Who are the top boys basketball programs in Greater Lansing the past five seasons?

Brian Calloway, Lansing State Journal

December 5, 2022 at 7:00 PM·4 min read

When Williamston put the finishing touches on an undefeated season with an overtime victory over Grand Rapids Catholic Central last March, it became the second boys basketball program from Greater Lansing to achieve perfection in the past five seasons.

Pewamo-Westphalia also did the same in 2018-19 and finished as the best in Division 3 with a state title game win over Iron Mountain.

Those state championships have been part of strong recent runs for both Williamston and P-W, which are the only area programs with at least 90 victories over the past five seasons. A few other area programs have found themselves among the final eight teams standing in their divisions during recent years as well.

Here's a look at Greater Lansing's top teams over the past five seasons ranked by winning percentage.

1. WILLIAMSTON

Williamston celebrates with the trophy after beating Grand Rapids Catholic Central 68-65 to win the Division 2 title on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

▶ Record: 101-10

▶ Winning percentage: 90.9%

The Hornets won at least 20 games in the past four full completed regular seasons and have captured league championships in either the CAAC Red or White each of the past five seasons. Williamston's strong run was capped by last season when it went 27-0 while capturing the Division 2 state title, which was the second in program history. The Hornets haven't dropped more than three games in a season during that span while thriving under the direction of coach Tom Lewis.

2. PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA

Pewamo-Westphalia players and fans are animated as the clock winds down and they hold on to a come from behind win against Iron Mountain 53-52 in the Boys Division 3 Basketball Championship Saturday, March 6, 2019.

▶ Record: 99-15

▶ Winning percentage: 86.8%

The Pirates have the second-most wins of any program from Greater Lansing in the past five seasons and have three seasons with at least 20 victories. That success included going 28-0 in the 2018-19 season while winning the Division 3 state title. P-W hasn't dropped more than six games in a season in that span while being a constant at the top of the CMAC standings. The Pirates have experienced their success under the leadership of both Luke Pohl and Dominic Schneider.

3. OKEMOS

Okemos players and coach Jeff Wonch, left, celebrate with their district championship trophy after defeating Everett 65-53, Friday, March 1, 2019, in Okemos, Mich.

▶ Record: 83-24

▶ Winning percentage: 77.5%

The Wolves have been one of the top contenders in the CAAC Blue the past several season under coach Jeff Wonch. Okemos has reached at least the Division 1 regional final in three of the past five seasons and advanced to Breslin Center for the state semifinals in 2018-19. The Wolves have won at least 18 games in four of the past five seasons.

4. EAST LANSING

East Lansing players and coach Ray Mitchell celebrate with their district championship trophy after defeating Grand Ledge, Friday, March 11, 2022, at DeWitt High School. East Lansing won 57-44.

▶ Record: 80-24

▶ Winning percentage: 76.9%

The Trojans have reached Division 1 regional finals in three of the past five seasons and have made a pair of state quarterfinal appearances in that stretch. East Lansing has won at least 18 games in three of those seasons and has also been a top CAAC Blue contender.

5. WEBBERVILLE

▶ Record: 78-24

▶ Winning percentage: 76.4%

The Spartans have been a consistent winner in recent years under the direction of coach Nate Lott. Webberville hasn't had a losing season in that stretch and finished with 16 wins four times. The strong recent run for the Spartans featured a run to the Division 4 state quarterfinals in 2020-21 — the deepest for the program in nearly five decades.

More:Who are Greater Lansing's top girls basketball programs the past five seasons?

The next five best

▶ ALMA (81-27, 75.0 winning percentage): The Panthers have been a strong program in the Tri-Valley Conference and have had winning seasons each of the last five years. Alma has had at least 18 victories three times in that stretch.

▶ IONIA (77-31 71.2 winning percentage) The Bulldogs have put five straight winning seasons together under coach Scott Swinehart while being a regular CAAC White contender. The highlight in that stretch for Ionia was finishing 20-4 in 2018-19.

▶ OLIVET (72-29, 71.2 winning percentage): The Eagles have been a top contender in the GLAC and have finished with a winning record in four of the past five seasons. Olivet has finished 19-2 twice in that span — last season and in 2017-18.

▶ CARSON CITY-CRYSTAL (75-31, 70.7 winning percentage): The Eagles have had winning marks each of the last five seasons. Carson City-Crystal had at least 17 wins twice in that span, which included going 19-3 in 2018-19.

▶ LAINGSBURG (60-31, 65.9 winning percentage): The Wolfpack have finished .500 or better in four of the past five seasons. Laingsburg has had winning seasons twice in that stretch, which included going 18-3 in 2019-20.

More:Get outlooks on Greater Lansing's high school boys basketball teams

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Boys basketball: See Greater Lansing's top programs the last 5 seasons