Written Saturday March 11th at 11:20 AM
Here are the previews and projections heading into the quarterfinals and projections.
Boys Regionals
Region 15 @ Hazel Park
FERNDALE vs Detroit University Prep
Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy vs Warren Michigan Collegiate
THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional at Hazel Park. Ferndale really hasn’t needed to change much when it comes to location being at the same place as their district. The Eagles had a really tough time with Detroit Old Redford Academy until the fourth quarter when they pulled away. Detroit University Prep is coached by former Hazel Park Coach Brendon Barrett. Ferndale and Detroit University Prep did play each other in the first game of the season when the Panthers beat the Eagles 55-53 on December 5th at Wayne State. They weren’t really tested in their district with two blowout wins. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy was tested by Detroit Denby in the district finals but their district wasn't very strong. Warren Michigan Collegiate has played in the toughest district out of the four teams that are here. The Cougars had to survive the Abes 60-55 at Warren Lincoln in the district finals to get to this regional.
PROJECTION: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional at Hazel Park. It's a very tough regional with three teams that has a shot to win it. I think Ferndale gets by Detroit University Prep this time around in the district semifinals. It should be much closer like the first meeting between the teams. I can also see Warren Michigan Collegiate getting by Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy. We should be in line for a great regional final between the Eagles and the Cougars. Both of these teams have been battle tested and have played really tough schedules. I think Ferndale moves onto the State Quarterfinals because they were battle tested more but Warren Michigan Collegiate will have a strong say who moves on.
Region Seven @ Troy
TROY vs NORTH FARMINGTON
Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit vs Orchard Lake St. Marys
THOUGHTS: This should be the toughest regional in the State at Troy. There is a lot of star power in this regional and you have four proven coaches with four proven teams as well. North Farmington has a ton of proven depth in Ryan Hurst, Landon Williams, Tyler Spratt, and Malachi Jackson. Troy has Bryce Parker, Chase Kuiper, Carter Cusmano, Darius Whiteside, Jon Whiteside, and Zach Penoza. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit has a solid sophomore class along with Sonny Wilson. Orchard Lake St. Marys is coming off a stunning upset of Birmingham Brother Rice in the district finals has Sharon Barnes, Daniel Smythe, and Trey McKinney. The Raiders had the easiest path to the regionals so out of the three teams they should be the most rested.
PROJECTION: It could be a public relations nightmare for the MHSAA if Orchard Lake St. Marys wins the State crown this season considering the federal court case against three players whom were deemed ineligible by the MHSAA. The Eaglets are riding on cloud nine after their stunning upset of Birmingham Brother Rice in the district finals. It’s an interesting star studded matchup between Wilson and McKinney between the two Catholic League Central rivals. I see the Eaglets getting past the Cubs in this matchup. The OAA matchup features the Colts and the Raiders. I think North Farmington’s depth should be the difference in this matchup. This would set up North Farmington vs Orchard Lake St. Marys. It should be a classic regional final but the Raiders depth should be too much for the star power of the Eaglets. McKinney, Smythe, and Barnes along Hurst, Williams, and Jackson could cancel each other out. Tyler Spratt could be the difference maker in this regional. I think North Farmington moves on because of their depth.
Region Two @ Fenton
ADAMS vs Milford
CLARKSTON vs Fenton
THOUGHTS: This is a really interesting regional which saw a
ton of dramatics. Adams is coming into this regional with a ton of confidence after two really tough physical games against Lake Orion and Utica Eisenhower. Noah Kim got the offensive rebound that set up the game
winning three by William Gee against Utica Eisenhower to get them here. Milford
has been a scrappy team all season but they had a really hard time with Lakeland in the district semifinals and Walled
Lake Central in the district finals. Fenton has been very good all season. They are quick, athletic, and is riding with a ton of confidence after beating Howell and Hartland in the districts. The Tigers have
proven experience and home court. Clarkston hasn’t been that strong all season
but they are still dangerous. The Wolves beat a solid Waterford Mott program in the district finals. Anytime you have Brody Kosin, Desman Stephens, Jon
Kaul, Brayden Wiley, and Cavanaugh Diton you are going to be a very dangerous team.
PROJECTION: I think Adams wins this regional for a few reasons. They have Brady Prieskorn inside along with William Gee and Peter Karkasis. Noah Kim is the X factor with his energy and rebounding. The Highlanders should get by Milford because of proven basketball experience. The Clarkston/Fenton game should be very interesting. This is a rematch of a 53-49 Wolves win over the Tigers on January 4th at Fenton. Kaul was out for that game with a hand injury but he is back now. I think this is an all Red final but the Highlanders have had the Wolves number as of late but it’s hard to beat a team three times in one season and Clarkston beat Adams in the regional semifinals last season.
Girls Basketball Quarterfinals
WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Flint Carman Ainsworth at Bay City Central
THOUGHTS: The Lakers have been rolling as of late. They really weren’t tested in the districts at White Lake Lakeland but they were really tested in the regionals. West Bloomfield had to get by their Red rivals in Rochester and Lake Orion. The games against the Falcons and the Dragons were a lot closer than the scores indicated especially the regional finals. The Lakers have not been playing like themselves which is a concern for Coach Darrell McAllister. West Bloomfield will have to make the long trip into Bay City to take on an undefeated Flint Carman Ainsworth squad that had to survive Grand Blanc in Flushing and Sault Ste. Marie 47-45 in overtime in the regional final at Houghton Lake. Flint Carman Ainsworth did play in the West Bloomfield MLK Classic and picked up an emotional win over Westfield Prep at the time while the Lakers hosted that classic.
PROJECTION: The regional did expose West Bloomfield a little bit especially with depth and three point defense. The Cavaliers have a very good big and a good guard but it’s not anything that the Lakers haven’t seen before. If West Bloomfield is healthy they are fine especially with the Davis and Hendrix sisters along with Destiny Washington. Bench play is very critical in this game and that does not favor West Bloomfield. Postseason experience is also key which favors the Lakers. I see West Bloomfield moving onto the Breslin Center because of experience but it could be much closer than expected.
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