 – Detroit MLK
Teams: Cass Tech (19-1), Grosse Pointe South (17-4), Detroit MLK (14-6), Detroit Western (10-9), Grosse Pointe North (9-10)
Key Players: Derrick Miller, 5-11 (Cass Tech); Stevie Hall, 6-2 (Cass Tech); Karter Richards, 6-2 (GP South); Tory James, 6-1 (GP South); Terrence Martin, 6-3 (Detroit MLK); Frederick Saunders, 6-7 (Detroit Western); Leo Perettie, 5-10 (GP North)
Always a competitive district, Cass Tech will look to repeat as champions despite losing its entire starting lineup from last year’s D1 state title. This year’s team has a trio of highly-capable guards and some 6-5-plus forwards gaining confidence. Watch out for GP South. Richards, a Lake Superior State commit, is the best player in the district. South has a number of impressive wins, including a huge victory over Warren Lincoln earlier this month. Detroit MLK is athletic and tough, but might be a year or two away as most of its best players are sophom*ores.
Prediction: Cass Tech
District 21 – Hamtramck
Teams: UD Jesuit (16-5), Detroit Renaissance (15-5), Hamtramck (13-8), Warren Fitzgerald (16-5), Detroit Mumford (4-12)
Key Players: Leroy Blyden Jr., 6-1 (UD Jesuit); Xavier Johnson, 6-4 (UD Jesuit); Lance Stone, 5-7 (Detroit Renaissance); Jordan Sigmon, 6-2 (Detroit Renaissance); Andrew Kimbrough, 6-4 (Hamtramck); Malachi Irving, 6-4 (Warren Fitzgerald); Chandler Allen, 6-5 (Warren Fitzgerald)
A brutal district that could produce some exciting, high-scoring games. Jesuit survived the new-look Catholic League, but disappointed in their tournament. Is that a sign of danger to come? Renaissance is potentially the most exciting team in the state, often eclipsing 80 points. Hamtramck is young and still gaining experience, but the Cosmos have a solid and deep roster. Warren Fitzgerald is a tough matchup with stingy defense and toughness.
Prediction: UD Jesuit
District 25 – White Lake Lakeland
Teams: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (19-1), West Bloomfield (15-5), Walled Lake Central (18-2), White Lake Lakeland (7-14), Walled Lake Northern (6-15), Walled Lake Western (3-17)
Key Players: Trey McKenney, 6-4 (OLSM); Sharod Barnes, 6-2 (OLSM); Jayden Savoury, 6-6 (OLSM); Drew Wilson, 6-2 (West Bloomfield); Corey Pittman, 6-2 (West Bloomfield); Vish Das, 6-2 (WL Central); Jake Nellett, 6-4 (WL Central)
One could argue any district with OLSM in it isn’t difficult. In fact, it might be pre-determined. However, West Bloomfield has been playing so great lately (highlighted by a win over North Farmington) that we can’t hand a district title to OLSM just yet. Walled Lake Central also had a great season, but most likely lacks the firepower to challenge the other two teams.
Prediction: OLSM
