CLASS A BOYS
As usual, southeast Michigan and the Detroit area is home to some of the premier Class A teams in the state. Detroit Pershing has been unbeatable this season, and the Doughboys are looking to add another state title to their collection. Led by seniors Kahlil Felder and Martez Walker, the Doughboys will face a major challenge in the district, where they will have to get past Detroit Cass Tech for a second time this season. The winner of that game should make it to the Breslin Center and be one of the favorites to win it all. Romulus reached the semifinals last year, where it fell to Rockford. Romulus has defeated Saginaw Arthur Hill this season, and its lone loss came against Pershing. The Eagles have as much talent as anyone in the state.
TOP TEAMS STATEWIDE
1. Detroit Pershing
2, Romulus
3. Detroit Cass Tech
TOP LOCAL TEAMS
1. Saginaw Arthur Hill
2, Saginaw
3. Grand Blanc
3. Waverly
TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH
1. James Young, Rochester
2. EC Matthews, Romulus
3. Kahlil Felder, Detroit Pershing
TOP LOCAL PLAYERS
1. Jalen Adams, Saginaw Arthur Hill
2. Eric Davis, Saginaw Arthur Hill
3. Denzel Watts, Carman-Ainsworth
LOCAL ANGLE
Defending Class A state champion Saginaw and crosstown rival Arthur Hill will again battle it out on the district level. It’s likely that whichever team wins the Owosso district will be playing in the Class A state title game. The third meeting of the season between these storied rivals promises to be a classic that involves some of the top high school talent in the state. Grand Blanc has enjoyed an outstanding season and also has the talent to make a deep title run. Don’t count out last year’s tournament surprise Rockford, either. The Rams stunned East Kentwood late in the season and have played a rugged schedule to prepare for March Madness.
CAN’T MISS DISTRICT GAME
Potential district final at Owosso between Saginaw and Saginaw Arthur Hill.
STATE FINALS PREDICTION: Detroit Pershing over Saginaw
CLASS B BOYS
While Detroit Country Day may not have the big-name player that it has had many times in the past, the Yellowjackets are still one of the premier teams in southeast Michigan. Lakeshore played Lansing Sexton in last year’s state title game, and it again has a skilled team capable of making it to Breslin. High-scoring senior Dontel Highsmith and his Dowagiac teammates may have their best team yet, while Otsego is a talented team with size and good guard play.
TOP TEAMS STATEWIDE
1. Detroit Country Day
2. Lakeshore
3. Dowagiac
4. Otsego
TOP LOCAL TEAMS
1. Lansing Sexton
2. Corunna
3. Frankenmuth
4. Big Rapids
TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH
1. Bo Zieglar, Detroit Community
2. Dontel Highsmith, Dowagiac
3. Mitchell Rubio, Goodrich
TOP LOCAL PLAYERS
1. Jalen Hayes, Lansing Sexton
2. Trevor Manuel, Lansing Sexton
3. Lance Monroe, Bridgeport
4. Jimmy Kodet, Williamston
LOCAL ANGLE
Can the Big Reds of Sexton do it again? Even with an almost new roster this season, they have been holding their own against a rugged schedule. With senior Jalen Hayes leading the way, the Big Reds have the talent to add another state title trophy to the trophy case. Corunna has enjoyed one of its finest seasons in years, and Cavalier fans are thinking back to the early 1980s when their team last won a state title. Corunna faces a rugged district, however, with a semifinal matchup with Goodrich looming. It gets no easier after that, as the winner faces the winner of the game between a young and talented Flint Southwestern squad and Flint Northern. Look for Frankenmuth to make a run out of the Thumb. Big Rapids has a solid team capable of a deep run, as well.
CAN’T MISS DISTRICT GAME
Goodrich district semifinal game between Corunna and Goodrich and Williamston district final with Lansing Sexton facing the survivor of Haslett, Lansing Catholic, and Williamston.
STATE FINALS PREDICTION: Lansing Sexton over Dowagiac
CLASS C BOYS
Few teams have been as hot during the month of February as Calvin Christian. A traditional Class C power from the west side of the state, Calvin has averaged over 83 points per game during the month of February. Grand Traverse St. Francis has another solid squad and may be the best team of the north. In southwest Michigan, keep an eye on Schoolcraft, which features a team that plays tough defense, can hit outside shots, and take care of the ball. No team in Class C, and few in the entire state, can match the talent of Consortium College Prep. Led by senior Vince Hunter, one of the best all-around players in the state, and freshman Josh Jackson, one of the top freshmen in the country, this may be the year Consortium breaks through and wins the Class C title.
TOP TEAMS STATEWIDE
1. Grand Traverse St. Francis
2. Academy for Business & Technology, Melvindale
3. Calvin Christian
4. Consortium College Preparatory
TOP LOCAL TEAMS
1. Beecher
2. Hamady
3. Pewamo-Westphalia
4. Ithaca
TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH
1. Vince Hunter, Consortium
2. Josh Jackson, Consortium
3. Luke Ryskamp, Schoolcraft
TOP LOCAL PLAYERS
1. Monte Morris, Beecher
2. Nick Spitzley, Pewamo-Westphalia
3. Sage DeMull, Ithaca
4. Jacob Ham, Meridian
LOCAL ANGLE
Beecher added to its collection of state titles last March, and with senior Monte “Man Man” Morris back for one last tournament run, the Buccaneers may bag another title. Beecher has faced a rugged non-conference schedule this season and has been tested for March. If the Buccaneerss don’t defend their title, they will have a say in who wins it. Pewamo-Westphalia has another year of experience under its belt, and the Pirates are poised for a long tournament run, led by junior Nick Spitzley and senior Ty Simon. While everyone across the state is familiar with the success of the Ithaca football team, many people don’t realize how successful the boys’ basketball team has been. The Yellowjackets have annually advanced to the regionals, and this season they have the talent to take things even farther.
CAN’T MISS DISTRICT GAME
At the Carson City district, a semifinal matchup between Pewamo-Westphalia and Laingsburg is must-see basketball, while at the Beecher district, a final between Beecher and Hamady is as good as it gets in Class C.
STATE FINALS PREDICTION: Flint Beecher over Grandville Calvin Christian
CLASS D BOYS
With plenty of size, talent, and experience, Climax-Scotts is one of the teams to beat in Class D this year. Climax-Scotts features a devastating one-two inside punch of 6’7″ post players Malachi Satterlee and Aaron Cook. Tri-Unity Christian has been arguably the most successful Class D school over the past 20 years, and this season is no different. The Defenders are talented, have good size, are well-coached, and have been tested by a rugged schedule. Cedarville looks to be the pride of the north country and is primed for a long tournament run.
TOP TEAMS STATEWIDE
1. Climax-Scotts
2. Tri-Unity Christian
3. Cedarville
TOP LOCAL TEAMS
1. Sacred Heart Academy
2. Fulton
3. Lansing Christian
TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH
1. Kaion Seales, Westside Christian Academy
2. Joey Blaukamp, Tri-Unity Christian
3. Malachi Satterlee, Climax-Scotts
TOP LOCAL PLAYERS
1. Mitchell Myler, Sacred Heart Academy
2. Griffin Lewis, Morrice
3. Dalton Trefil, Fulton
LOCAL ANGLE
Led by Mitchell Myler, Sacred Heart Academy has been ranked in the Class D top ten for most of the season. The Irish have a deep and talented team and are primed for a long tournament run, provided they can get past host Beal City in the Beal City district. Beal City has a solid team that has challenged for the league title this season and can defeat almost anyone in Class D on any given night. Fulton has done a good job of rebuilding this season. Despite heavy graduation losses, the Pirates have combined the skills of veteran guard Braedon Proctor and Dalton Trefil with several talented freshmen and sophomores like Greg Jones. Look for Fulton to be a surprise locally in Class D this March.
CAN’T MISS DISTRICT GAME
Semifinal matchup in the Beal City district between the host Aggies and Sacred Heart Academy.
STATE FINALS PREDICTION: Wyoming Tri-unity over Climax-Scotts