DIVISION 1
Teams to watch statewide: Lakeview, Plymouth, Detroit Catholic Central
Top local teams: Grand Ledge, Rockford, Swartz Creek
Preview: Lakeview is the defending state champion. “Our goal is to qualify for the Division 1 state finals this year and finish in the top seven, said coach Tony Evans. “We’re not as deep as we have been the last couple of years when we were state runners-up in 2012 and state champions last season. Our top 4 players will have to play well, and we need our five and six players to make steady improvements throughout the season.”
Grand Ledge didn’t lose any seniors and could make some noise with an improved short game.
Top local players: A.J. Varekois, Rockford; Jack Weller, Swartz Creek; Josh Arbour, Grand Ledge; Cam Conley, Grand Ledge; Zack Dowling, Holt; Ross Lazar, Okemos
State finals prediction: Plymouth will defeat Lakeview in the finals.
DIVISION 2
Teams to watch statewide: Grand Rapids Christian, Marshall, Cranbrook Kingswood
Top local teams: DeWitt, East Lansing
Preview: Grand Rapids Christian is the defending state champion.
“At this point, I would say Haslett and DeWitt are two contenders to make it to the state finals this season,” said Ionia coach Will Tabot.
Top local players: Owen Beyer, DeWitt; Jason Brandt, Mason; Joe Croom, East Lansing; Marc Varlesi, Haslett
State finals prediction: Cranbrook Kingswood will defeat Grand Rapids Christian for the title.
DIVISION 3
Teams to watch statewide: Lumen Christi Catholic, Hanover-Horton, Lansing Catholic
Top local teams: Alma, Lansing Catholic, Nouvel Catholic Central
Preview: “Alma, Almont should be good again in our division. Not sure about the rest, they are mostly private schools,” said Chippewa Hills coach Steve Darnell.
Jay Green, who shot a 30 in mid-April, will help Alma to be a contender.
“I expect my team to compete for another Division 3 state championship in 2014,” said Lansing Catholic coach Charlie Furney. “We lost our No. 1 player [Jacob Johnson – Oakland University] from last year’s state championship team but have players No. 2 through No. 8 returning. The key for success will be everyone improving their stroke averages to cover for the loss of Jacob Johnson.”
Nouvel Catholic Central has moved to Division 3. “We have very high hopes,” said coach Tim Drumhiller. “We finished runner up at states last year in Division 4 and lost only one player.”
Ithaca could be a dark horse. It boasts Kyle Greer and Kaeden Greer, who averaged 43s last season. First-year coach Josh Rayburn looks for his team to make deep run into the postseason.
Top local players: Jay Green, Alma; Brent Marshall, Lansing Catholic; Jagger Richard, Laingsburg
State finals prediction: Lansing Catholic reigns supreme over Hanover-Horton for the title.
DIVISION 4
Teams to watch statewide: Hackett Catholic Central, Suttons Bay
Top local teams: Fowler, New Lothrop
Preview: “I’m not real familiar with the grade levels of other players at the state level, and I know a few of the top players from last year’s state finals graduated,” said Fowler coach Dan Bengel. “I believe Austin Feldpausch [of Fowler] will be among the top.”
Top local players: Austin Feldpausch, Fowler; Nick Ludka, Nouvel Catholic Central; Brody Schiller, Nouvel Catholic Central
State finals prediction: Hackett Catholic Central barely holds back Nouvel Catholic Central for the state title.