Crowning a 2026 Division 5 Boys Basketball Champion

A division 5 for the smallest schools is gaining momentum by the year. Beyond The Bridge decided to crown it’s first ever champion based on the 2025-26 year.

We explored what a Division 5 tournament could look like on the girls side, where Ewen-Trout Creek emerged as champion over Portland St. Patrick.

Now? It’s the boys turn.

The idea of a true Division 5 in Michigan basketball has become one of the more fascinating debates in recent years. In Division 4, schools with fewer than 30 students can end up competing against programs with enrollments pushing 200. That kind of gap naturally raises questions:

What would happen if the smallest schools in Michigan had a tournament of their own?

At BTB, we built a mock 2025-26 Division 5 Boys Basketball Tournament using every school in Michigan with an enrollment of 113 students or fewer.

Here was the criteria:

• To give Division 5 its own identity, all state semifinal and championship games would be played at Vandament Arena on the campus of Northern Michigan University, similar to how 8-player football hosts its finals in the Superior Dome.

• Districts were created based primarily on geography. In a few cases, slight adjustments were made to better protect higher seeds.

• Travel was considered, though not to the extent of worrying about exact host sites or neutral-floor logistics. The goal here was simply to create the cleanest and most competitive tournament possible.

• A total of 78 schools qualified for this tournament based on 2025-26 enrollment numbers. Most districts featured five teams, while a few had four.

• Several notable small-school powers remained in Division 4 due to enrollment, including Detroit Douglass, Concord, Forest Park, Pickford, Colon, and Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes. Their absence dramatically changes the landscape of this hypothetical field.

• Previous real-life head-to-head results were respected whenever applicable. If teams met during the actual postseason, the original outcome was used. If they met during the regular season, it was not a guaranteed outcome for this hypothetical playoff.

• This exercise focuses purely on matchups and competitive structure. Things like Vandament Arena availability, travel costs, and neutral-site hosting logistics were intentionally not factored in.  However, if you are an Athletic Director or a fan of those logistics, I strongly encourage you to post on our Facebook page under the story.

These teams now advance to the regionals- the “sweet 16” of Division 5 basketball. We did not project district opening round match-ups, just a brief write up of who won the district over who.

Mock Division 5 Boys Basketball Districts

District 1 – Western U.P.

Watersmeet
Bessemer
Ontonagon
Wakefield-Marenisco

Winner: Wakefield-Marenisco (16-6)

The Cardinals already defeated Bessemer by two points in the real district championship, so we’ll keep that result intact here. Wakefield-Marenisco advances to regionals to face the winner of District 2.

District 2 – Keweenaw / Copper Country

Baraga
Dollar Bay
Lake Linden-Hubbell
Hannahville

Winner: Dollar Bay (20-2)

Dollar Bay cruises through the district, defeating Baraga in the finals just as they did originally. The Bolts move on to face Wakefield-Marenisco in one of the better regional semifinal matchups in the U.P.

District 3 – South Central U.P.

Powers North Central
Carney-Nadeau
Stephenson
North Dickinson
Rapid River

Winner: North Dickinson (21-3)

North Dickinson slides into District 3 and immediately becomes the favorite. The Nordics avenge an earlier-season loss to Stephenson and move on to face the winner of District 4.

District 4 – Eastern U.P.

Superior Central
Big Bay de Noc
Kinross Maplewood Baptist
Rudyard
Engadine

Winner: Rudyard (14-10)

With Pickford remaining in Division 4 and Cedarville shifted into the Straits district, the path opens considerably here. Rudyard capitalizes and claims a district title, setting up a regional matchup with North Dickinson.

District 5 – Straits Area

Cedarville
Mackinaw City
Mackinac Island
Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian
Pellston

Winner: Cedarville (15-8)

One of the more interesting district finals would likely feature Cedarville and Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian — a matchup that was canceled during the regular season. Despite Burt Lake owning the better record, Cedarville finds a way to survive and advance.

District 6 – Northern Lower / Northeast Lower

Harbor Springs Harbor Light
Gaylord St. Mary
Atlanta
Posen
Fairview

Winner: Harbor Springs Harbor Light (20-4)

Harbor Light gets another showdown with Gaylord St. Mary after defeating them 79-73 during the regular season. This one feels like a toss-up, but Harbor Light survives again and advances to regionals against Cedarville.

District 7 – North Central / Grand Traverse Area

Hale
Bellaire
Alba
Traverse City Christian
Lake Leelanau St. Mary

Winner: Traverse City Christian (24-0)

Traverse City Christian rolls through the district and defeats Lake Leelanau St. Mary for the third time this season to remain undefeated entering regionals.

District 8 – Northwest Lower

McBain Northern Michigan Christian
Marion
Onekama
Bear Lake
Baldwin

Winner: Onekama (14-10)

Onekama already proved capable of knocking off highly-ranked teams during its real Division 4 run, including a 50-31 victory over McBain Northern Michigan Christian. This team, they get Baldwin in the district final, winning 63-40 The reward? A regional rematch against undefeated Traverse City Christian — the same team they upset in real life.

District 9 – West Central Michigan

Pentwater
Walkerville
Byron Center Zion Christian
Holland Calvary
Grand Rapids Sacred Heart

Winner: Byron Center Zion Christian (14-9)

With Wyoming Tri-unity Christian narrowly remaining in Division 4, the bracket softens considerably here. Byron Center Zion Christian takes advantage and claims the district title.

District 10 – Mid-Michigan

Portland St. Patrick
Midland Calvary Baptist
Ashley
Akron-Fairgrove
Michigan School for the Deaf

Winner: Portland St. Patrick (19-5)

The Shamrocks move through the district comfortably, overpowering Midland Calvary Baptist in the finals. Portland St. Patrick advances to face Byron Center Zion Christian in regionals.

District 11 – Southwest Michigan

Covert
Watervliet Grace Christian
St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake (winner)
Marcellus Howardsville
Burr Oak

Winner: St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake (15-7)

With Eau Claire no longer standing in the way, the Titans break through for a district title. Burr Oak keeps things competitive, but St. Joseph’s depth ultimately wins out.

District 12 – South Central Michigan

Battle Creek Calhoun Christian
Tekonsha
Marshall Academy (winner)
Jackson Christian
Litchfield

Winner: Marshall Academy (14-4)

Marshall Academy benefits greatly from Climax-Scotts remaining in Division 4. The Griffons edge Battle Creek Calhoun Christian for the district title and advance to regionals.

District 13 – Hillsdale / Lenawee / Washtenaw

North Adams-Jerome
Hillsdale Will Carleton
Adrian Lenawee Christian (winner)
Waldron
Ann Arbor Christian

Winner: Adrian Lenawee Christian (17-7)

This district likely comes down to Adrian Lenawee Christian and Waldron. Both teams suffered narrow postseason losses to Petersburg Summerfield in real life, but Adrian Lenawee’s stronger MPR gives them the slight edge in what feels like a one-possession game.

District 14 – Metro Detroit West

Brighton Livingston Christian 
Westland Hope Academy 
Plymouth Ivywood Classical Academy 
Novi Christian Academy 
Farmington Hills HUDA 

Brighton Livingston Christian wins a district with some evenly matched teams, but takes out Novi Christian Academy in the finals to move on.  With Whitmore Lake (17-8) and Allen Park Inter City Baptist (20-4) not in their district, they find a way.  They'll face 17-7 Adrian Lenawee Christian in the regionals.

Winner: Brighton Livingston Christian (15-9) 

District 15 – Metro Detroit / Flint Corridor

Allen Park Inter-City Baptist (winner)
Detroit Davis Aerospace Academy
Burton CenterPoint Christian
Burton St. Thomas More
Chesterfield Austin Catholic

Allen Park Inter City Baptist wins (21-3). This one isn't particularly close. With state runner up Detroit Douglass out of the way, a team they lost to at regionals by 8, the path clears for a run here. They will face the winner of District 16 in regionals.

Winner: Allen Park Inter City Baptist (15-9) 

District 16 – Thumb

Peck (winner)
Carsonville-Port Sanilac
Kinde North Huron
Caseville
Owen-Gagetown

With Flint Beecher out of the picture, Peck wins a district title instead of losing in the first round. They defeat division foe Kinde North Huron, a team they beat by 26 and lost to by 1 in the regular season. We'll give this one to Peck on the strength of a better record and MPR, winning by 10-12 pts.

Regional Match-ups (Sweet 16) 

Region 1

Dollar Bay (20-2) Vs. Wakefield-Marenisco (16-6)
*Dollar Bay won regional semi final vs. WM, 72-39*
We'll take the Blue Bolts here, just like they did in the actual tournament against this team.  
DOLLAR BAY 71, WAKEFIELD-MARENISCO 45

North Dickinson (21-3) Vs. Rudyard (14-10)
*Teams did not face in a real tournament/regular season*
North Dickinson wins big on the strength of 3-point shooting, defeating Rudyard. They'll move on to the Regional final to face Dollar Bay.
NORTH DICKINSON 69, RUDYARD 43


Region 2

Harbor Springs Harbor Light (20-4) vs. Cedarville (15-8)
*Teams did not face in real tournament/regular season
Cedarville had a nice run but Harbor Springs, on the strength of a decent schedule, take them out here
HARBOR SPRINGS 58, CEDARVILLE 40

Traverse City Christian (26-0) Vs. Onekama (14-10)
*Onekama won 46-40 in real tournament*

Like the actual game, we'll take Onekama here in division 5 for the upset and a trip to the Region 2 championship.
ONEKAMA 46, TRAVERSE CITY CHRISTIAN 40

Region 3

Portland St. Patrick (19-5) vs. Byron Center Zion (14-9)
*Teams did not face in real tournament/regular season*

Byron Center Zion benefits from the new format, but the run ends here with Portland St. Patrick taking them down in a game that's competitive for awhile but end up a blow out. They'll face the St. Joseph's Our Lady/Marshall Academy winner.
PORTLAND ST. PATRICK 58, BYRON CENTER 41

St. Joseph's Our Lady Of The Lake (15-7) vs. Marshall Academy (14-4)
*Teams did not meet in the tournament/regular season*

Marshall Academy takes a close game, 48-41, to move onto the regional championship against Portland St. Patrick.
MARSHALL ACADEMY 48, ST. JOSEPH’S OUR LADY OF THE LAKE 41

Region 4

Adrian Lenawee Christian (17-7) vs. Brighton Livingston Christian (15-9)
*Teams did not meet in the tournament/regular season*

Adrian Lenawee Christian, who played a tough battle-tested schedule, inclduing beating an Ottawa Lake Whiteford team who made the div 3 regional.  They have no problems here and head to the regional champioship to face the Allen Park Inter City Baptist/Peck winner.
Adrian Lenawee Christian, 65, Brighton Livingston Christian 41

Allen Park Inter City Baptist (21-3) vs Peck (17-7)
*Teams did not meet in the tournament/regular season*

With Detroit Douglass staying in division 4, Allen Park becomes the heavy favorite to get to Vandament Arena.    They have no issues here with Peck
ALLEN PARK INTER-CITY BAPTIST 75, PECK 28

16 district winners are down to 8 regional winners. We’ve reached the elite 8 of the first Boys D5 Tournament. Who you got?

REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

REGION 1
DOLLAR BAY (23-2) VS. NORTH DICKINSON (21-3)
We will assume both teams are operating at 100% here, which may make this game a little closer.  From what I was told, the Nordics were banged up just a little. Still, we'll give the Blue Bolts the W here in a closer game than what actually happened. The shooting success ND had against Forest Park isn't as prominent here with a good Blue Bolt defense.
DOLLAR BAY 62, NORTH DICKINSON 55

REGION 2
HARBOR SPRINGS HARBOR LIGHT (21-4) VS. ONEKAMA (16-10)
An incredible story with Onekama, who was 7-9 through 16 games and losers of 6 out of 7 games at one point in the season. Harbor Springs Harbor Light has the better record.  Common opponents? Traverse City Christian. Onekama ended their 22-0 season in the tournament by 6, Harbor Springs lost to TCC twice, once by 8 and once by 12.  I think this would be close, but the way Onekama is playing they simply don't lose here, either.
ONEKAMA 59, HARBOR SPRINGS HARBOR LIGHT 50

REGION 3 PORTLAND ST. PATRICK (20-5) VS. MARSHALL ACADEMY (15-4)
The Shamrocks played both Fowler and D4 state champion Pewamo Westphalia 4 times.  While they did go 0-4 in those games, these are teams that prep you well for the tournament. Both Fowler and PW stayed in division 4, clearing a path for the Shamrocks here. Marshall didn't play a particularly tough schedule, and lost their district in OT to a 7-15 Climax Scotts team. We'll take the Shamrocks here, who punch their ticket to the Upper Peninsula and the final 4.
PORTLAND ST. PATRICK 57, MARSHALL 42

REGION 4 ALLEN PARK INTER CITY BAPTIST (22-3) VS. ADRIAN LENAWEE CHRISTIAN (18-7)
Allen Park plays a particularly tough regular season schedule. They hung with Division 2 powerhouse Detroit Country Day, losing by 7 in the regular season. With Detroit Douglass not in their way, they look like one of the favorites in D5.  Adrian Lenawee Christian also plays a difficult schedule, with a signature win over 19-3 Ottawa Lake Whiteford on the resume. Both of these teams would be in my top 5 overall for a division 5, but only one can advance here. This might be the best game of the regionals, but I'll take Allen Park ICB to win in OT.
ALLEN PARK INTER CITY BAPTIST 60, ADRIAN LENAWEE CHRISTIAN 58 (OT)

FINAL 4
VANDAMENT ARENA
NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

DOLLAR BAY (23-2) VS. ALLEN PARK INTER CITY BAPTIST (23-3)
Instead of the loss to Detroit Douglass, the stars align for a D5 final 4 run here as well, with a shot to advance to the State Championship.  Both of these teams saw Detroit Douglass this season in real division 4 play.  Allen Park lost, 58-50 while Dollar Bay lost 47-58.  This would be a match up of two Division 4 First team players in Liam Tourtilliot and Allen Park ICB's Ethan Esse.  Both teams can score, but both play good defense. Bolts move on in a classic, getting the Portland St. Patrick/Onekama winner.
DOLLAR BAY 47, ALLEN PARK INTER CITY BAPTIST 46

PORTLAND ST. PATRICK (21-5) VS. ONEKAMA (16-10)
Onekama usually keeps games in that 45-60 point range. They're on a high after taking out undefeated Traverse City Christian and Harbor Springs Harbor Light. The Shamrocks played a tough schedule all year, but I think it ends here with Cinderella dancing into the championship game vs. Dollar Bay.
ONEKAMA 58, PORTLAND ST. PATRICK 49

MHSAA DIVISION 5 BOYS
BASKETBALL STATE FINAL

DOLLAR BAY (24-2) VS. ONEKAMA (17-10)

How they got here:

DOLLAR BAY BLUE BOLTS
Hannahville, W 82-26
Baraga W 61-49
Wakefield W 71-45
North Dickinson W 62-55
Allen Park Inter City Baptist W 47-46

ONEKAMA PORTAGERS
McBain Northern Michigan Christian W 50-31
Baldwin W 63-40
Traverse City Christian W 46-40
Harbor Springs Harbor Light W 59-50
Portland St. Patrick W 58-49

Both of these teams were overlooked in the division 4 tournament and both made runs many, outside of the teams themselves, expected.  Both knocked off undefeated teams en route to their actual result.  Neither has a common opponent.  Onekama will want to make this a possession-at-a-time game and slow it down. Dollar Bay would prefer to likely push tempo. Onekama will want to grind it out and push it to 6'5'' F/C Luke Bradford.  For Dollar Bay, they'll need more than Baron Colbert and Liam Tourtillott to score.  This would be a close game, but I'll take the Blue Bolts as your Division 5 State champions

DOLLAR BAY 44, ONEKAMA 40

Dollar Bay battles Onekama in the first ever Division 5 Boys Basketball State Championship!

Dollar Bay’s Liam Tourtillott celebrates being the inaugural State Champions of Division 5 as the Dollar Bay Bolts beat the Onekama Portagers, 44-40 (Disclaimer: All pictures depicting athletes are AI-Generated. No actual student athletes are depicted)

THE BLUE BOLTS ARE YOUR FIRST EVER DIVISION 5 STATE CHAMPIONS!!

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