All you need to know about local Michigan High School basketball teams for 2021-22

Cassopolis players dance after winning the Brandywine vs. Cassopolis boys district championship basketball game at Watervliet High School Friday, March 9, 2018. Tribune Photo/MICHAEL CATERINA
Cassopolis players dance after winning the Brandywine vs. Cassopolis boys district championship basketball game at Watervliet High School Friday, March 9, 2018. Tribune Photo/MICHAEL CATERINA

BRANDYWINE

Coach: Nathan Knapp (171-164 in 17th year)

2020-21 Record: 10-3 (5-0 and BCS Red Division champs).

Key graduation losses: Kendall Chrismon, Caleb Byrd, Gabe Gouin.

Key players returning: 6-0 senior Carson Knapp (7.5 points per game), 5-11 junior Michael Palmer, 6-0 sophomore Jamier Palmer, 6-0 sophomore Jeremiah Palmer (7.7), 6-2 sophomore Nate Orr (6-2), 6-0 senior Tyler Deming.

Key newcomers: 6-2 junior Josh Posey, 6-4 Owen Hulett, 5-10 junior Jaiden Spittler, 5-10 junior Caiden Wagley, 6-0 sophomore Bra Linley, 5-7 sophomore Robert Whiting, 6-0 sophomore Connor Dye, 5-11 freshman Carter Sobecki.

Coach Knapp's thoughts on the season: "We have good speed and quickness and I think we shoot the ball a lot better. But our guards have to box out better than last year. We can't give up offensive rebounds. If we're competitive on the boards, I think we'll be okay."

2021-22 Schedule

December — 7, at Lawton, 7:30 p.m.; 13, Bronson; 14, at Mishawaka, 7:30 p.m.; 17, Berrien Springs (C), 7:30 p.m.; 21, at Bridgman, 7:15 p.m.

January — 4, Gobles; 7, at Parchment; 11, at Benton Harbor; 14, at Buchanan (C), 7:30 p.m.; 21, South Haven (C); 25, Bridgman, 7:15; 28, New Buffalo.

February — 1, at Paw Paw, 7:15 p.m.; 4, at Berrien Springs (C), 7:30 p.m.; 10, Lake Michigan Catholic; 18, Buchanan (C), 7:30 p.m.; 22, South Bend Riley; 25, at South Haven (C).

March — 1, Edwardsburg, 7:30 p.m.; 3, at Lakeshore.

(C) BCS Red Division games. All Games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

BUCHANAN

Coach: Reid McBeth (271-163 in 21st year).

2020-21 Record: 11-6 (3-4 BCS Red Division).

Key graduation losses: Logan Carson (17.1 points per game), Gavin Fazi (12.8), John Gartland (7.1), Johnny Rager, Levi Zelmer, Jack Branch, Keegan Pelley.

Key players returning: 6-3 senior Ryan Young (16.5), 6-2 senior Brady Thompson, 5-7 senior Cade Preissing.

Key newcomers: 6-2 junior Dillon Oatsvall, 5-11 junior Connor Legault, 6-3 Thomas VanOverBerghe, 5-11 Paul VanOverBerghe, 6-2 Troy Holloway.

Coach McBeth's thoughts on the season: One thing for sure, we'll get better throughout the season. It's a very coachable group. They buy into whatever we're trying to do. Another key is that we have a lot of versatility on both offense and defense."

2021-22 Schedule

December — 7, at Coloma; 10, at Berrien Springs (C), 7:30 p.m.; 11, Centreville; 17, at South Haven (C); 18, Union City, noon; 20, Constantine.

January — 4, at Three Rivers; 7, at Bridgman, 7:15 p.m.; 14, Brandywine (C), 7:30 p.m.; 18, at Niles, 7:15 p.m.; 21, Bridgman, 7:15 p.m.; 26, at Michigan Lutheran, 7:30 p.m.; 28, Berrien Springs (C), 7:30 p.m.

February — 1, at Dowagiac, 7:15 p.m.; 4, South Haven (C); 18, at Brandywine (C), 7:30 p.m.; 22, Mattawan, 7:30 p.m.

March — 1, at St. Joseph; 3, at Parchment.

(C) BCS Red Division game. All games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

CASSOPOLIS

Coach: Jared Rusher (first year).

2020-21 Record: 7-4 (7-0 and Southwest 10 champions).

Key graduation losses: Kasmir Buck, Ahsan Hart.

Key players returning: 6-5 junior Davion Goins (12.6 points per game), 6-3 senior Daishean Jamison (10.0), 5-10 senior R.J. Drews (7.3), 5-8 senior Reggie Hart, 5-9 senior Daeton Gillam.

Key newcomers: 5-7 senior Cole Millirans, 5-10 senior Jermaine Williams, 5-8 senior Alek Dahlgren, 6-6 junior Braydon Grissom, 5-8 junior Logan Pflug, 5-8 junior C.J. Powell, 5-7 junior Zantrell Grayson.

Coach Rusher's thoughts on the season: "We have size and speed. We need to take advantage of both. We'd like to apply pressure and get up and down the floor. It will make it fun to watch and fun to play."

2021-22 Schedule

December — 14, at Decatur (C); 17, Comstock (C); 28, Bridgman.

January — 4, at Berrien Springs; 7, Mendon (C); 11, Centreville (C); 14, at Bangor (C); 18, at Bloomingdale (C); 21, Marcellus (C); 25, at White Pigeon (C); 28, at Comstock (C).

February — 1, at Hartford (C); 4, at Mendon (C); 8, Decatur (C); 11, Bangor (C); 15, Bloomingdale (C); 18, at Marcellus (C), 7 p.m.; 22, at Centreville (C); 25, White Pigeon (C).

March — 1, Hartford (C).

(C) Southwest 10 Conference games. All games at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

DOWAGIAC

Coach: Danum Hunt (161-105 in 13th year).

2020-21 Record: 3-12 (1-7 Wolverine Conference).

Key graduation losses: Stewart Smith, Michael Smith.

Key players returning: 5-10 senior Henry Weller (18.9 points per game), 5-10 senior Cole Weller, 6-3 senior Joran Hardin, 5-10 senior Ethan Hannapel.

Key newomers: 6-1 senior Noah Green, 6-0 senior Logan Wallace, 6-0 senior Mason Peck, 5-11 senior Keshawn Russell, 6-1 senior Octavious Brooks, 6-3 junior Ben Klann, 6-2 junior Isaac Cooper, 6-0 junior DaKwon Johnson.

Coach Hunt's thoughts on the season: "We have good speed and experience. Covid was a huge problem for us last year. A lot of the season, when we did play, we played with only six or seven guys because of quarantine or sickness. We haven't had any problems so far this year."

2021-22 Schedule

December — 10, at Otsego; 14, Plainwell; 16, Sturgis (C); 21, at Culver Military, 7:30 p.m.

January — 4, Coloma, 7 p.m.; 7, Edwardsburg (C); 11, Vicksburg; 14, at Niles (C); 18, at Berrien Springs; 21, Three Rivers (C); 25, Paw Paw; 28, at Sturgis (C).

February — 1, Buchanan; 4, at Edwardsburg (C); 8, at Allegan; 11, Niles (C); 18, at Three Rivers (C); 22, Watervliet; 25, at Paw Paw.

March — 3, at Wolverine Conference crossover.

(C) Wolverine Conference games. All games at 7:15 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

EDWARDSBURG

Coach: Steve Wright (86-80 in eighth year).

2020-21 Record: 9-4 (6-2 Wolverine Conference).

Key graduation losses: Max Hafner (7.4), Jaylynn Luster (4.2), Jakobe Luster.

Key players returning: 6-6 senior Jacob Pegura (7.9), 6-4 senior Luke Stowasser (9.7), 6-3 senior Brendan Byce (10.2), 5-10 senior Jake Moore (7.5), 5-10 senior Isaac Merrill.

Key newcomers: 6-1 junior Zach Bartz, 5-10 junior Mason Crist, 6-3 junior Owen Eberlein, 5-9 junior Corbin Blagg, 5-9 junior Brendan Madison, 5-11 junior Caleb Layman, 6-1 junior Abe Oppman.

Coach Wright's thoughts on the season: "Our five seniors are great leaders. They set the right example and make each other better."

2021-22 Schedule

December — 7, at Marshall; 10, at Allegan, 6 p.m.; 14, Paw Paw; 17, Three Rivers (C).

January — 7, at Dowagiac (C); 11, Otsego; 14, Vicksburg; 15, Wyoming Lee, 3:30 p.m.; 18, Portage Central; 21, Niles (C); 25, Sturgis (C); 28, at Three Rivers (C).

February — 4, Dowagiac (C); 8, at Plainwell; 11, at Vicksburg; 18, at Niles (C); 22, Lakeshore; 25, Sturgis (C).

March — 1, at Brandywine; 3, at Wolverine Conference crossover.

(C) Wolverine Conference games. All games at 7:15 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

NILES

Coach: Myles Busby (first year)

2020-21 Record: 3-14 (2-4 BCS Red Division).

Key graduation losses: Michael Gilcrese, Adrian Thomas

Key players returning: 6-0 senior Austin Bradley (9.0 points), 6-2 senior Dimetrius Butler (6.0), 6-1 senior George Pullen (8.1), 6-0 junior Casey Marlin.

Key newcomers: 6-1 senior Elijah Hester, 6-4 senior Alec Lozada, 6-2 Jordan Edwards, 6-0 senior Kimoni McClean, 6-0 junior Isaiah Stevens, 5-10 junior Tate Payne, 6-1 junior Corey Maust, 5-10 junior Anthony Brady, 6-4 sophomore Ethan Chambliss, 6-0 sophomore Derris Johnson, 5-10 sophomore Mike Phillips.

Coach Busby's thoughts on the season: "We have good speed and athleticism and we're versatile. We're figuring it out as we go.

2021-22 Schedule

December — 7, at South Bend Clay, 7 p.m.; 10, at Paw Paw; 14, Otsego; 17, Allegan.

January — 7, at Sturgis (C); 11, Plainwell; 14, Dowagiac (C); 18, Buchanan; 21, at Edwardsburg (C); 25, Three Rivers (C); 28, at Allegan.

February — 1, St. Joseph, 7 p.m.; 4, Sturgis (C); 5, at Berrien Springs, 5:30 p.m., 8, at Vicksburg; 11, at Dowagiac (C); 18, Edwardsburg (C); 22, at South Haven, 7 p.m.; 25, at Three Rivers (C).

March — 3, at Wolverine Conference crossover.

(C) Wolverine South Division games. All games at 7:15 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Previewing South Bend-area high school basketball teams in Michigan