Michigan boys HS basketball Preseason 2024-25: Division 2 toughest districts

Michigan boys high school basketball scrimmages are taking place throughout the state, which has posed the question: who looks like state title contenders?

Below are four districts that look daunting entering the start of the 2024-25 season. A few years back, the MHSAA made a slight adjustment to the tournament, seeding the district based on a regular-season point system.

But it wasn’t a complete fix. Several top-ranked schools could still play each other in the first week, something only a truly seeded tournament would fix.

Here are four tough D2 districts that should produce some memorable moments:

District 44

Teams

South Christian, GR Christian, Godwin Heights, Wyoming Kelloggsville, GR West Michigan Aviation, Grand River Prep

Key Players:

Carson Vis (6-3) South Christian, Davis Kemper (6-8) South Christian, Tyler Davis (5-11) GR Christian, Carl Thompson (6-4) GR Christian, Isaiah Guyton (6-6) Godwin Heights

The Story:

Two years removed from a state runner-up finish, South Christian is back among top D2 title contenders. Vis signed with Western Michigan last week. South Christian also has one of the tallest and most versatile lineups in the state. GR Christian finished state runner-up last year. They lost their entire starting lineup, but still have plenty of talent. Godwin Heights is a young squad with a lot of upside. They are likely one-year away, though.

Prediction

South Christian

District 51

Teams

Flint Powers, Goodrich, Flint Kearsley, Flint Southwestern, Ortonville Brandon

Key Players

Javontae Ross (5-11) Flint Powers, Jesse Cull (6-5) Flint Powers, Dempsey Cull (6-6), Parker LePla (6-8), Jenson LePla (6-5) Goodrich, Lucas Groulx (6-2) Flint Kearsley

The Story

Flint Powers returned to the Breslin last season for the first time since 2009, and three of their best players are back this winter. Ross and Jesse Cull look like D2 college prospects. Goodrich has reached the quarterfinal each of the last two years, and the LePla brothers look poised to help them contend again this season. Kearsley was electric last season and their star guard, Groulx, is back to lead the offense This should be a three-horse race.

Prediction

Goodrich

District 60 Teams:

Teams:

Ferndale, Warren Lincoln, Detroit Pershing, Hazel Park, Detroit Osborn, Ferndale University

Key Players

Eden Vinyard (6-7) Ferndale, Toriano Adams (6-1) Ferndale, Markus Blackwell (6-2), Moses Blackwell (5-8), Geon Hutchins (6-4) Warren Lincoln

The Story

fThis district likely won’t be super competitive until the presumed final between Lincoln and Ferndale. Lincoln won the state championship last year, and return four starters and added a massive transfer. Ferndale won the title two years ago, and have one of the best 2027 classes in the state. Lincoln is likely the most talented team in the state from top to bottom, but Ferndale is a sneaky athletic team with great coaching.

Prediction

Warren Lincoln

District 35

Teams: Big Rapids, Ludington, Reed City, Fremont, Hart, Newaygo

Key Players

Gabriel Njenga (6-7) Big Rapids, Liam McLaughlin (6-2) Big Rapids, Cole Haist (6-2) Big Rapids, Cam Gunsell (6-4), Ludington, Jhonathan Keith (6-2) Ludington, Blake Zerlaut (6-4) Fremont

The Story

This has always been a doozy of a district, and that has remained true even after Cadillac moved up to D1 last season. Big Rapids has a big, athletic lineup with length, strength and leadership. Ludington is very young, but they have a series of 6-2 to 6-4 players with tons of skill under the right tutelage. Reed City, Fremont and Newyago should also be solid.

Prediction

Big Rapids