Pre-season Statewide Rankings (5-1)

The final set is here.  

5. Romulus (Class A)- First year head coach Jerrett Smith won 21 games last season.  The Eagles only return one starter from 2013, however, the more things change at Romulus, the more they stay the same.  Romulus has a lineage of producing quality guards, and 6’3″ Jaylin Walker is no different.  The Kent State signee Walker is one of the state’s most electrifying athletes, his dunks have brought spectators to their feet at Romulus the past two seasons, and his senior year should be no different.  Walker is also a knockdown three-point shooter, which should pair well with the court vision 6’0″ junior point guard D’Angelo Hansbro, who will transition to the team’s starting point guard.  Other key guards for Romulus include 6’2″ Khaire Williams, 5’10” Sevann Williams, 6’0″ Martel Green, and 6’3″ Belleville transfer Rashaan Pope.  6’7″ senior forward Rio Washington will be relied on heavily this season, as not only the returning forward that played extensively, but more importantly, their tallest player.

4. University of Detroit Jesuit (Class A)- Last season was the first time in school history the Cubs reached the state-semifinals, and repeated as Catholic League champions.  U of D loses four starters from a year ago,  but return 6’1″ junior point guard Cassius Winston.  Not only is Winston one of the premier talents in Michigan, he’s also one of the most coveted recruits nationally in the current junior class, as he holds 9 division one college scholarships, including both in-state Big Ten schools Michigan and Michigan State.  Winston and the Cubs do however receive two new assets to the mix, in sophomore forwards Donatus Eke and  Greg Eboigboden, both stand 6’7″ plus and already have division one college interests.  Outside of Catholic League play, the Cubs have games scheduled vs. Morgan Park, East English Village, Consortium, Toledo St. Johns, Romulus, Milan, and Saginaw Arthur Hill

3. Muskegon (Class A)- The Big Reds won their first state title since the 1930s in 2013, and return 6’10” senior center Deyonta Davis.  The Michigan State signee is considered by various national recruiting services as a top fifty prospect in the class of 2015.  The only other returning starter for Muskegon is 6’3″ swingman Joeviair Kennedy, a dual sport star both on the hardwood and on the gridiron, who in his own right holds division one college basketball scholarships.

2. Detroit Western (Class A)- The Western of December will look entirely different of the Cowboys of February and March, as Mt. Clemens transfer and U of D Mercy commits Josh McFolley and Gerald Blackshear settle in with their teammates and one of the state’s top prep coaches in Derrick McDowell.  McFolley is a three-point specialist, but improved on his complete point guards skills over the Summer in AAU, while the 6’8″ Blackshear will add even more size to an already talented front court with 6’8″ plus senior forwards Julius Palmer and Kheir Maxwell.  The junior class is also loaded on talent, as 5’10” Brailen Neely, 5’9″ Armani Tinsley, 6’2″ Kareem Murray, and 6’2″ Efrian Hodby will all provide quality depth for the Cowboys.

1. Saginaw Arthur Hill (Class A)- Eric Davis returns to Arthur Hill for his senior season, the 6’4″ guard Texas Longhorn commit averaged 27 points as a junior in another solid season of Lumber Jacks basketball.  Not only does the Hill have Davis, 6’6″ Brian Bowen is the number one player in Michigan’s sophomore class but also a top ten prospect nationally.  Role players for Arthur Hill will be sophomore 6’4″ forward Will Rodgers, 5’10” junior point guard Nate Moore and 6’5″ senior Dequavion Johnson.  Arthur Hill will look to win a district title for the first time in four years, as cross-town rival Saginaw has ended the Lumberjacks season the past three seasons.