Michigan high school boys basketball top teams in state: Nos. 11-20
Free Press high school guru Mick McCabe selects the top 20 boys basketball teams in the state (last season’s record in parenthesis; all players are seniors unless noted.). Here are Teams 11-20. Come back Sunday for Teams 1-10:
11. Grand Rapids Christian (20-6)
This should be the most experienced D-2 team on the state’s west side. Look for a monster year from 6-8 Jaylan Ouwinga (Toledo). He can block shots and rebound and will be an offensive threat as an interior scorer. Nate Johnson, 6-5, is the team’s utility guy who can play defense and rebound while scoring on drives to the basket. Malachi Hooser has been a consistent point guard who will do a good job running the show. Carter Goodyke, 6-5, is another solid rebounder who can finish around the basket.
12. Romulus Summit Academy (25-3)
The D-2 semifinalist could be headed back to the Breslin Center under first-year coach Dontez Scott. Leading the way will be his son, DJ (Saginaw Valley State), who averaged 21 points last season. He can play any of the perimeter positions and is a stabilizer. Junior Amir Perryman is an effective point guard and leader. Junior Dominic Krzesowiak, 6-6, is a sharp shooter who also must rebound and block shots. Junior Andrew Ashwood is a defensive standout who can hit perimeter shots.
13. Grand Rapids Northview (19-5)
EJ Ryans (Western Michigan) averaged 15 points last season and is one of the top point guards in the state. His younger brother, sophomore Cameron, 6-5, averaged 16 points last season as a freshman and is emerging as an elite scorer and a terror in the paint. Junior Brady Swartz, 6-6, has 3-point shooting range and has grown almost 2 inches in the last year. He is now playing above the rim. Freshman Izzy Hatibu, 6-4, has good athleticism that will allow him to start and play good defense. Jack Vanpooyen, 6-3, is thick and can play inside.
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14. Chelsea (21-6)
This is a perimeter-oriented team with high scoring guards in Joey Cabana and 6-4 Jake Stephens (Northern Georgia), who each averaged 22 points last season. Cabana is a three-level scorer who creates off the dribble and Stephens is a catch-and-shoot 3-point threat who can also be strong in the paint. Throw in junior guard Drew Blanton and you have one of the quickest tempo teams in the state that will never need a shot clock. Regan Plank is a rugged defender who can also knock down perimeter shots. Zach McIntosh, 6-4, will provide muscle in the paint and Hayden Long, 6-5, adds rebounding and inside scoring.
15. Warren De La Salle (18-9)
The Pilots will try to hold things together until Phoenix Glassnor returns from a broken collarbone suffered in the D-2 football state championship game. Glassnor, who averaged 19.6 points last season, is one of the top players in the state and could be back in mid-to-late January. Until then someone like junior Amonti Portis will have to help carry the scoring load. Nnaemeka Ikechi (Army), 6-7, needs to become a double-double guy. Junior Braeden Holder, the sixth man last season, will be the point guard and hit over 40% of his 3-pointers a year ago. Sophomore Julius Wilson is a terrific on-ball defender. Nick Speiser, 6-4, can handle the ball and shoot it. Kingston Money is one of the top freshmen in the state and he will help.
16. Detroit Cass Tech (28-1)
The defending Division 1 state champ would have been one of the favorites this season had junior Darius Acuff not up and transferred to IMG in Florida. Still, the Technicians are not void of talent. Derrick Miller, who had his moments last season, will have to be one of the leaders this season. Another sophomore, Corey Sadler, was a key defensive performer on last year’s title team. Junior Klee Harris, 6-5, will be the team’s point-forward and his improvement has been impressive. Amari Johnson, 6-6, who will be an excellent rebounder and shot blocker. The Technicians will get inside help from 6-5 Triston Pierce, 6-4. Stevie Hall is one of the best freshmen in the state and he has the potential to become a big-time scorer.
17. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (16-7)
Overall, CC may not be as talented as it has been the last couple of years, but it does have the state’s top senior Durral Brooks (Michigan). The 6-2 guard averaged 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5 assists. He has been a prime-time player since his freshman season and he has improved his shooting. Carter Meerman (Ferris) is one of the state’s best pure shooters. Junior Jack Bowen, 6-6, is crafty scorer around the basket and he plays good defenses and rebounds well. Sophomore Izaya Larthridge, 6-5, can drill perimeter shots and will help with the rebounding. A wild card could be 6-5 junior Jamison Williams, a wing player who is battling a toe injury.
18. Detroit King (16-7)
Look for more consistency in the play of guard Chas Lewless (San Diego), who averaged 24.5 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds last season. He’s cut down on his mistakes and scores from 3-point range in. Terrance Martin Jr. has always been a lights-out shooter and a top defender. Sophomore Mareon Knott, 6-4, will anchor the defense and has improved his perimeter shooting. Sophomore Steven Jones is an effective combo guard and sophomore Drew Floyd will be a steady ball handler. The wild card is 6-9 freshman Tyler Hunter, who may be a factor by the end of the season.
19. Lansing Waverly (18-6)
This is a group that could challenge East Lansing for the best team in the Lansing area. Deunte Phifer, 6-5, averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists last season. He has gone from a shooting guard to being able to play every spot on the court. Sophomore Derek Thomas, 6-3, may be a bit undersized for an inside guy, but has the ability to control the paint area and hit the boards. Kavandre Peña and Keenan Harris are a pair of combo guards who can both play the point or off the ball and Peña is a defensive stopper as well. Junior Trey Miller, 6-6, will help with the rebounding and can score in a variety of ways.
20. East Kentwood (18-7)
This team is going to be a load a year from now, but it should have a big season this year. It has a pair of excellent junior point guards in Jah Hatchell and Darryl Thompkins. Christian Humphrey-Rembert (Howard), 6-8, can shoot it out to the three-point line and he will have an impactful presence on the glass. Junior Landon Storm, 6-3, will play on the wing, but he is an effective scorer from the perimeter, driving to the basket and posting up in the paint.
Mick McCabe is a former longtime columnist for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at mick.mccabe11@gmail.com. Follow him @mickmccabe1. Order his book, “Mick McCabe’s Golden Yearbook: 50 Great Years of Michigan’s Best High School Players, Teams & Memories,” now at McCabe.PictorialBook.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan high school boys basketball top teams in state: Nos. 11-20
