2023-24 High School Basketball Preview – Boys Basketball
The 2023-24 Boys Basketball season starts next week, a week earlier than it normally would, conversely, the Girls Basketball season starts a week later than it normally would.
We look at the upcoming season for Benton Harbor, Lakeshore, St. Joe, Our Lady of the Lake, and Michigan Lutheran.
We also asked the coaches about their feelings on the MHSAA new free throw rule. The new rule limits teams to 5 fouls per quarter instead of 10 per half. Teams will shoot one and one on the five foul of the quarter, eliminating the double bonus.
2023-24 Boys Preview
Benton Harbor Tigers
2022-23 Record: 16-6 (7-1 Lakeland) – Lost in District Final 61-65 to Niles
Head Coach: Corey Sterling
2023-24 Schedule:
11/28 vs. Muskegon Heights Academy – 6:00 p.m.
12/1 vs. Berrien Springs – 7:00 p.m.
12/5 at River Valley – 7:00 p.m.
12/8 vs. Buchanan – 7:00 p.m.
12/12 vs. Coloma – 7:00 p.m.
12/14 at Dowagiac – 7:15 p.m.
12/16 vs. Chicago Morgan Park – 3:00 p.m. (at Southwestern Michigan College)
12/27 vs. Lansing Everett – 7:00 p.m. (Earl McKee Holiday Classic)
12/28 vs. Detroit Douglas – 7:00 p.m. (Earl McKee Holiday Classic)
1/8 at St. Joseph – 7:00 p.m.
1/12 vs. Brandywine – 7:00 p.m.
1/19 at Berrien Springs – 7:00 p.m.
1/20 vs. Wyoming Lee – 10:00 a.m. (at East Kentwood)
1/23 vs. South Haven – 7:00 p.m.
1/26 at Buchanan – 7:15 p.m.
1/27 vs. Flint Hamady – 4:00 p.m. (at Aquinas College, GR)
1/30 at Kalamazoo Central – 7:00 p.m.
2/2 vs. Dowagiac – 7:00 p.m.
2/5 at Watervliet – 7:00 p.m.
2/13 at Lakeshore – 7:00 p.m.
2/16 at Brandywine – 7:00 p.m.
2/20 vs. Niles – 7:00 p.m.
Division 2 Districts at Edwardsburg
It may be the old cliché in the books, but Benton Harbor indeed is a team that doesn’t rebuild, they reload. The tradition continues for the Tigers as Corey Sterling heads into his 14th season as the Tigers head coach.
Benton Harbor suffered an early and surprising exit from the Division 2 playoffs last season with a loss to and at Niles in the District Finals. But despite the early exit, the Tigers are again poised and expecting a deep run in the postseason this year.
The Tigers return eight players from last season, including three players who already have two years of varsity experience. 6’1 senior point guard, Antwan Callahan. Who Sterling calls his floor general, also has the ability to score. 6’3 senior small forward, Javon Mason will be a key rebounder for the Tigers, and 6’4 senior wing Josiah King will be a key part of the offense with the ability to score from close, mid distance, and from long range.
The Tigers boast 12 players that are over 6 feet tall, with shooting guard Mustapha Muhammad being the tallest at 6’5. Muhammad is in his 2nd season on the varsity and is probably the Tigers best all-around player.
Other returning players, Jaeden Meeks, (6’4, Sr., SG), Rodney Ford (6’1, Jr., G), Jkwon Lewis (6’1, Jr., G), and Damarion Bell (5’10, Sr., PG).
One key addition to the Tigers this season is another highly touted freshman, Kesean Hobbs (6’3, SG). Sterling says Hobbs is very talented and skilled.
Benton Harbor will run a fast paced offense and will count on transitional scoring, and when not able to score off the break, a motion offense will be the Tigers set on offense.
On Defense, the Tigers will apply plenty of pressure, with zone defense in the full, mid, and half court. And when the Tigers play man to man, they’ll force the hand of their opposition and speed them up or cause turnovers to quickly transition to offense.
The key games on the Tigers schedule this season according to Coach Sterling will be the Earl McKee Holiday Tournament, a non-conference game against former SMAC rival Kalamazoo Central, and the Tigers Lakeland Conference games. Sterling says in addition to his Tigers, Brandywine and Berrien Springs are also in position to win the Lakeland this season.
When we asked Sterling about the MHSAA’s new free throw rule, “Let’s see hope it goes with a aggressive teams like ours! It could be good.”
The Tigers 2023-24 season begins on Tuesday 11/28 at Farnum Gymnasium against Muskegon Heights at 6:00 p.m.
The Division 2 district this season will take place at Edwardsburg.
St. Joseph Bears
2022-23 Record: 16-8 (6-2 SMAC West) – Lost in District Semifinal 56-61 to Kalamazoo Central
Head Coach: Gregg Schaffer
2023-24 Schedule:
11/28 at Battle Creek Harper Creek – 7:00 p.m.
12/2 vs. Grand Haven – 3:00 p.m.
12/5 at Berrien Springs – 7:00 p.m.
12/8 vs. Lakeshore – 7:00 p.m.
12/12 at Gull Lake – 7:00 p.m.
12/14 at Mattawan – 7:00 p.m.
12/21 vs. Portage Central – 7:00 p.m.
1/5 at Coloma – 7:30 p.m.
1/8 vs. Benton Harbor – 7:00 p.m.
1/11 at Portage Northern – 7:00 p.m.
1/16 vs. Battle Creek Central – 7:00 p.m.
1/19 at Kalamazoo Central – 7:00 p.m.
1/23 at Battle Creek Lakeview – 7:00 p.m.
1/25 at Lakeshore – 7:00 p.m.
1/30 at Niles – 7:00 p.m.
2/2 at Portage Central – 7:00 p.m.
2/6 vs. Kalamazoo Loy Norrix – 7:00 p.m.
2/8 vs. Mattawan – 7:00 p.m.
2/12 vs. Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.
2/16 vs. Portage Northern – 7:00 p.m.
2/19 vs. Dowagiac – 7:00 p.m.
2/23 vs. Kalamazoo Central – 7:00 p.m.
Division 1 Districts at Portage Central
The previous history of the St. Joe basketball team has been a slow methodical, maybe low scoring affair. Coach Gregg Schaffer, who now enters his 19th season at the helm of St. Joe over two stints says the Bears will be “intelligently aggressive” on offense this season. St. Joe wants to attack early and if not there, St. Joe they will try to execute their offense well.
Last year St. Joe started their first six games at 3-3. But after a 57-54 loss at Benton Harbor, the Bears went on a 12 game winning streak, before losing the next four and five of their last six games.
Back for St. Joe will be guards Kai Wyngarden (6’0, Sr.), Wyngarden was one of the first players off the bench last year, and was 4th best on the team last year with a 32.9% 3-point field goal percentage, and Trevor Vujtech (5’11, Sr.). again another player from the bench with last years senior heavy roster.
J.R. Scott (6’3, Sr.) and Jakob Diamond (6’5, Sr.), will be the forwards and or center. Diamond was the third best 3-point shooter at a 34.4% rate.
Defensively, St. Joe will play a half court man to man, but will occasionally mix that up with zone our extending that man defense the length of the floor.
St. Joe will have another deep roster, despite the turnover from last year.
Schaffer says St. Joe will be a well-balanced team on both sides of the ball, and will be a good shooting team this season.
Schaffer says Mattawan and Portage Central are probably the preseason favorites to win the SMAC-West, but everyone in the division is improved and will challenge for the division as well.
As for the Bears schedule. The SMAC-West division games are key. Plus the SMAC’s crossover games against Kalamazoo Central. Battle Creek Central, as well as non-conference games against Grand Haven and Benton Harbor are highlight’s on the year.
On the new free throw rule, Schaffer says. “It should be interesting. It could benefit aggressive defensive teams since the fouls are cleared to start each quarter. It could also impact end of game strategy with one on one attempts no longer in the game.”
Schaffer wraps up by saying, “We are excited about the upcoming season and expecting to play good basketball throughout the season. The returning and new players to the varsity have put in a lot of work to prepare for a successful season. We will be a together group that competes every day to improve and play winning basketball.
St. Joe opens the season on the road at Battle Creek Harper Creek on Tuesday night, the Bears home opener is on Saturday afternoon against Grand Haven.
The 2024 Division 1 District Tournament will be at Portage Central
Lakeshore Lancers
2022-23 Record: 7-15 (1-7 SMAC West) – Lost in District Semifinals 26-53 to Portage Central
Head Coach: Sean Schroeder
2023-24 Schedule:
12/5 vs. Brandywine – 7:00 p.m.
12/8 at St. Joseph – 7:00 p.m.
12/12 at Battle Creek Lakeview – 7:00 p.m.
12/14 at Portage Northern – 7:00 p.m.
12/19 vs. Berrien Springs – 7:00 p.m.
12/21 vs. Mattawan – 7:00 p.m.
1/5 at Niles – 7:30 p.m.
1/9 at Otsego – 7:00 p.m.
1/11 at Battle Creek Central – 7:00 p.m.
1/13 vs. Canton – 12:00 p.m. (at Portage Central Mustang Shootout)
1/16 vs. Kalamazoo Loy Norrix – 7:00 p.m.
1/19 vs. Portage Central – 7:00 p.m.
1/23 at Kalamazoo Central – 7:00 p.m.
1/25 vs. St. Joseph – 7:00 p.m.
1/30 at Dowagiac – 7:15 p.m.
2/2 at Mattawan – 7:00 p.m.
2/6 vs. Gull Lake – 7:00 p.m.
2/8 vs. Portage Northern – 7:00 p.m.
2/13 vs. Benton Harbor – 7:00 p.m.
2/16 vs. Battle Creek Central – 7:00 p.m.
2/20 at Edwardsburg – 7:00 p.m.
2/23 at Portage Central – 7:00 p.m.
Division 2 Districts at Edwardsburg
The Lakeshore Lancers would love to put last season out of their mind, and quickly. Lakeshore had one of their worst seasons under Sean Schroeder last year with a 7-15 record. They would also like to put an end to their current five game losing streak to St. Joe quickly as well.
Lakeshore opens the season with a home game against Brandywine before traveling to St. Joe in the 2nd game of the season. To help with that Lakeshore returns six players from last year, they also get one back that missed the 2022-23 season with an injury.
Jack Carlisle (6’1, Sr., G) averaged 17.5 points a game last year. Zack Ort (6’3. Sr., G) missed the season with an injury. Lakeshore will have a definite height advantage with Spencer Gostlin (6’7, Sr.) averaged 2 points per game. Another senior that is back is Brad Mills (6’0). Three juniors also return with Alex Toothman (6’4), Owen Timmons (5’10), and Lane Fry (6’0).
Lakeshore offense is a structured transition offense, into their normal offensive sets. Lakeshore will play man to man defense.
Schroder says Lakeshore should be a good shooting team, compared to last year, and he says they’ll also be more athletic.
Schroeder says the key dates on the Lancers schedule will be the SMAC- West games against St. Joe and Portage Central, in addition to the Lancers non-conference matchup against Benton Harbor.
Bad rule. Will make the game more physical and restrict scoring is how Schroder describes the new MHSAA free throw rule.
Schroder says Portage Central is the favorite to win the SMAC-West division.
Lakeshore moved down to Division 2 this season and the district will be at Edwardsburg.
Our Lady of the Lake Lakers
2022-23 Record: 7-15 (5-9 BCS) – Lost in District Semifinal 30-39 to Michigan Lutheran
Head Coach: Josh Beckman
2023-24 Schedule:
11/29 vs. Decatur – 7:00 p.m.
12/1 at Countryside – 7:30 p.m.
12/6 vs. Hartford – 7:00 p.m.
12/7 vs. River Valley – 7:00 p.m.
12/12 at New Buffalo – 7:30 p.m.
12/15 at Eau Claire – 8:00 p.m.
12/20 at Brandywine – 7:00 p.m.
1/6 at Bridgman – 7:30 p.m.
1/9 vs. Howardsville Christian – 7:00 p.m.
1/16 at Dowagiac – 7:15 p.m.
1/19 vs. Michigan Lutheran – 7:00 p.m.
1/23 at River Valley – 7:30 p.m.
1/30 vs. Holland Black River – 7:00 p.m.
2/2 vs. Countryside – 7:00 p.m.
2/6 vs. New Buffalo – 7:30 p.m.
2/9 vs. Eau Claire – 7:30 p.m.
2/17 at Michigan Lutheran – 6:30 p.m.
2/23 vs. Covert – 7:00 p.m.
Division 4 Districts at New Buffalo
While Our Lady of the Lake may have only won seven games last year, they do have two of the top scorers in the area, and they are coming back this season.
Owen McLoughlin (6’2. Sr., F), averaged 21 points a game last season of the Lakes, and Matt Lage (5’9, Sr. G) averaged 12.8 points per game. Other than those two, the Lakers did not get much scoring from anybody else. Coach Josh Beckman is hoping to change that this season.
Beckman, who’s been with the Lakers for 5 seasons, returns four more players, including Ronan March (6’0, Sr., F), Luke Milanowski (5’6, Sr., F), Kalin Loebach (5’6, Jr., G), and Ben Jollay (6’3, So., C).
Three freshman will be joining the Lakers this season including 6’3 center Anthony Jasheway.
Beckman says, ”We have speed. we want to get out and run when we can. We finally have size so our big’s have learned to run the floor with our guards. Defensively, we will mix things ups throughout the game.”
Beckman says the first game of the season against Decatur is big to kick off the season. Including games with Brandywine, Brigman, and at Dowagiac.
As for the BCS, Beckman says
-Michigan Lutheran will be tough as the favorite
-Eau Claire will have athlete’s and are the defending district champs
-Countryside will be tough with their big Dontae Tate and shooting guard Isaiah Woods and with the speed and athleticism they have
-New Buffalo will play everyone tough and be very scrappy
On the MHSAA’s new free throw rule. Beckman says it’s a change that they will have to adapt to.
Our Lady of the Lake will be at New Buffalo for the district tournament.
Michigan Lutheran Titans
2022-23 Record: 14-11 (8-6 BCS) – Lost in District Final 48-56 to Eau Claire
Head Coach: Matt Herbst
2023-24 Schedule:
11/28 at Martin – 7:00 p.m.
12/5 at New Buffalo – 7:30 p.m.
12/8 at Tournament TBA
12/9 at Tournament TBA
12/12 vs. River Valley – 6:00 p.m.
12/15 vs. Covert – 7:30 p.m.
12/18 at Howardsville Christian – 7:30 p.m.
1/9 at Countryside – 7:30 p.m.
1/12 vs. Eau Claire – 7:30 p.m.
1/15 vs. Fennville – 7:30 p.m.
1/19 at Our Lady of the Lake – 7:00 p.m.
1/20 vs. Potterville TBA – In Detroit LCA Pistons game
1/22 vs. Lawton – 7:30 p.m.
1/23 vs. Bridgman – 7:30 p.m.
1/26 vs. Countryside – 7:30 p.m.
1/30 vs. Kalamazoo Heritage Christian – 7:30 p.m.
2/2 vs. Howardsville Christian – 7:30 p.m.
2/6 at River Valley – 7:30 p.m.
2/9 at Covert – 7:30 p.m.
2/13 vs. New Buffalo – 6:00 p.m.
2/17 vs. Our Lady of the Lake – 7:30 p.m.
2/23 at Eau Claire – 7:30 p.m.
Division 4 Districts at New Buffalo
For the better part of three decades, Michigan Lutheran’s basketball program was highlighted by the success of the girls program. Now entering his season season, Matt Herbst is trying to have the spotlight shine just as brightly on his boys program.
The Titans come off an 14-11 season, the most wins for the Titans since the 2011-12 team went 17-5. Michigan Lutheran returns seven players from the team last year. Seniors Henry Stanage, (6’1, F), Zac Lockman (6’2, G/F), Jonah Eggert (5’11, SG), Jared DeWeerd (5’10, SG), and Juniors Micah Herbst (5’11, PG), who averaged 11.5 points a game last season, Ty Johnson (5’10, SG), averaged 10.3 points a game, and Isaiah Gill (6’6, C) who had 6 rebounds a game.
Three newcomers will play on the varsity. Jacon Janke (6’3, Jr., C), Ben Ward (5’9, Jr., PG/SG), and Connor Olson (6’4, Fr., G/F). The Titans will make use of the 5th quarter rule with members of their JV team playing minutes with the varsity.
Herbst says, “We will be playing a motion offense and try to get up and down the floor at a good pace. Defensively we will be switching it between man and zone, but at the end of the day, we will be a man-to-man team.”
“We are returning our top scorers and have a real weapon in Isaiah Gill, who will create matchup issues with most teams. Our seniors played meaningful varsity minutes as did our returning juniors. Most of the returning guys even got some starts last year. The pace of a varsity game will not phase these guys, and we will be even more prepared going into this season as the boys put in a lot of work in the off-season.”
While Herbst says their BCS division games are key, they are looking forward to the boys and girls doubleheader against Potterville on January 20th, which will be played at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, following the Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks. He says the games against Fennville and Lawton are also key as they would like to pick up wins after losing to them last year.
As for the BCS division, Herbst says, “It’s hard to say as our conference had a shake-up with Eau Claire graduating that great group of Seniors as did River Valley. All the teams that were near the bottom of the conference last year didn’t really lose anyone and will be improved, but the team that was most competitive last year and didn’t lose much talent is Countryside. I’ll look forward to seeing how well we match up with them this year.”
Asked about the MHSAA’s new free throw rule, “I don’t have many thoughts on this other than it will speed up the game a bit. Free throws will still matter and getting to the line first is one of our goals.”
Michigan Lutheran will play their district at New Buffalo
We sent a request to Countryside Academy, but it was not returned
