I have been away from blogging for some time now. I have to
admit, the Michigan football season really did a number on my desire to analyze
every game. I needed break from
something that started to feel like a job, instead of a fun way to throw out my
opinions. I will probably ease my way back into new posts, but wanted to start
with a high school basketball update since the playoffs start tonight!
I will give a quick breakdown of how each class’ bracket
breaks down with: marquee matchups to watch for before the semi-finals, my
final four predictions, and some players to keep an eye on.
Interesting potential
matchups:
Regionals could feature
4 top ten contests.
#6 Saginaw Arthur Hill vs #9 Flint Carman-Ainsworth (March
10)
Arthur Hill has the best guard in Class A (Eric Davis), and
they also have a 6’6” freshman (Bryan Bowen) that is turning Division 1 coaches
heads. The Lumberjacks have been tested over and over this season which should
yield good results in March.
#3 U-D Jesuit vs #10 Detroit Southeastern (March 10)
Cassius Winston will be the next great high school point
guard to come out of Michigan. It has been impressive to see how much he has
improved since last year, but unfortunately there is not much help surrounding
him. How far U-D goes really depends on
how broad the young sophomore’s shoulders are.
On the other end, the Jungaleers are fresh off of another trip to the
state finals. However this year did not start as planned. Southeastern stumbled
out to an 0-5 start, but they were just too experienced to pack in the
season. They finished just 1 point away
from an unprecedented PSL championship, and will be looking to make another
deep tournament run.
#5 Romulus vs #4 Ypsilanti (March 12)
Romulus finally got over the hump last year with their
loaded senior class. After their coach left for Buffalo, it has felt like a
rebuilding year for the Eagles. But even after another gauntlet schedule, here
they are with only 4 losses. Even with the big names gone, this team knows how
to survive and advance. Ypsilanti was my Class A pick before the season
started, but it took star forward Jaylen Johnson a while to continue his AAU
dominance. This could be the best regional final in the entire state.
#2 Pershing vs #3 U-D Jesuit (March 12)
Let’s be clear here, this is just a matchup that could
happen if rankings hold out. I think
Southeastern is playing better than U-D right now, and the Cubs lack of size
will be their downfall this year. I just don’t know which game that will be. Assuming
this is the matchup, the sophomore guard duo for U-D will really test the more
experienced Diane and Ingram. The only problem for the Cubs is that Pershing’s
best player is center Justin Tillman.
The Doughboys are likely too long and explosive for Winston to overcome.
Quarterfinals could
feature 2 top 10 games.
#2 Detroit Pershing vs #4 Ypsilanti
Things just don’t get any easier for these two teams. If
they advance this far they would have likely beaten a top 5 team the week
prior, and have to turn around and battle again. This is one would be a rematch from Pershing’s
early 3 point win. This game would feature two of the most balanced teams in
the entire state. Two Mr. Basketball finalists and Division 1 forwards: Justin
Tillman, VCU, and Jaylen Johnson, Louisville. Two Division 1 guards for each
team: Mory Diane, Buffalo, Marquel Ingram, Corey Allen and Xavier Cochran. It is a shame that this matchup would take
place in the quarterfinals, and not at the Breslin. Luckily for fans the more anticipated matchup
will be for a trophy on March 22 (Muskegon vs Pershing).
#7 Bloomfield Hills vs #8 Clarkston
Clarkston is used to playing basketball this late in March,
but even though Bloomfield will be new to the scene they will have one the best
player on the floor, post Yante Maten. All he has done this year is put up huge
numbers, and then get snubbed from the Mr. Basketball ballot. What a perfect
time to play angry as this game will be played right after the above matchup on
the same floor.
Final Four
Predictions:
#1 Muskegon vs #6 Arthur Hill
#2 Detroit Pershing vs #7 Bloomfield Hills
Players to Watch:
Justin Tillman, Detroit Pershing (Mr. Basketball favorite)
Jaylen Johnson, Ypsilanti
Deshaun Thrower, Muskegon
Deyonta Davis, Muskegon
Eric Davis, Saginaw Arthur Hill
Yante Maten, Bloomfield Hills
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