Butch Harmon
Sports Scene
It’s Sweet 16 time for girls high school basketball teams in the state of Michigan as regional play begins tonight. 32 teams from around the state will be battling to make it to the Sweet 16 and then the opportunity to be one of eight regional winners on Thursday. Following is a look at area teams in Class A and B.
CLASS A GIRLS
@ROCKFORD
The top-ranked team in Class A, Grand Haven, is the heavy favorite to come away with a district title in this regional. The Bucs have just lost once all season. Grand Haven‘s biggest test could come in the regional semifinals against Northview.
Projected winner: GRAND HAVEN
@DEWITT
This should be one of the most competitive regionals in the state. East Lansing and Gull Lake bring identical 19-4 records into one semifinal game. The other semifinal sees a talented East Kentwood team with a 20-3 record facing off against Holt which has won 16 games this season.
Projected winner: EAST LANSING
@BAY CITY CENTRAL
A pair of 20-win teams are on a collision course at this regional. In one semifinal game, Midland puts its 20-2 record up against a solid Davison squad that comes in with a record of 15-7. On the other side of the bracket Clarkston comes in with a 20-3 mark and faces Saginaw Arthur Hill (15-7).
Projected winner: MIDLAND
CLASS B
@PORTLAND
This may be the toughest regional of any in the state. In one semifinal game, Portland and Grand Rapids Catholic Central is a matchup worthy of a state final. Portland enters with a 23-0 record while Catholilc Central is 19-3. The other side of the bracket features a classic matchup of West Michigan Christian school powers as Hudsonville Unity Christian (21-1) takes on Grand Rapids South Christian (20-3).
Projected winner: GR CATHOLIC
@HAMILTON
This regional comes close to matching the firepower of Portland. In the opener, 22-0 St. Joseph tangles with a Battle Creek Harper Creek team that enters with a 20-3 record. The nightcap features a pair of three-loss teams as Wayland (18-3) takes on Parchment (20-3).
Projected winner: ST. JOSEPH
@BIG RAPIDS
Freeland (19-3) travels west where it faces a tough semifinal matchup in Muskegon Oakridge (20-2). In the other side of the bracket host Big Rapids (18-4) will be tough to beat. The Cardinals take on a young and talented Sparta (14-8) that closes the season strong.
Projected winner: Freeland
@CARROLLTON
All eyes will be on top-ranked and unbeaten Goodrich in this regional. The Martians are as talented as any team in the state and face a tough Frankenmuth (18-4) team in the opener. Corunna (15-7) has had one of its finest seasons in recent years and will look to add a regional victory to its resume when it takes on Croswell-Lexington (15-7) in the other semifinal.
Projected winner: GOODRICH
@EATON RAPIDS
Led by talented sophomore Allie Ditmar, Eaton Rapids has been one of the most underrated teams all season. The Greyhounds (21-3) square off against Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard in one semifinal game. The other side of the bracket features a talented Marshall (17-6) team taking on Linden (12-10).
Projected winner: EATON RAPIDS