Lets face it, Class A was a battle between Detroit Pershing and Romulus for a state title last year. However, this year, no team is safe in Class A. Each team has its fair share of talented players that can go head-to-head with any other team on a given night. Starting with the southeastern part of the state, the league that has seven teams in the top 25 is the Detroit PSL. The league has created a new divisional alignment this year, with division one containing all seven representatives. The two top teams, Pershing and Cass, will battle each other on January 24th at Cass Tech in what could be a game for the ages. Another league that has improved depth from a year ago is the Catholic League Central Division. Yes, it’s U of D Jesuit’s to lose, but the Cubs will not run away with the title this year. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s has quietly built one of the state’s premier basketball programs, with alumni including the likes of Kalin Lucas, and look to make this year one of the best in school history, with 2015s Jason Boswell and Ted McCree. Moving on up to the middle portion of Michigan, Saginaw Arthur Hill is the projected winner of the always tough Saginaw Valley League. The Lumber Jacks have the number one player in 2015, Eric Davis, but has some help coming with 2017 Brian Bowen, who already has offers from MSU and Missouri. The Hill draws a tough district assignment to first week of the playoffs, this time coming from crosstown rival Saginaw High. Saginaw has been to the Breslin Center the last two year, winning it all in 2011-2012, and will lean on 2016 forward Algevon Eichelberger to lead the way this year. Moving off to the west, Muskegon has been known for football, but that will change this year in basketball. Muskegon has Stoney Brook commit DeShawn Thrower, 6’10” 2015 power forward Deyonta Davis, and rising junior Javier Kennedy. If Muskegon wins district and regionals, it will most likely set up a state quarterfinal rematch last year with 2015 guard Deleon Brown’s Grand Rapids Christian Eagles.
Dark horses are everywhere in Class A when it comes to a title. Last year, Detroit Southeastern was a perfect example. Here was a team that was over shadowed by schools like Pershing and Douglass all year, but gained momentum throughout the season and into the playoffs and made it all the way to the championship game. A team to take seriously come playoff time will be Oak Park this year. Oak Park has dominating back court guards, Ja’Christian Biles, and rebound machine Rodney Scales up front. Ypsilanti was on the verge of making a trip to East Lansing last year, but have reloaded with Louisville commit Jaylen Johson, 2016 point guard Corey Allen, and 2014 combo guard Janeau Joubert. Also, watch out for Bloomfield Hills this season. A new school that combined Lahser and Andover. The basketball team has a majority of players coming from last year’s impressive Lahser team, led by forward Yante Maten, point guard Armand Carthwright, and scorer Kahlil Gracey.
Class A is hands down the toughest class in the state. Will perennial state powers take the crown, or will teams eager to prove themselves win it all? That is the question to be answered in what will be a crazy MHSAA version of the NCAA’S March Madness.
Pre-season Class A Rankings:
1. Pershing
2. Muskegon
3. Cass Tech
4. Saginaw Arthur Hill
5. Bloomfield Hills
6. Ypsilanti
7. Romulus
8. University of Detroit Jesuit
9. Saginaw
10. Oak Park
11. Detroit Southeastern
12. Detroit East English Village
13. Grand Rapids Christian
14. Jenison
15. Detroit Western
16. Clarkston
17. Walled Lake Western
18. Southfield
19. Warren Mott
20. North Farmington
21. Taylor Truman
22. Detroit Renaissance
23. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
24. Detroit Martin Luther King
25. Holt
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