GLH class D preview

New Lothrop tops preseason rankings

Hornets swarm in inaugural season in class D

6 October 2007

greatlakeshoops.com

The storyline in mid-Michigan's class D schools last season was star power. It seemed like the top-tier teams all had a big name player. Lansing Christian had Peter Bunn, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart had Caleb Simons, Jackson Christian had DJ Baisden, Genesee Christian had Scott Soldan and Bay City All Saints had Nick Simpson. This year there are no real stars, at least no guys with division one interest or the potential to drop 25 points per game. Of course there are some very good teams. Picking the top ten was far more difficult this season than last without the star power that tends to push one team above another.

This season the storyline could be the arrival of New Lothrop to class D. Had New Lothrop been in class D last season, like they were for football, then they would be returning state champs. In a season with no stars, a team like New Lothrop that thrives on teamwork should shine.

While NL is new to this class, teams like Fowler, Webberville, Bay City All Saints and Morrice will be all too familiar with the season's competitiveness with all of their returning starters. For some of these schools its now or never.

Other teams are in rebuilding mode, but as the saying goes, "water finds its level." I expect to see schools like Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, Genesee Christian, IAF, Lansing Christian and Portland St. Patrick in the hunt come playoff time.

One of the prevailing themes in this class is in-season competition. Teams that play only class D competition, like last season's potential power in Kingston, tend to suffer in the playoffs. Schools that elect to play tougher schedules or join bigger conferences like the CMAC, GAC and GTC benefit. It may not make for a pretty record, but it can pay dividends in March.

This is how I see 2007-08 panning out...

Class D Rankings:

1. New Lothrop

It was a pleasure watching New Lothrop last season. Rarely have I seen a team so efficient with the basketball. After graduating four of their five starters it is expected that the Hornets will drop off a tick, but not too much – mainly because they drop from class C to D. The Hornets return their best player from last season in 6’0” senior Ryan Praski. He’s an extremely cerebral point guard with deceptive athleticism. Joining him will be a pair of quality seniors in 5’11” forward Kyle Moore and 6’2” center Brandon Baryo. Another guy that I expect to make a big splash will be 6’5” junior Brian Sheridan (right) – he’s got some great skill and dominated at the JV level last season. This is a school of winners and their basketball program is testament to that. By the end of the season, they should dominate in class D.

2. Fowler

The Eagles did well in their region last season and look to build on that success with a largely returning roster. Matt, Lee and Mike Simon, a trio of 6'2" seniors, are solid and Matt is a fantastic 3-point threat. In addition, Travis Thelen, a 5'8" junior, will be as good a point guard as Fowler has had. Senior Preston Mailand gives them some size at 6'5". With eleven returning players, this should be a big year for the Eagles.

3. Webberville

Webberville may be the team to beat in the SMAA-North. Coach Trumpour has a nice core of players in Dillon Teague, Tyler Feeney and Jordan Farris. Teague is an athletic scrapper that can move from the wing to the post. Feeney has great size for class D at 6’5” and possesses some good skills. He was dismissed from team last season, but has worked hard to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Farris, a 6’2” junior, turned out to be one of the team’s top scorers last season. Seniors Joe McCarty and Mike Monroe provide depth inside, while Justin Crandell and 6’1” sophomore Garrett Teague provide depth in the backcourt. Webberville looks poised to improve on last season's solid effort.

4. Bay City All Saints

All Saints benefits from playing in a class C conference. That level of competition gives them an edge come playoff time; of course MPSH has thrown a monkey wrench in those plans the last couple of years. This season All Saints will be extremely deep in the backcourt with senior Preston Oakes, a former starter at Essexville – Garber, and juniors like Aaron Janer and Cameron Coburn. These three will prevent teams for doubling up on their 6’4” man-in-the-middle, Ollie Hull. Hull is a bull and a complete match-up nightmare in class D. MPSH’s number may be up.

5. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart

Coach Keisha Brown lost a senior-laden team, but returns two starters in sophomore point guard Billy Myler and 6’4” junior Alex Wood. Wood could emerge as the next Caleb Simons for MPSH, while the physical Myler should be a great floor general for the class D level. Billy Hilliard is a physical senior that can knock down the 3-ball. Coach Brown should have this team humming come playoff time, especially with the talented Wood and Myler leading.

6. Genesee Christian

The Soldiers were a one-man team last year – this year things will have to be different. Genesee Christian lacks star power, but they have a number of guys that step into the breach. Their strength will be on the perimeter where they have a number of guys returning with starting experience like 5’8” junior Travis Forsmark, 5’7” senior Zack Goodspeed (right) and 6’1 junior Tyler Scott. These three will be solid outside. The inside game will be a little rough. Their top returning big man is 6’1” senior Luke Wiles. He’s tough inside and his teammates coming up from the JV will have to develop his attitude in order for the Soldiers to have any success in the post. Without Scott Soldan, they will still be a feisty team.

7. International Academy of Flint

The International Academy of Flint took a big hit when Terrance Keaton made the decision to transfer to Carman Ainsworth, dropping the Phoenix from the second spot to the eighth. But, IAF is not without their weapons. They still return their floor general in 5’10” senior Tyler Wilson. Tyler is cat-quick and one of the strongest players in high school basketball. Another key return will be 6’1” senior Lee Caldwell (right). Lee is a defensive specialist and could be the best athlete in class D. Darius Wilson is only a freshman, but he’s got some skill and will allow Tyler Wilson to focus more on scoring. They may not be an offensive juggernaut, but they’ll be a great defensive team. They play an incredibly tough schedule including a battle with last season's class D champions from Cedarville. Their athleticism and conditioning will be a big challenge for class D opponents, but taking on teams with depth (like cross-town rival GCS) will be an issue.

8. Lansing Christian

The Peter Bunn-era is over for Lansing Christian. Picking up where he left off is tough senior point guard DeOndra Callahan. Callahan many times led Lansing Christian and has the demeanor to do it consistently this season. Michael Garza is a talented perimeter player that will be able to help Callahan, but the "Bunn-less" Pilgrims are going to need a couple more guys to fill the scoring gap.

9. Morrice

Morrice won’t be whipping boys this year. They’ve got a legit post player in 6’4” senior Adam Curtis, who can deliver double-doubles. They also have a nice scoring guard in senior Adam Hart, who has been scoring bunches since his sophomore season. Basketball in Morrice hasn't been a whole lot of fun for the past few years, but all that could change in 2007-2008.

10. Portland St. Patrick

The Shamrocks return a nice trio of seniors-to-be in 6'1" forward Taylor Hill, 6'3" wing Matt Schneider and 6'1" forward Alex Schrauben. This is a team with routinely little depth, but somehow they always seem to be competitive. Don't expect too much of a drop-off this coming year.

All Class D Team:

Starters

Ollie Hull 6’4” Senior Bay City All Saints

Dillon Teague 6’4” Senior Webberville

Matt Simon 6’1” Senior Fowler

Ryan Praski 6’0” Senior New Lothrop (pictured at top) * MM class D player of the year

DeOndra Callahan 5’11” Senior Lansing Christian (right)

Bench

Adam Curtis 6’4” Senior Morrice

Tyler Feeney 6’5” Senior Webberville

Taylor Hill 6’1” Senior Portland St. Patrick

Preston Oakes 6’0” Senior Bay City All Saints

Brian Sheridan 6’5” Junior New Lothrop

Tyler Wilson 5’10” Senior International Academy of Flint

Alex Wood 6’4” Junior Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart

Second Team

Lee Caldwell 6’1” Senior International Academy of Flint (right)

Jordan Farris 6’2” Junior Webberville

Mike Garza 6’0” Senior Lansing Christian

Adam Hart 5'9" Senior Morrice

Jason Klepal 5’11” Senior Lansing New Covenant Christian

Eddie Mackowiak 5’10” Sophomore St. Thomas More

Kyle Moore 5'11" Senior New Lothrop

Billy Myler 5’9” Sophomore Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart

Tyler Scott 6’2” Junior Genesee Christian

Travis Thelen 5’8” Junior Fowler

Mark Thomas 5’5” Sophomore Saginaw Arts and Sciences

Christian Young 6’4” Junior Michigan School for the Deaf