BIG LEXI’S BIG 25
BIG LEXI’S BIG 25:
#1 WEST BLOOMFIELD (14-1)
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.
-Most recently, WB had their FIRST LOSS of the season! 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.
#2 ANN ARBOR FATHER GABRIEL RICHARD (17-0)
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 heading into February. FGR had two 20-point
wins over Farmington Hills Mercy and Notre Dame Academy of Ohio. Guards Vanessa and Ava Rodriguez continue to show their emotional maturity and ability to handle pressure easily.
#3 DETROIT RENAISSANCE (13-0)
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.
-Most recently, Renaissance continues to blow out their most recent competition and is one of few teams in the states that keeps 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.
#4 ROCKFORD (13-1)
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.
-Most recently, 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.
#5 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 visits with Kentucky 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.
-Most recently, Edison had their FIRST LOSSES of the season! 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’s back-to-back losses will either knock their confidence down a notch or light a fire under them for another big test on 2/8 when Edison faces my #3 ranked Detroit Renaissance.
#6 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 solidify Belleville’s place in my Big 10.
#7 EAST KENTWOOD (13-2)
-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 because they dropped their second game of the season against West Ottawa by 3 in their 2nd matchup of the season. West Ottawa is a ranked team in my Big 25, but East Kentwood could’ve handled business better against West Ottawa, especially because they have done it before in their first matchup of the season.
#8 ARBOR PREP (13-2)
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. 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 last 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.
#9 GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC (14-1)
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.
-Most recently, GR West Catholic had blowout wins over Unity Christian and Hamilton.
#10 GRAND HAVEN (14-3)
Grand Haven cruised to an 8-0 start to the season to start. Their closest game was an 18-point win over Hudsonville. Guard Emerson Berndt has been leading the way in scoring, in part thanks to PG Gillian Sorrelle who is an assisting machine.
Grand Haven jumped up one spot in my Week 2 Rankings because they’ve both been more battle tested than Goodrich this season, even though they each have 1 loss, the lone loss is to my (at the time) #3 Ranked Rockford. Grand Haven lost to Rockford 38-55 on 1/9.
-Most recently, Grand Haven lost to Rockford, but they improved since the first loss they had to Rockford this season. Their first game against Rockford, Grand Haven lost by 17, but on 2/6 against Rockford, Grand Haven only lost by 9 points in a score of 39-48. Grand Haven was knocked out of the Big 10 for a few weeks after a loss to East Kentwood and Rockford, however, this late into the season, I am rewarding Grand Haven for hard-fought, close losses more than I am rewarding Goodrich for an undefeated record against 0 ranked teams played, so I moved Grand Haven back into the 10th spot and kicked Goodrich out of the Big 10 for the first time this season.
#11 Goodrich (16-0)
• Big win over Hudsonville, 13-point loss to East Kentwood, 2 losses to Rockford
#12 Wayne Memorial (10-4)
• Close loss to Arbor Prep & Belleville, big loss to Bolingbrook, IL, big loss to Pickerington (Ohio)
#13 Frankenmuth (12-2)
• Close loss to Goodrich, big loss to Rockford
#14 Detroit Country Day (12-5)
• 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
#15 Ishpeming (15-0)
• Close win over previously ranked #24 Negaunee
#16 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (16-0)
• Close wins over Troy, Regina and Marian
#17 Byron Center (12-4)
• Close win over Hudsonville, close loss to East Kentwood, big loss to Rockford, close losses to Forest Hills Northern and West Ottawa
#18 Northwest Jackson (12-2)
• Close win over Arbor Prep, close losses to Chelsea & Coldwater
#19 Bedford Temperance (10-1)
• Close wins over Tecumseh and Dexter, close loss to Northview
#20 Holland West Ottawa (11-4)
• Big win over Hudsonville, close loss to GR West Catholic, East Kentwood and Grand Haven, big loss to Rockford
#21 Negaunee (16-1)
• Close loss to Ishpeming
#22 Lansing Catholic (11-4)
• Close losses to Renaissance, FGR, Mumford and Rockford
#23 Stoney Creek (11-2)
• Close wins over Brighton & Clarkston, huge loss to WB, big loss to Detroit Country Day
#24 Lowell (9-5)
• Close win over East Kentwood, close losses to Arbor Prep, Byron Center, EGR & 15 pt. loss to FGR with big rematch vs Byron Center on 2/9
#25 Hudsonville (10-5)
• Close loss to Byron Center and Grand Haven, big losses to Rockford and West Ottawa