High School Basketball Regional Final Preview (Class D)

The Regional Finals were scheduled for tonight, but with most of Michigan getting hit with snow-pocalypse 18.0 some have been delayed until tomorrow. Regardless of when the games will be played, here is a preview of all 8 Class D Regional Final matchups.

 Mt Pleasant Sacred Heart (19-3) vs Fulton (21-2)

Sacred Heart just knocked off Baldwin on Monday, which was one of my semi-final picks. Their height proved too much. Fulton plays in one of the toughest small school conferences. This should be an exciting and close defensive battle. Sacred Heart also played some tough out of conference teams to prepare them for March. I think Fulton is the more experienced team, and would be my pick to advance to the semi-finals.

Au Gres-Sims (15-6) vs Frankfort (18-6)

Two of Frankfort’s losses came to Suttons Bay, the team they just beat by 19 on Monday. The Panthers have played an extremely tough schedule, and appear to be on a roll. Look for David Loney to have another big game.

#1 Southfield Christian (22-1) vs #10 Allen Park Inter-City Baptist (18-6)

This has become the best small school rivalry in southeast Michigan.  Southfield Christian is looking for their 3^rd straight state championship, and ICB is the team that has given them the most trouble each of the last two playoff runs. Even though the Eagles have beaten ICB twice this year, it is Evan Kraatz’s last time against SC. I expect him to have a big game, but it likely will not be enough to knock off the champs.

#4 Peck (21-0) vs Burton St. Thomas More (20-1)

Even though More Academy has a great record, it is inflated with an incredibly weak schedule. Meanwhile, Peck hasn’t played murderer’s row, but there schedule is full of schools that I have heard of.

#5 Cedarville (21-2) vs #9 Hillman (21-1)  

This is a rematch of the 2013 Regional Final when Cedarville outlasted Hillman in double OT. Both teams return their best players. Hillman’s strength is in its backcourt with Mason VanPamel, while Cedarville’s best weapon is down low Dan Stenback. This should be the game of the night in Class D with both teams wanting to press and push the tempo.  I think Hillman will really struggle with Cedarville’s size.

#8 Crystal Falls Forest Park (20-3) vs #2 Powers North Central (24-0)

This features another rematch game. Powers beat Crystal Falls twice already this year. Both times CFFP managed to keep it under 15, but I don’t think they have enough weapons to slow down the Jets.

#6 Battle Creek St. Philip (23-1) vs Covert (14-1)

Nobody ever really knows how good Covert is these days, but they haven’t been overly impressive so far in the playoffs. On the other hand, St. Philip ran past Climax Scotts this year as the premiere team in southwest Michigan.  I expect them to continue their 2014 dominance.

 

Morrice (17-5) vs Adrian Lenawee Christian (18-5)

ALC has played the tougher competition this year, and seem to live in the quarterfinals as a program. I don’t know much about this year’s Cougars squad, but I will pick them based on a good friend being an alumnus.