Now that the high school basketball regular season has come to a close, let’s take a look at the state’s top teams in each class. Unfortunately the MHSAA is not able to seed teams to try to get a number 1 vs 2 matchup in the championship games, so I will try to predict when the top teams will actually meet in the tournament.
Class A:
1. Romulus, 19-1
I know the Eagles’ only loss came at the hands of the number 2 team, Pershing, but since that loss Romulus has won 18 games in a row and most haven’t been close. Romulus has played the 3rd toughest schedule of any team in the state, with wins over Robichaud, Sexton, Community, Douglass, Indianapolis Cathedral, Country Day, Arthur Hill, Rochester, and Saginaw. The last two were 30+ point victories. The Eagles are led by 4 players that have received Division 1 interest: EC Matthews, Jalon Plummer, Leo Edwards, and Wes Clark.
2. Detroit Pershing, 20-0
The Doughboys have gone through their relatively difficult schedule unscathed. Anytime the PSL champion escapes undefeated it is a special year. Pershing is led by Martez Walker, Justin Tillman, and Mr. Basketball finalist Khalil Felder. They have wins over Romulus, Consortium, Western International, Community, Chandler Park, Douglass twice, Southeastern, Beecher, Cass Tech, and U of D Jesuit.
3. Rochester Adams, 20-0
The Highlanders are a senior-laden squad that has mowed down their competition this season. While they don’t have the Division 1 talent of the two teams above them, they play great team basketball. Adams has wins over Clarkston and Rochester twice.
Honorable mention: U of D Jesuit 17-3, Arthur Hill 17-3, Saginaw 17-3, and Detroit Cass Tech 17-3
Playoff Outlook: Romulus and Pershing should meet for the second time in the quarterfinals (3/22). Adams wouldn’t meet another ranked team until the semi-finals (Saginaw/ Arthur Hill). U of D Jesuit and Cass Tech will have to get past Pershing before regionals are even finished.
Class B:
1. Detroit Country Day, 17-3
The Yellow jackets are clearly the team to beat in class B again this season. Country Day has played the state’s 2nd toughest schedule and still have a great record. While Kurt Keener is used to coaching incredible college talent (Chris Webber, Shane Battier, and Ray McCallum just to name a few) and many McDonald’s All-Americans, this year’s squad is extremely balanced.
2. Stevensville Lakeshore, 20-0
The Lancers are looking for a return trip to the Breslin, but hopefully with a different result than last year. Lakeshore finished with an unblemished record in one of the toughest conferences in west Michigan. Their wins include: Benton Harbor twice, St. Joseph twice, Kalamazoo Central twice, and Niles twice.
3. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 17-3
Harper Woods is definitely less talented than the two teams above them, but they also have the best player in the class and possibly the state (Derrick Walton). The Eagles have quality wins over Cass Tech, Rochester, Toledo Rogers, and Hyde Park. Their losses have come to Southeastern, Pershing and Saginaw.
Honorable mention: Godwin Heights 18-2, Dowagiac 18-2, Lansing Sexton 14-6, and Dearborn Heights Robichaud 15-5
Playoff Outlook: Country Day should meet up with Chandler Park in the regional semifinals. Lakeshore will play Dowagiac in the district opener, but then should cruise to the quarterfinals where they should meet Godwin Heights.
Class C:
1. Detroit Consortium, 15-4
Consortium has been through a tough season. Al Anderson, their head coach, collapsed and passed away after a game just a few weeks ago. On top of that, they have played the state’s toughest schedule. It will be interesting to see if the Cougars can rally together through the playoffs. Consortium is led by Mr. Basketball finalist Vincent Hunter and all-everything freshman Josh Jackson. The Cougars have wins over Douglass, Hyde Park, Country Day, and Robichaud.
2. Flint Beecher, 19-1
The Bucs are looking for their 4th straight trip to the Breslin Center. They are the most experienced team in the entire state at this point. Even though they didn’t play as tough of a schedule as Consortium, Beecher will be a tough out in the postseason. The Bucs are led by Mr. Basketball Finalist Monte Morris, and everything just flows through him. Beecher has quality wins over Goodrich twice, Powers Catholic, Inkster, and Flint Northwestern.
3. Melvindale AB&T, 18-1
The Gators are back to being one of the top teams in Class C. They are clearly a little under the top two teams, but still very talented. AB&T is led by Devonte Brooks who was a freshman on their state championship team. Their quality wins have come against Assumption, Westside Christian, Denby, and Muskegon Heights.
Honorable Mention: Muskegon Heights 16-3, Traverse City St. Francis 20-0, Calvin Christian 18-2, and Flint Hamady 19-1
Playoff Outlook: Consortium should meet Beecher in the quarterfinal round, if they can get past AB&T in the regionals. Muskegon Heights should match up with Calvin Christian in the regionals and the winner would likely meet Traverse City St. Francis in the semifinals.
Class D:
1. Wyoming Tri-Unity, 18-2
The Defenders are primed to make another deep run in the playoffs. If you have followed high school basketball at all, you are probably sick of hearing their name. They some of the biggest schools in the Grand Rapids area, yet somehow still only have 2 losses. They are loaded with big strong bodies that will make it difficult for the smaller east side teams to compete with. Tri-Unity has quality wins over: Jenison, Forest Hills Central, Hudsonville, Fennville, Covenant Christian, and Zeeland East.
2. Southfield Christian, 15-4
The defending Class D state champion has played the toughest schedule in the class, and has passed through with an impressive record. They are led by star sophomore Bakari Evelyn. The Eagles have wins over Orchard Lake St. Mary, Southfield, Community, and Inter-City Baptist.
3. Allen Park Inter-City Baptist, 16-4
The Chargers have been knocking on the door of being elite in Class D for the past few seasons, and this could be the year that they find themselves heading to the Breslin Center. Inter-City has wins over Southfield Christian and Westside Christian. While their schedule is lacking the marquee names of the teams in front of them, they have played the Eagles tough twice this season.
Honorable Mention: Cedarville 19-1, Lansing Christian 17-3, Sacred Heart Academy 17-2, and Climax Scotts 19-1
Playoff Outlook: Inter-City Baptist should play Southfield Christian in the regional finals and the winner could meet Climax in the quarters and SHA in the semifinals.
Statewide:
1. Romulus
2. Detroit Pershing
3. Detroit Consortium
4. Detroit Country Day
5. Flint Beecher
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