The fifth weekly statewide Michigan Sports Writers (formerly Associated Press) prep girls basketball rankings, as compiled from the votes of various media members from around the Mitten for the week of Feb. 16, 2026.
The top 10 teams in the Michigan high school basketball poll, with records in parentheses. Totals are based on 10 points for a first-place vote, nine for second, etc.:
Others receiving votes: 11. Kalamazoo Christian 6; 11 (tie) Shelby 6; 13. Beaverton 5; 14. Sandusky 4; 15. Caro 3; 16. Saugatuck 2; 17. New Lothrop 1.
DIVISION 4
Rank, School (Record) Points
1. Concord (17-1) (2) 45
2. Morenci (17-1) (1) 43
3. Mio (14-4) 31
4. Kingston (18-0) (1) 28
5. Gaylord St. Mary (17-1) 28
6. Ewen-Trout Creek (15-2) (1) 27
7. Ishpeming (15-2) 27
8. Au Gres-Sims (16-2) 20
9. L’Anse (15-2) 9
10. Indian River Inland Lakes (16-2) 5
10. Frankfort (11-5) 5
Others receiving votes: 12. Munising 3; 13. Adrian Lenawee Christian 3; 14. Baraga 1.
Orchard Lake St. Mary's fell to Jackson Lumen Christi, 48-36, in the CHSL Bishop championship held Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 at Oakland University. (BRYAN EVERSON - MediaNews Group)
The sixth weekly statewide Michigan Sports Writers (formerly Associated Press) prep boys basketball rankings, as compiled from the votes of various media members from around the Mitten for the week of Feb. 16, 2026.
The top 10 teams in the Michigan high school basketball poll, with records in parentheses. Totals are based on 10 points for a first-place vote, nine for second, etc.:
DIVISION 1
Rank, School (Record) Points
1. East Lansing (19-1) (5) 50
2. East Kentwood (17-2) 45
3. Rockford (17-3) 38
4. Auburn Hills Avondale (20-1) 32
5. Grand Blanc (17-3) 23
6. Muskegon (16-2) 22
7. Grand Rapids Northview (16-4) 16
8 (tie). Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (15-5) 12
8 (tie). Kalamazoo Central (16-2) 12
10. Detroit Martin Luther King (17-4) 11
Others receiving votes: 11. Wayne Memorial 7; 12. Rochester 4; 13. Hudsonville 2; 14. Saginaw Heritage 1.
DIVISION 2
Rank, School (Record) Points
1. Romulus Summit North (21-1) (4) 40
2. Lansing Sexton (19-2) 35
3. Freeland (17-3) 29
4. Frankenmuth (18-1) 27
5. Hudsonville Unity Christian (17-3) 26
6. Grand Rapids South Christian (17-2) 23
7. Dearborn Divine Child (18-2) 15
8. Ludington (19-1) 11
9. Gladwin (19-1) 4
10. (tie) Grant (20-0) 3
10. (tie) Benton Harbor 3
Others receiving votes: 12. Fruitport 2; 13. South Haven 1; 13. Chelsea 1.
DIVISION 3
Rank, School (Record) Points
1. McBain (3) (17-1) 38
2. Menominee (16-4) 35
3 (tie). Beal City (17-2) 34
3 (tie). Pewamo-Westphalia (17-2) 34
3 (tie). Niles Brandywine (2) (15-4) 34
6. Ishpeming-Westwood (19-1) 25
7. Harbor Beach (17-2) 22
7 (tie). Detroit Loyola (17-4) 22
9. North Muskegon (21-1) 14
10. Onsted (18-2) 11
Others receiving votes: 11. Arts & Tech Academy of Pontiac 5; 12. Springport 1.
DIVISION 4
Rank, School (Record) Points
1. Fowler (18-2) (2) 47
2. Pickford (20-0) 38
3. Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian (17-1) (2) 35
4. Traverse City Christian (20-0) (1) 34
5. Crystal Falls Forest Park (16-3) 30
6. Allen Park Inter-City Baptist (18-3) 28
7. Concord (16-4) 18
8. Dollar Bay (17-2) 15
9. Hillsdale Academy (18-2) 11
10. Genesee Christian (16-4) 5
Others receiving votes: 11. Harbor Springs Harbor Light Christian (15-4) 4; 12. Felch North Dickinson (16-3) 4; 13. Mendon 3; 14. Southfield Christian (16-5) 2.
Auburn Hills Avondale locked up its first-ever OAA Red title on Friday, February 13, 2025 with a 58-44 win at Clarkston High School. (DREW ELLIS - For MediaNews Group)
The homages to the impact of the life of longtime CHSL director Vic Michaels continued to pour out on Tuesday, as friends, colleagues and peers tried to grapple with the emotions of his death at age 71.
Most of those noted his impact on high school athletics, but almost all mentioned him as a friend, mentor and confidante.
“The guy had more friends than anyone I know. Everyone who ever talked to him or was with him, he made you feel like he was your best friend,” said Kris Daiek, the former athletic director and boys basketball coach at Riverview Gabriel Richard.
“I first met him through coaching. We’d be sitting there and looking at him like he was the enemy, but he didn’t do the same. He was always good about putting an arm on your shoulder and asking, ‘How are you doing?’ You thought you had a special relationship with him, but then you realize he did with everyone. That’s what made him special.”
A visitation will be held for Michaels at A.H. Peters Funeral home in Grosse Pointe Woods, from 2-8 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, followed by a scripture service at 7 p.m. An instate period will be held on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 at 9 a.m. at St. John of Arc Catholic Church in St. Clair Shores, followed by a funeral mass at 10 a.m.
Here are a few of the tributes from friends and colleagues:
Michael Evoy, CHSL student services and athletics coordinator
“He was a typical coach. Didn’t always dole out a lot of comments but if you ever got it, it always meant a lot.”
“It came as a shock, just like it did for everybody. I had just talked to him earlier in the morning, as I have for probably the last 10 years. One of the immediate follow-up reactions I had was, ‘What do I need to do?’ That’s what Vic would have wanted. One of his greatest attributes was to think about others, no matter the situation.”
“How Vic would act with you at a basketball game is the same as he would for dinner, or after mass. He was such a personable individual. He had a special bond with so many people. This isn’t just a loss for the Catholic High School League, it is a loss for all of educational athletics.”
“When we are successful, there is a sense to beat that drum. Vic was against that. It was never about the wins and losses as it was the betterment of the student-athletes. If you do things the right way, success come. If you don’t you won’t last in the Catholic League. It all starts from the top down. He brought a great culture that trickled down all the way to the athletic programs.”
“His favorite time of the year was February. Some of my best memories and learning lessons from him was through the game of basketball, which I love as well. I learned so much just sitting there along the wall, learning the game and talking strategies.”
“It’s that he cared about the student-athletes. The Catholic education, the MHSAA, the Catholic High School League — those are all very important to him. But he always wanted to do what was right by the student-athletes. It wouldn’t be isolated to a non-public issue, but to the entire association.”
Brian Barnes, Madison Heights Bishop Foley athletic director
“Vic impacted ADs and coaches alike. He was genuine, authentic, and took interest in you no matter what school you were from or how your teams were performing. His example of ‘servant’ leadership will continue to resonate with all of us, and I am forever grateful to have known him.”
Betty Wroubel, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep coach and athletic director
“I know I join so many others in being saddened, stunned, and devastated by this loss. We truly lost a remarkable man; a devoted dad, husband, grandpa, friend, and mentor. His impact and influence went far beyond his family, friends, and colleagues.”
“Students, both in and out of the athletic realm, benefited from his wisdom and leadership. His influence was felt not only locally and statewide, but nationwide. What made him truly rare was that he never let disagreements or differences of opinion affect relationships. He had a way of making everyone feel heard, important, and genuinely valued …like you were a true friend of his.”
Kris Daiek, former Riverview Gabriel Richard coach and athletic director
“My heart sank. My heart sank for his family, and for Mike (Evoy) as well. Mike was his right-hand man. That was my first text, was to Mike to let him know I had him in my prayers, and Vic’s family also. I’m just shocked.”
“His whole goal was, ‘how does this help the kids?’”
“It’s funny actually. The arguments we’d have in the Catholic League, you’d think we’re all bitter enemies — Hatfields and McCoys. I was always amazed at how you would be at each other’s throats, but then instantly have each other’s backs when we were out there. That’s a culture that Vic had a lot to do with, and I know (former CHSL director Tom Rashid) had a lot to do with that too.”
“He would use basketball to attack every scenario he got into. But yeah, February down at Calihan Hall was always so special. It was always amazing to see someone who wasn’t trying to own the room, walk in and own the room. We always had good basketball conversations. But everyone did because he always brought basketball into it.”
“He was always talking about retiring. I think he had been retiring for seven straight years. But it grounds you. Here’s a guy that would put everything else aside and looked at it as, ‘How does this help kids?’ When you take that mentality into anything you do in education, which is very difficult these days, you can’t be wrong. That’s kind of what Vic taught me.”
“He was instrumental in high school athletics. I would find it challenging to find someone who has had more of an impact on high school sports than Vic has. Not just sports, but kids’ lives as a whole.”
Clarkston Everest Collegiate football head coach Michael Pruchnicki
“This is a huge loss for the Catholic league and difficult to accept, as it is quite a surprise. With that stated, what an incredible life Vic led giving his life to a mission he believed in and all the lives he affected. Truly a great man!”
“Vic ran the Catholic League with great pride and dignity since I was a student-athlete in the early 2000s. He will be greatly missed, and his legacy will be enduring. Our prayers are with him and his family.”
Dearborn Divine Child athletic director Rick Jakacki
“I met Vic when I came to Divine Child about three and a half years ago. I liked him from the start, but liked him more and more as I got to know him. He was kind, fair, calm, smart, and a great listener. Whenever there were issues, he was someone I could talk with and someone who always answered my calls. He understood what it is like to be an athletic director and the difficulties (and rewards) that go with the job. He is certainly someone who I called a friend, and he will be sorely missed by the Catholic League, the state and so many others. I feel for his family who are suddenly without a great man. My prayers go out for them. I’m a better man and AD for knowing Vic.”
Director of the Catholic High School League Vic Michaels (center right) hands out the Division 2 football state championship trophy to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s coach and athletic director Jermaine Gonzales after the Division 2 finals. Michaels died Monday at age 71. (TIMOTHY ARRICK — For MediaNews Group, file)
Ferris State right tackle Tim Anderson, a Rochester Adams graduate, was named a finalist Friday for the 2025 Gene Upshaw Award, given yearly to the best lineman in NCAA Division II football.
The 6-foot-6, 305-pound Anderson — named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Year — is among eight finalists, two from each region, for the award named after the Oakland Raider Hall of Famer, and former executive director of the NFL Players Association.
Along with his twin brother, Bob, Anderson leads a Ferris State offensive line — nicknamed The Nasty Boys — that has helped the Bulldogs to the No. 1 scoring (699 points, 53.9 per game) and total offenses (518.5 yards per game) in NCAA Division II, ranking third in rushing (3,984 yards, 306.5 per game) and fewest sacks allowed (eight total, 0.62 per game) entering this weekend’s play.
Anderson also earned first-team all-GLIAC (second time) and all-region honors.
Ferris (14-0), which has won Division II national titles in 2021, 2022 and 2024, is headed to the semifinals of the D2 playoffs, after beating Minnesota State, 52-29, on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs ran for 307 yards as a team — and five touchdowns — and allowed no sacks on the afternoon.
The Upshaw Award is voted on by D-II sports information directors across the country. The winner of the award, given out by the Manheim Touchdown Club, will be announced on Dec. 12.
The other seven finalists, pared down from a group of 29 nominees, include: Kutztown OT Ryan Schernecke, Wingate OG Will Hart, Catawba OT Avery Swinton, Ashland DE Michael Shimek, Central Washington center Slade Edwards and Harding OT Jake Mitchell.
Previous winners include three Ferris players — Caleb Murphy (2022), Dylan Pasquali (2021) and Austin Edwards (2019) — three from Grand Valley — Matt Judon (2015, West Bloomfield HS grad), Brandon Barnes (2007) and Mike McFadden (2005, 2006) — and one from Wayne State — Joe Long (2011).
Ferris State offensive lineman Tim Anderson (72), a Rochester Adams grad, was named a finalist for the Gene Upshaw D2 Lineman of the Year Award. (Photo courtesy of Ferris State Athletics)
Below is a list of all the games for teams, organized by league, covered by outlets in the MediaNews Group Michigan cluster — the Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun, the Macomb Daily, the Oakland Press, the Royal Oak Tribune, the Voice, the Dearborn Press & Guide, and the Southgate News Herald — for Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.
Check back throughout the night, to see as scores come in, with links to coverage from all of the papers in our cluster.
Below is a list of all the games for teams, organized by league, covered by outlets in the MediaNews Group Michigan cluster — the Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun, the Macomb Daily, the Oakland Press, the Royal Oak Tribune, the Voice, the Dearborn Press & Guide, and the Southgate News Herald — for Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.
Check back throughout the night, to see as scores come in, with links to coverage from all of the papers in our cluster.
BLUE WATER AREA CONFERENCE
Algonac at Croswell-Lexington
Armada at Almont
Richmond at Imlay City
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE
Allen Park Cabrini at Madison Heights Bishop Foley
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood at Macomb Lutheran North
Detroit U-D Jesuit at Dearborn Divine Child
Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett at Riverview Gabriel Richard
Marine City Cardinal Mooney at Clarkston Everest Collegiate
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s at Detroit Country Day
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes at Royal Oak Shrine
CENTRAL STATE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION
Big Rapids at Remus Chippewa Hills
CHARTER SCHOOL CONFERENCE
Detroit Leadership Academy at Arts & Technology Academy of Pontiac
Ecorse at Harper Woods Chandler Park
Melvindale AB&T at Southfield Bradford Academy
Redford Westfield Prep at Mt. Clemens
Romulus Summit Academy North at Detroit Old Redford
DOWNRIVER LEAGUE
Allen Park at Lakeland
Dearborn Edsel Ford at Woodhaven
Southgate Anderson at Gibraltar Carlson
FLINT METRO LEAGUE
Ortonville Brandon at Clio
Holly at Flushing
HIGHLAND CONFERENCE
Lake City at Beal City
HURON LEAGUE
Flat Rock at Riverview
Grosse Ile at Carleton Airport
New Boston Huron at Monroe Jefferson
INDEPENDENTS
Center Line Prep at Whitmore Lake
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s at Detroit Country Day
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep at Oak Park
Vestaburg at Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart
JACK PINE CONFERENCE
Beaverton at St. Louis
Gladwin at Shepherd
Sanford Meridian at Farwell
Standish-Sterling at Clare
KENSINGTON LAKES ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION
Dearborn at Belleville
Livonia Stevenson at Dearborn Fordson
Novi at Salem
LAKES VALLEY CONFERENCE
Allen Park at Lakeland
South Lyon at Waterford Mott
South Lyon East at Milford
Walled Lake Central at Walled Lake Northern
Waterford Kettering at Walled Lake Western
MACOMB AREA CONFERENCE
Anchor Bay at Sterling Heights Stevenson
Center Line at Eastpointe
Chippewa Valley at Utica Eisenhower
Clawson at Clintondale
Grosse Pointe South at L’Anse Creuse North
Hazel Park at Madison Heights Madison
L’Anse Creuse at St. Clair Shores Lakeview
Macomb Dakota at Romeo
Madison Heights Lamphere at Marysville
Marine City at Sterling Heights
Port Huron Northern at Fraser
St. Clair Shores Lake Shore at Grosse Pointe North
St. Clair Shores South Lake at St. Clair
Utica at Roseville
Utica Ford at Port Huron
Warren Lincoln at New Haven
Warren Mott at Warren Cousino
MICHIGAN INDEPENDENT ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian at Sterling Heights Parkway Christian
Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest at Lutheran Westland
OAKLAND ACTIVITES ASSOCIATION
Auburn Hills Avondale at Royal Oak
Berkley at Jackson Northwest
Birmingham Groves at Southfield A&T
Bloomfield Hills at Troy Athens
Lake Orion at Clarkston
North Farmington at Birmingham Seaholm
Pontiac at Ferndale
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep at Oak Park
Rochester at Harper Woods
Rochester Adams at Stoney Creek
Troy at Farmington
West Bloomfield at Oxford
SAGINAW VALLEY LEAGUE
Mt. Pleasant at Bay City Western
TRI-VALLEY CONFERENCE
Flint Powers at Alma
Ithaca at Saginaw Valley Lutheran
WESTERN WAYNE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Melvindale at Dearborn Heights Crestwood
Redford Thurston at Dearborn Heights Robichaud
Redford Union at Dearborn Heights Annapolis
Romulus at Garden City
—————
8-PLAYER FOOTBALL
Fulton at Breckenridge
St. Charles at Carson City-Crystal
Montabella at Coleman
—————
SATURDAY GAMES
Detroit Voyageur College Prep at Warren Michigan Collegiate, 2 p.m.
One of the winningest coaches and most revered leaders in Michigan prep sports, former Birmingham Brother Rice coach Al Fracassa, died Sunday morning, the school announced on social media.
He was 92 years old.
Fracassa won 430 of his 554 career games at Royal Oak Shrine (1960-68) and Brother Rice (1969-2013), winning nine state titles in 13 title-game appearances. He was the winningest coach in Michigan football history at the time of his retirement, later passed by Farmington Hills Harrison’s John Herrington (443 wins).
The post from the school read:
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Coach Al Fracassa, a legendary leader, mentor, and unwavering champion of the Brother Rice community.
For over five decades, Coach Fracassa was much more than just a coach; he was a cornerstone of our school. With a record that ranks among the best in Michigan and nationwide, he not only built winning teams but also shaped young men. His legacy is defined not just by championships, but by the character he instilled in his players.
He taught us to ‘do it better than it’s ever been done before’ and to ‘do it right all the time.’ Not because it was easy, but because excellence demands it.
May he rest in peace. Let us honor him by practicing the values he instilled in us: hard work, integrity, and faith, both on and off the field.”
Brother Rice coaching legend Al Fracassa talks with Cole Lancanaria during the Warriors 30-7 loss to Brother Rice in the 77th Boys Bowl Sunday, Sept. 9, 2021 in Novi, Michigan. (TIMOTHY ARRICK — MediaNews Group, file)
An all-state football player at Detroit Northeastern, and the president of his class in 1951, Fracassa earned a scholarship to play quarterback at Michigan State University, and was a member of the Spartans’ 1952 national championship team, and 1954 Rose Bowl team.
His coaching career started in 1955 at Flint’s Mandeville High School, and was interrupted by a two-year stint in the U.S. Army (1956-57). After a two-year stint as an assistant at Rochester, Fracassa took over at Shrine, going 44-19-5 in nine seasons.
He was a four-time Michigan high school coach of the year, national coach of the year in 1997, and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. He sent more than 300 players on to college football, with 13 making it to the NFL.
Brother Rice head coach Al Fracassa and his team celebrate their 2013 MHSAA Division 2 Championship after defeating Muskegon 38-21 at Ford Field in Detroit, Friday Nov. 29, 2013. Fracassa died Sunday morning at age 92. (VAUGHN GURGANIAN — MediaNews Group, file)
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