Boys Basketball Thoughts.
Written Sunday February 19th at 6:00 PM
The district formula was released today. The official matchups will be released next Sunday. I wrote the scenarios for each team going forward. The formula will be on the bottom to take a look at.
Pontiac: The Phoenix have had a very difficult season. They have a tough district path ahead of them in District Six. Pontiac would have a very interesting matchup with Waterford Kettering in the pre-district. If the Phoenix were to get past the Captains then they would have a rematch with Waterford Mott in the district semifinals and if they somehow pull off the upset then they would likely see Clarkston in the district finals. Either way it’s a tough path for Pontiac in the postseason.
Ferndale University: The Eagles have a tough path ahead of them. They are the B team in District 59 which means they will see Hazel Park in the pre-district and if they win that game they would see arch rival Ferndale in the district semifinals. With where they are at with the MPR this will be the likely outcome for Ferndale University.
Avondale: The Yellow Jackets have had things very rough as of late. They made a coaching change mid-season which can always be tough. Avondale is the A team right now in District Six. If this holds and it could very well be the case with the MPR standings they would play Clarkston in the district semifinals. The Yellow Jackets have a really tough path this postseason for sure.
Harper Woods: The Pioneers are in a very interesting race when it comes to the MPR. They are the second seed for now but Grosse Pointe North is right behind them. Grosse Pointe South is the top seed in District 30. Harper Woods would play Grosse Pointe North either way if they are the two seed or the A team in the district semifinals. Roseville and St. Clair Shores Lakeview are locked into play each other in the pre-district. A clash with the Norsemen is very likely no matter the outcome for the Pioneers.
Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors have been up and down this season. They have a very tough district in District 26. Southfield Arts and Tech would be the C team in the bracket which means they would play Livonia Stevenson in the pre-district and if they can get by the Spartans then they would play North Farmington in the district semifinals. The Warriors have a tough path that is for sure.
Royal Oak: The Ravens have been improving as a program but the postseason is another animal where this program needs to take the next step. Royal Oak is the D team in District 25 which means they would have a really difficult matchup with Detroit Renaissance in the pre-district. If they somehow get by the Phoenix then they would play Oak Park in the district semifinals. It’s going to be a tough path for Royal Oak but if they are executing at a high level then maybe there is always a chance.
Troy Athens: The Red Hawks are in a battle for the second seed in District 28 with Utica. If Troy Athens can keep the second seed they would play Sterling Heights Stevenson in the district semifinals but if Utica passes them then they would be the B team and play Utica Ford II in the pre-district which would mean they would play arch rival Troy in the district semifinals pending if they can get by the Falcons. The Red Hawks would like that second seed which would mean a much easier matchup with Sterling Heights Stevenson then having to play in the pre-district and deal with your arch rival in the district semifinals.
Seaholm: The Maples will have things very tough this postseason. They are the B team in District 28 which means they would play arch rival Groves in the pre-district. If Seaholm can get by Groves then they would see Birmingham Brother Rice whom is the top seed in the district semifinals. This is a very tough path for the Maples if they want to make some noise in this district.
Oxford: The Wildcats have a very difficult path ahead of them. They are right now the C team in District Four but if they win out they have an outside chance of catching Davison for the second seed. Oxford will play Lapeer in the pre-district with the winner playing top seed Grand Blanc in the district semifinals. It’s going to be a very tough path for sure for the Wildcats.
Berkley: The Bears have been a very odd team to figure out. If things hold despite having home court they are the A team in District 25 which means they would play Detroit Mumford in the pre-district. If Berkley gets by the Mustangs they would play Detroit-University-Detroit Jesuit in the district semifinals. It will be a tough matchup for the Bears but they have home court which helps. Berkley is the wildcard in this district that is for sure.
Rochester: The Falcons are in a very interesting spot in District Five. If Lake Orion were to get the two seed they would be the A team and play Stoney Creek in the pre-district however if Utica Eisenhower were to get the second seed then they would be the B team and play Lake Orion which is a much tougher matchup. Either way Rochester is likely playing in pre-district but the opponent is to be determined.
Stoney Creek: The Cougars have had a really rough year this season but things could change with the postseason. Stoney Creek is in a very interesting spot in District Five. They won’t be seeded which means they would play in the pre-district no matter what happens. The Cougars are the C team which means they would play Rochester if Lake Orion is the second seed. If Utica Eisenhower is the second seed then they would play Romeo in the pre-district. Either way for Stoney Creek it’s a difficult matchup to say the least
Groves: The Falcons have had a very good year for Coach Marc West. Their postseason path is very challenging. They are the A team in District 28 which means they would rematch arch rival Seaholm in the pre-district. If they win that game then they would play Birmingham Brother Rice in the district semifinals which is a very tall task. It’s going to be a tall order for Groves but they could be a dangerous team for Birmingham Brother Rice in the district semifinals for sure.
Farmington: The Falcons are much better than their record indicates and that makes them a very dangerous team come this postseason. They would be the A team in District 26 which would mean they would play Detroit Henry Ford in the district semifinals. If they can win that game then they would have a rematch with arch rival North Farmington in the district finals. I don’t see the Falcons passing Detroit Henry Ford for the second seed so this would be the likely matchup unless things change which seems very unlikely.
Lake Orion: The Dragons are in a very complex spot when it comes to the postseason. They are the two seed right now but that could change if Utica Eisenhower passes them for the two seed. The Dragons would receive the bye if this pans out which means they would see either Utica Eisenhower or Romeo in the district semifinals. However if the Eagles pass them they would be the A team and play Rochester in the pre-district with the winner playing Adams in the district semifinals. There is a lot to play for, for Lake Orion especially with some monster games coming up.
West Bloomfield: The Lakers have had a big turnaround this season. The district could be a very tall task for West Bloomfield. They are the D team in District 28 which means they would have a rematch with Bloomfield Hills. If they can win that game then they would play Orchard Lake St. Marys in the district semifinals. I like this path for the Lakers if they can knock off Bloomfield Hills which they have already done on their home floor and I’m not real trustworthy of the Eaglets in the postseason.
Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks have been up and down recently. Bloomfield Hills is in a very tough district despite having home court. They likely won’t be seeded which means they are the C team in District 28 where they will rematch West Bloomfield in the pre-district. If they can beat the Lakers then they would play Orchard Lake St. Marys in the district semifinals and if they win that game they would clash with Birmingham Brother Rice in the district finals. Like West Bloomfield, I like the Blackhawks path pending if they can get by the Lakers. It’s really hard for me to trust the Eaglets this postseason with their distractions. Expect Noah Adamcyzk to make a ton of noise on his home court.
Troy: The Colts have the top seed in District 28 all but locked up. Troy will likely see either Utica Ford II or Utica/Troy Athens in the district semifinals. The Colts matchup very well in this district. Either way Troy is in a great position to do well although Utica could be an issue but not likely at the moment.
Adams: The Highlanders look like they will have the top seed in District Five but if they keep losing then watch for Utica Eisenhower and Lake Orion. If things hold to where they stand, Adams would play either Rochester or Stoney Creek in the district semifinals. However if they let the Eagles or Dragons pass them then things could get very interesting. Adams would be the two seed if they get passed or they would be the B team in the district if both teams pass them and would have to play in the pre-district. There is a lot to play for Adams but if they keep winning then the top seed in the district is theirs.
Clarkston: The Wolves have home court in District Six and have the top seed all but locked up. If this were the case which it likely will be they would play Avondale in the district semifinals and should they win that game they will have that rematch with Waterford Mott in the district finals. I don’t really see Clarkston getting jumped by Waterford Mott like they were but then again Wolves fans know what happened last season.
Oak Park: The Knights are in a battle with Detroit Renaissance for the second seed in District 25. They hold that seed at the moment which means they would play Detroit Renaissance or Royal Oak in the district semifinals. If the Phoenix pass them then they would be the C team and play Royal Oak in the pre-district. Oak Park looks very good for the second seed which should help them. This is a program that wants Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit in the worst way possible. Could this be the year that the Knights get the Cubs??? We’ll see.
Ferndale: The Eagles postseason path looks very secure with where they are at in the MPR. They would be locked into the top seed in District 59. Ferndale would play either Ferndale University or Hazel Park in the district semifinals. If they can win that game then they would likely see Detroit Old Redford in the district finals. Either way this is a great path for the Eagles in the postseason.
North Farmington: The Raiders are the top team in the MPR, have home court, and have the top seed locked up in District 26. There likely won’t be any changes which means they would see either Southfield Arts and Tech or Livonia Stevenson in the district semifinals and if they win that they could see Detroit Henry Ford or Farmington in the district finals. North Farmington is in a really good spot to make some noise in the postseason.
Here is the MPR formula for Boys Basketball.
https://www.mhsaa.com/sites/default/files/MPR/2022-23/2022-23%20FINAL%20BBB.pdf