The NCAA tournament comes back tonight for the first 8 of the sweet 16. But starting at 1 is the beginning of the 2012 high school basketball state finals at MSU. Today’s games will be the 8 smaller schools playing for a chance at the title.
Class C
Schoolcraft (22-4) vs Flint Beecher (26-0) 1pm
Schoolcraft is the defending champion in Class C. They are in the semi-finals for the 3rd time in the past 4 years. The Eagles are led by Junior Luke Ryskamp. He is a 6’3” wing player that leads the team in scoring, rebounds, steals, and blocked shots. He was the star of last years finals trip and hasn’t been slowed much in this year’s playoff run even though he is battling a foot injury. Schoolcraft was overmatched in last year’s semifinal game against Detroit Consortium, maybe even more than they are this year. Yet, they still found a way to win. The Eagles don’t have as much size as they usually do, but they have experience. They will slow the tempo up on the Bucs and not allow them to get comfortable running. On the other side, the Bucs are undefeated for the first time in 26 years. They have been to the semifinals 4 times in the past 5 years. Monte Morris is the repeat Class C player of the year and has been to the semis in his first three seasons. He has never made the finals. It seems like the #1 Bucs have been on a mission all season. They have one goal in mind, and its not just to get back to the Breslin but to leave as champions. I think Monte is just too much for Schoolcraft to handle today. The Eagles will keep it close with their grind it out style, but if the game gets into the 60s+ it favors the Bucs. I just don’t think Beecher goes home empty handed this season.
Shelby (24-2) vs Traverse City St. Francis (24-2)
Both teams are rated in the top 10, and have been for most of the season. Shelby starts 5 seniors that have been together since elementary school. They don’t have any superstars, but are the definition of a team. they have extremely good guard work. I think Shelby would match up well with Beecher actually because a simple full court press will not rattle this team and Beecher is a little vertically challenged. Traverse City however does not have that problem. They are led by true center Sean Sheldon, a 6’9” William & Mary signee. He has put TCSF on his back and willed them to the Breslin so far. Shelby will likely have to double team when he gets the ball. If they do, then the guards have to be ready to knock down shots. This game will feature a very exciting matchup at the point guard position. Track star Devin Sheehy (TCSF) against Shelby’s best player DJ Beckman. If Beckman cannot keep Sheehy in front of him, then Sheldon will likely get quite a few layups. I have to give the advantage to TCSF in this game based on better players and a more experienced coach in March: Keith Haske.
Class D
Southfield Christian (22-2) vs Muskegon Catholic Central (17-9)
The football powers are still alive in these two small classes. They are both led by big body tight end type players. All-stater Jaso Ribecky of MCC is headed D1 in football, but he can still create a lot of mismatch problems for the guard heavy Southfield Christian team. The Crusaders might be the hottest team in any class right now. They came into the tournament at 11-9 and have knocked off two top 5 teams to get to East Lansing. Southfield Christian might be their toughest matchup though. Usually west side teams have not seen the level of speed that SC can throw at them. This team could have 4 guys 5’8” or shorter on the floor at one time today. They like to press, play aggressive man to man defense and score a lot of points. They will have some problems if MCC takes care of the ball and try to lengthen their offensive possessions. S-C has scored over 90 points 6 times this season. I doubt they will get close to that today, but I have to give the edge to the better athletes and team in this situation. I think S-C will eventually pull away at the end.
Climax-Scotts (25-1) vs Carney-Nadeau (23-2)
This one should be a very interesting matchup. Climax has a ton of size for a Class D team and Carney-Nadeau will follow the normal UP style (press, press, press, and shoot 3s). If the shots are dropping for the yoopers it could be a long day for C-S. Somehow I just don’t think their hot shooting will continue today. it will be hard to replicate their 14 made 3s in the quarterfinal game. C-S will use their two junior twin towers Malachi Satterlee and Aaron Cook to beat the press and pick up easy buckets. Carney-Nadeau will likely need to call off the press at some point in the game. I think Climax pulls this game out pretty easily.
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