Girls Basketball Regional and Boys State Quarterfinal Preview.
Written Saturday March 9th at 10:00 AM
Here is the early thoughts about the Girls Regional and Boys State Quarterfinals.
Girls Regionals Preview
Region Eight at Milford
CLARKSTON vs Lakeland
Howell vs Grand Blanc
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional at Milford. Clarkston had to survive an emotional 41-40 district final win over Lake Orion where they trailed all game until the final second. The Wolves will take on a Lakeland team that can play any style. The Eagles are coming off a 24-22 win over Milford in the district finals. It should be a very interesting first game. In the second game, Howell is coming off an emotional 43-42 overtime win over Hartland in the district finals, it’s the second time in two years that the Highlanders have knocked out their bitter rivals from Hartland in the district finals. Grand Blanc has had a solid year, they won 60-38 over Oxford in the district finals but this should be a test for the Bobcats. When looking at this district, Clarkston does have a win over Howell in the regular season and is very familiar with Lakeland but they are not to well familiar with Grand Blanc.
EARLY PROJECTION: I think the winner of Howell and Grand Blanc wins over Clarkston in this regional. The Wolves should have no issue with Lakeland in the regional semifinals because of Elliana Robak and Brooklyn Covert. The lack of size could hurt especially if Clarkston has to play the Bobcats. The Highlanders should be motivated after what happened in Clarkston against them if they were to play them in the regional final. Grand Blanc is well coached and too experienced but Howell is a very tricky game.
Region Seven at Macomb Dakota
STONEY CREEK vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Macomb Dakota vs Chippewa Valley
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This should be a very interesting regional at Macomb Dakota. Macomb Dakota has to be the favorite on paper but they had to survive New Baltimore Anchor Bay 47-45 in the district finals. Chippewa Valley is riding a ton of confidence after winning 63-53 over Utica in their district final. Stoney Creek has lived on the edge lately which included a 37-32 win over Rochester in their district final. Bloomfield Hills is in their first regional after winning 49-46 over Seaholm in overtime in their district final. Looking at this regional, Macomb Dakota is favored as mentioned because of home court. Stoney Creek beat Bloomfield Hills earlier in the season but both teams are different now. Chippewa Valley is very dangerous in this regional and is playing with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
EARLY PROJECTION: I see Stoney Creek vs Macomb Dakota in the regional final but Bloomfield Hills could beat Stoney Creek in the regional semifinals especially with their size in the interior but Stoney Creek has played a much tougher schedule. Macomb Dakota should get by Chippewa Valley. Home court looks to be the difference in this regional.
Region Six at Birmingham Marian
ROYAL OAK vs Grosse Pointe North
WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Detroit Renaissance
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional in Birmingham. Both regional semifinal games are very interesting. Royal Oak is coming off their first district title with a 43-41 win at Warren Cousino in the district finals behind a winning layup from Emmy Walden. They will see Grosse Pointe North who is a regional juggernaut. The Norsemen won 56-35 over Roseville in their district final and they feature a proven player in Natalie Babcock. In the second regional semifinal, you have two teams that are very similar in West Bloomfield and Detroit Renaissance. Both teams have proven experience, love to go up and down, and beat you in different ways. The Phoenix is coming off a 60-29 win over Berkley in their district final, they put 91 on Southfield Arts and Tech in the district semifinal while the Lakers won 68-39 over Farmington Hills Mercy in their district final and put 97 on the same Warriors team in the regular season.
EARLY THOUGHTS: I think both games are tight and close. Royal Oak is playing with house money in this regional, with apologies to Coach Brian Sopota and the Ravens, I think Grosse Pointe North’s experience gets them to the regional final. In the second game, it will be high scoring and tight, the Lakers move on because of the Davis sisters. West Bloomfield wins this regional and moves onto the State Quarterfinals.
Region Fifteen at Hazel Park
HARPER WOODS vs Warren Fitzgerald
Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs Detroit Edison
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting regional at Hazel Park. Harper Woods had no issue winning 64-14 over Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy in the district finals but they have a really difficult regional ahead of them. The Pioneers play Warren Fitzgerald who is also coming off two blowout wins including a 48-15 blowout win over Center Line in the district finals. The other side is not easy either with Detroit Edison and Birmingham Detroit Country Day. The Yellow Jackets beat Ferndale 67-43 in the district finals. Detroit Edison had a 2-0 forfeit win over Detroit University Prep in their district finals.
EARLY PROJECTION: This should be a Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs Warren Fitzgerald regional final, going with the Yellow Jackets to move on, too much experience.
Boys State Quarterfinal Preview
NORTH FARMINGTON vs River Rouge at Callahan Hall on the campus of Detroit Mercy
THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: The Raiders have been riding an emotional high behind the play of Landon Williams, Tyler Spratt, and Robert Smith. North Farmington needed two free throws from Avi Meltser free throws to beat Warren DeLaSalle 54-53 in the regional finals. Coach Todd Negoshian’s team has been tested in the postseason by Groves and the Pilots. They get to face the Panthers of River Rouge. River Rouge is coming off a dramatic 59-58 win over Dearborn in the district finals where senior Keshawn Fisher hit three free throws after being fouled on a three point attempt to spring the upset of the Pioneers. He had 27 points in their 66-60 upset win over defending Division One State Champion Detroit Cass Tech in the regional semifinals and was a huge catalyst in their regional final win over Brownstown Woodhaven. It should be very interesting to see how Negoshian plays Fisher and the Panthers in this matchup at Detroit Mercy. Whoever wins will see Muskegon or Zeeland West at the Breslin Center on Friday.
EARLY PROJECTION: I don’t think River Rouge has seen the pressure that North Farmington will put on them in this tournament. I think Negoshian gets the Raiders to the Breslin Center.