BY DAN STICKRADT
CORRESPONDENT
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
It was just two years ago when DeWitt made a run to the Class A Final Four. The season ended with a 51-37 setback to Birmingham Marian in the title game.
The Panthers did so despite being only a Class A school for five years — mainly since the basement enrollment break off from Class A to Class B has dropped well over 100 students in recent years to 881 or above for Class A.
Regardless, DeWitt is again one of the top teams in the state. In the Jan. 27 Associated Press polls, the Panthers came in at No. 8 in Class A behind a sterling 10-1 start.
The defending CAAC Red Division co-champions, who finished 19-3 last season and 8-2 in the conference (shared the title with Haslett), DeWitt did not return a large roster. Only Mackenzie Dawes and Jessah McManus, a pair of 5-foot-4 senior guards, and 5-10 junior forward Grace George return from the rotation.
Dawes and McManus are returning starters and in their third varsity campaigns. George was one of the first players off the bench a year ago and has seen a significant role as a starter this winter. The Panthers are quick with a guard-oriented lineup.
There are two seniors, four juniors and four sophomores on the roster this season and the Panthers are receiving help from all parts of team which has led to the impressive start for coach Bill McCullen, who is in his 21st season.
One of the traditionally talent-rich schools from the Lansing area in the past decade, DeWitt is not the only Lansing are squad in the top 10. East Lansing (9-1) s tied for sixth in Class A with Clarkston (11-1)
Near the top of the heap, Saginaw Heritage (11-0) and Midland Dow (9-2) are third and fourth, respectively, but with No. 1 Detroit King and defending state champion Warren Cousino both losing games in recent days, Heritage could leapfrog into the top spot soon if the Hawks remain unbeaten.
Heritage is the only unbeaten Class A school as of Jan. 27 receiving points.
CLASS B
While perennial powerhouse Birmingham Detroit Country Day holds fort at No. 1 and last year’s Class C state champion, Ypsilanti Arbor Prep, is enjoying an undefeated campaign and is ranked second in their very first season in Class B, there are several local teams enjoying success this season.
Williamston is off to a 11-1 start and holds anchor in the No. 3 position. Freeland (No. 6), Bay City John Glenn (No. 7)) are also ranked, while Ithaca and Frankenmuth are both honorable mention.
Ithaca was aFinal Four school in Class C last season before moving to Class B.
CLASS C
Only around for four school years, Detroit Edison Public School Academy is ranked No. 1 in Class C with an unbeaten mark.
Pewamo-Westphalia (-1) and Flint Hamady (9-1) are third and fourth, respectively, while Laingsburg (9-1) is sixth and Hemlock (10-1) is eighth. Every school in the top 10 is either undefeated or has just one loss.
In honorable mention, both Byron and Burton Bendle are honorable mention.
CLASS D
Pittsford is creating a target on its back, as the two-time defending state champions are unleashing punishment again with a 12-0 mark and the No. 1 ranking in Class D.
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, last year’s state runner-up, is also unbeaten and ranked second at 11-0.
Elsewhere, Portland St. Patrick has climbed to No. 4 behind a tough schedule and an 8-2 record, while Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (8-3) is ranked seventh in a class where the usual suspects dominate the scene.
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN CHOOLS
From the department of downright impressive, Midland Calvary Baptist is dominating on all fronts.
The Kings have won two straight Michigan Association of Christian Schools Division I state titles in girls basketball to go along with two straight MACS-I girls volleyball titles and two straight in girls soccer.
There are seven seniors on this year’s talented roster and four are starters for the Kings, who are 10-1 to start the season.
Calvary Baptist left to Central Michigan Christian Athletic Conference two years ago to go independent. Playing a tougher schedule has proved to pay dividends for the Kings.