Roudtable Discussion: Team 135 Breakout Players

I admit last year’s tire fire of a football season really drained me of any excitement towards this season. However, thanks in large part to the 4 letter network, I have once again bought into the hype of college football.  And as my welcome back post I thought I would try a different approach. I asked a few of my friends to help me ease back into the blogging world. Also, if they are up for it I definitely would like to continue this roundtable throughout the season (and possibly into basketball). Anyways, without further rambling I would like to thank Chad and Shawn for helping me with this welcome back/breakout player article.

Koehn’s Lane asked me (Chad) to help kick off the college football season by predicting my breakout player on offense and defense.  No need to discuss special teams because we all know that will be Will Hagerup!

The break-out player is one of the great debates of any pre-season.  The time when we all try to take in the coach speak and random practice clips to discern who the next big thing is going to be.  There are a handful of guys you want to break out or at least match their pre-season hype.  My list of hopefuls for this season is Freddy Canteen, Mason Cole, Dennis Norfleet, Taco Charlton, Ondre Pipkins, and James Ross.  I’m not sure Canteen and Cole can really be considered break-outs even if they perform well as true freshman.  I also don’t find it very likely that they will outperform their pre-season hype.  Pipkins seems to be buried in the depth chart and, coming off of injury, I don’t think he’ll get enough playing time to break out.  James was given every opportunity to shine last year with mixed results.  I’ll listen to the past and lean to the side that he will again provide mixed results.  So that leaves me with Norfleet and Charlton as my picks for break out players for this year.  Both have seen limited playing time thus far but will be given a lot more opportunities and will be featured in a lot more standard looks.  Their athletic abilities got them on the field in the past but their technique and experience will keep them from being only situational players.

Offense
Dennis Norfleet (Chad)
Last year Norfleet had a very hard time finding any open space on the field once he got the ball.  This was obviously due to the fact that he got the ball pretty much anytime he was in the game.  I believe he should have been awarded entire series in which he could’ve been a part of the offense when he was in and not THE offense when he was in.  This year it seems he’ll have his chance to be a PART of the offense as the starting slot receiver.  This will force opposing teams out of “target Norfleet” mode and he should see him himself in space and with the ball a lot more often.  Another change that should greatly improve the predictability of not only Norfleet but the entire offense is a new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.  Maybe it was due to Al Borges attempting to blend the power and spread schemes but it seemed from my untrained eye that he only ran certain types of plays from certain formations.  With a change to a more cohesive scheme opposing defenses will be guessing more often and with less certainty.  My prediction…not worth much…41 catches 510 yards 4 TDs + 6 carries 60 yards 1 TD.

Derrick Green (Shawn)

Even though the offensive line will likely still remain a major question mark, I think the slimmed down sophomore version of Derrick Green is primed for a breakout season.  His freshman season reminded most people of Kevin Grady.  Green came in with other-worldly expectations and then he showed up for camp overweight and a power back without power.  Most of the grumblings around Ann Arbor have already written this youngster off, and have people wondering why Michigan can’t get production from their last two 5 star backs. Green had a major offseason where he lost weight, reduced his body fat, and from reports has regained his quick feet.  Another encouraging aspect that we can hopefully pull from coach speak is Derrick’s improvement in the pass protection area.  It was considered the major reason why he was slotted 3^rd on the depth chart behind Drake Johnson and DeVeon Smith. Fred Jackson has mentioned that the running back blocking assignments last year were very complex, and didn’t allow the true freshmen backs to be able to play without thinking too much.  Nussmeier has apparently reduced a lot of the expectations on the running backs in pass pro. All of the talk has said Green has really excelled in this new look offense.  I think Green eclipses the 1,000 yard mark this year.

Devin Gardner (Justin)

My original choices were Derrick Green and Dennis Norfleet, so I figured I should give people someone else to keep in mind.  You might be thinking how a 5th year senior quarterback could be considered my breakout player, but just stay with me for bit. Remember how many people were calling for Devin’s head by the end of last year, and all he did was play a half of football on a broken foot against our biggest rival? While converting that 2 point conversion would have cemented the legendary performance, it was still an incredible performance.  Devin showed glimpses of being a first round NFL talent while also resorting to high school mechanics, sometimes in the same drive. He has all of the tools to be the best quarterback in the B1G, even if Braxton Miller was healthy.  On top of that Michigan now has an offensive coordinator that has a track record of being a great quarterbacks coach.  In the first year of all of his coaching stops the quarterback play has greatly improved (Michigan State, Washington, Alabama, etc), and after he left the signal caller’s production slipped back. Devin spent last season either running for his life or getting crushed like a pop can, and he still finished near or at the top of the B1G in most quarterback stats.  When Devin wins B1G Offensive Player of the Year remember you heard it here first.

Defense
Taco Charlton (Chad)
Charlton enrolled early last year and had some hype coming out of spring camp.  He turned that into 8 game appearances but only 2 tackles.  Not anywhere close to what was hoped for out of him.   He’s behind Brennen Beyer on the depth chart but Beyer didn’t exactly fill up the stat sheet last year, recording 0 sacks in B1G play plus ND.  If Charlton has improved his run defense, which at 6’6” 275, shouldn’t be too difficult, he should be primed for some serious production.  I don’t see a scenario besides injury where he hasn’t taken over playing during crunch time by B1G games.  With the change to the 4-3 over we’re expecting more sacks and TFLs all around and I don’t think Charlton will disappoint in these categories.  My prediction...again worth nothing…37 tackles 8 TFL 4 Sacks 2 ff.

Taco Charlton/ Mario Ojemudia (Shawn)

First I will start with a bonus pick. Even though Frank Clark came on a lot at the end of the season to warrant a lot of this offseason hype, I still think he will leave us wanting more. We will look back and think: what a great athlete, but could have felt him more as a football player. So it makes sense that my breakout performer would be along the defensive line (or at least I am hoping they will be). Even though Charlton and Ojemudia play different positions now (SDE and WDE respectively), I am looking for either one to get major snaps by midseason.  I don’t have any prediction stats, but I think either (or both) will be a much more consistent defensive lineman than they were last season. This will probably kick off the unrealistic offseason hype train for 2015.

Jourdan Lewis (Justin )

Charlton is a great pick, but I am going to focus my attention on the secondary.  Michigan suddenly has some of the best defensive secondary depth in the country.  When did that happen?!? The scheme is to be much more aggressive on the outside which plays more into Lewis’ skill set than the returning starters.  JD broke onto the scene last season as the most college ready prospect from Cass Tech in recent memory. He was consistently in good position only to get beat by perfect throws (I am looking at you Akron QB). The added strength and press coverage should really bring Lewis into the spotlight. The other side of the field will be manned by an upperclassman (Taylor or Countess), so expect teams to test Lewis early. My estimation is that the scouting report by B1G season is to avoid his half of the field.  

Again I would like to thank Chad and Shawn for their help with this post, and hopefully you will get to read more of their predictions, analysis, and opinions. Now, who do you think will be the breakout players this year?

High School Basketball Finals Preview

It’s that time of year again! It’s a weekend that is just overloaded with great basketball, and the conclusion of the high school basketball season.  This year’s run featured many upsets along the road to the Breslin, but the favorites are still standing.  It is also a very special weekend in East Lansing because of the overall talent remaining in the tournament. Not only did the 2014 Mr. Basketball winner, Deshaun Thrower, lead his top ranked Muskegon team to the semifinals, the favorites for the 2015 and 2016 awards will be on hand (Deyonta Davis, Josh Jackson, and Cassius Winston).

Class A:

Mount Pleasant (22-4) vs Muskegon (26-0)

This will be a marquee post matchup with Detroit-bound Jaleel Hogan and future pro Deyonta Davis. Hogan is a strong bodied 6’6” Mack truck that should be able to push around the still developing Davis. Hogan has put the Oilers on his back throughout this playoff run. He is averaging 17 points per game, but over 20 in the postseason.  The difference maker here is that Muskegon also has the Mr. Basketball to initiate the offense and be a leader. While Hogan should still have a good game, look for Thrower to bounce back from his average scoring night on Tuesday and have a big game.

U-D Jesuit (22-2) vs Bloomfield Hills (23-3)

Another matchup for U-D against a post-centered team.  Their lack of size was supposed to trip them up before now, but 2016 elite point guard Cassius Winston continues to lead his team to victories. They are led by 19 ppg from Winston and 13 from King a 6’4” senior forward. In the school’s first year, Bloomfield Hills has made quite a statement. B-H is led by 6’8” Mr. Basketball snub Yante Maten. He is coming off of a 31 point, 18 rebounds, 10 blocked shots, and 7 assists. You can bet he wants a shot at proving his value against Thrower and 2015 MSU commit Davis.  I keep picking against U-D, and it continues to bite me, but either team playing Muskegon would feature an intriguing matchup. 

Class B:

Benton Harbor (16-9) vs Cadillac (19-6)

Both teams with underwhelming records, but Benton Harbor is fresh off of beating two top 5 teams (Otsego and Godwin Heights). The Tigers are led by super sophomore Jator Gunn and 6’6” senior forward Cortez Moore.  BH is getting 40 points between these guys. Cadillac is making a return trip to the Breslin Center, and are still led by 6’4” Jalen Brooks and his 18 points and 8 rebounds. The Tigers have played the much tougher regular season schedule and have had the more difficult playoff road. I don’t think Cadillac will be able to stop both Gunn and Moore, and Benton Harbor should be playing Saturday night.

Detroit Douglass (17-9) vs Milan (23-3)

These teams were the Class B preseason number 1 and 2, then they both stumbled out of the gate and were mostly forgotten about. Both are hitting their stride now, and have pulled off upsets to make the semi-finals. Douglass is led by two division 1 guards. Mr. Basketball finalist, Darrell Davis, averages 25 points and 7 rebounds and Terrell Hales 15 points. Milan is led by a dynamite junior point guard-post combination. Latin Davis is only 5’9”  but averages 16 points while 6’7” Nick Perkins averages 15 point and 9 rebounds. I will stick with my preseason number 1, and think that the Class B final will be a matchup of athletic 9 loss teams.

Class C:

Pewamo-Westphalia (23-2) vs Muskegon Heights (20-3)

P-W plays in the best Class C conference, and are looking to put back-to-back entries into the finals.  They are one of the most experienced and best defensive teams left in the tournament. They are led by 5 senior starters, and 4 more off the bench. P-W is led by 6’2” guard Nick Spitzley who has had a memorable playoff run. While he leads the team with 19 points per game, he also has hit game winners over both Beecher and Shelby. And then there is Heights, who seem to live at the Breslin Center. You can close their school and change it to a public charter academy, yet here they are again.  Per usual, the Tigers have played a tough schedule and are very battle tested. They are led by multi-dimensional 6’3” guard Aaron Sydnor and 12 points a game from Eddrick Tornes.  While P-W has made it further than expected on the back of their defense, I just think Heights will be too athletic in this one.

Detroit Consortium (23-2) vs Negaunee (24-1)

Consortium finally made it past the quarterfinal round, and are making their first appearance at the Breslin. They are led by the best player in the state, regardless of class, Josh Jackson.  He is averaging 25 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 4 blocks, but is scoring more than 30 during the playoffs. On top of that, Consortium has a senior point guard that nearly averages a double double (12 points and 8 assists). Negaunee is making a return trip to the Breslin, but will run into another buzz saw in the semifinal round. They are led by all-state guard Tyler Jandron who averages 17.5 points a game and Eric Lori averaging 17 points a game. The Miners are a typical UP team that will look to push the pace and shoot a lot of threes. Detroit Consortium will not be overwhelmed by the quick pace, and will gladly go up and down the court. Consortium is just too athletic for Negaunee and most Class A teams.

Class D:

Frankfort (20-6) vs Southfield Christian (24-1)

Frankfort is led by all-state forward David Loney who averages 20 points and 11 rebounds, and they are making their first appearance to the semifinal round. On the other side, Southfield Christian is looking to be a 3-peat champion. The Eagles are just absolutely loaded with talent and experience. Bakari Evelyn (16 ppg & 8 apg), Lindsey Hunter IV (15 ppg), Damarco White (10 ppg & 8 rpg), and Marlo Brown (12 ppg & 9 rpg). The athleticism and experience will just overwhelm Frankfort as SC should capture another title.

Cedarville (23-2) vs Adrian Lenawee Christian (20-4)

Cedarville has run its way through a loaded UP crowd, and have advanced back to the Breslin for the first time since 2009. They are led by Joey Duncan at 21 ppg and 6’5” big man Dan Stenback 18 ppg.  Both scored 34 on Tuesday night to get past #2 Powers North Central.  ALC is led by Grant Holbein and a stifling 2-3 defense. The 2-3 is meant to pack the middle and stop dribble penetration, but Cedarville will be happy enough to launch threes. I don’t think ALC will be able to keep up with the scoring pace of Cedarville.

High School Basketball Regional Finals Preview (Class A)

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 A Regional Final matchups.

Howell (18-5) vs Grand Blanc (22-2)

Neither team has played a great schedule, but Grand Blanc has beat Howell twice this season. I think the Bobcats make it a third.

Mount Pleasant (20-4) vs #9 Flint Carman-Ainsworth (21-3)

C-A surprised a lot of people Monday by dominating Saginaw 80-51. Even though they lacked the size of the Trojans, the Cavaliers were able to neutralize Saginaw’s height advantage. They will have to use a similar strategy against Detroit bound, Jaleel Hogan. I think they will find a way to do it again behind the backcourt of Justice Green and Cameron Morse.

Ann Arbor Skyline (16-7) vs Kalamazoo Central (20-3)

While this isn’t the Central squad loaded with Division 1 talent, they are going to be a tough out.  After beating a very good Holt team, the Giants shouldn’t have as much problem with Skyline. 

#1 Muskegon (24-0) vs Hudsonville (15-8)

Muskegon's path to the Breslin could not be much easier as Hudsonville will do little to challenge the Big Red. 

#5 Romulus (20-4) vs #4 Ypsilanti (21-2)  

This is probably the best game of the night, regardless of class. Romulus is the defending champions, while Ypsilanti was my preseason choice to win in Class A.  After getting a wake-up call from losing to cross town rival Ypsilanti Lincoln, Community has just been dominant. Jaylen Johnson anchors one of the best defenses in the entire state, and the underclassmen backcourt will provide a lot of problems for the Eagles. I like Ypsilanti to move on. 

#3 U-D Jesuit (20-2) vs Detroit Cass Tech (18-5)

I keep saying U-D's lack of height will bite them at some point in this tournament, but they keep finding ways to win.  They can complete an impressive week sweep of PSL teams with a win over the Technicians. Jesuit has the dominant backcourt while Cass Tech is another team with length.  I think Cassisus Winston finds a way to lead his team into the quarterfinals. 

Utica Eisenhower (18-6) vs Warren Mott (20-4)

These two teams have played a lot of the same competition, but strangely haven't squared off themselves. I like Mott to advance in this game. 

#8 Clarkston (20-4) vs #7 Bloomfield Hills (21-3)

Bloomfield Hills has already given Clarkston two of their losses, but beating Coach Fife three times in one season is extremely tough to do. BH will have the best player on the floor, Yante Maten (A recent Georgia offer and MSU target). I think Maten is looking to make a statement after being left off of the Mr. Basketball ledger.  

High School Basketball Regional Finals Preview (Class B)

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 B Regional Final matchups.

#5 Otsego (21-2) vs Benton Harbor (14-9)

Otsego overcame a slow start on Monday, and after trailing by 20+ they managed to recover and survive. The Bulldogs are very talented, and should advance to the quarterfinals.

Spring Lake (18-6) vs #1 Wyoming Godwin Heights (24-0)

Spring Lake is playing its best basketball right now, but they haven’t faced a team as talented as Godwin Heights. The Wolverines struggled with Holland Christian on Monday, but should win in a much more comfortable way tonight.

Big Rapids (19-4) vs Saginaw Swan Valley (15-6)

Neither team played a particularly tough schedule, but Big Rapids has been tested more. They should be able to use that experience to carry them into Finals Week.

Cadillac (17-6) vs Mason County Central (19-4)

Cadillac’s Jalen Brooks will be the best player on the floor, and even though MCC has the better record I like the Vikings to keep playing.

#9 Detroit Country Day (17-7) vs Detroit Douglass (14-9)  

Both teams are playing like we expected them to before the season, and both Mr. Basketball candidates are shouldering most of the load.  Douglass has more overall backcourt talent, but the Edmund Sumner vs Darrell Davis matchup will be very exciting. I think Davis can play more physical than Sumner at this point in their careers, which could lead to a surprise upset.

#2 Millington (22-1) vs Goodrich (19-5)

Millington is led by another coaches son, and has a lot of weapons in their back court. I doubt Goodrich will be able to keep up.

Detroit Community (14-7) vs #8 Milan (21-3)

Community is trying to bottle the magic from last year’s title run, but the talent level is not nearly the same. Meanwhile has their own college prospect this year in Nick Perkins. I think Milan keeps rolling on.

Wayland Union (20-4) vs #3 Jackson Lumen Christi (23-1)

This should be a very exciting basketball game. Both teams are led by junior guards (Dilon Aten, Wayland and Khari Willis, JLC). Wayland’s claim to fame this year was that it gave South Christian their only regular season loss of the season.  Outside of that, they look like a team primed to be a favorite for the next few years as they play 3 freshmen.  Lumen-Christi has been here before, and are the more experienced team.  Look for Willis and Aten to even each other out, and the difference to be JLC’s senior forward Matt Bullinger.

High School Basketball Regional Final Preview (Class C)

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 C Regional Final matchups.

 Montrose (20-3) vs Flint Beecher (20-3)

Another game where the same records do not equal the same talent. Beecher has beat Montrose twice this year, and should advance to their 5^th straight quarterfinal.   

#5 Shelby (22-2) vs Pewamo-Westphalia (20-2)

P-W plays in a very good conference, and they boast a very experienced team and an elite defense. Shelby will have the best player on the floor, Jason Beckman, who just scored 37 on Monday. I think team defense will be able to limit a great individual performance, but Beckman has been outstanding so far in the playoffs and I think that will continue.

#7 Muskegon Heights (18-3) vs New Buffalo (16-8)

Heights has been a fixture in the Breslin for the past decade, and that was when they were in Class B. Even though a lot of their talent and coach left for Muskegon, they are still one of the teams to beat in Class C. The Tigers should be moving on.

Vermontville Maple Valley (20-4) vs Hillsdale (23-1)

Hillsdale hasn’t lost a game in over 4 months, and just dispatched a very good Hanover-Horton team.  Look for the Hornets to keep their win streak alive.

#2 Detroit Consortium (20-2) vs Ottawa Lake Whiteford (19-4)  

Consortium is one of the best teams in the state, with the best player in the state. I will say it again, this was like Chris Webber in Class C.

#1 Mt. Clemens (21-1) vs Madison Heights Bishop Foley (12-11)

Mt. Clemens is on a collision course with Consortium while Bishop Foley is just happy to still be playing.

East Jordan (18-4) vs Beaverton (21-2)

East Jordan has had some impressive wins in the playoffs, and are led by coaches son Jordan Weber. Beaverton has the more impressive record, but little quality wins to back it up.  They are led by coaches grandson Spencer Johnston. I think East Jordan will continue playing quality basketball, and beat another good opponent.

Ironwood Luther L. Wright (20-3) vs #4 Negaunee (22-1)

The Tyler Jandron led Negaunee is experienced and knows how to win in March.  I don’t think this game will be all that close.

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.

High School Basketball Playoff Update

I would normally just give my second playoff update before the quarterfinal round next week, but some of the brackets have been switched up which will affect the potential semi-final matchups.  On top of that, there were also two major upsets in Class A districts.

Upsets:

Saginaw vs #6 Saginaw Arthur Hill
The Lumberjacks appeared to be a team that was destined to break the March dominance of cross-town rival Saginaw, but for the third straight year the Trojans send Arthur Hill home early. Saginaw now becomes the favorite to advance to the Breslin for the third straight year.

Detroit Cass Tech vs #2 Detroit Pershing
The Technicians lost their fair share of close games this year, including a 6 point defeat to Pershing in January. However, Cass Tech was able to lead the Doughboys from the 2^nd quarter on and withstand a late game rally. This really opens the door for U-D Jesuit or Southeastern.

Marquee Monday Matchups

#3 U-D Jesuit vs #10 Detroit Southeastern (Class A)
Like I mentioned last week when I previewed this potential game, Cassius Winston is an elite sophomore point guard. However, there is very little help around him, and Jordan Morgan is not walking into their locker room tonight. Southeastern is an experienced team that seems to be peaking at the right time. The Jungaleers are in good position to make another run at the Breslin.

Holland Christian vs #1 Wyoming Godwin Heights (Class B)
Godwin Heights escaped the district matchup with fellow top ten team (South Christian), and will now move on to an under-the-radar Holland Christian team led by one of the best athletes on the west side (Kyle Steigenga).  This should be a very entertaining game, but Heights has the added advantage of playing this game on their home floor.

#2 Detroit Consortium vs #5 Detroit Allen (Class C)
Allen was able to beat a tough Detroit Loyola in district finals, but Consortium poses a whole other animal.  Josh Jackson is looking to cement his 2016 Mr. Basketball bid with this playoff run, and without a Monte Morris led Flint Beecher in the way there is not much that can stop the Cougars from claiming their first state title in school history.

#7 Baldiwn vs Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart (Class D)
Brandon Childress is the best player in Class D not wearing a Southfield Christian jersey. Sacred Heart seems to always be a tough out in March.  This will be another game that pits together two opposing philosophies. Baldwin will run its offense through Childress and its backcourt, while Sacred Heart wants to feed the post.

Bracket Changes

Class A: Bloomfield Hills collision course with Clarkston has moved up one round. It is now the likely matchup in the Regional Finals.

Class B: Comstock Park and Godwin Heights can no longer both make the semi-final round because they are favored to battle in the Regional Finals. So, if I am allowed to replace one of my Class B final fours, I would choose the Jalen Brooks led Cadillac to make a return trip to the Breslin.