BIG LEXI’S BIG 25:
BIG LEXI’S BIG 25:
#1 WEST BLOOMFIELD (15-1)
WB brings back Indya and Summer Davis, the Davis twins, and Georgia Commits, as seniors this year. WB won the state championship 2 years ago and was the runner up last year in an upset vs Rockford in the state finals. I believe WB will play this season with a chip on their shoulder all year long, a revenge season mixed with it being the Davis twins’ senior year will guarantee WB leaving everything they have on the court every single game.
WB stays at the #1 spot in Week 3 after an impressive win against Detroit Country Day, my (at the time) #11 ranked team. WB gave Country Day their largest loss of the season, 23 points.
WB also had a game that was just 3 points shy of a 100-point game, showing their offensive power and depth even more.
WB had their FIRST LOSS of the season on 2/3! The loss doesn’t affect them in my rankings, though, because their loss came from Anthony Wayne HS in Ohio that’s ranked #5 in the state of Ohio by sources online. WB bounced back from that 12-point loss with a quickness as West Bloomfield faced my (at the time) #4 ranked Detroit Edison in a quick turnaround on 2/6, just three days after taking to the chin their first loss of the season. WB beat Edison 61-42, a near 20-point win to give WB their biggest win of the season so far.
-Most recently, WB blew out Lake Orion by over 40 points.
#2 ANN ARBOR FATHER GABRIEL RICHARD (18-0)
This is a team that didn’t get the respect they deserved from me and a lot of the state last season because they lost early on to Lansing Catholic (another school who was HEAVILY doubted by everyone in the state until they went on to WIN STATES last season). I’m not making the same mistake this season. Father Richard has 3 ranked wins so far this season over the defending state champs #22 Lansing Catholic, #7 Arbor Prep and #14 Lowell.
FGR stayed at the #2 spot in Week 3’s rankings because of their 60-46 win over Lowell, who is my #14 ranked team and because FGR has now played and won against 3 teams in my Top 25.
-Most recently, FGR continues to blow out their most recent competition and is one of few teams in the states that keeps an unblemished record midway through February. FGR had a 40-point
win over Farmington Hills Mercy and a 40-point win over Divine Child. Guards Vanessa and Ava Rodriguez continue to show their emotional maturity and ability to handle pressure easily.
#3 ROCKFORD (17-1)
Rockford won their 1st state final in school history last season, upsetting West Bloomfield. They’re also off to a 6-0 start this season, however, Rockford graduated their MVP, Alyssa Wypych, who is now in her freshman season at Michigan Tech. The Rams still have a Wypych who helps lead the team in JR Guard Anna Wypych. They also return SR standout Grace Lyons. Rockford had a really big win in the Cornerstone Holiday Tournament vs #17 Chelsea 49-36.
Rockford gave my (previously) #8 ranked Grand Haven their first loss of the season with a score of 55-38. This marked Rockford’s 2nd ranked win against teams in my Top 25.
Unfortunately, after winning such a big game over Grand Haven, Rockford had to drop 5 spots in my Week 3 rankings because of their 54-60 loss to East Kentwood on 1/19. I didn’t drop them out of the Top 10 because East Kentwood was ranked #19 in my Top 25 when this game took place, so Rockford’s only loss was to a ranked team, however, Rockford just isn’t playing the same level of basketball they were playing last year without Alyssa Wypych.
-Rockford had some huge games, winning over 2 ranked teams and proved me wrong with their big win over #21 Lansing Catholic 55-48. It was a gritty, hard-fought game that looked like Lansing Catholic would be capable of pulling off the upset at times, but kudos to Rockford for having the emotional maturity to close out big games that are close down the stretch. Rockford also had a BIG blowout win over a ranked West Ottawa team and Jenison recently. And I admit, I have been a bit hard on Rockford after their loss to East Kentwood, however, after going back through their schedule, Rockford has become the most battle-tested team in the state with 7 RANKED WINS over #13 Byron Center, #9 GR West Catholic, #16 Chelsea, #11 Grand Haven, #24 Hudsonville, #23 Holland West Ottawa and #21 Lansing Catholic.
-Most recently, Rockford added to their big wins column over ranked teams by beating Grand Haven for a second time this season with a score of 48-39.
#4 DETROIT EDISON (19-2)
DEPSA’s only in-state loss last season before the playoffs began was to West Bloomfield, and this season, DEPSA has started off even better with a record of 18-0 this season. Returning for DEPSA is SR Guard and East Carolina Commit Devin Hagemann. Her maturity in big games
and moments is already showing itself this season. Big additions this year are also JR Guard Isis Musah-Johnson, not committed yet but has offers with Kentucky, Iowa, Memphis, Marquette, MSU & more and who transferred from Westfield Prep, along with SR Guard Na’Kiya Bonner, Indiana Tech Commit. Big wins over Detroit Country Day and Chicago Kenwood.
DEPSA scared me with their OT win vs Parma Western. Western is definitely not a chump type of team; however, Western is 5-5 and DEPSA needs more players outside of Hagemann, who dropped 20 points in the OT win, stepping up against tough teams.
Detroit Edison had their FIRST LOSSES of the season on 2/3 and 2/6! The first loss doesn’t affect them in my rankings, though, because their loss came from Homewood-Flossmoor HS out of Illinois, the 14th ranked team in Illinois from online sources. Unfortunately for Detroit Edison, they were unable to bounce back from that 8-point loss when they faced my #1 ranked West Bloomfield in a quick turnaround on 2/6, just three days after taking to the chin their first loss of the season.
Edison bounced back after the back-to-back losses. On 2/8, Edison faced my (at the time) #3 ranked Detroit Renaissance and won 46-38. This was a HUGE win for DEPSA, showing that this team has the confidence and adjustment ability after having a couple losses to some ranked teams to come back and win against a top ranked opponent.
#5 BELLEVILLE (14-1)
Belleville football is known across the state for having one of the best programs in the state, but Belleville basketball, girls and boys, are gaining notice for being atop the best basketball programs in the state, too. Belleville girls basketball gained a freshman phenom type of player in Guard/Forward Combo Sydney Savoury. Savoury has already had visits or offers by UCLA, BYU and Texas A&M. Savoury is a walking double-double and made it on ESPN’s 2027 HS Freshmen Watch List. Savoury already had a 31-point, 10 rebound game this year and is going to be one of the most exciting players to watch in HS hoops for years to come.
Belleville moves into my Top 5 in Week 3 Rankings after Rockford dropped out. Belleville’s only loss on the season hurt them not because of who they lost to- Mason, an absolutely stacked Ohio team, but because of how much they lost by. Mason waxed Belleville 49-28 and I would’ve liked to see Belleville handle the adversity of a tough defensive team better, finding ways to score through it, but Belleville is still undefeated against in-state teams.
Belleville had a blowout win over Detroit Country Day on 1/29, giving Belleville their first win over a team ranked in my Top 25 and had another big win over a ranked Wayne Memorial team right after the Country Day win. These two wins solidified Belleville’s place in my Big 10.
-Most recently, Belleville had another important win over Wayne Memorial. I moved Belleville up into the Top 5 for the first time since my Week 3 rankings. They should easily win their next two games against Dearborn and Churchill, but their biggest game of the season comes right before their conference playoffs when they face my #4 ranked Detroit Edison on 2/23.
#6 DETROIT RENAISSANCE (15-1)
SR Anaya Hardy, Louisville Commit, is a player I’ve had my eye on Hardy for years ever since I saw the pictures and videos of her DUNKING. Hardy is surrounded by an entire team of ballers; SR Christian Sanders is a University of Chicago Commit and JR Imani Johnson led the way in perhaps Detroit Renaissance’s biggest win of the season in the Michigan Hardwood Classic when they beat Chicago Kenwood Academy 59-52. Johnson dropped 23 points with 9 boards. Renaissance also has 2 ranked wins from my Top 25 against my (at the time) #11 ranked Detroit Country Day & my #22 ranked Lansing Catholic.
-Renaissance was one of few teams in the states that kept an unblemished record heading into February. Renaissance had blowout wins over Cass Tech and Muskegon to end January. Their biggest test comes quick on the horizon, though, as Renaissance plays my #5 ranked Detroit Edison on 2/8.
-Most recently, Renaissance had their FIRST LOSS of the season on 2/8! Detroit Renaissance faced up against my (at the time) #5 ranked Detroit Edison and lost 38-46. For this, I dropped Renaissance in my rankings under DEPSA and under Belleville (because Belleville hasn’t lost to an in-state team), however, Renaissance should win the rest of their regular season games heading into the PSL playoffs.
#7 EAST KENTWOOD (14-2)
-East Kentwood started off ranked #16 in my Top 25 rankings, so I’ve been keeping an eye on them since the start. They started the season off 3-1 with a big win over #15 Byron Center and just a 2-point loss to #14 Lowell. Most recently, East Kentwood shook up the entire rankings after giving (at the time) #3 Rockford their only loss of the season 60-54 on 1/19 and in doing so, snapped the Rams 33-game winning streak. This forced me to drop Rockford down 5 spots to #8
and move East Kentwood above them at #7. Against Rockford, East Kentwood was led by Guard Harmonie Belton with 19 points and Combo Guard Makayla Porter had 17 points. Porter, the team’s leading scorer can score on all 3 levels, however she is best at driving and slashing, which opens up space for East Kentwood’s 3-point specialist, Belton, to drain 3 balls. East Kentwood also has big help from Sienna Heights Commit, Guard Kanyla Tyler who is a selfless and gritty teammate. EK has really good inside outside game for 3’s, good off the ball movement and their team basketball pushes them up the floor quickly in transition. East Kentwood and Rockford will have their rematch on 2/16 when they face up against each other for the second time this season. East Kentwood proved me right with their win over #11 Grand Haven 58-45. This win gives East Kentwood their 3rd ranked win over teams in my Top 25.
However, I had to move East Kentwood down in my Big 10 in Week 5 rankings because they dropped their second game of the season against West Ottawa by 3 in their 2nd matchup of the season. West Ottawa has been a ranked team in my Big 25, even recently moved into my Big 10.
-Most recently, East Kentwood cruised past their Grandville and Hudsonville games with large wins. I’m most excited about East Kentwood’s 2nd matchup against Rockford this season on 2/16. They won the first matchup by only 6 points and while Rockford has been on a tear since the game, East Kentwood had the loss vs. West Ottawa recently that may affect their confidence going into the 2nd matchup of the Rockford game.
#8 ARBOR PREP (14-2)
Arbor Prep is a team that always battle-tests themselves with out of conference games since they are D3 and want to make sure they are playing tough teams to be ready come playoff time. They have been led the last 3 years and will continue to be led this year by SR’s Stephanie and Stacy Utomi, the Utomi Twins (Committed to Mercer University). Senior Guard Taylor Wallace has also been a knock down shooter for the team for years and helped Arbor Prep to winning a state championship 2 years ago. You can’t knock them for their 1st loss of the season to Gabriel Richard, my #2 ranked team. Arbor Prep has had some huge wins this season against really strong teams including wins over #19 Powers Catholic, #12 Wayne Memorial and #14 Lowell.
I moved Arbor Prep up in my Week 3 rankings because Arbor Prep now has 3 ranked wins in my Top 25, tied for the most with Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard. Their 2 losses on the season is the most losses out of anyone in my Big 10, however, their 2 losses are also to ranked teams, #2 FGR and #18 Northwest Jackson.
Arbor Prep had just a 3-point win over Westfield Prep, a team who stayed in my Top 25 rankings for a majority of last year’s season, and a blowout win over Stockbridge. Unfortunately for Arbor Prep, I had to knock them down a spot because the Westfield Prep game was such a close game. Westfield Prep is still a very solid, competitive team; however, Westfield Prep isn’t playing the same level of basketball they were last year when they were ranked because they graduated their MVP, Shamya Reid, Westfield Prep’s all-time leading scorer.
Since the Westfield Prep win, Arbor Prep has cruised through their next 4 games. Their closest game was a 9-point win over Western Parma on 1/30. I’m most looking forward to Arbor Prep’s game coming up against Detroit Edison on 2/13 and right after is the Detroit Country Day matchup on 2/15.
-Most recently, Arbor Prep had a 26-point win over Cass Tech and with the matchup against DEPS on 2/13, I’m predicting a close game, but a game that ultimately ends in the 3rd loss of the season for Arbor Prep, but won’t affect their ranking in my Big 10 because DEPSA is already ranked above Arbor Prep. This will still be a great game and test for Arbor Prep.
#9 GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC (15-1)
GR West Catholic returns SR Guard Reese Polega, Purdue Fort Wayne Commit, and JR Guard Elisha Dykstra who is still uncommitted, but will definitely play college ball somewhere as long as she wants to. Elisha has many offers to continue her playing career, including at the University of Toledo where Dykstra’s sister, Cadence, plays college ball at now. Graduating Cadence was a huge loss for Grand Rapids West Catholic, however, their only loss on the season is to my (at the time) #3 ranked Rockford 57-71, so I’m not knocking them much for that.
GR West Catholic moved down two spots in Week 3 because of their most recent OT win against Holland Christian 41-33. Though, GR won the game and dominated in OT, this game never should’ve come down to OT.
GR West Catholic continued to be dominant in blowout wins over Unity Christian and Hamilton.
-Most recently, West Catholic continued to dominate in wins over Unity Christian by 20 points and Holland Christian by over 20 points. A lot of publications have West Catholic ranked higher than I do in their rankings, but I keep them at #9 because outside of their Rockford loss, their only game and win against a team in my Top 25 was against #10 ranked West Ottawa.
#10 HOLLALND WEST OTTAWA (12-4)
West Ottawa breaks their way into my Big 10 for the first time this season! West Ottawa jumped up all the way up from the #20 spot to the #10 spot. What finally did it for me was seeing West Ottawa win rematch games against BIG teams that they lost the first time around. This shows me that West Ottawa is one of the best teams in the state at taking accountability, making adjustments and truly learning from a loss to help them succeed the next time. West Ottawa lost their first matchup against #7 ranked East Kentwood by 3 at the beginning of the season and came back for the rematch on 2/2 ready for revenge, beating East Kentwood by 3 the second time around. Then most recently, West Ottawa also won their rematch game against (at the time) #10 ranked Grand Haven, which is what made me move West Ottawa into the 10th spot now and Grand Haven out of the Big 10 to #11. West Ottawa lost to Grand Haven in their first meet up of the season by 3 points and on 2/9, they won by 10. They also have another really big win over #17 ranked Byron Center. Their only other 2 losses on the season was to ranked teams. #9 GR West Catholic won by 5 points on 12/19 and #3 ranked Rockford beat them by 19 points on 1/23. This is a battle-tested team that deserves to be rewarded for playing such a tough schedule.
#11 Grand Haven (14-4)
• Close win over West Ottawa & close loss in rematch to West Ottawa, 1 big loss and 1 close loss to Rockford
#12 Goodrich (17-0)
• Close win over Frankenmuth, Hemlock, Grand Blanc & Lake Fenton
#13 Wayne Memorial (11-4)
• Close loss to Arbor Prep & Belleville, big loss to Bolingbrook, IL, big loss to Pickerington (Ohio)
#14 Frankenmuth (14-2)
• Close loss to Goodrich, big loss to Rockford
#15 Detroit Country Day (13-5)
• Big wins over Clarkston & Stoney Creek, close win over Tecumseh, close losses to Edison, Renaissance and Montini (Illinois school), big losses to WB and Belleville
#16 Negaunee (17-1)
• Close loss to Ishpeming & close win over Ishpeming in 2nd matchup
#17 Ishpeming (15-1)
• Close win over Negaunee & close loss to Negaunee in 2nd matchup
#18 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (18-0)
• Close wins over Troy, Regina and Marian
#19 Byron Center (13-4)
• Close win over Hudsonville, close loss to East Kentwood, big loss to Rockford, close losses to Forest Hills Northern and West Ottawa
#20 Bedford Temperance (13-1)
• Big loss to FGR, close loss to Salem, close wins over Hemlock and Flushing
#21 Midland Dow (12-2)
• Close wins over Tecumseh and Dexter, close loss to Northview
#22 Lansing Catholic (12-4)
• Close losses to Renaissance, FGR, Mumford and Rockford
#23 Stoney Creek (12-3)
• Close wins over Brighton & Clarkston, huge loss to WB, big loss to Detroit Country Day & Clarkston in 2nd matchup
#24 Grand Blanc (13-3)
• Close loss to Hartland, Lake Fenton & Goodrich
#25 Lowell (10-6)
• Close win over East Kentwood, close losses to Arbor Prep, Byron Center (2 times), EGR & big loss to FG