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2026 High School Team Preview: University Liggett Knights

GROSSE POINTE WOODS - “Hopefully we move forward again” is how third-year University Liggett head coach Jay Ricci views the 2026 season.

In year one, the Knights lost to Trenton in the state quarterfinals before falling to Traverse City St. Francis in the state semifinals in 2025.

“We try to do a great job of creating an environment where the kids enjoy being there,” explained Ricci, an assistant at Liggett prior to taking over as head coach in 2024. “Last year went really well and we go into this year with the same expectation.

“This group likes to practice,” Ricci continued. “They want to work. They see the benefits of it and want to get better. That makes it easier for us as coaches.”

A roster featuring a number of strong arms in seniors Joey Harris, Kanaan Taylor, Javion Gray and Ravi Hines brings optimism to the program.

Harris, who threw three innings of shutout relief in the state semifinal game, fanned 39 in 35 innings a year ago with a 0.99 ERA while Taylor, a Macomb CC commit, had 48 Ks in 27 frames. Gray threw 11 innings a year ago with 11 strikeouts while Hines, who tossed 10 frames in 2025, is expected to pitch in relief.

Southpaw Miles Quinn, a left-handed hitting outfielder in addition to pitcher, brings promise from “a really good freshman class” according to Ricci.

“We lost a couple big arms in (Jackson) Fetter and (Mack) Phillips but we have a lot returning,” Ricci pointed out.

All of the pitchers are expected to also play in the field, Harris in the infield, Taylor at first base or third base and Gray in the middle infield while Hines can play anywhere. Taylor had a .472 OBP with 21 RBIs, Gray hit .300 with 25 stolen bases, and Hines carried a .318 average and a .426 OBP with 17 RBIs and 12 steals.

Dom Djurasaj is another two-way player who will see time in the outfield as well as in relief. The junior left-handed hitter, who throws from the left side, carried a 1.90 ERA in limited innings last season.

Another junior, Sam Van Culin, began last year on JVs but by season’s end was starting in center field. Van Culin had 10 stolen bases and a .392 OBP.

“The overall attitude and work ethic of these guys is exceptional from top to bottom,” Ricci said. “When you have a talented team with a good work ethic you see special things happen.

“We are going to be playing some tough teams, but when you get in those tighter games in the end you’ve maybe been there.”

A quartet of sophomores are also being counted on for big things in 2026. Will Martin is expected to start at catcher and “maybe pitch a little” according to Ricci. Marc Abdul-Nour has “bat to ball skills through the roof” but his position is uncertain, while Alex Durham is likely to fit in at third base after playing quite a bit last year and Alex Nicholson will be in the mix in the outfield.

“It’s really easy to come up short with one bad day,” Ricci assessed. “We just try to focus on day to day. In talking to the players, they know there will be failure, it’s about bouncing back from that which is what we expect.”

Ricci points to four or five teams that can win the Catholic League this season, something the head coach expects his squad to do. There is also the matter of facing a strong schedule with a host of new teams added to the schedule with the likes of New Boston Huron and Rochester Adams.

“We believe if they do their work and believe in themselves, these guys have the ability to go as far as they want to go,” Ricci concluded. “The talent and work ethic is there, they just have to go on the field and do it.”

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