By BUTCH HARMON
It’s Sweet 16 time for boys 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 Wednesday. Following is a look at area teams in Class A and B.
CLASS A BOYS
@PORTAGE NORTHERN
The Chieftains of Okemos stole the show in the district finals with a thrilling overtime win against Lansing Eastern in the championship game. Okemos now looks to keep things rolling against a talented Niles team in the regional semifinals. Niles stunned Kalamazoo Central on the first night of districts and then topped Loy Norrix for the district title. The other side of the bracket features Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills against Jackson.
Projected winner: NILES
@GRANDVILLE
OK Red foes Hudsonville and Rockford collide in one semifinal matchup with another OK Red team, Grand Haven, facing Petoskey in the other semifinal. Hudsonville took out Zeeland East in the districts and are on a role similar to last year when it advanced all the way to the quarterfinals. Keep an eye out for Petoskey which enters the regional with a 22-1 record and has plenty of talent.
Projected winner: HUDSONVILLE
@MIDLAND DOW
It would be no surprise to see the state champion come out of this regional. In the first semifinal Saginaw brings its 20-2 record up against an upstart Fenton team that has turned in a 22-1 record this season. Champions of the Flint Metro League, Fenton is a solid, veteran team that will give Saginaw a test but in the end lacks the firepower to pull the upset. In the other semifinal Bay City Western and Mr. Basketball candidate Matt Costello go up against Flint Northwestern.
Projected winner: SAGINAW
CLASS B
@SPARTA
Hemlock has enjoyed a big season this winter on the hardwood. The Huskies have captured a district title and bring a 19-4 record into the regional. The Huskies face a major test in the semifinals in Muskegon Heights. The Tigers have a ton of talent and have turned in a 17-6 record against some of the toughest competition in the state. In the other semifinal Big Rapids takes on Sparta in a battle of 17-game winners. Both teams have enjoyed big seasons and the winner gets to take it a step farther.
Projected winner: MUSKEGON HEIGHTS
@MT. MORRIS
It’s been a productive winter season for Corunna athletes as both the boys and girls have won district titles. The Corunna boys are poised to match the girls by earning a trip to the regional title game if they can get past a 9-13 Hemlock team in the semifinals. In the other semifinal, Carrollton is looking to build on the momentum of a big district upset of Bridgeport. Carrollton brings its 16-7 record into the regional against a Goodrich squad that is 17-6.
Projected winner: CARROLLTON
@JACKSON LUMEN CHRISTI
The Big Reds of Lansing Sexton rolled through the district, capping things off with a 10-point win against Lansing Catholic in the finals. The Big Reds face a sub-.500 Ann Arbor Richard team in the semifinals and will take on the winner of Marshall and Stockbridge in the finals.
Projected winner: LANSING SEXTON