Class D Preview

Instead of making a really detailed preview of each class I am going to highlight my top two choices in each bracket, and highlight their path to the Breslin Center.




Favorite: Cedarville Trojans
It seems like Cedarville teams have been dominant for the past decade in Class D. They can always score a ton of points in the standard UP way, and usually have one main guy capable of hanging 30 on almost anyone. This year's squad is no different. The Trojans have scored over 70 points in every game, and Joey Duncan has been on a mission for his senior campaign. However, this year the UP is oozing with talented Class D teams that will push Cedarville before they even can think of crossing the bridge.


Where they could stumble:
Considering that 10 of the 13 top teams in the AP poll are on the Trojan's half of the bracket nothing is guaranteed, but it does help that 5 of these teams will be in the same Negaunee regional. The winner of the potential Regional Semifinal between Powers North Central and Munising (Munising's only loss is at North Central by 2) will meet Cedarville in the quarterfinals.




Top Challenger: Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
OLL is looking to be the 8th straight private school to win the Class D crown. The Lakers are led by two wing athletes: 6'3" senior Nick Robak and 6'4" junior Andrew Kline. A matchup with any of the UP powers would be fun to watch, as both teams would like to extend pressure for the full court and outshoot each other from behind the 3 point line.


Where they could stumble:
Allen Park Inter-City Baptist will be a stiff regional finals test for OLL. ICB might have been the 2nd best Class D team in the state for the past 3 seasons, but just couldn't find a way past the loaded Southfield Christian teams. While the reigning Class D POY (Evan Kraatz) has graduated, it is his younger brothers turn at the helm. As usual they have played a much tougher schedule than OLL up to this point with losses to Southfield Christian and Allen Park.




Player to Watch:
Brandon Childress, Baldwin, is the best player in Class D and is headed to Central Michigan in the fall. If he gets hot for a couple of weeks, don't be surprised to see Baldwin in the semi-finals.