The Quarterfinals are in the books for Michigan High School basketball and the stage is set for the Final four in each bracket to be played at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University starting Thursday. I hope the weather Gods cooperate and allow me to get back from my business trip in time because I am excited about the games. Very few upsets in the Quarterfinals but the top team in Michigan and ranked #18 in USA Today national poll, Romulus, was beaten tonight, EASILY by Detroit Southeastern 73-51. Losing to Detroit SE I did not expect but could see, but this well coached, talented, deep team losing by 20 I don't understand. Detroit SE brings some serious talent in 6'6 swing guard Brandon Kearney (Michigan St) and 6'9' power forward, Percy Gibson (Dayton) who is a steal for the Flyers. They have quick guard play with Ed Brown being real quick. They deserve to be here but just didn't expect to see them handle Romulus so easy.
Defending State Champ Kalamazoo Central had a tougher game than I expected and needed overtime to beat Hudsonville 48-44.
The rest of the state will get to see the Michigan Gatorade High School basketball player of the year - 6'9' Junior Matt Costello (Michigan State) as Bay City Western advanced with an 11 point win over OLSM while Costello kicked in 31 of the teams 60.
Southfield rolled tonight and could be the hottest team (other than Lansing Sexton) in the tournament right now. They have some athletes on this team led by Michigan signee Carlton Brundidge.
East Grand Rapids gets upset in Class B by Dowagiac but the big game in Class B tonight was the Detroit Country Day win over Flint Powers Catholic in what must have been an outstanding game as DCD wins by a 67-64 margin. This will set up an unbelievable semi between DCD and Lansing Sexton.
Detroit Consortium won their contest over Saginaw Buena Vista and George Goodman in Class C. I am really looking forward to a potential championship game between Consortium and Beecher - that will be well worth the price of admission if it happens.
Class D saw one upset - Detroit Westside Christian knocked off Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Sem. We also have a great semi final matchup in this Class D between the #1 ranked Wyoming Tri-Unity and #2 Eber Junction Superior Cent.
This is like deja vu for some teams as they are returning from trips last year.
Class A - Southfield and Kalamazoo Central return with Kazoo defending their state title.
Class B - Three of the four teams return. Detroit Country Day looks to defend their state title while returnees Lansing Sexton and Muskegon Heights try to win it as well. Sexton met DCD in the finals last year but draw them in the Semi's this year.
Class C - Beecher is the only returnee and they lost in the semi's last year. That should not happen here this year.
Class D - Only Eber Junction Superior Cent is returning and hoping to fare better than their semi loss of a year ago. Tough draw though getting top ranked Wyoming Tri-Unity in the semi's.
Game times and matchups along with comments and predictions are below. Hope to see you there this Thursday thru Saturday.
Thursday Class C
Detroit Consortium vs. Schoolcraft 1:00 Consortium studs vs. Kody Chandler - Consortium wins this one
Flint Beecher vs. McBain 2:50 Monte Morris and Antuan Burks baby - Beecher wins this one
Thursday Class D
Wyoming Tri-Unity vs. Eber Junction 6:00 #1 vs. #2 - should be great game but Wyoming continues on
Fulton vs. Detroit Westside Christian 7:50 Fulton is real good
Friday Class A
Southfield vs. Kalamazoo Central 1:00 Great matchup - Southfield has better talent but Kzoo plays better team ball and is better coached
Bay City Western vs. Det Southeastern 2:50 Looking forward to this one. Costello against Gibson and Kearney. Edge to Det SE
Friday Class B
Country Day vs. Lansing Sexton 6:00 Best game of entire tournament - will be sold out. s/b the Championship game. Sexton wins it.
Muskegon Heights vs Dowagiac 7:50 Heights has Daevante Hudson - Looking forward to seeing him. Heights should win
Predictions
Saturday Class D Final
Wyoming Tri-Unity vs. Fulton 10:00 Should be good game - if anyone can beat Wyoming it would be this team. Wyoming gets back to where they use to be - on top.
Saturday Class C Final
Detroit Consortium vs. Flint Beecher 12:00 2nd best game of tournament - Consortium better talent but Beecher has experience and best sophomore guard in state - Beecher wins in upset
Saturday Class A Final
Southfield vs. Detroit Southeastern 4:00 Could be track meet. Great athleticism on the floor. I think Southfield has got it together and will upset Southeastern
Saturday Class B Final
Lansing Sexton vs. Muskegon Heights 8:00 Will be heading to the exits early as Sexton will kick some Heights tail.
That's it reporting live from New Jersey - Good night from your Basketball SNOB.
Link to Basketball webpage:
http://www.mhsaa.com/tabid/104/SportProfile/True/SportTypeCode/BB/Default.aspx
No comments:
Post a Comment